Walking Together This Month (Part 1): October Starts with Understanding

50 minutes ago

3 min read

Byline: Chau Sir / chausir.com

This article summarises public research with AI assistance.

October is ADHD Awareness Month

Every October is ADHD Awareness Month. In the US it is led by CHADD together with partner organisations, with the aim of sharing reliable information and reducing misunderstanding. The 2026 theme is "A Community of Support". So this month, Chau Sir would like to share one topic each week, taking it slowly, and walking it together. [1][2]

What Hong Kong research found

A Hong Kong survey covering schools across the territory, with about 6,000 students aged 6 to 17, estimated that around one in ten students (10.2%) met research criteria for ADHD, the most common category in the survey. A research figure does not describe any single child, but it is a reminder that your family is not alone in this. [3]

Sleep and attention

The same Hong Kong survey found that marked sleep problems were associated with ADHD and other conditions. A separate meta-analysis also found that children with ADHD more often had trouble falling asleep, waking at night, and getting up in the morning. These are associations, not proof that one causes the other. Parents might start by noting a week of sleep routines, and bring those notes to a professional if needed. [3][4]

Home and school together

The Education Bureau's Operation Guide on the Whole School Approach to Integrated Education says schools invite parents to Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings to set goals together and review them regularly. What parents notice at home can complement what the school observes. Before the meeting, you might jot down two or three points you most want to discuss, such as homework arrangements or classroom prompts, so you do not have to worry about forgetting them on the day. [5]

Walking together includes you

Research suggests that parents of children with ADHD report higher parenting stress on average. So walking together is not only about walking beside your child; it also means having someone beside you. This week, you might try spending ten minutes talking with someone you trust. If things feel too much, you can call the Government's 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline (情緒通, 24 hours). In immediate danger, call 999. [6][7]

Next week, we will look at some common myths about "not paying attention". One month, one step at a time, walking together.

Further reading (chausir.com, live as of 2026-10-05)

- 香港學童中，專注力不足／過度活躍（ADHD）有幾常見？本地大型調查點樣睇 https://www.chausir.com/post/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E5%AD%B8%E7%AB%A5%E4%B8%AD%EF%BC%8C%E5%B0%88%E6%B3%A8%E5%8A%9B%E4%B8%8D%E8%B6%B3-%E9%81%8E%E5%BA%A6%E6%B4%BB%E8%BA%8D%EF%BC%88adhd%EF%BC%89%E6%9C%89%E5%B9%BE%E5%B8%B8%E8%A6%8B%EF%BC%9F%E6%9C%AC%E5%9C%B0%E5%A4%A7%E5%9E%8B%E8%AA%BF%E6%9F%A5%E9%BB%9E%E6%A8%A3%E7%9D%87 - 感官同「冇專注」：幾個常見誤解，公開研究點樣睇 https://www.chausir.com/post/%E6%84%9F%E5%AE%98%E5%90%8C%E3%80%8C%E5%86%87%E5%B0%88%E6%B3%A8%E3%80%8D%EF%BC%9A%E5%B9%BE%E5%80%8B%E5%B8%B8%E8%A6%8B%E8%AA%A4%E8%A7%A3%EF%BC%8C%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E9%BB%9E%E6%A8%A3%E7%9D%87 - 自閉症兒童的睡眠問題有幾普遍？研究歸納了哪些相關因素（此文以自閉症兒童為主，亦可作睡眠主題參考） (This article focuses on autistic children and may also be a useful reference on sleep.) https://www.chausir.com/post/%E8%87%AA%E9%96%89%E7%97%87%E5%85%92%E7%AB%A5%E7%9A%84%E7%9D%A1%E7%9C%A0%E5%95%8F%E9%A1%8C%E6%9C%89%E5%B9%BE%E6%99%AE%E9%81%8D%EF%BC%9F%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E6%AD%B8%E7%B4%8D%E4%BA%86%E5%93%AA%E4%BA%9B%E7%9B%B8%E9%97%9C%E5%9B%A0%E7%B4%A0 - 家長點樣準備 IEP／學校會議？溫暖 checklist，唔使「對抗」 https://www.chausir.com/post/%E5%AE%B6%E9%95%B7%E9%BB%9E%E6%A8%A3%E6%BA%96%E5%82%99-iep-%E5%AD%B8%E6%A0%A1%E6%9C%83%E8%AD%B0%EF%BC%9F-%E6%BA%AB%E6%9A%96-checklist%EF%BC%8C%E5%94%94%E4%BD%BF%E3%80%8C%E5%B0%8D%E6%8A%97%E3%80%8D

Sources

1. CHADD. ADHD Awareness 2026: A Community of Support (30 Sep 2026). https://chadd.org/adhd-awareness-2026-a-community-of-support/ (2026 theme; CHADD named for the theme only) 2. ADHD Awareness Month Coalition (ACO, ADDA, CHADD). ADHDAwarenessMonth 2026. https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/ and https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/adhd-awareness-matters/ (October; coalition partners; goal of sharing reliable information and reducing stigma) 3. Chan SSM, Wong OWH, Hussain S, et al. Twelve-month prevalence of DSM-5 mental disorders and the psychosocial correlates: a child and adolescent psychiatric epidemiologic survey in Hong Kong SAR. Lancet Regional Health Western Pacific, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11997334/ (weighted n = 6,082; ADHD 10.2%; sleep problems, caregiver distress and school difficulties associated, observational) 4. Cortese S, Faraone SV, Konofal E, Lecendreux M. Sleep in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: meta-analysis of subjective and objective studies. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009;48(9):894-908. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19625983/ 5. Education Bureau, HKSAR. Operation Guide on the Whole School Approach to Integrated Education. https://sense.edb.gov.hk/uploads/page/integrated_education/landing/ie_guide_en.pdf (inviting parents to IEP meetings; regular review) 6. Theule J, Wiener J, Tannock R, Jenkins JM. Parenting stress in families of children with ADHD: a meta-analysis. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. 2013;21(1):3-17. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1063426610387433 (also ERIC: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1005771) 7. HKSAR Government press release (27 Dec 2023), 24-hour Mental Health Support Hotline 18111. https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202312/27/P2023122700238.htm ; 情緒通新功能 (4 Nov 2025): https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202511/04/P2025110400342.htm

Disclaimer

Educational information, not a diagnosis or medical advice.

Chau Sir's talks and articles are parent education. They do not provide diagnosis, assessment or treatment, and do not provide medical or medication advice. If needed, please consult a qualified professional.