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How to spot ADHD signs in your child this summer

Peer reviewed by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGPAuthored by Victoria RawOriginally published 14 Jul 2026

Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines

With the UK school summer holidays finally here, many parents and families will be spending more time together than usual.

If you've been wondering whether your child might have ADHD, the summer holidays can be a good chance to notice how they behave in different situations and routines. We spoke to a specialist about the signs to look out for, and what to do if you think your child may have ADHD.

How the summer holidays can help spot ADHD signs

The school-free weeks of summer can give families a chance to reconnect, spend quality time together, and allow children to recharge after a busy term. While teachers usually provide insight into how your child behaves during the school day, the holidays bring an opportunity to see how they're getting on across different situations and routines.

That can be especially valuable if you think your child might have ADHD and are considering whether to seek an assessment. Spending more time together may help you notice patterns in their behaviour that are less obvious during the busy school term.

Dr Heidi Phillips is a GP who specialises in neurodiversity at the Oxford Centre for ADHD and Autism.

She says many parents arrive at assessments already convinced their child has ADHD after seeing misleading information online or hearing celebrities talk about their own diagnoses. Instead, she encourages parents to shift the focus from asking, "Does my child have ADHD?" to, "What is my child struggling with?"

"The only way to answer that is to listen and observe," she explains. "The summer holidays offer a valuable opportunity to do just that."

Although ADHD commonly affects a child's ability to concentrate, manage impulses, and regulate their activity levels, these traits aren't unique to the condition. A child who is easily distracted or behaves disruptively won't necessarily have ADHD.

Dr Heidi Phillips

Dr Heidi Phillips - a GP who specialises in neurodiversity at the Oxford Centre for ADHD and Autism.

When home and school tell different stories

It's not unusual for children to behave very differently depending on their environment. Some parents may see challenges with attention or behaviour at home, while teachers describe the same child as settled, attentive, and coping well in the classroom.

Phillips says these differences can provide valuable information and should be considered as part of the bigger picture when trying to understand what's going on.

As an example, she notes some children have no trouble completing tasks when they're given written instructions, but struggle when the same information is delivered verbally in a busy classroom. Rather than being a sign that they aren't paying attention, this may point to an auditory processing difficulty, where spoken information is harder to interpet and remember.

“If a child appears able to concentrate, stay organised, and manage expectations throughout the school day but becomes overwhelmed or distressed at home, this could suggest that ADHD isn’t the issue,” says Phillips.

"We need to make sure there's nothing else going on - for example auditory issues or autism. We need to understand what it is that they are struggling with, and then try and make sense of those difficulties.”

Questions to ask about your child’s everyday behaviour

With the classroom routine on pause, the summer holidays can give parents a valuable opportunity to understand how their child approaches everyday activities, routines, and challenges.

Phillips suggests using this time to reflect on how your child manages different tasks and situations.

She recommends asking questions such as:

  • Can your child sit and complete a painting, puzzle, or craft activity in detail?

  • Can they follow a recipe and bake a cake?

  • Can they read and understand the instructions for a board game and sit and play it?

  • Can they follow written instructions but struggle when the same instructions are given verbally?

  • Can they sit and write a story? Is it easier for them to tell a story than write it?

  • Do they move independently from one step of a task to the next without becoming distracted?

  • Are difficulties only happening in school, or do they occur at home as well?

Preparing for an ADHD assessment

Phillips explains that a good ADHD assessment starts well before the appointment with a healthcare professional. The summer holidays can be a useful opportunity for parents to pay closer attention to their child’s behaviour and begin conversations with their school before the new term begins.

Children can behave differently depending on where they are and who they’re with, so hearing from the people who know them in different settings can help build a clearer picture. Teachers, special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs), tutors, coaches, and other adults who spend time with a child can offer valuable insight into their strengths, challenges, and everyday experiences.

School feedback, examples of specific struggles, observations from different situations and a history of concerns can all help specialists understand what a child may be finding difficult when they carry out an assessment.

Phillips emphasises that the goal should not be to secure a particular diagnosis, but to understand a child's needs and identify the right support.

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by Victoria Raw

About the authorView full bio

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Victoria Raw

Feature Writer

BA (Hons), English Literature

Victoria is a content writer with Patient whose special interests focus on mental wellbeing, societal trends and the impact of technology on our health.

Victoria has collaborated with various charities throughout her career, including Ovarian Cancer Action, Scleroderma and Raynaud's UK, St John Ambulance, Andy's Man Club, the RSPCA and Barnardo's. She has also worked with major retail brands such as Marks and Spencer, Tesco and Morrisons, as well as entertainment giants like Disney and Warner Bros.

About the reviewerView full bio

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Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP

General Practitioner, Medical Author

MBBS, MRCGP, MRCP (Paediatrics), DCH

Dr Colin Tidy is an NHS Doctor, based in Oxfordshire.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

Article also available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, and Swedish.

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