ADHD Brain
What does ADHD stand for?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Is anger a feeling or a behavior?
A feeling/emotion
Name one healthy way to calm down.
Deep breathing, stretching, taking a safe break, counting to 10 slowly, or distracting self
You've been waiting in line for something for 15 minutes, but someone cuts in front of you. What would you do?
Speak up respectfully or tell an adult if necessary.
What does it mean to act impulsively?
Acting quickly without thinking through the consequences.
Name one thing that can be difficult for someone with ADHD.
Paying attention, staying organized, remembering directions, hyperactivity, or controlling impulses.
Name two physical signs that you might be getting angry.
Clenched fists, a fast heartbeat, tense muscles, or feeling hot.
What is one thing you can do if you feel overwhelmed by a difficult assignment?
Ask for help, take a planned break, or divide the assignment into smaller steps.
Your teacher asks you to stop talking while you are excited about something. How can you respond appropriately?
Pause, listen, and wait for an appropriate time to speak
What can you do before reacting when someone makes you mad?
Pause, breathe, and think.
What is one strategy that can help someone with ADHD finish homework?
Break it into smaller tasks, use a timer, or make a checklist.
What does 'trigger' mean in terms of anger?
Something that causes or contributes to feelings of anger.
What does it mean to take a timeout when you're angry?
Taking space to calm down before returning to the situation.
You keep forgetting to do your chores. What tool could help you remember?
An alarm, checklist, calendar, or reminder note.
Your sibling annoys you, and you want to yell. Name one thing you could do instead.
Take a break, use calm words, or walk away safely.
If your brain keeps jumping from one activity to another, what are two things you can do to help yourself focus?
Reduce distractions, use a timer, take planned breaks, or work on one small task at a time.
Can you feel angry without yelling or hitting someone? Explain how.
Yes. You can feel angry and choose a safe, respectful response.
How can you tell that you need a break before your anger gets worse?
You might notice a louder voice, tense muscles, racing thoughts, or feeling out of control.
You lose a video game and feel like throwing the controller. What should you do?
Put it down safely, pause the game, and calm down.
Why can reacting immediately when angry make a situation worse?
You might say or do something hurtful, escalate the conflict, or face consequences.
Why might someone with ADHD interrupt while another person is talking?
They may struggle with impulse control or waiting to share their thoughts.
Why might someone react angrily to a small problem when they have already had a stressful day?
Stress and frustration can build up, making it harder to manage emotions.
Name three coping skills you could use at school or home when you feel frustrated.
Slow breathing, positive self-talk, asking for help, taking a break, or counting before responding.
A friend embarrasses you in front of others. You want to embarrass them back. What could you do instead, and why?
Set a boundary or talk privately because retaliation can escalate the conflict.
You are so angry that you want to break something. Walk me through three steps you could take to stay safe.
Put distance between yourself and the object, take a calming break, and seek help if needed.