Why Kids with ADHD are More Prone to Lying

Posted by Umang on February 27th, 2020

Do your children lie? From time to time, every child can tell a lie. If your child has ADHD, though, he or she is probably lying more often than others. That is a difficult issue for you and your child. The more you understand why children with ADHD are lying the better you'll be supporting yourself and your child.

The ADHD Brain is Different

Researchers studied the caudate nucleus, which is part of the brain. This region of the brain combines information across different parts of the brain. It also assists cognitive functions, including memory. The study indicated that this portion of the brain is smaller in people with ADHD. Other research found that people with ADHD don’t use the anterior cingulate cortex. This region of the brain helps focus attention.

As a result, children who have ADHD have trouble with executive functions. Executive functions help a child manage time and pay attention, plan and organize, remember details, and multitask.

Why Do Kids with ADHD Lie?

For kids with ADHD, lying may not be an indicator that they’re being dishonest. For many of these kids, lying is a symptom of their condition.

If you tell your child to pick up their toys, they may later say you've never asked them to complete the mission. The kid is not lying, really. They may not know that you made the request, or they may have their mind on something already, so they did not process that request.

Kids with ADHD sometimes lie to avoid getting into trouble. If you ask your child whether they’ve done their homework, they may tell you they did it. If your child finds homework tiring because it is difficult, they may lie because they think they can avoid doing the homework or getting into trouble because they haven’t.

Being impulsive is another symptom of ADHD. Sometimes a lie falls out of a child’s mouth before they have had a chance to analyze whether it's true or to consider the consequences of their lie. They may also want to cover up something that makes them ashamed. If you ask how they did on their math test, they may lie to avoid the shame of telling you that they did poorly.

How to React to Your Child’s Lies

No parent should tolerate malicious lies, and you need to separate such lies from those that are part of the ADHD of your child. You should find positive ways to help your child to control their lies. Repeatedly lying and getting into trouble for it can lower your child’s self-esteem, and their willingness to keep trying to get things right.

Look for patterns in your child’s lies and help them when they’re struggling. If your child is having an issue completing a mission, provide them with a list of steps to take. Don’t ask if they’ve picked up their toys, instead check on the results.

Don’t shame your child if their lie is a symptom of their ADHD. Talk to them about why they lied and help them understand what they could have done differently. Talk about why it’s important for other people to trust them and believe what they say.

Don’t take your child’s lies personally. When you understand that their lies are often a symptom of their ADHD, you’ll be able to guide your child into behaviour that is more positive.

If you need more help understanding why your child may experience differences in development that can lead to lying, contact IIAHP Brain Achievement Center. We’ve helped a lot of special children to improve the critical and behavioural skills needed to create a brighter path for their future. You can also view the results of our treatments on the website.