Does ADHD Affect a Child’s Ability to Make Friends? 

ADHD and friendships can often be challenging for children due to difficulties in social interaction and emotional regulation. Children with ADHD frequently struggle with social skills, which can make forming and maintaining friendships more difficult. Impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity, common symptoms of ADHD, may cause children to interrupt conversations, miss social cues or behave in ways that can frustrate their peers. These behaviours can create barriers when making friends and can lead to feelings of isolation or rejection. 

How It Helps 

Early intervention and support can significantly improve a child’s ability to develop social skills and make friends. Parents, teachers and therapists can work together to help children with ADHD understand social cues, practise appropriate behaviours and build confidence in social settings. Social skills training and behavioural therapy are commonly used to address these challenges, helping children learn how to appropriately interact with others. 

Encouraging children with ADHD to participate in structured social activities and providing consistent feedback on their social skills can also foster stronger relationships with peers. While ADHD and friendships may present challenges, with the right support, children can develop meaningful and lasting friendships, improving their social experiences and overall well-being. 

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert advice tailored to your needs.   

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Clinical interviews and History Taking.

Harriet Winslow, BSc

Author

Harriet Winslow is a clinical psychologist with a Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience in behaviour therapy and developmental disorders. She has worked with children and adolescents with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and behavioural challenges, providing individual and group therapy using evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT. Dr. Winslow has developed and implemented personalised treatment plans, conducted formal and informal assessments, and delivered crisis intervention for clients in need of urgent mental health care. Her expertise spans assessment, treatment planning, and behavioural intervention for both neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.