Children with ADHD may have trouble joining in games

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) affects between 3% and 5% of children, and is twice as likely to affect boys as girls.

Children diagnosed with the disorder are generally inattentive, and often have problems making friends at school.

Helen Renshaw from Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire, has two sons with ADHD.

Her middle son, seven-year-old Kieran, can not be left alone in the same room as his brothers in case he hurts them.

When you go out, you can see people thinking, 'If that was a child of mine I'd smack him' Helen Renshaw, mother

His mother says: "It's people's attitudes. When you go out you can see people thinking, 'If that was a child of mine I'd smack him'.

"But it wouldn't work. He doesn't know he's doing it, it's not worth you trying it."

Kieran and his 15-year-old brother James both take the drug Ritalin to control their condition.

Excluded from fun

Mrs Renshaw says she finds it difficult explaining to Kieran why he cannot go to parties like his five-year-old brother Ben, who does not have ADHD.

Parents often just ring to talk - it's incredibly isolating Christine Jarvis, Red Cross

Christine Jarvis, a development worker for the Red Cross Family Support Unit in Leicester decided to offer help to families of children with ADHD six months ago.

She says: "Parents often just ring to talk. It's incredibly isolating.

"Very often children become excluded from after-school clubs because of their behaviour, and it can be incredibly distressing for families."

Three support groups now meet in Leicester every month. Activity days are planned and there is also a summer camp.

For more information ring 0116 271 0359.