ADHD & Co-Occurring Conditions: What Should You Know?

ADHD frequently occurs alongside other health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and specific learning disabilities. As many of the symptoms of these conditions overlap with signs of ADHD, they can often go undiagnosed. Furthermore, these co-occurring conditions may complicate the management and treatment of ADHD.

In this article, we explore some of the common health conditions that co-occur alongside ADHD and look at ways that you can support your child as they face multiple diagnoses.

Common Co-Occurring Conditions with ADHD

Here are some of the most common co-occurring conditions that may arise alongside ADHD.

1. Mood Disorders 

Children with ADHD are at a higher risk of developing mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, compared to their peers. Notably, between 12 and 50% of children with ADHD experience symptoms of major depression, a rate five times higher than their peers.

2. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

ADHD and ASD frequently co-occur together in children. Experts believe that there is some overlap between the causes as well as the symptoms of these two neurological conditions.

3. Learning Disabilities

Children with ADHD are more likely to experience learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or auditory processing disorder.

4. Behavior Disorders

ADHD may also co-occur with one or more behavioral disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder.

5. Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are a common occurrence in children with ADHD. Affected children may experience difficulty falling or staying asleep, both of which can exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD.

6 Tips For Supporting Your Child With a Co-Occurring Condition

Here are some simple ways that you can help your child manage their co-occurring conditions.

1. Stay Informed: Find out as much information as you can about your child’s conditions and the challenges that they may face. By educating yourself, you can provide them with the support that they need.

2. Establish Routines: Children with ADHD thrive on structure and routine. By structuring their day, you can help them better manage their conditions. This is particularly important if your child suffers from a co-occurring sleep condition.

3. Collaborate with Healthcare Professionals: Work closely with your child’s medical team to ensure that they have the appropriate treatment and support in place.

4. Teach Coping Mechanisms: Make sure that your child has appropriate coping mechanisms in place to help them tackle and deal with daily challenges.

5. Advocate for Accommodations: If necessary, make sure that your child receives necessary accommodations to support them (For example, within school, they may need longer time for tests).

6. Create a Supportive Home Environment: Make sure you provide a supportive environment at home where your child can openly and honestly share their thoughts and feelings with you.

At Pathways Neuropsychology Associates, we are ready and waiting to help you negotiate the challenges of ADHD and other co-occurring conditions. Contact us today to find out more.