ABSTRACT
There have been numerous studies regarding the epidemiology, cause and treatment of ADHD, but little research into the lived experiences of those who are living with this disorder on a day-to-day basis. The aim of this chapter is to summarise what children and young people with ADHD, their siblings and parents or carers tell professionals about their experience of living with ADHD. What is known about how children and young people feel about having ADHD, what they think about being diagnosed and labelled and what their experiences are of taking medication will be explored. In addition, the challenges of parenting children with ADHD and the different perceptions of mothers, fathers and siblings will also be described. Finally, what parents and carers think and feel about the professional services they receive from healthcare providers and schools will be discussed. It is important to note that the views of children, parents or carers about ADHD are not always the same and can often be disparate.
