Advice

ADHD And Friendships Expert Advice

Published

3 months ago

October 1, 2024

Contributing Together

Parenting / 1 October, 2024 / My Baba

Children with ADHD may struggle with friendships due to impulsivity, difficulty following social cues and challenges with attention, but with support and understanding, they can build strong, positive relationships. Emily Snape is the author and illustrator of My Amazing ADHD Brain, and she’s here to share her tips on how to help your ADHD child make new friends.

Emily says

“I first began developing her book while in the process of getting my son’s diagnosis of ADHD. Initially, it felt quite overwhelming, but the more I understood how his ADHD affects him, the more I was able to help him thrive. Learning new skills, sharing stories and adapting parenting techniques are invaluable in helping your amazing ADHD child become confident and independent. For all children, it can be tricky to foster new friendships, but there are lots of ways you can help encourage them as a parent.”

To mark ADHD awareness month this October, here are some of Emily’s top tips:

Channel their ADHD superpowers

ADHD is a superpower and your child is AMAZING. The more confidence you can instill in them, the easier it will be for them to make new friends. Encourage your child to try out after-school clubs until they find ones that they love. Learning new skills will build their self-esteem, and when they are doing something they enjoy, it will bring out the best in them. After-school clubs are a great place to share interests and meet like-minded new friends.

Be a wingman

At the school gates, in the supermarket or when you are out in the neighbourhood with your child, causally strike up conversations with other parents and their children. It might not foster instant friendships for them, but by modelling social behaviour, it will help your child work out how to do it for themselves. You can also try to arrange regular playdates and park meet-ups. Consistency and familiarity might help your child to feel more comfortable over time.

Talk things through

If things have gone wrong on a play date or at school with a new friend, encourage them to open up to you afterwards. Help your child with ADHD to laugh off awkward moments and guide them to consider both the positives and the things that didn’t go so well. If appropriate, suggest they apologise and praise them when they do manage difficult reconciliations.

Get Crafty

If your child’s new friend is coming over, you can help by organising some activities – such as cup cake decorating or slime making. Structured activities can really help break the ice and often once children start working together on a project they will begin to bond.

Random Acts of Kindness

Encourage your child with ADHD to help a classmate or even bring in an extra snack to share. It will give your child a feel-good boost to do something kind and can create the seeds of a new friendship.

Friendship Styles

Some children with ADHD love to be in big, noisy groups and others prefer quiet one-on-one play dates. Discuss with your child which social situations make them feel most comfortable and this will help you both in planning activities where your child will thrive- whether it is a big group meet up in the park or a movie night with one friend.

Emily Snape is a passionate children’s author and illustrator, educator and mum. Her work has appeared online, on television, in shops and even on buses! She loves coffee and notebooks and has three cheeky children, Leo, Fin and Flo, who keep her on her toes and give her lots of inspiration for stories. Her journey in understanding ADHD started when her son began the process of receiving his ADHD diagnosis. She now regularly works with young people celebrating and supporting their amazing, creative neurodivergent minds.