Parents, you’re always trying to understand your kids better. You’ve seen some behaviors that make you wonder, “How do I know if my kid has ADHD?” Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Some people with ADHD mainly have symptoms of inattention. Others mostly have symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity. Some people have both types of symptoms. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavior disorder that’s usually first diagnosed in childhood. Symptoms usually occur together, but one may occur without the other(s). Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Let’s explore ADHD and find the signs, symptoms, and ways to help your child.
Table of Contents
Solving the ADHD Puzzle: Signs and Symptoms
To answer “how to know if you have ADHD,” we need to know what ADHD is. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It’s a brain condition that affects kids with thinking and learning differences. ADHD can cause problems with paying attention, being too active, and acting without thinking. Let’s look at the signs and symptoms.
Using Goally’s learning tablet can help you track your child’s progress and identify patterns in their behavior. This can be helpful in spotting ADHD symptoms early on.
Inattention
Kids who have trouble paying attention may:
- Find it hard to focus on tasks
- Struggle with organizing and finishing tasks
- Forget things in daily activities
- Make mistakes in schoolwork without meaning to
- Get distracted easily
It’s essential to recognize these signs early on, as they can impact your child’s learning and social skills. Goally’s apps can help kids with inattention stay on track and improve their focus.
Goally | The Tablet for Neurodiverse Kids

Hyperactivity
Kids who are too active may:
- Wiggle or move around in their seats
- Have a hard time staying seated
- Run or climb a lot
- Talk too much
- Always be on the go
Hyperactivity can be challenging for both kids and parents. Goally’s learning tablet offers engaging activities that can help channel your child’s energy in a positive way.
Impulsivity
Kids who act without thinking may:
- Interrupt others often
- Find it hard to wait their turn
- Do things without thinking about what could happen
- Not being able to finish questions without them shouting out answers and interupting
Impulsivity can lead to social difficulties and misunderstandings. Goally’s apps can help teach kids self-control and patience through fun and interactive games.
The Many Faces of ADHD: Types and Severity
ADHD isn’t the same for everyone. There are different types and levels of ADHD. Knowing these differences can help you figure out what kind of ADHD your child might have.
Using Goally’s learning tablet, you can monitor your child’s behavior and track their progress. This information can be helpful when discussing your child’s needs with a healthcare professional.
ADHD – Mostly Inattentive Type
Kids with this type of ADHD have trouble paying attention. They often daydream and find it hard to focus. They may not be too active or act without thinking.
Goally’s apps can help kids with inattentive ADHD by:
- Providing engaging activities to improve focus
- Offering visual reminders and schedules
- Encouraging organization and planning
Read more: How Do People With ADHD Think?
ADHD – Mostly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
These kids are mostly too active and act without thinking. They have less trouble paying attention. They may find it hard to sit still and often do things without thinking.
Goally’s learning tablet can support kids with hyperactive-impulsive ADHD by:
- Offering activities that channel their energy
- Teaching self-control and patience
- Providing structured routines and schedules
ADHD – Combined Type
Combined type ADHD is the most common. Kids with this type have problems with paying attention, being too active, and acting without thinking. Goally’s apps can help kids with combined ADHD by offering a mix of activities and tools that address both inattention and hyperactivity.
Finding Answers: When to Get Professional Help
If you think your kid might have ADHD, it’s essential to talk to a doctor or another expert. They can help you find out for sure and make a plan to help your child.
Read More: When Do ADHD Symptoms Start?
Using Goally’s learning tablet, you can share your child’s progress and behavior patterns with healthcare professionals. This information can be valuable during the evaluation process.
What Happens During an ADHD Check-Up
Observing your child’s behavior is another key piece of the puzzle. Watch out for how they interact and respond in different settings. Furthermore, input from you and your child’s teacher can provide valuable insights. Are there concerns at school or home that might point towards ADHD?
Lastly, analyzing how your child thinks and learns can shed light on potential learning differences. This combined approach helps to paint a clearer picture and answer the question, “how to know if I have ADHD?” It’s about seeing the whole child, not just a set of symptoms.
Helping Your Child Shine: Tips for Success
Now that you are aware of how to know if you have ADHD, it’s time to help your child. Here are some tips to help your kid do their best:
Make a Routine
- Set up daily schedules
- Break tasks into smaller steps
- Use pictures, charts, and calendars to help
Goally’s learning tablet can help you create and maintain routines for your child, making it easier for them to stay organized and focused.

Teach Organization
- Show your child how to use planners and checklists
- Use color-coded folders and labels
- Make a special place for homework and studying
Goally’s apps can help teach organization skills through interactive games and activities, making learning fun and engaging.
Get Moving
- Plan regular exercise and outdoor play
- Find sports or activities your child likes
- Take breaks to move around during the day
Goally’s learning tablet offers activities that encourage physical movement, helping your child stay active and engaged.
Build Social Skills
- Sign your child up for social skills groups or classes
- Practice social situations and how to respond
- Encourage your child to join clubs or activities with other kids
Goally’s apps can help teach social skills through interactive games and role-playing, making it easier for your child to connect with others.
Ask for Help
- Talk to teachers, therapists, and doctors for advice
- Think about medicine or therapy if an expert suggests it
Goally’s learning tablet can help you track your child’s progress and share it with professionals, ensuring your child gets the support they need.
Try Goally For Your Child With ADHD
Goally helps kids with ADHD stay focused and build skills. Unlike a Kindle or an iPad that kids get easily distracted on, Goally has no YouTube, no social media, no web browser, and especially no ads.
Goally uses game play as a points-based motivator for your kiddo with ADHD and helps them learn emotional regulation skills. It’s simple to set up and has an expert-informed design.

Now that you know how to identify if your child has ADHD, you’re ready to provide necessary help. Every child is special, and they can achieve great things with the right support. Let’s start a clear and calm journey into ADHD. With Goally, you’ll have the required aids and backing to help your child do well. It’s time for them to feel confident and capable in their own unique way.
FAQ’s About How to Know if You Have ADHD
What are signs of ADHD in a child? Signs of ADHD in a child can include difficulties with focus, being overly active, impulsiveness, and issues with following instructions. When should you get your child tested for ADHD? If your child consistently shows signs of ADHD across multiple settings like school and home, consultation with a healthcare professional is suggested. Can ADHD be managed with learning tools? Yes, learning tools like visual schedules, emotional regulation apps, and rewards can greatly help manage ADHD symptoms. What role does Goally play in supporting ADHD children? Goally provides essential tools and support to help your child develop adequate learning, emotional regulation skills, and reward-based motivation. How does identifying ADHD early benefit a child? Early identification of ADHD can facilitate timely intervention leading to improved academic, emotional, and social outcomes for the child.
This post was originally published on 04/17/2023. It was updated on 02/19/2024.
Goally
We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.