ADHD treatment for kids, teens, and young adults
When focus, impulsivity, and energy get in the way, school or work, friendships, and family life all feel harder. Our licensed clinicians help kids, teens, and young adults build skills for focus and self-control, and give you tools that work at home.
Clinically reviewed by Amy Kranzler, PhD
- Licensed, specialized therapistsTrained in evidence-based care for kids, teens, and young adults
- Fully virtualVisits that fit around your schedule
- Evidence-based skillsStrategies for the moments that matter
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What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition. It affects how the brain manages attention, activity, and self-control.
Everyone gets distracted or restless sometimes. With ADHD, those patterns start in childhood, show up in more than one place, like home and school or work, and get in the way of learning, work, friendships, or family life.
With the right support, kids, teens, and young adults with ADHD build skills that help them thrive.
Everyday distraction or ADHD?
Everyday distraction
- Comes and goes with fatigue, boredom, or stress
- Similar to others the same age
- Shows up in one place, not everywhere
- Doesn’t get in the way of school, work, or friendships
ADHD
- Present most days for six months or more
- Clearly more than others the same age
- Shows up in two or more settings, like home and school or work
- Gets in the way of learning, friendships, or family life
Types of ADHD
Clinicians describe three presentations of ADHD, based on which symptoms stand out. A person’s presentation can change over time.
- Mostly inattentiveTrouble focusing, getting organized, and following through. It’s often quiet and easy to miss.
- Mostly hyperactive-impulsiveConstant motion, trouble waiting, and acting before thinking.
- CombinedBoth patterns together: trouble with attention and with activity or impulse control.
Signs to watch for
Everyone loses focus sometimes. These signs are concerning when they’re more than others the same age, last six months or more, show up in more than one place, and start to cause problems at home or at school.
Attention
- Trouble staying focused on tasks or conversations
- Careless mistakes in schoolwork or at work
- Easily pulled away by sounds or thoughts
- Forgets daily tasks and loses things
- Struggles to organize or finish work
Activity
- Fidgeting, squirming, or tapping
- Trouble staying seated
- Always on the go, or feeling restless inside
- Talking a lot
- Trouble playing or relaxing quietly
Impulsivity
- Blurting out answers
- A hard time waiting their turn
- Interrupting conversations or games
- Acting without thinking it through
- Quick frustration or big emotional reactions
How it can show up at different ages
Kids
Hyperactivity and impulsivity are usually easiest to spot in younger kids.
- Up and out of their seat during dinner
- Homework that takes hours instead of minutes
- Notes home about blurting out or not listening
Teens
Hyperactivity often eases, while focus and organization get harder as demands grow.
- Assignments finished but never turned in
- Losing track of time and missing plans
- Taking risks without thinking them through
Young adults
With more independence, ADHD often shows up as trouble managing time, responsibilities, and follow-through.
- Missing deadlines at school or work
- Struggling to keep up with bills, schedules, and appointments
- Restlessness that shows up as always needing to be busy
Is it ADHD, or something else?
Trouble focusing can also come from anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or learning differences, and these often overlap with ADHD. You don’t need to have it figured out. Our clinicians look at the full picture.
How we treat ADHD
Treatment has three parts, and you’re involved throughout.
Skills for you or your child
Therapy strengthens executive functioning skills, including planning, organization, time management, focus, and emotion regulation.
- Break big tasks into small, visible steps
- Build routines and rewards that stick
- Name big feelings and handle them before they boil over
Parent coaching
Parents learn proven strategies to support their child's executive functioning skills, like consistent routines, scaffolding new skills, and consistent follow-through.
- Build consistent routines that make daily tasks more manageable
- Scaffold new skills, then gradually step back as independence grows
- Follow through consistently, with less conflict at home
Therapy alongside medication
For many school-age kids, teens, and young adults, medication combined with behavioral treatment works best. When medication is part of the plan, it is prescribed by a pediatrician, primary care provider, or psychiatrist, and therapy works alongside it.
- Often recommended alongside behavioral treatment for school-age kids and teens
- Not the first step for kids under 6
For young adults 18 and older, care is one-on-one with their therapist and does not include parent involvement.
What parents are saying
“Lindsay LITERALLY changed not just my daughter's life, but our entire family dynamic. We thought we were going to have to consider homeschool, as she was experiencing debilitating separation anxiety. We assumed she would end up on medication - not only did she not need medication, she has not missed a single day of school this year.”
“Megan was so valuable to our family during a trying time in our lives. My son needed someone to understand him and show him how to ask for help when he needs it. He has gone from failing multiple classes to being an honor student. He’s been so helpful around the house and is all around a happy child. We’re so grateful that we made the choice to go with Handspring.”
“There has been a marked change in my daughter's ability to cope with anxiety and stressors and using the coping skills she learned she has been able to get through situations that she couldn't before. Her self confidence has also increased. Many thanks to Shanna - my daughter was sad to not see her each week any more, but the reason for that was a great one.”
“I have seen a huge improvement in the way my daughter communicates, manages her emotions, and behaves since she started her weekly sessions. I am so grateful to see such a positive impact with her and within a short period of time. Tried other solutions and none worked. Thankful for Handspring services helping our family."
“Lindsay LITERALLY changed not just my daughter's life, but our entire family dynamic. We thought we were going to have to consider homeschool, as she was experiencing debilitating separation anxiety. We assumed she would end up on medication - not only did she not need medication, she has not missed a single day of school this year.”
“Every aspect has been great so far. The onboarding process was quick and easy - everyone was so professional, responsive, and compassionate. Our child was quickly matched with a therapist with a suitable personality, style, and approach. Additionally, the parents’ needs are being addressed as well - the option to have that support is invaluable!”
“We were so happy with the care our son received. There has been such a change in him over the past year and we are so grateful! Morgan was able to connect with him so well and teach him so many skills that he now uses every day. Thank you all so much for everything you have done!”
“My daughter had such a positive experience with Handspring. Christine was amazing with her and my daughter felt very comfortable talking to her. My daughter’s self confidence and attitude have improved drastically since starting Handspring. Thank you so much!”
“Megan was so valuable to our family during a trying time in our lives. My son needed someone to understand him and show him how to ask for help when he needs it. He has gone from failing multiple classes to being an honor student. He’s been so helpful around the house and is all around a happy child. We’re so grateful that we made the choice to go with Handspring.”
“Natasha was extremely patient and kind, but also very clear and honest with my daughter when speaking to her. She also handled dealing with myself and my ex extremely professionally and was always available to help when I had any concerns outside of my daughter’s appointment.”
“Michael built a great relationship with my son early on in the sessions, therefore my son felt extremely comfortable speaking to him and opening up about his feelings. Michael was kind, fun and gave excellent coping techniques. My son is much more open and vocal with his feelings and uses Michael’s techniques when he’s upset or getting frustrated.”
“There has been a marked change in my daughter's ability to cope with anxiety and stressors and using the coping skills she learned she has been able to get through situations that she couldn't before. Her self confidence has also increased. Many thanks to Shanna - my daughter was sad to not see her each week any more, but the reason for that was a great one.”
Get started with therapy fast
Your first consultation is free, then insurance covers the sessions after that with a nominal copay.
Start with a free consultation
Meet with our clinical services team to discuss what brings you here and get matched to one of our licensed therapists. No waitlist, available within 48 hours.
Meet your therapist for an assessment
Meet with your therapist so they can form an accurate diagnostic assessment and develop an effective treatment plan.
Begin treatment within a week
With remote sessions, flexible scheduling, and length of treatment tailored to your needs, this is high-quality care that’s made to fit your life.
Questions parents ask
Don’t see your question? Talk to our care team.
Is it ADHD or just a phase?
Everyone is distracted or restless sometimes. ADHD is different: the patterns last six months or more, show up in more than one setting, like home and school or work, and get in the way of learning, work, friendships, or family life.
Can girls have ADHD?
Yes. Girls are diagnosed less often than boys, partly because they more often have the inattentive type, which is quieter and easier to miss.
Is ADHD caused by sugar or screen time?
No. Research doesn’t support sugar, screen time, or parenting style as causes. ADHD tends to run in families and involves differences in brain development. Sleep, routines, and screen habits can still make symptoms easier or harder to manage.
Is medication needed?
Not always. For kids under 6, behavior therapy with parent training is the recommended first step. For many school-age kids, teens, and young adults, medication prescribed by a pediatrician, primary care provider, or psychiatrist, combined with behavioral treatment, works best.
Does ADHD go away with age?
Hyperactivity often eases with age, but trouble with focus and organization can continue into the teen and adult years. The skills learned in treatment help at every stage.
Ready to talk it through?
A free consult with our care team is the first step. We’ll listen to what’s going on and help you decide what comes next.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data on ADHD in children. Updated July 7, 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About ADHD.
- Wolraich ML, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 2019.
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), 2022.