Real parent training, with coaching to make it stick!
In a discussion about late afternoon mood “crashes” and emotional management, my client wondered aloud, “But I thought when she went on medication it would make things easy for her. Isn’t that the point?” Sometimes, my clients raise questions or share stories that help me identify where parents might need more information or understanding. They... read more
Let’s face it, middle-schoolers can be mean. It’s a natural result of an increasing desire for independence, chronic deficits in self-esteem, an under-developed capacity for empathy and compassion and raging hormones. Add all of these up and the result can be just plain nasty! I am fortunate enough to have two such hormone rangers in... read more
Every day, mixed in among the school notices, newsletters and email spam, I get a note from “The Universe.” Even when I don’t read it, I smile, knowing that someone, somewhere, is trying to help us all manage this wild and wacky modern world with some semblance of calm and collectedness. A recent message was... read more
We’ve said it before – house rules are a powerful tool in the ADD/ADHD home (actually any home). They build consensus, provide structure, clarify expectations, and serve as a visual reminder of expected behavior. As a bonus, they provide an opportunity for the parent not to be the bad guy all the time. That’s what... read more
We had quite an adventure with rules this week. My son broke a house rule, and then lied about it. My daughter then told on my son, breaking another rule. It ended with me feeling conflicted about which rule to enforce. Ultimately, it got them both in trouble. So, which is the worst offense, lying,... read more
I often hear parents ask. “Is it the ADHD, or is something else?” I understand the question, because sometimes I find myself posing it, as well. Parents may name that “something else”: lazy pre-teen, normal 2nd grader, too much sugar, not enough sleep, just a boy. While I can relate to the question, and the... read more
I love to garden. Scratch that. I love to get dirty and wear out my muscles. Often that ends up happening in my garden. My challenge is that I’m not consistent, and don’t make it a priority. That means, when I get to my garden, I spend most of my time contending with weeds. As... read more
“Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability.” Sir Dr. William Osler (one of the great physicians of all time). Diagnosing and treating children with ADHD is more art than science. As a Board certified pediatrician, I practiced primary care pediatrics for 15 years. For the past 25 years, to help children... read more
Coping with ADD I am committed to raising my kids to have a high level of Emotional Intelligence (EI). EI is: “The ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others.” EI is a critical life skill that impacts our ability to function in life and to successfully interact with others. EI... read more
What’s the Bottom Line? People with ADHD often have communication challenges. Many of them are “circular talkers.” They are so creative and non-linear that they tend to talk around a subject, or go off subject entirely. That can be difficult to understand and follow. A coach friend of mine refers to it as “taking a... read more