When school is in session, kids and teens with ADHD often benefit from a set routine. There’s a clear schedule, predictable transitions, and plenty of built-in structure that helps them stay organized. But once winter break hits, that structure disappears.

Not every change in a teenager signals a serious problem. Adolescence naturally comes with emotional shifts, growing independence, and evolving priorities. However, when changes are persistent, escalating, or clearly out of character, they may reflect more than typical developmental stress.