The simple answer is no, ADHD cannot be caused by bad parenting.
The long answer is that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with both genetic and biological roots rather than a direct reflection of one specific environment or circumstance. While parenting a child with ADHD has its own unique challenges and methods that make sense, ‘bad’ parenting will not cause ADHD. Effective parenting strategies that take into account your child’s specific behaviors and diagnoses can certainly mitigate the behaviors and cause a positive shift in behaviors, but no amount of environmental inputs will cause ADHD.
ADHD is characterized by a consistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that significantly impacts daily functioning in multiple settings. If ADHD were caused solely by ‘bad’ parenting, these behaviors would likely not be seen in situations outside of the home, such as at school or on the playground. Different approaches and techniques, as well as different environments, can cause a different presentation to your child’s ADHD, but the symptoms will still be present in various settings for ADHD. For example, an ADHD child with anxious tendencies may not show as much anxiety at home where they feel safe and comfortable, and therefore more of the ADHD behaviors may be seen. For that same child, the ADHD behaviors may not be seen as much at school, but rather the anxious tendencies may take center stage.
At the end of the day, parenting will not cause ADHD but the way we parent kids with ADHD can cause significant shifts in their day-to-day behaviors. An ADHD brain often processes situations very differently and may need an entirely different parenting strategy or approach than what’s needed for even their siblings. Part of the reason for the required parenting sessions alongside kiddo sessions at Dandelion is to target these differences and provide both psychoeducation and relief to parents who are working to support their ADHD children!