WHY ADHD IN INDIA OFTEN STAYS HIDDEN AND HOW EARLY DETECTION CAN CHANGE LIVES
In India, many children with ADHD go unnoticed, not because their challenges aren't real, but because we fail to understand them. Society is quick to label a restless child as careless or disobedient, instead of seeing that their brain processes attention, emotion, and reward differently.
Dr. Sonam Kothari, Pediatric Neurologist and Co-founder, Butterfly Learnings agree on the fact that "Early recognition is absolutely critical. By the time many children are diagnosed, they've already internalised years of criticism and self-doubt."
WHY ADHD OFTEN GOES UNDIAGNOSED IN INDIA
Many parents, teachers and even doctors don't recognise the signs of ADHD. A child who drifts off during class or acts impulsively may be dismissed as lazy or defiant.
In many homes and schools, behavioural differences are assumed to be willful rather than neurological. Criticism and shame often replace empathy and support.
Girls with ADHD are often overlooked because their symptoms tend to be quieter (inattentive, daydreaming) rather than disruptive. Boys, whose hyperactivity is more obvious, get noticed more.
Many schools lack screening tools or trained staff to flag early signs. Primary care physicians may not routinely evaluate attention or executive function.
WHAT EARLY INTERVENTION LOOKS LIKE AND WHY IT MATTERS
When ADHD is recognised early:
- Children can be taught strategies to manage impulsivity and inattention
- Emotional regulation and self-esteem improve
- Social skills can be strengthened
- Academic support can be tailored, preventing years of struggle
TOWARDS A MORE ADHD-AWARE INDIA
We need a shift from blaming children to understanding them. The path forward involves:
- Training teachers and medical professionals in recognising ADHD
- Raising awareness among families, not as a "disorder" but as a difference
- Building school support systems and early screening
- Encouraging empathy and maintaining hope
If we can "move from judgment to empathy, from labeling children to listening to them," we may turn this invisible struggle into one where every child can feel seen and supported.
2025-10-17T06:56:13Z