ADHD Across the Lifespan: From Childhood to Adulthood

A Comprehensive, Holistic Look at ADHD Support at Every Age

“I thought I just had trouble keeping up. I didn’t realize my brain was wired for something different.”

That’s how Rachel, a 42-year-old accountant, described her life before her adult ADHD diagnosis. For years, she believed her scattered thoughts, emotional reactivity, and chronic procrastination were personal failings. She didn’t know she’d spent her entire life managing undiagnosed ADHD — or that there was a way to support her brain without shame.

ADHD isn’t just for kids. It’s a complex, evolving experience that can shape the way a person learns, works, connects, and feels — from early childhood through late adulthood.

At The Trahan Therapy Center, we walk with clients of all ages through their ADHD journey — with compassion, holistic care, and tools that honor the whole person, not just the symptoms.

What Is ADHD?

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, self-regulation, working memory, and impulse control. It’s not about laziness or lack of intelligence — it's about the way the brain processes information and stimulation.

Common subtypes include:

• Inattentive: difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, trouble following through

• Hyperactive-Impulsive: restlessness, fidgeting, impulsive speech or actions

• Combined: a mix of both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms

  
  

ADHD in Childhood: The Misunderstood Explorer

Real Story: Jayden, Age 6 Jayden’s teachers said he was disruptive and couldn’t sit still. His parents were exhausted from the constant behavior calls. But at The Trahan Therapy Center, we saw more than behavior — we saw a creative, curious child whose brain needed structure and sensory support.

With:

• Play-based therapy

• Movement breaks

• Sensory calming techniques

  
  

Jayden began to feel more regulated. He could express his needs, and his parents learned how to support him with compassion and predictability.

“We stopped trying to ‘fix’ him,” his mom said. “We started understanding him.”

ADHD in Preteens and Tweens: Big Emotions, Big Questions

Real Story: Skylar, Age 11 Skylar was sensitive, artistic, and often overwhelmed by big emotions. She didn’t get in trouble at school — but at home, the meltdowns came after every homework assignment. Her therapist recognized emotional dysregulation, a common but often overlooked ADHD symptom in girls.

Skylar’s holistic care plan included:

• Emotion labeling and regulation tools

• Journaling and art to express frustration

• Parent-child co-regulation techniques

  
  

Over time, her self-esteem grew. “It wasn’t about being perfect,” her dad said. “It was about helping her feel safe in her feelings.”

ADHD in Adolescence: Identity, Pressure & Performance

Real Story: Elijah, Age 15 Elijah was bright and passionate — but struggled with motivation and organization. Assignments piled up. Friendships got harder to maintain. And anxiety crept in fast. His therapist helped him recognize that what looked like “laziness” was really executive dysfunction.

His care plan at Trahan included:

• Weekly coaching on school routines

• Mindfulness for test anxiety

• Peer support through therapeutic groups

  
  

For the first time, Elijah said, “I felt like someone actually got it — and got me.”

ADHD in Young Adulthood: Transitioning Without Tools

Real Story: Bri, Age 22 Bri thrived in high school with structure. But in college, she felt like she was falling apart. Deadlines slipped, her room was a mess, and she felt emotionally overwhelmed. ADHD hadn’t been discussed before — until she brought her struggles to therapy.

At The Trahan Therapy Center, Bri received:

• A full ADHD screening

• Coaching on time blocking and prioritization

• Therapy to unpack years of self-criticism

  
  

With support, Bri went from saying “I’m broken” to “I’m building my own way to function.”

ADHD in Adulthood: The Silent Weight

Real Story: Lionel, Age 50 Lionel had held down a high-pressure job for decades — but always felt like he was working twice as hard to stay afloat. He missed appointments, forgot names, and often felt emotionally reactive. Therapy revealed a late diagnosis of ADHD, which reframed decades of self-doubt.

Through personalized support at Trahan, he explored:

• Breathwork and grounding to reduce overstimulation

• Systems to simplify daily tasks

• Processing past criticism and self-judgment

  
  

“I wasn’t failing,” Lionel said. “I was just never given the tools.”

Your Brain Is Wired Uniquely — and That’s Okay

At The Trahan Therapy Center, we honor the fact that not all minds work the same — and that’s not a problem to solve. It’s a truth to support.

ADHD brains are:

• Deeply creative

• Intuitively emotional

• Highly sensitive to environment

• Motivated by interest, not pressure

  
  

We help our clients move from frustration to self-acceptance, from coping to thriving — with tools and care that support who they truly are.

Holistic ADHD Support at The Trahan Therapy Center

Your ADHD journey is personal. That’s why we offer whole-person care that meets you where you are.

Our approach includes:

• ADHD-informed therapy (for children, teens, adults & families)

• Somatic and mindfulness practices to reduce overwhelm

• Executive functioning coaching

• Emotional regulation strategies

• Creative outlets for non-verbal processing

• Nutrition and sensory regulation guidance (as needed)

  
  

Whether it’s a child bouncing in the classroom or an adult burned out at work — we’re here to help you find clarity, tools, and peace.

Daily Tools for ADHD Across the Lifespan

Small strategies make big change. Here are a few that clients find transformative:

Practice	Who It’s For	Why It Works
Visual to-do list with images	Kids & teens	Engages the brain’s visual processing
Pomodoro technique (25/5 rule)	College students & adults	Improves focus with structured time breaks
Body-doubling (working alongside someone)	Teens & adults	Increases motivation and reduces task paralysis
Movement before learning (e.g., jumping jacks)	All ages	Stimulates focus and preps the brain
Emotion cards for naming feelings	Kids & neurodivergent adults	Builds self-awareness and regulation

ADHD Isn’t a Limitation — It’s a Different Starting Point

You don’t need to change who you are. You just need support that recognizes how you work best.

At The Trahan Therapy Center, we don’t force clients into a mold — we help them design lives that work with their brains, not against them.

Whether you’re 7 or 70, it’s never too early or too late to understand your mind, care for your nervous system, and find peace in your own pace.

Shaping Minds, Changing Lives

Because ADHD isn’t a disorder of potential. It’s a call to understand your rhythm — and let it lead you forward.