Stimulant medications — methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and amphetamines (Adderall, Vyvanse) — are the most effective pharmacological treatment for ADHD, with decades of research supporting their use.

CBT adapted for ADHD focuses on practical executive function skills — planning, time management, organisation, and emotional regulation — rather than thought challenging.

Aerobic exercise acutely improves attention, working memory, and executive function in ADHD — effects that persist for several hours post-exercise.

Omega-3 supplementation (particularly EPA-rich formulas) has modest but consistent evidence for improving attention and hyperactivity in children and adults with ADHD.

Behavioural parent training teaches parents of children with ADHD specific strategies for managing behaviour, building structure, and supporting executive function development at home and school.

Mindfulness training for ADHD focuses on developing sustained attention and impulse awareness through formal meditation practice adapted for ADHD-affected brains.

Creating consistent external structures — visual reminders, body doubles, time-blocking, and reducing environmental distraction — compensates for ADHD-related internal self-regulation deficits.

Some children with ADHD show symptom improvement when artificial food colours and preservatives are removed from the diet — particularly those with food sensitivities.

Iron deficiency — common in children — may worsen ADHD symptoms. Correcting iron status has shown symptom improvement in iron-deficient children with ADHD.

Sleep problems are highly prevalent in ADHD and bidirectionally worsen symptoms. Improving sleep quality and consistency has direct benefits for attention, impulsivity, and emotional regulation.