What occurs if a youngster with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) simultaneously has a high IQ? Will one conceal the other? Will managing ADHD be easier or harder for someone with a high IQ?

We’ll tell you upfront: this does happen. ADHD can also affect kids with remarkably high IQs. Their high intellect test results may qualify them for the gifted/talented program at school, but they may also receive an ADHD diagnosis.

It’s common for parents to worry that their child’s academic skills won’t be recognized by their teachers and that their high intelligence will be concealed by their ADHD symptoms. Now, contingent upon where you live, you may be relieved to learn that, in addition to the ADHD diagnosis, teachers will also be cognizant of the children’s great cognitive potential because all first- or second-graders are assessed for intellectual aptitude.

While a child’s academic ability may be concealed by ADHD, the contrary may also be true. Very intelligent kids could conceal ADHD symptoms. Compared to kids who also deal with ADHD and have an average or low IQ, they typically perform better in school. As a result, young kids very frequently go undiagnosed and without obtaining the necessary therapy.

People with ADHD can have varying degrees of intellectual ability. It would seem logical that kids with high IQs would be better equipped to deal with the challenges posed by ADHD symptoms. Rather, they might face particular challenges of their own. Socially, children with ADHD frequently lag behind their classmates. They feel most at ease around kids who are a few years younger. On the other side, very intelligent kids usually feel most at ease around older kids. The youngster who has both ADHD and a high IQ will probably be awkward around peers, although they may get along well with older and younger kids.

ADHD and Difficulties in the Classroom

Intellectually endowed children typically acknowledge their intelligence. When they are young, they may do exceedingly well in the initial grades and find school to be quite easy. These kids are held to high standards by their parents and teachers, who also acknowledge their brilliance. The more challenging school is, the more problematic ADHD symptoms get.

It’s likely that third grade is when parents and kids start to notice issues. By the third grade, academic goals and demands increase, and kids are slated to be increasingly self-reliant. Academic performance may start to deteriorate during the coming years.

For a child who has experienced easy things in the past, this could be confusing. Kids may start to question who they are, which could make them anxious. The child may cause disappointment for parents and instructors. When, in reality, the symptoms of ADHD may be a factor in academic challenges, they can mistakenly blame a lack of effort, boredom, or laziness for their lack of academic performance.

Correct and Inaccurate Diagnosis

Misdiagnosis is a common result of the combination of high IQ and ADHD. Occasionally, children who exhibit high levels of activity and brilliance are misdiagnosed with ADHD. However, some exceptionally bright kids with ADHD may be able to concentrate for extended periods of time on topics that pique their attention, which may also result in a false diagnosis. As a result, young kids frequently don’t get the care they require.

How do you determine whether your child has ADHD, is intellectually brilliant, or both? Given the similarities between the two, this could be difficult. Youngsters in both categories frequently exhibit high levels of energy and a low threshold for boredom. They often have a creative and inquisitive nature and may be drawn to riskier pursuits. Both are also capable of displaying defiance of authority. Academic difficulties may arise for either group, albeit for distinct causes. Additionally, kids in both groups could act uneasy around classmates their own age.

The easiest approach to find out for sure if your child is intellectually gifted is to test them, which may be done online or in schools. No two IQ tests are the same; be aware of that as a parent who sends his kiddo to take the IQ test. If he or she takes it in school, bear in mind that individual IQ tests and group tests are not interchangeable. Due to factors including noise, interruptions, unclear instructions, disinterest, reading requirements, and a lack of comprehension of IQ test’s time constraints, which exist both with school testing and online testing, many brilliant children perform poorly on group assessments. If you think your youngster can be distracted by all of these, give them a chance to do it online.

See a child therapist if you’re unsure if your child has ADHD. With the help of the therapist and the testing results, you’ll be able to determine whether your child has ADHD, an extraordinarily high IQ, or both. After that, you’ll be able to help your youngster by seeing to his or her individual needs.

Giftedness Traits

  • A desire to solve problems
  • Eager and proficient reader
  • A sharp sense of humor
  • Extremely passionate
  • Extremely vivacious; requires little rest or sleep
  • Thinker of critical analysis
  • Varied passions and skills
  • Impulsive, enthusiastic, and eager
  • High standards for oneself and other people, which frequently cause frustration
  • Empathy and sensitivity to others
  • Erratic behavior, particularly when it’s connected to feelings of failure
  • Talking or chattering nonstop

ADHD Traits

  • Neglects to focus on the details or commits thoughtless errors
  • Unable to concentrate when playing or on tasks
  • Seems uninterested in listening
  • Avoids or detests assignments that call for concentrated mental effort, like homework.
  • Neglects to do everyday tasks
  • Squirms, taps, or fidgets; always moving
  • Struggles to play or engage in peaceful activities
  • Talks excessively
  • Answers that are blurry
  • Interrupts or pries into the games or conversations of others

The Bottom Line

Because they have an impact on learning, both high IQ and ADHD are frequently seen as learning disabilities. Their symptoms and traits are fairly similar to each other, which might make it difficult to tell them apart. Furthermore, it’s not unusual for gifted kids to simultaneously have ADHD.

When it comes to developing their interests and practicing executive functions, kids who are brilliant, have ADHD, or both may need more assistance.