Imposter syndrome worksheet
This ADHD psychoeducation for teens handout provides an overview of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), activities to support teens with ADHD, and a list of helpful resources.
We’ve included a free downloadable ADHD info for teens handout that you can save to your electronic health record (EHR) and use in your practice.
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that emerges during childhood—often before a teen starts school—and can last into adulthood.
Children and teens with ADHD may experience:
Difficulty concentrating or zoning out, which can make school feel overwhelming or frustrating
Talking excessively, difficulty waiting their turn in conversations, and blurting out answers
Restlessness and feeling bored easily, which may increase the risk of impulsive behaviors, such as substance use
Social challenges that may lead to strained relationships or feelings of rejection from peers
Careless mistakes on schoolwork that impact their grades and ability to learn and succeed in school
Frequent forgetfulness that causes frustration for parents, teachers, and students
Losing or misplacing everyday things, like a phone, earbuds, or a watch
Difficulty doing multiple things at the same time, which may feel overwhelming or lead to frustration
Procrastinating on homework and other important tasks
Disorganization that makes it difficult to keep up with their responsibilities or keep track of their possessions
Mood swings and poor emotional regulation
Experiencing these symptoms may not mean a teen has ADHD. They must meet several clinical criteria before the age of 12 in at least two settings, such as school and home, and the symptoms must significantly impact their quality of life and ability to function.
ADHD often occurs alongside anxiety, depression, or learning disorders, which can compound its impact on daily life.
If parents are concerned their teen may have ADHD and it is impacting their school and home life, they may decide to pursue an assessment from a qualified mental health professional. Receiving an ADHD diagnosis can be a positive step, leading to supportive educational plans and/or medication to help improve their symptoms, quality of life, and functioning.
When evaluating ADHD, a clinician will gather information from teachers, parents, and other relevant individuals. There are three types of ADHD:
Inattentive ADHD: Teenagers with inattentive ADHD experience difficulty focusing, frequent daydreaming, struggling to follow instructions, or becoming easily distracted.
Hyperactive/impulsive ADHD: Symptoms of hyperactive ADHD include excessive movement or fidgeting, restlessness, difficulty staying seated or engaging in quiet activities, acting without thinking, interrupting others, or waiting for their turn in conversations or activities.
Combined type: Teens with combined ADHD have both hyperactive and inattentive symptoms in several settings.
ADHD activities for teens
Many supportive tools and activities can support teens with ADHD, including:
Body doubling: This activity involves doing work, like homework, alongside a peer or accountability buddy. Teens can participate in this activity in person or virtually.
Calendar systems: Teens can download a calendar system or app to add important dates and activities to their calendar. Many apps feature reminders, recurring calendar events, and help to remember important dates, tasks, and information.
Behavioral activation: Behavioral activation is a CBT technique that helps individuals schedule activities, such as exercise, that boost their mood, promote emotional regulation, and maintain overall well-being.
Establish routines: Implementing daily routines adds the necessary structure that can help teens with ADHD thrive. For example, if they have more energy in the morning, that might be the best time to exercise or tackle challenging assignments. Adding these activities to a reminder or calendar system that includes rewards may provide additional reinforcement, motivating the repetition of these behaviors.
Create a workspace: Teens can find a space at home that is free of distractions and where they can focus on schoolwork or other organized activities. Set aside time every week to tidy the space, use folders and bins to organize belongings, and use different colored markers and labels for various tasks or subjects.
Focused time: Break work down into manageable chunks by setting a timer for 20-minute increments of concentrated work time, with five- to 10-minute breaks.
ADHD resources for teens
There are several ADHD resources for teens that can be helpful to share with your clients, including:
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)—a national nonprofit providing education, advocacy, and support for people with ADHD and their families
Neurodivergent Insights—a website and digital resource library created by a clinical psychologist to help neurodivergent individuals better understand ADHD, autism, and related conditions
Digital downloads to support neurodivergent individuals
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)—the federal agency leading research on mental health disorders, including ADHD
How to use the ADHD info for teens
You can download and use the ADHD psychoeducation handout in several ways:
Use the worksheet to provide ADHD psychoeducation for teens in session.
Give the client a copy of the handout to take home.
Use the ADHD info for teens handout in a group therapy session for teens with ADHD, or as a prompt for clients to share more about how ADHD impacts them with other participants.
Combine this worksheet with other related worksheets, such as our ADHD fact sheet, ADHD time management worksheet, and our ADHD for parents handout.
Share the worksheet with coworkers or leave copies in your office for clients and families.
Use the ADHD info for teens worksheet to provide training to interns or supervisees about ADHD.
Sources
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2023). ADHD resource center.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Rooney, M. (2025). ADHD in Teenagers. Child Mind Institute.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). (n.d.). ADHD Information for Teens.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: What You Need To Know.
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