Dr. Charles G. Riddle, DDS in Elkins, West Virginia

This article explains how ADHD can look different in adults and children—and why that matters for getting the right help. In children, symptoms often appear as visible hyperactivity and impulsivity across home and school, so diagnosis leans on developmental history and reports from caregivers and teachers. In adults, ADHD may show up as inner restlessness, disorganization, and emotional dysregulation, with evaluations weighing work, relationships, and common coexisting conditions. While medication options overlap, behavioral supports differ: parent training and classroom strategies for kids; CBT, coaching, and workplace accommodations for adults. By outlining key diagnostic criteria, common blind spots, and age-appropriate treatments, the article helps patients and caregivers make informed, confident choices about care.