You will need to educate yourself and then educate your parents:
http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about
http://www.schwablearning.org/resources.aspx?g=1&s=4
My youngest was not diagnosed until she went into severe anxiety, depression and defiance. We thought the high activity was normal, and the school issues were just dyslexia (we were persuing this angle at the time things went into crisis). This is because I was hyper and am dyslexic, but was able to compensate. Many parents are not diagnosed until the child is, and then the parents start to recognize the symptoms in themselves.
this may sound stupid but how was everyone diagnosed with add?
did anyone here approach their parents aboput seeing a doctor or somehow recognize the symptoms themselves?
I'm having trouble knowing what to do next because it seems like everyone's parents knows about ADD but mine, and i want to get help but i don't know how to ask.
Try going to the CHADD website. It is chock full of up to date accurate info about adhd. You could print it out for your parents. don't concern yourself about what other parents know. Become informed and proactive. And, yes, then talk to your parents and tell them your concerns.