Real parent training, with coaching to make it stick!
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
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
It should be really simple: I ask you to do something, and you do it! But with ADHD kids – all kids, actually — it is more complex than that. Leadership experts, great at motivating people into action, tell us that there are five essential elements to helping individuals get things done. We can apply... 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
“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
Low, Medium & High Tech In her first blog for ImpactADHD, Technology Series: Part 1, Ann Leverette set the stage for using technology to most effectively manage ADHD by teaching us “5 Steps to Take BEFORE Using Technology to Get Organized.” Now, in the 2nd part of our series, she gets more specific, offering Low,... 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
Become a Dive Bomber Parent This week we were talking about what most parents want for their ADHD kids. Independence ranked near the top of the list. Helping your children become more independent isn’t just about teaching & coaching them on the skills they need to be self-sufficient. It’s about learning to let go, and... read more
When all the accommodations in the world are still not working, how do you find out what options you have outside of your local Public School? Read on for 6 steps to help you assess specialized private schools, some thoughts on home school options for your child, and tips on how to make all of your options as affordable as possible. read more
As a parent, you know you can use technology to help yourself and your kids get organized, but it can be overwhelming to get started! Whether you or your child is struggling with disorganization, sloppy handwriting, project completion or other challenges of ADHD, there is probably a technology that can help. It won’t solve the problem – there is no magic bullet -- but you can find tools to help make life more manageable. read more