You’re in the right place
Start with the worry that brought you here.
Whatever is happening at home or in the classroom, there is an article here that explains it in plain language. You are not failing — and understanding your child is the most powerful thing you can do for them.
Tip: type a word above — like anger, mornings or medication — to jump straight to it.
Featured readsstart anywhere
Start here — find your question
“Is something actually wrong? Is this ADHD?”→ Understanding · Is it ADHD? · Diagnosis
“We’ve just been diagnosed — what now?”→ Diagnosis · Parenting
“Should we try medication? I’m frightened of it.”→ Medication
“Every morning, homework and bedtime is a war.”→ Parenting · School · Sleep
“My child is anxious, angry, or seems flat.”→ Emotions & mental health
“She’s bright, but she’s failing at school.”→ School & learning
“Is it ADHD — or autism?”→ Autism & related
“Eating, sleep and screens feel out of control.”→ Eating · Sleep · Screens
“It’s straining our whole family and my marriage.”→ Parenting & family
“What about teens, girls, or adults?”→ Life stages
Understanding is the intervention. Start with the worry — leave with the wisdom to sort the worrying from the wonderful.
More from Dr Flett — go deeper
The articles above are the free library. When you want a guided, step-by-step programme — the same ideas, in order — these take you further.
CALM Compass · Building Your Child’s Foundations→ Course · the everyday basics that change everythingCALM Compass · After the Diagnosis: Your Next Steps→ Course · what to do once you knowCALM Compass · School Success→ Course · homework, accommodations & the schoolCALM Compass · Your Assessment Explained→ Course · make sense of the reportCan’t, Not Won’t — the book→ The understanding, then your hardest hour
No articles match that word — try another, or scroll the library below.
Part 1 — Understanding ADHD — what it is and how the brain works47 articles
What ADHD is see all →
- The Restless Brain: Why Your ADHD Child Is Always Chasing Dopamine members
- The Restless Mind: Understanding ADHD at Every Age
- ADHD: A Different Way of Thinking, a Different Way of Thriving *(site category: Academics)*
- Understanding ADHD from a Child's Perspective: Why Kids with ADHD Feel Broken members
- ADHD Knows No Borders: Understanding the Global Reach
- Understanding ADHD Symptoms
- Understanding ADHD
- ADHD. What does that mean to you?
- ADHD: An Overview for Parents
The ADHD brain & executive function see all →
- ADHD, Motivation, and the Daily Balance Between Dopamine and Serotonin
- Why ADHD Brains Get "Stuck" and How to Help: A Deep Dive for Parents
- Understanding Working Memory, Short-Term Memory, and Long-Term Memory members
- "The Missing Piece in ADHD: Why Emotional Control is the Game-Changer No One Talks About!"
- Intention Deficit Disorder: Why ADHD Minds Struggle to Turn Goals into Actions members
- Understanding Orexin: Its Role in ADHD, Motivation, and Natural Regulation members
- ADHD: A Unique Relationship With Time members
- ADHD Uncovered: Changing the Narrative with Dopamine & Positive Reinforcement
Strengths & reframing see all →
- "Discover the Hidden Superpower of ADHD: Unleashing Creativity and Wit!" members
- ADHD Superpowers
- ADHD Superpowers
Understanding ADHD — more
- Hyperfocus, Hyperfixation, and the Difference That Matters
- Early Signs of ADHD
- It Was Never a Concentration Problem. It's a Control Problem.
- Bright, Verbal, and Still Struggling: The Intelligence Trap in ADHD
- Your ADHD Child Has Real Gifts
- Why Your Child Needs to Understand Their Own Brain
- Stop Using ADHD as an Excuse
- Why Can My Child Focus on Games for Hours — But Not on Homework for Five Minutes?
- Why Your Child Remembers Every Pokémon But Can't Remember to Brush Their Teeth
- Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome vs ADHD-Inattentive
- Living by Interest, Not Importance: Re-engineering the ADHD Journey members
- "It Always Takes More Than 'Just Two Minutes'"
- Decoding ADHD: A Genetic Breakthrough!
- Unravelling the Connection Between ADHD and Deceit
- Beyond Fight, Flight, Freeze: The "Fib" Factor in ADHD members
- Why It's Crucial to Treat ADHD: The Hidden Consequences of Ignoring the Disorder
- Navigating the Peaks and Valleys of ADHD: What Triggers Your Child's Symptoms?
- How Dysregulated Emotions Hijack the Teen ADHD Brain
- If your child has ADHD, your partner is more likely to have ADHD
- Does your Gifted Child have ADHD?
- Will Your Child Inherit ADHD?
- Preschoolers and ADHD
- What are my ADHD symptoms?
- ADHD and your Genes
- ADHD Prevention
- ADHD in Adults
- The Unseen Struggle: A Closer Look at Undiagnosed ADHD in Adults
Part 2 — Is it ADHD? Telling it apart7 articles
ADHD or something else? see all →
ADHD or just being a child? see all →
- Your Child May Not Be Lazy — Why Bright Children Struggle at School
- "Lazy or ADHD? The Critical Difference Every Parent and Teacher Needs to Understand"
- Is It ADHD — Or Is My Child Just Naughty?
- "Is It ADHD or Just Immaturity? Here's What Every Parent Needs to Know!" members
Myths & misconceptions see all →
- Breaking the Gender Misconceptions About ADHD members
- Understanding 'Normal': Mental Health, Developmental Disorders, and the Bell Curve
Part 3 — Diagnosis & assessment16 articles
When & why to assess see all →
- How Young Can You Diagnose ADHD? (And Why That's Not the Right Question to Ask)
- 🌟 The Importance of a Thorough ADHD and Scholastic Assessment 🌟
- The Unseen Value of Regular ADHD Check-Ins: A Journey Beyond Medication
- ADHD Treatment: The Importance of Early Assessment and Intervention
- Unlocking a Child's Potential: Why Early Treatment for ADHD in Children Under Six is Life-Changing
What an assessment involves see all →
- Is It Really ADHD? Why a Proper Assessment Matters More Than You Think
- 🌟 What Is a Cognitive Assessment? *(site category: Development)*
- Understanding the Challenges in Diagnosing ADHD: A Comprehensive Approach members
- Why Every Parent Should Consider a Complete Paediatric Assessment for a Struggling Child at School
- Questions to Consider Before Your Child's ADHD Evaluation
Getting the family on board see all →
Assessment — more
- 🧠 Is Your Child's Attention Problem Really ADHD? It Might Be Something Else! 🧠
- Don't Let ADHD Manage Your Child – Manage ADHD
- 3 Wrong Ways to Diagnose ADHD
- 10 Reasons why your child cannot concentrate with school work (that aren't ADHD)
- South African ADHD Guidelines 2025 members
Part 4 — Medication48 articles
How medication works see all →
- Same Medicine, Different Delivery
- Mental Steroids on Campus (study drugs)
- ADHD Medication Creates the Pause — You Still Have to Teach the Rest
- Medication Normalises Brain Structure in Children with ADHD
- Medication Opens the Door — But the Teacher Is the One Who Teaches
- What ADHD Medication Can Actually Do (And What It Can't)
- Understanding ADHD Medication: A Personalised Approach for Every Child members
- "Brain Glasses: Sharpening Focus and Clarifying Thoughts with ADHD Medication"
- Unravelling ADHD. What Medication Can and Can't Do, and the Holistic Path Forward
- Is ADHD Medication Safe? The Fears, Answered
Choosing & comparing see all →
- Why Vyvanse Isn't the Magic Fix for Your Child's School Struggles
- Vyvanse vs Vyfocis: The Complete Price & Generic Comparison
- Medikinet MR vs Ritalin LA: Same Drug. Very Different Story. members
- The Top 5 ADHD Medications That Actually Transform Lives (SA rankings)
- Finding the Right ADHD Medication for Your Child members
- Pros and Cons of Generic ADHD Medications in Mental Health
- Selecting the best medication to treat ADHD
Myths & fears see all →
- Scared of ADHD Medication?
- But Won't the Medication Change My Child
- Will ADHD Medication Stunt My Child's Growth?
- The Truth About ADHD Medication and Your Child's Brain members
- Swallow Pills Like a Pro: Overcome Your Fear with These Techniques
- Busting the Myth: ADHD Medication and Growth — The Real Story
- Dispelling the Myths: Understanding ADHD Medication and its Benefits
Side effects & safety see all →
- Can My Child Take ADHD Medication If They Have Epilepsy? members
- Does your child's ADHD medication prescriber know about these problems and look for them?
- Safety of Ritalin and the Heart
Getting it right see all →
- Why the First ADHD Medication Didn't Work — and Why That Isn't the End of the Road
- ADHD Medication: What the Evidence Actually Says members
- ADHD Medication: Every Day or School Days Only?
- Why the first medication didn't work
- Reducing ADHD Medication Over Time members
- Is It Time to Pause the Medication? members
- Navigating the World of ADHD Medication in Competitive Sports members
- Beware Parents: ADHD Medication Can Reduce Productivity in Children Without ADHD
- Should You Stop ADHD Medication on Weekends and Holidays?
- How ADHD Medication Actually Works
- What to Expect and NOT to Expect from Stimulant Medication
Medication — more
- Does ADHD Medication Alone Improve School Grades?
- Should I Medicate My Child — Or Am I Taking the Easy Way Out?
- The Quiet Child & Medication
- ADHD Medication Explained (the computer analogy)
- Navigating ADHD Medication Choices: Insights and Guidance
- Understanding ADHD Medication: Its Benefits and Limitations
- ADHD Medication: A Seven-Day-A-Week Solution for a Lifelong Challenge
- Unlock Your Child's Full Potential with ADHD Medications!
- Inappropriate use of ADHD drugs does not improve grades
- Helping Your Child with ADHD: Why Medication and Therapy Work Best Together
Part 5 — Beyond medication — lifestyle, diet & alternatives32 articles
Diet & nutrition see all →
Exercise & lifestyle see all →
- ADHD Without Pills – Part 2: Exercise members
- Embrace a Healthier Lifestyle: Tips for Managing ADHD
- Healthy Habits to Reduce ADHD Symptoms
Supplements see all →
- The Magnesium Myth: Sleep and the One Form Actually Worth Trying
- Creatine for ADHD? What Every Parent Needs to Know
- Supplements and ADHD: Separating Fact from Fiction
- Vitamin B Group and ADHD: Current Evidence
Alternative & unproven treatments see all →
- The Real Cost of Unproven ADHD Treatments: What Your Money Actually Buys
- "But Have You Tried…?" — An Honest Guide to Alternative ADHD Therapies
- The Debate on Microdosing Psychedelics for ADHD members
- A Comprehensive Guide to Complementary Treatments for ADHD
- ADHD Treatments: The Risks of Going Off the Beaten Path
- The Debate on Natural Alternatives to Ritalin for ADHD members
- Behaviour Vision Therapy for learning disabilities and ADHD
- Complementary and Alternative Treatments
- Don't take your child to a Chiro warns a top Doctor
The skill, not a pill approach see all →
- "20–50% Improvement in Your Child's ADHD—Without Even Treating Them!"
- ADHD Without Pills – Part 3: Sleep Strategies members
- Holistic Management of ADHD: Dr John Flett's Comprehensive Approach
- Unravelling ADHD. What Medication Can and Can't Do, and the Holistic Path Forward
Beyond medication — more
- Where Do You Put the Energy?
- The ADHD "Miracle Cure" Nobody's Telling You the Truth About
- Play Therapy for ADHD: How 15 Minutes Daily Can Transform Your Child's Behavior
- Understanding Neurofeedback as a Treatment for ADHD
- Treating ADHD is a Skill, Not Simply a Pill members
- Practical Strategies to Manage ADHD
Part 6 — Emotions, anxiety & mental health26 articles
Anger & emotional control see all →
- Your Angry Child Doesn't Have an Anger Problem
- Your Anger Is Their Dopamine: Why Yelling Makes Your ADHD Child Worse
Anxiety see all →
- When Anxiety Hides ADHD
- The Hidden Anxiety Behind a Good School Report
- Cyclic Sighing: The 5-Minute Breathing Technique for Anxious Children at Bedtime
- Why Your Teen's Anxiety Suddenly Got Worse (And Why It's Not Their Fault)
- Is It ADHD or Is It Anxiety? Why Your Child's Restlessness Might Be Neither—Or Both
- Understanding Emotional Immaturity in Young Children *(site category: Anxiety)*
- Anxiety and ADHD – How Are They Related? members
- ADHD vs Anxiety – Why Treating One Without the Other Doesn't Work
- Silent Struggles: How ADHD and Anxiety Interact in Your Child members
- Unlocking the Mystery: Is It ADHD, Anxiety, or Depression? Or All Three? members
- "Finding Our Way: Understanding ADHD and Anxiety in Teens"
- Helping Your Child Navigate ADHD & Anxiety
- Why Anxiety Disorder Is So Often Misdiagnosed?
- ADHD and Anxiety
Rejection sensitivity see all →
Depression & mood see all →
Self-esteem & feeling different see all →
Emotions — more
- The Emotional Side of ADHD
- Why Does My Child Fall Apart After School — When Teachers Say They're Fine?
- When Your ADHD Child Explodes: Emotional Meltdowns and Teaching Real Calm
- Could Your Child Have an Underlying Problem? Emotional Regulation and Development
- Understanding Why Children with ADHD Bite Their Nails members
- Attention Parents of Children with ADHD & Teeth Grinding!
- Why Hoarding is Common in ADHD members
Part 7 — School, learning & academics34 articles
The bright but struggling child see all →
- When Your Bright Child Still Struggles at School members
- Why Your Bright Child Struggles With Homework (Brain-Based Solutions) *(site category: Academics)*
- Why Is My Smart Child Struggling at School? The Hidden Face of ADHD members
- Why Is Your Child Getting Disappointing Grades? *(site category: Academics)* members
Homework see all →
- Understanding Why Children and Teenagers with ADHD Struggle with Homework members
- Mastering Homework with ADHD: Strategies for Success members
- "Boosting Homework Motivation in ADHD Kids: Natural Strategies that Really Work!" members
Accommodations & exam concessions see all →
- Does Extra Time Really Help Your ADHD Child? The Truth About Exam Concessions
- Why Your Child's Learning Accommodations Vanished the Moment They Walked Into High School members
- School Accommodations for ADHD & Learning Differences members
- Learning Problems: Inclusive education
- Unlock Your Child's Superpowers: Supporting ADHD Students in Higher Education
- Individualizing Education Programs
Learning difficulties see all →
- Your Child's Secret Weapon: AI and Assistive Technology for Learning Disabilities members
- "Struggling with Handwriting, Reading, Spelling, Slow to Complete Work or Focus?" members
- Struggling with Reading, Writing, or Math? It Could Be More Than You Think members
- Simple Strategies to Help Kids with Writing Struggles: Dysgraphia, ADHD, and Dyspraxia members
- Understanding Dyslexia in Children: A Guide for Parents members
- Could It Be A Learning Disability?
- Learning Disabilities
- Is My Child Falling Behind? Spotting a Learning Problem Early
- Learning disabilities (The Basics)
- Dyslexia
Working with school & teachers see all →
- Don't Let Teacher Feedback Disappear Over the Holidays
- Is Your Child Struggling in School? It's Time to Take Action!
- What problems do children with ADHD have at school?
- ADHD Strategies Every Teacher Should Know
- Teachers and ADHD
- ADHD and school
School — more
- Why AI Might Be the Best Thing That's Ever Happened to Your Child's ADHD Brain
- Understanding and Enhancing Concentration in Children with ADHD
- Famous People with Learning Differences
- Unlock the potential of your child with ADHD! (5 motivation strategies)
- ADHD Special Needs Factsheet
Part 8 — Parenting, home life & family30 articles
Discipline & behaviour see all →
- Who's Really in Charge at Home?
- Is Authoritarian Parenting Hurting Your Child's Social and Academic Growth? members
- Navigating the ADHD Journey Together: Understanding, Communication, and Positive Discipline members
- "Tackling Toddler Tantrums" *(site category: Behaviour)*
- Toddler Tantrums or a Behavioural Disorder: A Guide for Parents
- Bullying More Common Among Children with ADHD
- How does punishment work for ADHD?
- Discipline Strategies for Kids With ADHD
- 14 Ways to Show Your Child Love: Every Day *(site category: Behaviour)*
- Discipline
Daily routines see all →
- The Launch Pad (why ADHD mornings fall apart)
- 🌟 Could Routine Be the Key to Unlocking Your Child's Potential? 🌟
- Daily Schedule for Kids with ADHD
Staying calm — the yelling loop see all →
- 4 Rules for Taking a Mum Rage Break (Without the Shame Spiral)
- "Is Your Parenting of a Child with ADHD Powered by Coffee and Chaos?" members
- Why Parenting Kids with ADHD Requires Super Strategies members
The family system & siblings see all →
- My Child's ADHD Is Destroying Our Family — Is That Normal?
- Motherhood, ADHD, and the Invisible Load members
- 9 Tips For Families to Survive with an ADHD child
Co-parenting & the ADHD parent see all →
Parenting — more
- You're Speaking the Wrong Language: Here's How to Speak ADHD members
- SA Parent's Guide 2025/2026: ADHD, Comorbidities & Your Money
- Get Kids to Listen by Helping Them Think
- Raising Resilient Kids with ADHD: How to Flip the Script
- Understanding Parenting Styles for Children Who Think Differently members
- Navigating Social Skills Training for Children with ADHD members
- Discover the Social Side of ADHD: A Holistic Approach
- BEST MOTHER'S DAY GIFT FOR MOMS OF ADHD KIDS
- Can Reading Fiction Improve Social Skills?
- On-Demand Parenting Webinars
Part 9 — Life stages — teens, young adults, women & men14 articles
Teens & young adults see all →
- Navigating ADHD in Tweens and Teens: A Guide for Parents members
- ADHD Teens: How to Break Procrastination, Gaming and Emotional Spirals
- Why Teenagers Struggle with Sleep members
- "ADHD Unveiled: Childhood Hyperactivity vs Teenage Turmoil!" members
- "Navigating Career Choices for Adolescents with ADHD" members
- Understanding ADHD: The Gap Between Intelligence and Social-Emotional Development
Women & girls see all →
- ADHD and Women: The Hidden Struggles members
- Empowering Journey: Navigating ADHD in Women and Girls members
- Unveiling ADHD in Women and Girls: A Silent Condition that Demands Attention
- ADHD in Women and Girls: Why Female Symptoms Slip Through Diagnostic Net
Men see all →
- Understanding and Supporting Men Living with ADHD
- Unravelling the Unique ADHD Experience of Men: Insights and Tips
Life stages — more
Part 10 — Autism & related neurodevelopmental conditions25 articles
Autism / ASD see all →
- The Everyday Subtle Signs of Autism
- Leucovorin (Folinic Acid) for Autism *(site category: ASD)*
- Social Struggles in Kids: Is it ADHD, Asperger's, or Social Anxiety?
- Empowering Teens with Asperger's Syndrome to Excel in School
- Is Your Child's Development on Track? Subtle Signs of Autism, Especially in Girls *(site category: ASD)* members
- Understanding ASD Level 1 (formerly Asperger's Syndrome) members
- Understanding Asperger Syndrome: Social Communication, Diagnosis, and the Overlap with ADHD
- ADHD, Autism, & Understanding the Overlap: A Comprehensive Guide
- 👣🌱 Toe Walking in Children 🌱👣 *(site category: ASD)*
- Decoding ADHD, Autism, and Asperger's
- Is Your Child Dealing with Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, or Both?
- Is ADHD on the Autism Spectrum?
- Therapies for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Autism in Children: Signs, the ADHD Overlap, and Getting an Assessment
Social skills & fitting in see all →
Coordination & motor (DCD) see all →
- Your 'Clumsy' Child Isn't Careless — And 'Disorder' Is the Wrong Word (DCD/dyspraxia)
- "Clumsy Child Syndrome" (DCD) *(site category: Development)*
- Understanding the Link Between ADHD and Developmental Coordination Disorder
Autism & related — more
- Motor Tics, ADHD, PANDAS & Everything in Between
- PANDAS
- When Your Child Struggles to Listen: The Honest Truth About "Auditory Processing Disorder"
- Is It Really Just Daydreaming? Rolandic Epilepsy (BECTS) *(site category: Epilepsy)*
- Irlen Syndrome: A Legitimate Condition or a Misunderstood Learning Difficulty? *(site category: Irlen Syndrome)* members
Part 11 — Eating, appetite & growth11 articles
Appetite & eating on medication see all →
- When the Lunch Box Comes Home Full
- The Empty Lunch Box Problem members
- ADHD and Growth in Children: Weight, Height, and Appetite Changes
Overeating, binge & hoarding see all →
- Why Do Children with ADHD Overeat or Binge Eat?
- 🍽️ ADHD and Binge Eating: Why It Happens and How to Help Your Child
- Why Do People With ADHD Binge Eat? members
- Unravelling the Link Between ADHD, Overeating, and Healthier Futures members
- The Hidden Link Between ADHD and Eating Disorders members
Growth & weight see all →
- ADHD and Obesity: Understanding the Connection
- ADHD and obesity: Relationship and contributing factors
Eating — more
Part 12 — Sleep6 articles
- ADHD and Bedwetting
- Why Your ADHD Child Can't Sleep (And Why Fixing It Changes Everything)
- Sleep and ADHD: The Science That Changes Everything members
- Why ADHD and Sleep Are So Closely Linked members
- Rise and Shine? More Like Rise and Sigh: Navigating Mornings with ADHD members
- Social Jetlag
Part 13 — Screens, gaming & technology7 articles
- Why Your ADHD Teen Can't Put Their Phone Down
- The Impact of Screens on Children with ADHD and Autism members
- Tech Time-Outs: A Secret Weapon for Families Navigating ADHD members
- "Unlocking Balance: Navigating Screen Time and Outdoor Play" members
- Video Game and Internet Gaming Addiction Linked with ADHD
- Screen Time Guidelines in Children
- How much screen time for kids? *(site category: Behaviour)*
Reference Appendix — — General paediatrics & child health43 articles
Common childhood illnesses see all →
- Understanding Concussion members
- Childhood Headaches: Causes, Types, and Solutions members
- A Parent's Guide to Understanding and Managing Childhood Headaches
- Link Between Headaches and ADHD
- Understanding Mumps: Symptoms, Risks, and Prevention *(site category: Immunization)*
- Protect your family from mumps *(site category: Health issues)*
- How Many Colds Per Year Is Normal for Children? *(site category: Health issues)*
- What is monkeypox?
Vaccines & immunisation see all →
Babies, feeding & early care see all →
Development, growth & safety see all →
- Trampolines, Jumping Castles, and Party Bouncers Safe for Kids?
- Learn Why Swimming is a Lifesaver *(site category: Exercise)*
- 11 Ways to Encourage Your Child to Be Physically Active *(site category: Exercise)*
General paediatrics — more
- ADHD and Pain Sensitivity: Understanding the Connection
- The power of vitamin D *(site category: Nutrition)*
- Standard of care for children
Appendix A — The ADHD Family Newsletter series9 articles
- The ADHD Family Newsletter – Week 3 (ADHD-friendly home) members
- The ADHD Family Newsletter – Week 4 (ADHD at school) members
- The ADHD Family Newsletter – Week 5 (friendships) members
- The ADHD Family Newsletter – Week 6 (ADHD through the ages) members
- The ADHD Family Newsletter – Week 7 (sleep)
- The ADHD Family Newsletter – Week 8 (nutrition) members
- The ADHD Family Newsletter – Week 9 (digital age) members
- The ADHD Family Newsletter – Week 10 (medication) members
- The ADHD Family Newsletter – Week 11 (independence) members