Make space for siblings too
Let brothers and sisters be heard, without making them responsible for ADHD.
Not ratedADHD evidence
Start with the time you have
1 minute
Practise the question: 'How has this been for you? You can tell me the difficult parts too.'
5 minutes
Check in with a sibling and listen without immediately defending anyone.
15 minutes
Use NHS family resources to plan an age-appropriate explanation or ask about sibling support.
How sure the science is
Not rated, ADHD evidence
No pooled trials to rate. This rests on single studies, expert consensus or clinical practice. Measured in people with ADHD.
NHS clinical guidance on siblings; NICE family recommendation does not mention siblings or a sibling action. No measured effect for a sibling check-in.
The number, drawn
Siblings can find it hard when attention goes to their brother or sister
Why it matters
An NHS children's hospital notes that siblings can struggle when much of the family's attention goes to a brother or sister with ADHD, and they may feel embarrassed. NICE asks clinicians to ask families how ADHD affects other family members. Listening to siblings and explaining differences is family support. It is not a tested way to change ADHD symptoms.
How to do it
- Ask each sibling on their own what has been hard or confusing.
- Explain ADHD in words they understand, and keep everyone's safety needs clear.
- Make time to talk, and ask the family team about sibling support if needed.
Take threats, injuries or fear between siblings seriously and seek help with keeping everyone safe.
Putting it into practice
In real life
- 'You seem upset that our plans changed. I want to hear what that was like for you.'
- Ask a sibling what they understand about ADHD and correct one misunderstanding gently.
Watch out for
- Common mistakeExpecting a sibling to manage outbursts gives them an adult responsibility, so keep support with adults.
- Common mistakeExplaining ADHD should not dismiss hurt, so acknowledge the sibling's experience too.
Trusted guides
How we rated it
- Evidence grade
- C Small or mixed studies, expert consensus or clinical practice. Worth knowing, not worth betting on.
- The number
- Siblings can find it hard when attention goes to their brother or sister (Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 2026)
- Benefit
- 42/100 The benefit score is an editorial prioritization for the general list, weighted by certainty. It is not a prediction of what will happen for you.
- Effort
- Some effort
Sources
- Tier 1 guidelineADHD: diagnosis and management, NG87, information and supportNICE, public HSC Northern Ireland copy, 2018
- Tier 1 guidelineTourette Syndrome and ADHD (undated)Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 2026
- Tier 1 guidelineADHD: further support, advice and self-help (undated)Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, 2026
General information about ADHD, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. Tailoring changes the order of suggestions; it does not assess you. Medication decisions belong with you and a qualified clinician.