The core symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness – can manifest in different ways, depending on the individual, their gender and their age.¹ Moreover, ADHD is highly heritable; therefore, parents of children with ADHD may also display such symptoms. From a real-world perspective, this can create some tension in the parent-child relationship. Not only can parents become less patient and more critical of disruptive and impulsive behaviour, but they can be struggling with the same problems as their child, or even mirroring and projecting their own experiences.²

Evidence-based treatments for ADHD have been centralised around medication (mostly stimulants) and behavioural treatments, but both have their limitations.²

But what if the solution to better treatment rests in both the children and their parents simultaneously engaging in treatment? One pilot study² explored this in the form of an eight-week mindfulness training program for children with ADHD (8 to 12 years) with parallel mindful parenting training provided for their parents. Such an intervention has the potential to abate parental stress, stemming from a place of better mutual understanding rather than judgment, control and reactivity.

Results of the study showed considerable benefit from shared mindfulness training. There was a significant reduction of parent-rated ADHD behaviour in themselves and their child from pre- to post-test and from pre-test to follow-up (eight weeks later), evidencing a lasting impact. Additionally, there was a significant increase of mindful awareness from pre-to post-test, and a significant reduction of parental stress and overreactivity from pre-to follow-up.

Lastly, many families asked for further mindfulness training after the follow-up, emphasising just how important and needed a continuation of the practice is, particularly as children and their guardians together navigate such a crucial stage of development and change in life.

Here, mindfulness can be seen as an empowering tool, one that improves our ability to respond to new challenges with greater self-awareness rather than impulsively react to what arises. This shift applies to parents and their children alike.

This study is part of a body of evidence demonstrating improvement in the core symptoms of ADHD with mindfulness-based interventions in children. Across the studies included in a recent systematic review, parental involvement was highlighted as one of the factors influencing intervention success. The intervention itself (i.e. type, duration and frequency), ADHD subtype, other comorbidities, and concurrent medication use were cited as other potential factors.³ Evidently, treatment should be adapted to be as unique as each individual’s experience of ADHD.

Clinicians are themselves encouraged to be mindful of the importance and impact of recommending mindfulness-based practices as an adjunct to treatment for children with ADHD. Parental support and involvement should be encouraged each step of the way to maximise improvements, ensuring changes are more likely to be both profound and long-lasting.

References

1. Magnus W, Anilkumar AC, Shaban K. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [Internet]. Treasure Island: StatPearls; 2023 [cited 2025 Mar 24]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441838/

2. Van Der Oord S, Bögels SM, Peijnenburg D. The effectiveness of mindfulness training for children with ADHD and mindful parenting for their parents. J Child Fam Stud. 2012 Feb;21(1):139-147. DOI: 10.1007/s10826-011-9457-0

3. Sultan MA, Nawaz FA, Alattar B, Khalaf E, Shadan S, El-Abiary N, et al. Assessing the impact of mindfulness programs on attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: a systematic review. BMC Pediatr. 2025 Jan;25(1):32. DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-05310-z