SEND Advice

ADHD

Anxiety is a common emotional experience, which most of us will have experienced at some point but it can be particularly overwhelming for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

What is ADHD?

Anxiety is a natural emotional response to stress or perceived threats. While everyone feels anxious from time to time, children and young people with SEND might experience anxiety more intensely or frequently.

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What are the Signs of ADHD?

Anxiety may not always be easy to spot, especially in children and young people who have difficulty expressing their emotions.
Here are some signs to look out for:

Physical symptoms

frequent headaches, stomachaches or muscle tension that doesn’t seem to have a clear cause.

Changes in behaviour

increased irritability, restlessness or withdrawing from activities they usually enjoy.

Sleep problems

difficulty falling asleep, frequent nightmares or waking up frequently during the night.

Emotional outbursts

refusing to go to school, avoiding social situations and not wanting to leave the house.

Check out our ADHD articles

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living with anxiety - a film by Kids
Film: Living with Anxiety
When you have SEND and anxiety, you can feel very stressed and alone. In this film, Charlie shares his tips
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Learn more on the kids website

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Check it out

A bit more about ADHD

Common triggers for anxiety in children and young people with SEND include changes in routine, sensory overload or school pressure. They may feel overwhelmed in new environments or struggle to understand social cues.

It’s important to recognise that anxiety is not just something your child can ‘snap out of’. Their brain is reacting to a perceived threat and is trying to protect itself. This is often known as Fight or Flight, or sometimes as Fight, Flight or Freeze.

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Some useful link if your struggling with ADHD

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