An early-signs, assessment and next-steps guide for parents. What ADHD really looks like in children and teens, how to tell it apart from “just a phase”, and what to do next — written by the clinical team at eMbrace, Delhi NCR.
Eleven pages, built to be read once and then kept for reference.
Mostly inattentive, mostly hyperactive-impulsive, or combined — plus why the inattentive presentation is so often missed, especially in girls.
What parents actually notice at preschool, primary school and in the teen years — not a generic symptom list.
Tick what you see often, for at least six months, in more than one setting — and what your tally actually means.
Anxiety, a learning difficulty, the autism spectrum, sleep problems, hearing or vision issues and stress can all look similar. A good assessment looks at all of them.
Six things people get wrong about ADHD, and language you can actually use with your child.
The six steps eMbrace follows, from the first conversation to the written report — plus a printable one-week observation log to bring to your consultation.
Only a qualified clinician can diagnose ADHD, after a proper assessment. The guide is meant to help you organise what you are noticing and decide whether it is time to talk to a professional — it gives you clarity, not a label.
Yes. Girls are more likely to show the mostly inattentive presentation: daydreaming, losing things, struggling to finish tasks, and being quiet about it rather than disruptive. ADHD in girls is diagnosed later on average, often in the teen years or adulthood, partly because quieter signs get described as “dreamy” or “over-sensitive” instead of flagged. If your daughter works twice as hard to keep up and is exhausted by it, the guide’s checklist is a good place to start.
The guide explains how to read your own tally, but as a general shape: fewer than six ticks in either section is usually worth continued observation using the one-week log included in the guide; six or more that have lasted at least six months is worth a professional conversation; six or more plus clear impact at school or home is when a comprehensive assessment is recommended. This is a screening aid, not a test — many other things can look like ADHD, which is exactly why the guide also covers the look-alikes.
Visible hyperactivity often softens with age, but attention and organisation difficulties commonly continue into adulthood without support. ADHD runs in families, and many parents recognise themselves while reading about their child — adults can be assessed and supported too.
A careful, collaborative process rather than a single quick test: an initial consultation, developmental and school history, standardised rating scales from home and school such as the Conners-3, direct work with your child, screening for conditions that can mimic or accompany ADHD, and a feedback session with a written report you can share with school. The full sequence, with what each step actually involves, is in the guide.
A free 15-minute call with our intake team is often enough to know whether an assessment, a few therapy sessions, or simply some home strategies is the right next step. No obligation, no waiting list to join, and a clinician — not a call-centre — on the other end.