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April 21, 2026

Child Mind Institute Provides Resources for Children with Autism and ADHD

Recently, the term auDHD has been coined to describe people who have both autism and ADHD, a combination that is common, according to The Child Mind Institute.

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While auDHD is not an official diagnosis, it is meant to draw attention to the effect of having both disorders because some symptoms overlap in challenging ways.

Both ADHD and autism can result in children having trouble paying attention to things they don’t find interesting, struggling in social situations, and being prone to emotional outbursts. Occasionally, having both disorders can compound the issues, while at other times children might feel as if they are being pulled in two different directions.

The Child Mind Institute has provided resources for caregivers of children who have both disorders. One article on auDHD explores the experiences of children with dual diagnoses and how treatment is affected by them. Another explains what a careful evaluation for autism should look like and how noticing ADHD first can delay an autism diagnosis.

The institute examines the challenges that can arise for autistic children during puberty in one article, while another focuses on the case for making a separate diagnosis for profound autism. There are also resources on how children who are not hyperactive might still have ADHD and on neurodiversity, which discusses how children with autism, ADHD, or auDHD each have strengths as well as challenges.

Below are The Child Mind Institute’s resources.

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April 13, 2026

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Executive Function Issues in Children

Executive functions are mental skills such as organization, problem-solving, and planning that we use daily.

However, some children struggle with them, which can result in their having trouble keeping track of their schoolwork or items (such as bags or jackets), remembering assignments, or following directions.

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In a series of new resources, the Child Mind Institute notes that it is important to investigate the root cause of why some children can become distracted or disorganized.

Executive function issues are most common in children with ADHD, the Child Mind Institute notes, but children without that diagnosis can have them as well.

The institute offers support for children who struggle with staying organized in school and those who need help with working memory – or, keeping track of the information they need to finish a project or solve problems.

The institute’s resources explore whether a child’s disorganized behavior could indicate other underlying issues, such as anxiety, depression, or a learning disorder.

Strategies for staying organized can’t address an undiagnosed learning disorder or help children who have experienced trauma. These children may appear forgetful or distracted, but may need different types of support, such as a neuropsychological examination.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include:

News

March 24, 2026

Resources to Help Children with ADHD or Sleep Issues

Despite caregivers’ best efforts, most children do not get enough sleep, whether it’s because they are energized and do not want to go to sleep or they’re overwhelmed by homework.

But for children with ADHD, the Child Mind Institute notes, these struggles can be compounded with the fact that difficulty falling or staying asleep or waking up early are all common issues, and sleep problems can be a side effect of taking ADHD stimulant medication.

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The Child Mind Institute has shared resources regarding sleep issues for children with ADHD and what can be done to help them.

One article discusses how being able to wind down at night is a form of self-regulation and that children with ADHD have trouble stopping an activity they find stimulating – whether it’s reading or doing something online.

Another piece focuses on how caregivers can help children develop better routines to get to bed on time, such as providing support to help them set limits for themselves. If a child feels anxious about being able to fall asleep, the institute has provided tips on how to help them relax.

Occasionally, lack of sleep can cause children to have trouble focusing at school, according to one Child Mind Institute resource, and even lead to an ADHD misdiagnosis.

Below are the resources shared by the Child Mind Institute.

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March 17, 2026

Resources Focus on Identifying Early Signs of Developmental Disorders

Children are often diagnosed with mental health or learning challenges in middle and high school after having struggled for years without support.

Some of them could have been identified and gotten help earlier if adults in their lives had recognized the signs. The Child Mind Institute has put together resources on how to keep an eye out for early signs of developmental disorders.

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The institute’s resources on how to recognize signs cover a number of developmental disorders, including autism, ADHD, nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD), and dyslexia.

One article focuses on NVLD at various ages, from preschool to high school, and how in young children it can show up as a motor delay or difficulty drawing shapes, building with blocks, or doing puzzles.

Another discusses how some of the earliest signs of autism include delays in simple gestures such as pointing and sharing objects with others. One resource focuses on how learning disorders such as dyslexia and dyscalculia often aren’t caught until a child is struggling to keep up in school, but there may be early signs in preschoolers, such as trouble with rhymes or counting.

A resource on ADHD in preschool discusses how identifying it early can help children get behavioral support they need to succeed when they get to elementary school. Anxiety and depression are covered in two other resources.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include:

News

March 2, 2026

Resources Provide Tips for Caregivers with Children Navigating Friendship Losses

Breaking off a friendship or drifting apart can be challenging no matter the age, but it can be especially difficult for young children, affecting the way they think about themselves and future relationships.

The Child Mind Institute has put together a list of resources about friend breakups that aim to help children when they’re struggling.

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For young people, losing a friend can feel like a personal rejection – even if that’s not the case. To help cope with the feelings of rejection, caregivers should validate children’s feelings and eventually encourage them to see a painful experience as an opportunity for growth.

Friendship problems can be even more difficult for children who already struggle to make friends, whether they are lonely or have trouble navigating social situations.

Among the resources is an episode of the Thriving Kids podcast in which psychologist Dave Anderson, PhD, answers questions about parenting teens and interacting with their friends. The episode includes tips on how to help a child build healthier relationships.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include:

News

February 16, 2026

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Keeping Children Motivated in School

It’s not unusual for children to go through periods when they feel unmotivated in schools, especially during the cold winter months or when the next long break feels like a long time away.

The Child Mind Institute has put together a list of resources for helping children to remain motivated in school.

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There are a variety of factors that could prevent children from being motivated in school – including everything from ADHD to anxiety or a learning disability. However, children without a diagnosis can also struggle to remain consistent.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources cover what might be behind a child’s behavior, from boredom and frustration to social issues, and how to offer the right support.

Struggling with a particular skill can be especially hard for children who are gifted in other areas. If a child appears to be losing steam in one area, acknowledge their efforts in a different area to help boost their confidence.

Below is the list of the Child Mind Institute’s resources.

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February 10, 2026

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Children with Multiple Diagnoses

It can be challenging for caregivers during the process of seeking a diagnosis for a child, but even more so if they learn the child is struggling with two – or more – mental health or learning disorders.

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The Child Mind Institute has put together a series of resources on what experts call co-occurring disorders. Having multiple disorders is not unusual: One study found that 40 percent of adolescents diagnosed with a mental health disorder met the criteria for another.

Some of the most common combinations include autism and ADHD, anxiety and depression, ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and learning disorders together with anxiety or depression. Additionally, children with Tourette’s often have OCD or ADHD.

The institute’s resources include a piece on co-occurring disorders that examines why they happen frequently and how they affect treatment. In some cases, two disorders are diagnosed together, but one is often identified later when treatment for the first doesn’t resolve some symptoms.

Sometimes, a second disorder is developed as a result of a child’s struggles with the first – especially depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. In any of these cases, the conditions must be treated carefully for the child to thrive, as treatment for one could complicate the other, particularly if multiple medications are being used.

Below is the list of the Child Mind Institute’s resources on co-occurring disorders.

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January 19, 2026

Child Mind Institute Shares Resources on How to Respond When Children Act Out

Most children – especially toddlers – act out sometimes as they start to get in touch with their full range of emotions.

But caregivers might find themselves frustrated about how to get frequent temper tantrums, yelling, or hitting to stop, especially as children get older.

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The Child Mind Institute has put together a list of resources on how caregivers and educators can respond when children act out. Before taking disciplinary action, it is important for adults to understand why a child might be acting out.

The institute’s resources include discussions of strategies that experts use to identify motivations or purposes behind a child’s problem behaviors as well as tips on how to respond.

While behavioral issues can be a result of a child dealing with emotions they don’t yet have the skills to understand or manage, they can also be linked to mental health challenges. Anxiety can be a common cause of disruptive behavior, especially in social settings like the classroom.

Children with ADHD might have a difficult time performing repetitive or boring tasks, leading to inattention, impulsivity, or tantrums. Depression can show up as irritability and angry outbursts alongside or in place of prolonged sadness.

The resources also include information on when caregivers should turn to professional help for severe tantrums.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include:

News

December 8, 2025

List Features Best Books for Children That Tackle Mental Health

Books can be a great method of helping children to cope with such issues as ADHD, anxiety, the loss of a loved one, or regulating their emotions.

The Child Mind Institute has compiled a list of 2025 books that tackle the topic of mental health and included other resources.

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Stories that address mental health topics for children are becoming more prevalent. Among the Child Mind Institute’s selections are picture books for young children and graphic novels and YA books for tweens and teens.

Topics include everything from teaching children how to read – including those with dyslexia – as well as how to help preschoolers learn mental health skills.

The Child Mind Institute’s list of resources include:

News

November 24, 2025

How the Holidays Can Make Some Children Stressed and Anxious – and How to Help

Although the holiday season can be a great time for children to make memories and have fun with family, it can also be stressful for other young people who have anxiety, ADHD, or sensory challenges.

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Some children can become overwhelmed by the added pressures that are associated with the holidays. So, Understood has put together a list of eight common ways in which children can become stressed out or anxious during the holidays and how to help.

The list includes:

Dressing Up – Sensory processing challenges can cause problems for children who are sensitive to touch; therefore, dressing up in clothes they wouldn’t normally wear that feature textures to which they are unaccustomed can cause anxiety. To help, give a child a choice between two acceptable outfits, remove itchy tags, and bring a change of everyday clothes to switch out as soon as possible.
Seeing Santa – Meeting Santa Claus can be overwhelming for children with learning and thinking differences; plus, those with language difficulties may worry about telling Santa what they want. To help, ask the child if they want to go – and if they say “no,” respect that; also, practice with them what to tell Santa in advance and consider letting Santa know if the child gets nervous around strangers.
Gift Getting – Children can be disappointed if they don’t get the gift they wanted, and anxious children might worry about hurting someone’s feelings if they don’t hide their disappointment. To help, talk in advance about the importance of acknowledging the thought behind a gift and rehearse appreciative responses.
Holiday Foods – Children with picky palates or sensory challenges might find the flavors, smells, or textures of certain holiday foods hard to deal with; they might also be hesitant to try new things and become anxious if pressured to do so. To help, show a child how to take “thank-you” bites during a meal; after a small taste, they can say whether they want more – but also bring along food that the child likes.
Parties and Holiday Gatherings – Social situations can be especially difficult for some children who are afraid to meet new people or speak to relatives they haven’t seen in a long time. To help, give a child a graceful out: If the party is local and you can find a sitter, it’s OK for the child to miss the gathering; if you’re traveling and this is not possible, find an out-of-the-way spot from which the child can watch the gathering or ask the host if there’s a room where they can hang out.
Small Talk – Some children with learning or thinking differences might be uncomfortable talking about school or struggle with conversation skills when being asked typical questions during chitchat. To help, role-play social interactions with the child and help them to come up with answers to common questions while practicing how to engage in conversation; teach them polite ways to change topics, such as asking questions of the other person, and agree on a signal if they need an adult to jump in.
Performances or Recitals – School holiday performances can cause children to feel anxious, especially if they have to learn lines and dance moves or adjust to changes in routines. To help, talk with the child’s school about expectations for the performance and ask how to help the child prepare at home; work together to create a game plan for the child to discreetly leave the stage if it’s too overwhelming.
Naughty or Nice – Children likely hear a lot about whether they are being “naughty or nice” and those who think literally may not understand that they’re not really being watched. To help, consider letting them in on the secret; helping out with Elf on the Shelf antics can make them feel grown up, while reading fables and fairy tales together provides the opportunity to discuss how some books exaggerate to express a message.

For more information on the eight scenarios, read Understood’s article.