Paying Attention to Inattentive ADHD

When most people hear “ADHD,” they picture a child in perpetual motion—bouncing off the walls, unable to sit still, fueled by what seems like an endless sugar rush. But that image only tells part of the story.

In truth, ADHD comes in three distinct types. And for many children, the challenge isn’t hyperactivity—it’s focus. These kids may sit quietly in class, but inside, they’re struggling to follow instructions, juggle tasks, and keep track of the details that slip through the cracks of a taxed working memory.

For children with inattentive ADHD, the hurdles are just as real. Misplacing keys, forgetting assignments, or zoning out during conversations—these aren’t signs of laziness. They’re symptoms of a brain wired differently.

On today’s episode, we meet a Maryland family who’s been navigating this journey since their son’s third-grade diagnosis. Then, experts break down the distinct types of ADHD and share practical strategies to help parents support children with inattentive symptoms. And later, Difference Maker spotlights a filmmaker who turned her personal experience raising a son with ADHD into a powerful documentary that amplifies voices from the ADHD community.