ADHD Awareness Month: What ADHD Is and Why It Matters

Written By Cheryl Gigler
Woman shouting into a megaphone beside an ADHD Awareness Month October 2026 graphic.

Did you know October is ADHD Awareness month? Sponsored by the ADHD Awareness Month Coalition, including the ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO), Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) and Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD), their goal is to reduce stigma and support people in living their best lives.

Illustrated brain surrounded by colorful overlapping circles representing the ADHD brain

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder, a neuro-developmental condition related to how the brain develops and functions.

There are three presentations of ADHD:

  • Inattentive: struggling with focus and organization

  • Hyperactive/Impulsive: fidgeting and reactionary

  • Combined Type: a combination of both

Illustration of a woman holding her head at a messy desk surrounded by stacks of papers.

Isn’t ADHD a boy’s disorder?

ADHD doesn’t impact only boys. It continues into adulthood for most people. Symptoms can change over time depending on the environment, and what demands are placed on a person. Girls, women and people of all ages can have ADHD and now even older adults are being diagnosed.

Why is ADHD awareness important?

There is a great deal of misunderstanding and misinformation regarding ADHD which means that people are not getting the support they need. Individuals can struggle at school, at home and at work.

Paper cutout figures holding hands in a circle, symbolizing community and support.

ADHD treatment and management

Good treatment for ADHD is multi-modal and may include medication, behavioral tools, skills, strategies, education, coaching, accommodations at school or work and in general lifestyle changes.

ADHD coaching is one way people learn to work with their strengths and manage the daily challenges, such as managing time, creating routines, organizing and breaking down projects and managing transitions to name a few.

Check out the directories of local CHADD chapters, as well as the ACO and ADDA.

This month we celebrate how far we’ve come, yet there is more to do. Without awareness, adults and children with ADHD will continue to struggle.

ADHD is real and more common than we think. It shows up differently for everyone. With the right support, people with ADHD can be among the most successful.

Find answers to manage daily life with ADHD once and for all! Click here to book a FREE complimentary coaching call!

Resources

Cheryl Gigler
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