# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gross Motor Skills vs. Fine Motor Skills: What’s the difference?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity - an integrated health and education service.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This website places cookies on your computer to improve your experience. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For more details, see our privacy policy. I agree

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The British Dyslexia Association is the voice for the 10% of the population that are dyslexic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.

Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed at an early age and may become more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as when they start school.

Most cases are diagnosed when children are under 12 years old, but sometimes it's diagnosed later in childhood.

Sometimes ADHD was not recognised when someone was a child, and they are diagnosed later as an adult.

The symptoms of ADHD may improve with age, but many adults who were diagnosed with the condition at a young age continue to experience problems.

People with ADHD may also have additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders.

Getting help

Many children go through phases where they're restless or inattentive. This is often completely normal and does not necessarily mean they have ADHD.

But you should discuss your concerns with your child's teacher, their school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) or a GP if you think their behaviour may be different from most children their age.

It's also a good idea to speak to a GP if you're an adult and think you may have ADHD, but were not diagnosed with the condition as a child.

What causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but the condition has been shown to run in families.

Research has also identified a number of possible differences in the brains of people with ADHD when compared with those without the condition.

Other factors suggested as potentially having a role in ADHD include:

being born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy)

having a low birthweight

smoking or alcohol or drug abuse during pregnancy

ADHD can occur in people of any intellectual ability, although it's more common in people with learning difficulties.

How attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is treated

For children with ADHD, although there's no cure, it can be managed with appropriate educational support, advice and support for parents and affected children, alongside medicine, if necessary.

For adults with ADHD, medicine is often the first treatment offered, although psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may also help.

Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Parents of children with ADHD

Looking after a child with ADHD can be challenging, but it's important to remember that they cannot help their behaviour.

Some day-to-day activities might be more difficult for you and your child, including:

getting your child to sleep at night

getting ready for school on time

listening to and carrying out instructions

being organised

social occasions

shopping

Adults with ADHD

Adults with ADHD may find they have problems with:

organisation and time management

following instructions

focusing and completing tasks

coping with stress

feeling restless or impatient

impulsiveness and risk taking

Some adults may also have issues with relationships or social interaction.

Page last reviewed: 24 December 2021
Next review due: 24 December 2024

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Read about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition that affects people's behaviour.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mel Byrne

My background is in Health and Education. Originally qualifying and working as a nurse in acute care, I later became interested in Dyslexia/Specific Learning Difficulties after becoming a parent of two dyslexic children. My interest led me to do the Post Graduate Diploma in SpLD. My personal and professional experience has enabled me to combine my knowledge and expertise in both fields to see the value of joined up thinking across the wider SEN arena.

What is Dyslexia?

/audio/AanE_INT1_MBYRNEv2.mp3

Download mp3 Size: 14.0Mb

You’re Not Alone – Practical Advice For Parents And Carers

/audio/AanE_INT2_MBYRNEv2.mp3

Download mp3 Size: 15.9Mb

Bernadette McLean, Principal of The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre

Bernadette McLean is Principal of the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre, the oldest in the UK. She is a qualified teacher and specialist teacher/assessor. She is also a (NLP) Neuro-Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner.

Bernadette is a member of the British Dyslexia Accreditation Board and regularly contributes to regional, national and international conferences. She represents HADC as a founder member of the Dyslexia SpLD Trust. At the Helen Arkell Centre, she is committed to supporting parents in helping their children with learning difficulties.

Support Your Child At Home – Top Tips for Parent and Carers of 5-7 year-olds

/audio/AanE_INT3_BMCLEANv2.mp3

Download mp3 Size: 22.4Mb

Support Your Child At Home – Top Tips for Parents and Carers of 7-11-year-olds

/audio/AanE_INT4_BMCLEANv2.mp3

Download mp3 Size: 24.2Mb

Nurturing Sibling Harmony - Team-building tips for parents of children with specific learning difficulties

/audio/AanE_INT10_BMCLEANv2.mp3

Download mp3 Size: 15.1Mb

Parents and Schools Working Together To Help Your Child Achieve Their Potential

/audio/AanE_INT11_BMCLEANv2.mp3

Download mp3 Size: 19.1Mb

Tim Mungeam, author of The Fantastic First Time Father and past CEO of Springboard for Children

Passionate about empowering and equipping mums, dads and carers, Tim is dad to 3 boys and founding Chief Executive of a national parenting charity. He is a director of Dads Unlimited and a sought after speaker/contributor on parent issues.

“I work alongside a wide range of people, organisations and projects, all of whom are looking to make a positive difference to people and communities in the UK and around the world.”

Dads & Lads – Have Fun Helping Your Son Enjoy Reading

/audio/AanE_INT8_TMUNGEAMv2.mp3

Download mp3 Size: 18.7Mb

Helping Your Child To Read - 10 Top Tips For Busy Parents

/audio/AanE_INT9_TMUNGEAMv2.mp3

Download mp3 Size: 15.5Mb

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ask An Expert – Audio Interviews | Parent Champions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are an NHS service that aims to help young people up to the age of 18 who are finding it…

# data[].attributes.headline
ColorVeil - How to change the colour of your screen

# data[].attributes.subject
ColorVeil - How to change the colour of your screen

# data[].attributes.headline
NHS Skills Therapy Pack - Attention, Listening and Organisation

# data[].attributes.subject
NHS Skills Therapy Pack - Attention, Listening and Organisation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
NCMH (National Centre for Mental Health)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We would like to announce that The Makaton Charity has successfully acquired the intellectual property rights of Special iApps, a renowned creator of award-winning educational apps. These apps are specially designed to provide support to children with special educational needs, fostering language and communication development.

With Special iApps, users can effortlessly create personalised learning resources in minutes, making it easier for children to access the educational tools they need.

We are excited to continue the legacy of Special iApps and further enhance the impact these remarkable apps have on individual's learning journeys.

Next steps

Our goal is to enhance and modernise the existing Special iApps functionality through updated technology and advancements. We are aiming to relaunch the apps by Summer 2024.

We are delighted to announce that as part of their membership package, all Makaton Members will have exclusive access to the apps. This means that Makaton Members will be able to benefit from the incredible features and educational resources offered by Special iApps, further enriching their membership experience.

Previous Special iApps customers

The apps will also be made available free of charge to previous Special iApps customers for a period of six months. During this time, we encourage users to provide feedback on the development and usability of the apps. This valuable input will help us further improve and refine the apps.

Sharing your data

If you were a previous Special iApps customer and you would rather not have your personal data stored with The Makaton Charity, please email vicki.partridge@makaton.org and we'll ensure it is removed from our database.

More information regarding these exciting developments will be released later in the year. Makaton has worked closely with the Founders of Special iApps and is committed to continuing and expanding upon the remarkable work they have accomplished.

Stay tuned for more updates on how we will be taking this important work forward!

The Makaton Charity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. It supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Understanding ADHD (for ages 2-6) - Jumo Health

# data[].attributes.headline
How we teach phonics at Four Lanes Junior School

# data[].attributes.subject
How we teach phonics at Four Lanes Junior School

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Supporting your child with reading
Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home.

There are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:

A reading practice book. This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.

A sharing book. Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.
Reading practice book
This book has been carefully matched to your child's current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don't worry that it's too easy - your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.

Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise - celebrate their success! If they can't read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.
Sharing book
In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together.

Please remember that you shouldn't expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!

Back to top

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The resources on this page will help you support your child with saying their sounds and writing their letters. There are also some useful videos so you can see how they are taught at school and feel...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Grandma's Glasses Funky Finger Workout | 3 minutes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to content

We give families the confidence and skills to help their children. If you're concerned about your child's speech and language development, we can help.

We know that it can be hard to know where to start if you are worried about your child's development. If you think your child is having challenges with talking and understanding words, we are here to help you.

Our free resources and services can help with understanding what to look out for, how to get support and even some simple ways you can help your child at home.

Share your experience

We want to know what life is like for the 1.9 million children and young people who face challenges with talking and understanding words.

Take our survey

Our progress checker will provide short questions you can answer to see how your baby or child is getting on with their talking and understanding of words.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Help for families - Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We give families the confidence and skills to help their children. Access our free resources and learn more about ways to encourage children's speech and language development.

# data[].attributes.headline
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Phonics Glossary

# data[].attributes.subject
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Phonics Glossary

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
In the Garden Funky Finger Workout | Nursery Rhymes and Fingerplays

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Is your child newly diagnosed with ADHD? Here are 16 books to help your child learn more about ADHD and how to manage the challenges and strengths.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn how to touch type with the BBC Dance Mat Typing game. It’s a fun introduction to touch typing game for kids and covers levels 1, 2, 3, 4.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What's a parent to do when Johnny can't stop fidgeting with his pencil in class or Sally daydreams and doesn't finish her math assignments? It's only natural for parents of children who are diagnosed with ADHD to worry when their kids fidget, daydream, or disrupt the classroom. And no child is happy when a teacher becomes frustrated with his behavior and sends notes home to his parents.

Fortunately, there are many great books written for both kids and parents on managing ADHD, each one offering a different opinion of what ADHD is and how best to help a distracted or overactive child. Some authors emphasize medication, but there are many other perspectives. For example, some experts propose changing the child's diet; they recommend adding more fresh foods and cutting out foods with sugar, artificial colorings, and preservatives. Others advise that kids spend less time in front of electronic screens and more time outdoors in physical activities. Still others have found that providing a predictable structure for a child's day and enforcing consistent rules at home make for calmer happier children.

There is no dispute, however, that reading books - whether alone or with a parent - has a calming effect on children and may be especially helpful to kids with ADHD. Here are five books meant to inspire and empower young readers who are overactive or inattentive - and three informative reads for parents.

Books for Children

by Barbara Esham, illustrated by Mike Gordon and Carl Gordon

David has so many interesting ideas that it's hard to pay attention to his teacher Mrs. Gorski. He prefers to daydream and invent exciting science experiments, which unfortunately don't always turn out as expected. Luckily, David's father believes that there's nothing wrong with his son; he says David has the "wiggle fidgets" just like he had when he was a boy. With his father's support, David begins to use his inventive imagination to come up with strategies to "cure" the wiggle fidgets. This delightful book - the first in the award-winning series The Adventures of Everyday Geniuses - encourages children to use their natural creativity to invent unique solutions for behaviors that annoy adults.

by Nancy Carlson

This beautifully illustrated book is about a boy named Sam who daydreams in class and has a hard time finishing his school work. Sam's father takes him to a doctor who encourages the child, telling him that he has a powerful brain and will do great things in life. The doctor recommends eating "superfoods" (like blueberries, broccoli, and milk) instead of junk food and getting at least nine hours of sleep every night. She also gives Sam some tips on how to stay organized. It takes Sam and his parents a little time to put the doctor's suggestions in place, but after a while Sam is relieved to find he no longer hears the voice of his parents or teacher telling him to "focus."

by Barbara Esham, illustrated by Mike Gordon and Carol Gordon

Max dawdles in math class, but that doesn't mean he isn't smart. As it turns out, Max is gifted in math and just doesn't feel challenged by his third grade assignments. When his teacher discovers this, she puts Max in an accelerated math class and invites him to join the school math team. This reassuring book in the Adventures of Everyday Geniuses Series shows that gifted kids can sometimes seem inattentive simply because their classwork is not challenging to them.

by Mariam Gates, illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder

Research has shown that movement and exercise can help children with ADHD become calmer and more focused. Filled with beautiful illustrations of nature, the simple poses and deep breathing exercises in Good Morning Yoga and Good Night Yoga make yoga easy and accessible to kids. Morning poses are active and bedtime poses are gentle. And if the parent is into doing yoga with the child, so much the better!

Books for Parents

by Thomas W. Phelan

For parents dealing with an ADHD child's behavioral challenges, I highly recommend 1-2-3 Magic. I have suggested this easy-to-read book to hundreds of parents in my practice who have found it a valuable guide to educating their children in good behavior. Used with consistency, the practical techniques in this book really do work like "magic."

by Carla Hannaford, Ph.D

Smart Moves explores the important role of movement and play in the learning process of children labeled ADHD or "learning disabled."

by Dale Archer, MD

Psychiatrist Dale Archer (who has ADHD himself) encourages readers to view ADHD in a new light, as a strength instead of a weakness.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Inspiring Books for ADHD Kids and Their Parents

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What's a parent to do when Johnny can't stop fidgeting with his pencil in class or Sally daydreams and doesn't finish her math assignments? It's only natural for parents of children who are diagnosed with ADHD to worry when their kids fidget, daydream, or disrupt the classroom.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Anxiety is a word we use to describe feelings of worry, fear and panic. As well as these emotional feelings, people with anxiety might also experience physical (body) sensations such as a racing heart, breathing fast, sweaty hands, dry mouth and feeling shaky. Many people also have "what if" or negative thoughts when they are anxious.

Anxiety is a normal human response to feeling threatened or in danger, even if that threat or danger is a thought, image or memory. We all experience anxiety from time to time. Anxiety can become a real problem if the thoughts, emotions (feelings) and physical sensations are very strong, happen even when there is no real danger or if it lasts for a long time.

Lots of people experience worry and anxiety although for some people it can impact on everyday life and get in the way of school/college, socialising and even home life. The types of anxiety that are most common but cause a lot of distress include:

Worries about what other people think of you or worries about being judged negatively and not feeling good enough

Worries about bad things happening to you or the people you love and care about

Uncontrollable constant worry about lots of things (like school, the future, health, world events)

Worries about your safety and health (including worries about germs and contamination)

Phobias (big fears) about specific things

Worries that you are responsible for bad things happening

Feeling the need to complete certain routines, rituals or behaviour to stop bad things from happening (commonly known as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

If anxiety has become a problem for you, there is lots you can do to manage and cope.

Check out the 'what to do' workbooks which young people and families can use and can be downloaded from this page. These provide information and practical strategies to help you manage. It's important to remember we can't get rid of anxiety (or any other emotion) but we can learn how to cope and manage with it.

Worries and anxiety are common; everyone worries so it's important to remember you are not alone. Some worries may seem very real and very scary. Tell someone how you are feeling no matter what your worries are, even if you are worried about doing so. There will be someone who will listen and try to support you.

Although anxiety feels horrible, remember these feelings will pass and the physical sensations cannot harm you. Remind yourself that you have been anxious before, that those feelings passed, that you coped and were ok. If you need to, use activities, such as watching TV, spending time with friends, reading, making things and listening to music, to help manage until you feel a bit better.

You cannot avoid all the things that make you feel anxious so face your FEARs with confidence following these four steps;

Focus - rather than worry about the past, future or the unknown, focus on the present moment, the here and now

Expose - the more you face your fears the easier it will become to manage

Approach - the fear of experiencing anxiety is often worse than the situation you are avoiding. Face your fear and see for yourself that the situation probably isn't as bad as you are predicting

Rehearse - practice anxiety management techniques.

You can find lots of these on the Youth Anxiety website.

Struggling with Anxiety? Try on a new perspective - credit AnxietyBC

What Not to Say to someone with Anxiety

Guided Mindfulness: Passing Clouds - Dr Natalie Roberts

Guided Mindfulness: Leaves on a Stream

Struggling with Anxiety? Try on a new perspective - credit AnxietyBC

What Not to Say to someone with Anxiety

Guided Mindfulness: Passing Clouds - Dr Natalie Roberts

Guided Mindfulness: Leaves on a Stream

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Anxiety is a word we use to describe feelings of worry, fear and panic. As well as these emotional feelings, people with anxiety might also experience physical (body) sensations such as a racing heart, breathing fast, sweaty hands, dry mouth and feeling shaky. Many people also have "what if" or negative thoughts when they are anxious.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, is a condition affecting physical co-ordination. It causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for their age, and appear to move clumsily.
This topic is about DCD in children, although the condition often causes continued problems into adulthood.

Find out more about DCD in adults.

Symptoms of DCD

Early developmental milestones of crawling, walking, self-feeding and dressing may be delayed in young children with DCD. Drawing, writing and performance in sports are also usually behind what is expected for their age.

Although signs of the condition are present from an early age, children vary widely in their rate of development. This means a definite diagnosis of DCD does not usually happen until a child with the condition is 5 years old or more.

Find out more about symptoms of DCD in children.

When to seek medical advice

If you're concerned about your child's health or development, talk to a GP or health visitor, or speak to a nurse, doctor or special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) at your child's school.

They may refer your child to an occupational therapist, paediatrician, or another health professional who can assess them and try to identify any developmental problems.

Find out more about diagnosing DCD in children.

Causes of DCD

Doing co-ordinated movements is a complex process that involves many different nerves and parts of the brain.

Any problem in this process could potentially lead to difficulties with movement and co-ordination.

It's not usually clear why co-ordination doesn't develop as well as other abilities in children with DCD.

However, a number of risk factors that can increase a child's likelihood of developing DCD have been identified.

These include:

being born prematurely, before the 37th week of pregnancy

being born with a low birth weight

having a family history of DCD, although it is not clear exactly which genes may be involved in the condition

the mother drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs while pregnant

Treating DCD

There's no cure for DCD, but a number of therapies can help children to manage their problems.

These include:

being taught ways of do activities they find difficult, such as breaking down difficult movements into smaller parts and practicing them regularly

adapting tasks to make them easier, such as using special grips on pens and pencils so they are easier to hold

Although DCD does not affect how intelligent a child is, it can make it more difficult for them to learn and they may need extra help to keep up at school.

Treatment for DCD will be tailored to your child and usually involves a number of different healthcare professionals working together.

Although the physical co-ordination of a child with DCD will remain below average, this may be less of a problem as they get older and develop coping strategies. Some children may continue to have problems.

However, difficulties in school - particularly producing written work - can become much more prominent and require extra help from parents and teachers.

Find out more about treating DCD in children.

Dyspraxia or DCD?

While many people in the UK use the term dyspraxia to refer to the difficulties with movement and co-ordination that first develop in young children, this term is used less often by healthcare professionals.

Instead, most healthcare professionals use the term developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) to describe the condition.

This term is generally preferred by healthcare professionals because dyspraxia can have several meanings.

For example, dyspraxia can be used to describe movement difficulties that happen later in life because of damage to the brain, such as from a stroke or head injury.

Some healthcare professionals may also use the term specific developmental disorder of motor function (SDDMF) to refer to DCD.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Developmental co-ordination disorder (dyspraxia) in children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Read about developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, a condition that affects physical co-ordination.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Supporting individuals and families affected by dyspraxia/DCD

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Teachers

Spelling Shed is made by teachers, for teachers and was developed in the founder's classroom. We have built a suite of tools to enable teachers and schools to manage pupils' data, including reporting on assessments. Spelling Shed tracks student game plays along with their responses. Teachers can monitor weekly activity in order to advance or remediate as needed.

Our platform enables learning to happen anywhere and everywhere giving educators the peace of mind that pupils can learn and get practice unhindered.

Our administration tools also allow groups of schools to manage school data centrally.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Proudly powered by EdShed, Spelling Shed includes a whole-school spelling scheme, web & mobile games and a teacher hub with homework and data.

# data[].attributes.headline
What can sensory processing disorder look like?

# data[].attributes.subject
What can sensory processing disorder look like?

# data[].attributes.headline
Making sense of sensory processing video

# data[].attributes.subject
Making sense of sensory processing video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sensory Processing Issues Explained - Child Mind Institute

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sensory processing issues are often first recognized during the toddler years. Parents notice that a child has an unusual aversion to noise, light, shoes that are deemed too tight and clothes that are irritating. Learn more about sensory processing and get our sensory checklist.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Reading Games and Guided Reading with Roy the Zebra

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Spell CVC Words

Learn how to spell CVC words with Wellington the turtle - our super recycler turtle. Spell the words right and clean up the ocean by recycling the rubbish. Covers the word family 'a'.

Play more versions of this game at our subscription website.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
English Games KS1 | learn punctuation, reading and spelling

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
English games KS1 supporting the teaching of spelling, reading and punctuation. Perfect for using with your KS1 learners. Play on all devices.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
KS1 English learning resources for adults, children, parents and teachers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
KS2 English learning resources for adults, children, parents and teachers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Searchable site of thousands of quality teaching resources, interactive resources, homework, exam and revision help. Useful for teachers, pupils and parents.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Free educational games aimed at children between 5 and 8 years old. Made by a UK teacher with 20 years of experience in education.