A child psychiatrist has opened up about a pattern she sees routinely where a neurodivergent child will struggle at school, and the adults around them mistake their symptoms for poor behaviour or a bad attitude. “There is a version of ADHD that looks, from the outside, like daydreaming or simply not caring,” says Dr Ciobanca. Advertisement5 signs a child may be struggling with ADHD at schoolAvoidance of school or specific lessons – this might look like persistent reluctance or distress around certain subjects or transitions. Difficulty starting or completing work – this is often mistaken for laziness, says Dr Ciobanca, but rooted in overwhelm or difficulties with executive function. One child Dr Chiobanca worked with had been labelled by her school as inconsistent and difficult to motivate.

Source: Huffington Post April 11, 2026 06:51 UTC