October is ADHD Awareness Month. And there’s some important news to share: earlier this year, a team of UK experts reviewed the evidence and found that ADHD is not being overdiagnosed.* If anything, it may be underdiagnosed, and the bigger problem is that support is too hard to get. With around 1 in 20 children in the UK thought to have ADHD, here’s what foster carers, and anyone thinking about fostering, should know.
So, what is ADHD?
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It’s a difference in how the brain manages attention, energy and impulses. It isn’t caused by bad parenting, and it isn’t a child “being naughty” or not trying hard enough.
ADHD looks different in every child. Some are full of energy and always on the go. Others are quieter and more likely to drift off into daydreams, which means their ADHD can easily be missed, especially in girls.
What young people with ADHD might struggle with
Every child is different, but common challenges include:
- Staying focused, especially on things they find boring
- Sitting still or waiting their turn
- Impulsivity, such as doing or saying things before thinking them through
- Remembering instructions, homework or where they left things
- Big feelings that come on quickly and are hard to calm
- Getting started on tasks, or switching from one thing to another
- Sleep, as busy minds can find it hard to switch off
For children in care, some of these signs can overlap with the effects of trauma or big life changes. That’s why it’s so important to look at the whole picture and talk things through with professionals.
Tips for supporting a young person at home
Small, practical changes can make daily life calmer for everyone.
- Keep routines predictable. A clear rhythm to the day, with pictures or a wall chart, helps children know what’s coming.
- One instruction at a time. Short, clear asks work better than a long list.
- Break tasks into chunks. “Tidy your room” becomes “put your clothes in the basket”, then the next step.
- Build in movement. Regular breaks, fidget toys or a quick run around the garden can help them focus afterwards.
- Notice the good stuff. Children with ADHD often hear a lot of “no” and “stop”. Catch them doing well and tell them.
- Give warnings before changes. A five-minute heads-up before leaving the park or turning off the TV can avoid a meltdown.
- Look after yourself too. Supporting a child with ADHD can be tiring, so lean on your support network.
Getting support, and how we help
With waiting lists for assessment often long, it’s worth starting the conversation early. If you think a child in your care might have ADHD:
- Talk to their school, including the SENCO and the Designated Teacher for children in care
- Speak to your supervising social worker and the child’s social worker
- Raise it with the child’s GP, who can make a referral
- Make sure any needs are recorded in the child’s Personal Education Plan (PEP)
At Banya Fostering, our carers never go it alone. We offer fostering training, guidance and a team who will help you advocate for the child and get the right support in place.
Thinking about fostering? Find out more about the fostering application process.
*Source: No overdiagnosis of ADHD, say experts, University of Nottingham, March 2026 (study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry).
