Share time your child enjoys
Guideline advice, not formally gradedADHD evidence
Make time together that is for connection, with the correcting left out.
Start with the time you have
1 minute
Jot down something your child loves and a curious question you could ask about it.
5 minutes
Ask your child to show or tell you something they enjoy, and listen without correcting.
15 minutes
Share a small activity your child chooses, with the focus on enjoying the time together.
How sure the science is
Guideline advice, not formally graded, ADHD evidence
- Recommended by ADHD clinical guidelines, but nobody has pooled the trials and graded how sure they are.
- Guideline advice is a considered judgement, not a measured certainty.
- Measured in people with ADHD.
Explicit NICE relationship-support recommendation and NHS ADHD self-esteem guidance; no standalone trial estimate.
The number, drawn
Support positive parent and child contact
Why it matters
- NICE recommends positive contact between parents or carers and children with ADHD.
- NHS ADHD guidance suggests sharing a child's interests and enjoyable activities to support connection and self-esteem.
- The effect of a short shared activity alone has not been quantified, and it should not become another task your child must perform correctly.
How to do it
- Ask your child what they'd like to do with you.
- Give them your attention for a stretch you can actually manage.
- Notice what they enjoy and follow their lead. Don't turn it into a lesson.
Putting it into practice
In real life
- Let your child explain a favourite game while you listen.
- Join in drawing, or watch a short part of a programme they want to share.
Watch out for
- Common mistakeTurning the activity into a behaviour review can crowd out connection, so discuss concerns separately.
- Common mistakeAn ambitious outing may never happen. Pick something small and within reach.
Trusted guides
How we rated it
- Evidence grade
- A Moderate or high certainty evidence in people with ADHD, or an explicit ADHD guideline recommendation.
- The number
- Support positive parent and child contact (NICE, public HSC Northern Ireland copy, 2018)
- Benefit
- 47/100 An editorial priority for the general list, weighted by certainty. It does not predict what will happen for you.
- Effort
- Quick win
Sources
- Tier 1 guidelineADHD: diagnosis and management, NG87, information and supportNICE, public HSC Northern Ireland copy, 2018
- Tier 1 guidelineADHD & Self Esteem (undated)Humber Teaching 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.