I hope your week has gone better than mine. I have been overwhelmed with the logistics of the changes for how I’m putting out our newsletter now. No matter how hard I tried to work out the technical issues, I was just winding myself up into an emotional paralysis. I have to admit in all the confusion of my frustration, I neglected to utilize my coping strategies! You know in that ‘all too familiar way’ that ADHD may “strike” at the most inconvenient times.
Hopefully, the difficulties with my delivery system for the newsletter have, finally, been resolved. My apologies to those of you that received repeating copies of our last newsletter. As well as, to those of you who may not have, even, received a copy!
Tips on the value of a good apology and recovering when everything goes wrong
And we can thank Brandon Butler for an article about the value of dogs for people with mental disorders.
Please, please if you continue to have any trouble with the delivery of the newsletter, do let me know on the Contact Page by simply entering “Repeating“.
Thank you for your patience through these trial-and-tribulations and your assistance if there are continuing issues!
For additional help and for more information about ADHD, please visit ourPinterest or Facebook page . (You can also find fifty Pinterest boards on my Facebook page. Look on the left-hand menu)
(My thanks to Dianne Dickinson for her recommendations and help with editing. I couldn’t have done it without her.)
Spring is the time for renewal and growth. Lovely as it is, however, it also means more yard work to keep nature in check. After thirty years of home ownership, I’ve developed a garden that lifts my spirits but doesn’t drain my energy to maintain. I’ve assessed what I like the most and eliminated those chores that were just too much for me anymore. Just as I had to redesign my garden, I need to simplify my newsletter. We should both benefit. I’ll struggle less while writing it and you may actually find the time to read it!
Life also unfolds like the seasons – bringing new possibilities for growth. The more realistic you are about your own needs, abilities, and purpose, the more likely it is that you will find success in a new endeavor. To be real also means to be authentic. As our guest author, Tyler Dahl writes, “Authenticity occurs when your actions line up with your values as a person.” In 8-Step Process to Be True to Yourself, Dahl offers a number of ways for you to “be more authentic and let your true self shine.” It’s your turn to “match up your actions with who you are underneath.”
If you’re a Pinterest fan, you’ll find many more articles dealing with being “real” with yourself on the board Lead with your Strengths. For help figuring out how to “work around” your challenges and redesign your life, see ADHD Coaching Strategies.
With ADHD in the picture, knowing as much as possible about how it affects your life is a vital part of this process. Find help for your path forward by exploring our sections on • LIVING WITH ADHD and • FINDING TREATMENT AND SUPPORT FOR ADHD
In the midst of it all, sometimes you just have to laugh at the way our brains operate. I found a 2-minute video from a favorite cartoonist that may feel all too familiar. “ME VS. MY BRAIN” – “Typical discussion I will have with my brains when I want it to get to work.”
This clip is from Lev Yaniv’s Tales of Mere Existence series. We’ve got a selection of his cartoons on site. See Mere Existence.
Meanwhile, it’s a lovely May morning and a great time to mow the lawn. It just takes me 30-minutes nowadays, but it still needs to be done. A weekly newsletter versus a monthly one has taken a lot less time as well. It hasn’t been effortless, but the process is indeed more in tune with my own style. I may even get it sent out before the week is over!
Spring is the time for renewal and growth. Lovely as it is, however, it also means more yard work to keep nature in check. After thirty years of home ownership, I’ve developed a garden that lifts my spirits but doesn’t drain my energy to maintain. I’ve assessed what I like the most and eliminated those chores that were just too much for me anymore. Just as I had to redesign my garden, I need to simplify my newsletter. We should both benefit. I’ll struggle less while writing it and you may actually find the time to read it!
Life also unfolds like the seasons – bringing new possibilities for growth. The more realistic you are about your own needs, abilities, and purpose, the more likely it is that you will find success in a new endeavor. To be real also means to be authentic. As our guest author, Tyler Dahl writes, “Authenticity occurs when your actions line up with your values as a person.” In 8-Step Process to Be True to Yourself, Dahl offers a number of ways for you to “be more authentic and let your true self shine.” It’s your turn to “match up your actions with who you are underneath.”
If you’re a Pinterest fan, you’ll find many more articles dealing with being “real” with yourself on the board Lead with your Strengths. For help figuring out how to “work around” your challenges and redesign your life, see ADHD Coaching Strategies.
With ADHD in the picture, knowing as much as possible about how it affects your life is a vital part of this process. Find help for your path forward by exploring our sections on • LIVING WITH ADHD and • FINDING TREATMENT AND SUPPORT FOR ADHD
In the midst of it all, sometimes you just have to laugh at the way our brains operate. I found a 2-minute video from a favorite cartoonist that may feel all too familiar. “ME VS. MY BRAIN” – “Typical discussion I will have with my brains when I want it to get to work.”
This clip is from Lev Yaniv’s Tales of Mere Existence series. We’ve got a selection of his cartoons on site. See Mere Existence.
Meanwhile, it’s a lovely May morning and a great time to mow the lawn. It just takes me 30-minutes nowadays, but it still needs to be done. A weekly newsletter versus a monthly one has taken a lot less time as well. It hasn’t been effortless, but the process is indeed more in tune with my own style. I may even get it sent out before the week is over!
Spring may not have sprung for everyone, but the days are getting longer and MY mood is certainly improving. Hope you’ve had a fine month and are feeling good and in control of your life.
If not, I have a question for you, “How well have you accepted your ADHD? Or that your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder? Do you doubt the diagnosis or feel helpless in the face of the many challenges impacting your personal or family life?
ADHD is NO ONE’S fault, but once you know about it, it is your RESPONSIBILITY. You and/or your child deserve to handle everyday life without undue stress and strain.
Why? Because you are WORTH it.
None of us are NORMAL. It doesn’t exist. All of us are somehow DIFFERENT. An article reporting on a Yale University study claims that all traits exist somewhere along a spectrum. This complicates diagnosing for medical professionals, but the degree of impairment determines whether the criteria for a diagnosis is met. Since an evaluation for ADHD requires that impairment be present in two or more settings, some type of intervention is indicated and could be of great value. Choosing to medicate and/or develop an ADHD friendly environment and a “bag of strategies and tricks” helps to “level the playing field.” Get to know your strengths, the ways that ADHD impacts your life and learn how to DO something about it!
This month, 3 authors have contributed 4 articles with lots of ideas to help you and your child. Enjoy these personal stories about coming to realize the necessity of treatment for all of your symptoms, whether it be medication or other interventions. Parents and adults both should find something that can help thrive despite negative effects from ADHD. I’ve also found 4 videos that explore the theme of self-awareness and acceptance of ADHD.
When you believe in your own worth and are willing to seek outside intervention to improve your life, ADHD need not be a barrier to success. You CAN find greater happiness in your life through knowledge, true acceptance of the disorder, and practicing empathy in how we speak to your child or yourself.
“How well have you accepted your ADHD or that your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder? Do you doubt the diagnosis or feel helpless in the face of the many challenges in your personal or family life?
ADHD is NO ONE’S fault, but once you know about it, it is your RESPONSIBILITY. You and/or your child deserve to handle everyday life without undue stress and strain. Why? Because you are WORTH it.
None of us are NORMAL. It doesn’t exist. All of us are somehow DIFFERENT. An article reporting on a Yale University study claims that all traits exist somewhere along a spectrum, “…Nobody is Normal. This complicates matters for medical professionals, but a moderate to high degree of impairment determines whether the criteria for a diagnosis is met. Since an evaluation for ADHD requires that impairment be present in two or more settings, some type of intervention is indicated and could be of great value. Choosing to medicate and/or develop an ADHD friendly environment and a “bag of strategies and tricks” helps to “level the playing field.” Get to know your strengths, the ways that ADHD impacts your life, and develop a few ways to DO something about it!
I began to think about the power of self-acceptance and feeling worthy after watching “Take your Pills” on NetFlix. Once again, the ADHD community has come under attack by the popular media. The latest volley is in the guise of a documentary.
Jessica McCabe of the How to ADD YouTube channel reviews this attack and expresses her feelings well. “Controversy sells, and the media knows it. So a lot of what we see, read, and hear about ADHD and ADHD treatment either misrepresents the facts or is flat-out meant to scare us.” Jessica offers a more balanced perspective with science-backed information on ADHD, the value of medication and other strategies proven effective for treating ADHD. You’ll find her video near the end of the newsletter.
I was confused and disturbed by comments made by a few people interviewed for the program. Although most were diagnosed with ADHD, many didn’t really “own” their ADHD or take it seriously. Even while indicating a positive response to medication, some seemed to feel like they were somehow cheating by using it, and further, resented needing any intervention at all. Like too many of us with the disorder, they also questioned the necessity of dealing with their ADHD, believing that they SHOULD be able to do it all on their own by “just focusing” and “powering through.”
So many of us just don’t know enough to name the unique ways our own ADHD is expressed. We also don’t realize or track the benefits of medication or other strategies to create better coping skills. For help with this, see Response to Treatment Rating Scales on this site.
WHY do we have such denial? We struggle to accept help and develop twisted stories about ourselves. I feel this re-written history lies in not accepting ourselves, misunderstanding what ADHD is and is not, and not feeling that we are “worthy” of asking for help or support.
Happily, some people in the documentary accept their ADHD and appreciated the benefits of being appropriately medicated. Like those of us actively addressing their symptoms, they also talk about using proven treatments like basic self-care, coaching, therapy, and other ways to bolster executive functions and control their emotions. Realizing what “turned on” their interest-driven nervous system, they felt better able to cope with their weakness and harness the power of their strengths and values. You’ll find a number of tools to help with this in Self Advocacy for ADHD: Know yourself.
But, “so many of us feel unworthy. We feel that we’re not good enough, we don’t fit in, and we don’t matter. We’re overly self-critical, fixating on our flaws and failures. We think we need to be perfect and successful in order to have value.” ~ Sharon Martin, LCSW. This feeling is not specific to ADHD by any means. It is a universal plague on most of humankind. Martin writes about dealing with these destructive feelings in 5 Ways We Compromise Our Self-Worth and How to Rebuild It.
When you believe in your own worth and are willing to seek outside intervention to improve your life, ADHD need not be a barrier to success. You CAN find greater happiness in your life through knowledge, true acceptance of the disorder, practicing empathy in how we speak and behave towards your child or self, and seeking help. Don’t try to do it all alone!
ADHD Living has a wonderful article on the importance of outside support. “If ADHD is your challenge, support is a must. ADHD is a major mental health concern that can greatly impact your life and the lives of others around you. It deserves a certain level of time and attention paid to it.” According to Dr. Ned Hallowell, M.D., connection with others reinforces our feelings of worth and reassures us that we are NOT alone. People who care about our well-being can provide invaluable advice. I was lucky enough to have an ADHD support group in my own town, but you can find lots of ideas for finding support here. Other means of support are ADHD coaches and Coaching groups.
Feelings of unworthiness and non-acceptance of yourself confuse the issue of treatment and compound the problems inherent in ADHD’s impact on our lives. I found four new articles this month that expand on this theme. They offer valuable help for anyone interested in looking at ADHD in a new light and in learning about adjustments they can take to improve their mental health. My thanks to these three writers who have so graciously shared their work.
Freya Cheffers of Never a Dull Moment – Life and ADHD on Facebook shares two articles this month. Both offer a refreshing view of ADHD, outlining many positives of people with ADHD without ignoring their very real challenges in a neurotypical world. According to the author of the aforementioned study from Yale on no one REALLY being “normal,” “There’s a level of variability in every one of our behaviors,” and “no behavior is solely negative or solely positive. There are potential benefits for both, depending on the context you’re placed in.”
When Cheya’s son asked her about what kind of future he could expect, she shared her own story. She attributed her own experiences and accomplishments DIRECTLY to thinking and acting in ways that suited her NATURAL ways of learning and being. See Mum, Do You Think I have a Bleak Future? to listen in on this reassuring conversation.
Videos
We have one short video this month on validation and Jessica’s review of “Take your Pills” mentioned earlier. I link to another 1-minute video from ADDitudeMag and also include a 2 ½-minute classic just for fun.
Your Unique ADHD BrainChemistry – Produced by ADDitudeMag, this is a 1-minute video on the ADHD interest-driven nervous system, as proposed by Dr. William Dodson.
Sh*t no one with ADHD says 2 ½-minutes) from TotallyADD This tongue-in-cheek video was unfairly flagged for bad language, so take the time watch it and help keep it on YouTube. (Editor’s note: After 20 years of working on my foibles, these situations no longer apply to me – at least not very often.)
I’ll close with a mantra from Sharon Stone to help rebuild your feelings of self-worth. “My self-worth doesn’t depend on being liked or being perfect. I can choose to accept myself and live knowing I’m just as worthy as everyone else. We’re all different, of course, but there doesn’t have to be any judgment or comparison. Today I will rebuild my self-worth by… “ Thanks for your attention. If you find help or reassurance here, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Joan Jager
(Image courtesy of adamr/FreeDigitalPhoto.net) Modified on Canva.com
The year is MARCHing by, but I am pleased that I have been able to meet many of my goals so far. I’ve been developing tactics are helping me feel much more in control of my life. I’m also working to hold my head high without shame or jealousy for others accomplishments. I remind myself daily that judging myself for what I WILL NEVER BE only hurts me. It isn’t easy, but I’ve had a lot of help along the way. For ME, I’m doing well. I’m learning to accept how ADHD and bipolar disorder affect my world and learn ways that allow me to express myself, live without stress, AND be happy in my work. As the song goes, I did it MY way.” But all of us are uniquely ourselves and must follow our own path to happiness.
ADHD is complex and different for each person. There’s a saying among ADHD professionals, “If you’ve seen one case of ADHD, you’ve seen one case of ADHD.” Although there are similarities of symptoms, no two cases are the same. In the same vein, there are no simple answers to effectively treating individual cases. Types of medication used and dosages vary according to personal responses.
Another common saying is, “Pills don’t teach skills.” Developing these skills and systems must also be crafted for to meet individual needs. It’s also important to note that ADHD is a chronic condition that can be managed but not cured. A number of non-medical interventions have been found to be useful.
It’s important to remember that successful treatment doesn’t mean you can correct everything that’s affecting your ability to cope. It’s about accepting yourself and making good decisions based on what you do naturally, without the struggle. As ADHD coach David Giwerc says, “Your job is to discover the options that naturally work for you and integrate them into your daily life.”
This month we have something for both parents and adults to develop personalized strategies that Work WITH the ADHD brain. In “The ADHD Brain: Unraveling the secrets of your ADD Nervous System,” William Dodson, M.D. suggests that you write your own rules. The ADHD nervous system is activated by things or tasks that are interesting, challenging, or urgent. Rather than focus on where you fall short, you need to identify how you get into the zone.
I’m honored to have three guest authors who have generously shared their work this month; Lou Brown of Thriving with ADHD, ADHD coach and Organizer Sue Fay West, and Cindy Goldrich from PTS Coaching.
The first article encourages you to accept that not all strategies work for all people. The next few help you identify challenges as well support your novelty seeking ADHD brain by defining and learning to use your personal strengths and interests that inspire you and to create and meet goals that support YOUR values.
Of course, no newsletter on ADHD can ignore the ever prevalent strategies that HAVE proved useful with time management, organization and increasing productivity for some people. We have two articles with ideas for both children and adults. They won’t all work for you, but it’s amazing how the RIGHT changes, even small ones, can make your life easier.
Just for fun, I’m posting a short cartoon that likens the ADHD brain to a movie director that keeps falling asleep on the set. See the newsletter online for an excellent Rap song, “You Don’t Know”, to promote ADHD Awareness. It’s G rated, so the kids can enjoy this one as well.
In the Northwest, we’ve been luckier than others around the country this winter. Although it’s been wet, our mild winter is already yielding to spring. I’m already enjoying the hours of light lengthen each day and watching crocuses and other early bulbs emerge.
Hope good weather arrives soon for you as well.
ADHD in the Family: Working Together for Peace, Love, and Understanding
ADHD impacts everyone in the Family. Understanding the complexity of ADHD and developing strategies for your home and personal life are important steps to coming to accept and deal with challenges.
This month, I have a mix of articles for both parents and adults. The first celebrates keeping peace in the family and love alive in your relationship. Next is an extensive article I’ve been working on detailing the new perspectives on ADHD. If you prefer watching videos to reading, I’ve included a few short clips that further expand on the topic. The final articles offer ideas you can tailor to fit your own needs, like using music to keep on task and decluttering your home and/or office. Hope you find some “treasures” this month.
“What I found most frustrating is that I thought I had no control over anything.”“Once I learned that there were some things I could do to make life with ADHD better for all of us, the building process began and the frustration diminished.” (Note: Duane Gordon is the current President of ADHD for Adults) ADD.org
Attention problems, Hyperactivity and Distraction symptoms for diagnosis in childhood are just the tip of the iceberg. Many aspects of ADHD, especially in adults, are now better defined as developmentally delayed Executive functions and poor emotional control. Coexisting conditions or comorbidities further compound the issue.
This realization has been slowly changing how we understand ADHD and its expression throughout the lifespan. (Article features a number of videos for further information. )
Music helps with many challenges of kids with ADHD. Studying music can teach listening skills, patience and the ability to pick up on cues. Music can not only get one’s brain moving, but it also helps with psychical coordination.
Out of clutter comes simplicity. Baby steps are important. Start with just five minutes. Sure, five minutes will barely make a dent in your mountain, but it’s a start. Celebrate!
For this time of celebration, my focus is on strategies for the holiday season, gratitude and forgiveness, organizing advice and sharing recent research on the ADHD brain. We also have a few videos and list ADD freeSources’ Pinterest pages that further expand on these topics.
How are you doing getting ready this month? Are you excited and looking forward to everything on your agenda or are your preparations, activities, and expectations for the holidays becoming too busy and overwhelming?
I used to love shopping and spent days searching for just the “right” gifts. My holiday plans were exciting but very time-consuming and impossible to complete on time. I overestimated my ability to cope with the additional stress. Also, the post-Christmas “let-down” lasted through January and half of February. I eventually realized that extreme self-care was a necessary part of my treatment for ADHD and Bipolar Disorder. I now limit my activities to those that I value the most. Maybe simpler preparation and holiday plans can increase your holiday pleasure as well.
I used to love shopping and spent days searching for just the “right” gifts. My holiday plans were exciting but very time-consuming and impossible to complete on time. I constantly overestimated my ability to cope with the additional stress of this time of year. Also, the post-Christmas “let-down” lasted through January and half of February. I eventually realized that extreme self-care was a necessary part of my treatment for ADHD and Bipolar Disorder. I now limit my activities to those that I value the most. Maybe simpler preparation and holiday plans can increase your holiday pleasure as well
I love my ornament collection, so I do put up a tree. But I no longer shop or make gifts for most of my family and friends. Instead, I choose gifts of service or plan activities for just a few people. As a bonus, I can schedule them for a later date when I have more energy and time. I also continue to bake my favorite cookies and candy for holiday get-togethers. I bring to-go containers so my “goodies” do double duty as small gifts. (and I can’t gorge on them later!)
For many of us, adult and child, some of our traditional preparations may be too involved to handle gracefully. This year you might want to explore creating your own traditions that better meet your family’s values, personal abilities and everyone’s need to feel safe and calm. Be aware that children with ADHD need regular routines and often struggle with transitions. Schedule your activities and allow plenty of quiet time. Prepare for changes in routine and plan ahead for both the excitement of the season and downtime during school vacation. Holiday activities also bring additional social challenges for both you and your child. Come up with short explanations for the uninformed about why and how you and/or your child are best helped when problems arrive. Your goals are comfortable stress levels for all and less friction at parties or family get-togethers.
The holidays are a time for giving, gratitude and granting forgiveness. If you’d like to encourage charitable giving as a practice for you or your family, print out the 30-day Kindness Calendar from Action for Happiness for some great ideas on ways to contribute. find photo kindness-calendar
Being thankful is also a great tradition that begins with Thanksgiving and culminates with giving thanks for holiday gifts. (Some of you may even still write Thank You notes!) But, did you know that making gratitude part of your daily routine is a wonderful way to start any day? Being positive helps banish negative thinking and the complaining that can be so damaging to our happiness. ADHD and the Practice of Gratitude by Kari Miller Ph.D. offers some ideas on how to get started. She includes these 5Ways to Develop a Gratitude Habit.
Keep a gratitude journal.
Make a gratitude collage.
Practice gratitude with your family or make it part of your nighttime routine.
Make a game of finding the hidden blessing in a challenging situation.
When you feel like complaining, make a gratitude list instead.
Gratitude is also one of the 9 Ways to Get Organized with Minimal Effort By Donna Smallin Kuper. She writes, “Be grateful for all you have – It’s more than enough. Remember that the most important things in life are not things.” Donna’s other advice includes:
Start somewhere. Anywhere.
Declutter in short bursts.
And let go of perfect!
Forgiving yourself and others can also help bring peace to your life and not just for the holidays. Practice letting go of the pain of being “different.” Forgive yourself any perceived ‘failings” you’ve experienced because of ADHD. Also, forgiving those who have denigrated or shamed us helps us better control our emotions. Remember that attaining this peace is a work in progress. As Sara Paddison says in Quotes for Forgiveness (Link works) by Stephanie A. Sarkis, Ph.D. for Psychology Today,
“Sincere forgiveness isn’t colored with expectations that the other person apologize or change. Don’t worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them.”
“Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time – just like it does for you and me.”
When it comes to understanding the complexity of ADHD, we must also forgive the experts who don’t yet have all the information we’ve been hoping for. But our knowledge is expanding each year. We’re getting a whole new view of how the ADHD brain works and help in discovering the best treatments. 6 Things You Didn’t Know About the ADHD Brain by William Dodson, M.D. and Thomas Brown, Ph.D., in ADDitude Magazine is A MUST READ article. It contains new research on ADHD that helps details how the ADHD brain works and why the Executive Functions are affected. Furthermore, they explain the part of the brain that stimulants impact and that we now know some individuals need less medication than the minimum available dosages, while many others require amounts greater than the maximum dosage allowed by the FDA.
A better understanding of ADHD can change the way we react to people with ADHD. It helps us pause, show empathy, and problem solve together. Danya Abram’s video on Facebook, Behavior is Always Communication from Lemon Lime Adventures is great for parents and teachers. As she says, “It’s easy to look at these behaviors as just what we see. It’s easy to make assumptions about why our children are acting out or doing inexplicable things.” Like an iceberg, what you see on the surface is 7-times smaller than what lurks beneath. “I challenge you to look for the other 85%. Look deeper.”
October is ADHD Awareness month. As the official website attests, “Knowing is better.” They cover basic information, provide personal stories, and are sponsoring a video contest that’s sure to entertain. Try to find time for the ADHD Awareness Expo from October 2nd – 17th. Watch at least a one or two of Tara McGillicuddy’s interviews with top names in the field at this FREE online event. Sign up now. Videos are pre-recorded and available for 24-hours after 12 noon each day.
Another online event is ADDA’S Daily TADD Talks! TADD recordings are like TEDTalks, but about various ADHD topics and only 9 minutes long . You’ll also be able to see many of these speakers in person at the International Conference on ADHD November 9 – 12 in Atlanta! Consider this an appetizer!
I first became aware of ADHD when I read You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Crazy, or Stupid(Link works) by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo. I ended up crying through most of the book. I had always known that I was a bit “different,” but never knew there was an actual name that described my personal foibles and disappointing failures. Amazingly, I found a wonderful Adult ADHD support group with a library of books, audio and video tapes in my hometown. Thus began a life-long path of learning to understand and live with ADHD.
I’ve collected a number of resources to inform and support diagnosis, treatment and other necessary services for children and adults with ADHD. I would get numerous calls a day asking for help to find Treatment and Support. This section also includes a money concerns section with sources for more affordable medications and mental health care.
In ADHD Awareness: What’s Next? Coach Jennie Friedman of See in ADHD describes the benefits of providing a new understanding of ADHD. “The latest and greatest information will be available to everyone with Internet access. Myths will bust, and more people will get over the stigma that surrounds the condition. And more people will discover that they or someone they love has ADHD.”
“But, just knowing about ADHD isn’t enough.” Becoming aware is just the first step to getting effective treatment for ADHD, The benefits can be life-changing, but there are a number of practical and emotional issues involved in the process…. The way that ADHD affects each individual varies and the specific areas in which there’s struggle are unique to each person.” There are no hard and fast rules.”
Kristi Lazzar. writing for ADHD New Life Outlook, says, “It’s so important to get diagnosed…Everything about yourself that you, or others, never understood starts to make sense.” In Learning to Accept Myself After my ADHD Diagnosis, she wrote, “I could finally be myself and stop wondering why I couldn’t be like everyone else. I could stop the self-loathing. I now had a name for my behaviors, which gave me something to work with… It’s okay if I have my quirks — it’s who I am. Getting a diagnosis gave me that, and I will be forever grateful.”
Another featured author this month, Mary Fowler, shares ADHD challenges and accommodation strategies in her mini-workshop for teachers. “First, we must understand,” she explains, “that mostADHD managementisnot a problem of knowing what to do. It’s a matter of doing what we know.” Mary describes in detail many specific tools to help children “do what they know” through simple support techniques in Increase On-Task Performance for Students with ADHD
But, DO NOT expect that using these ideas just a couple of times will change their behavior in the near future. That’s like expecting a child in a wheelchair to get up and walk up the stairs because they’ve used a ramp for a while. People with ADHD need Point of Performance or P.O.P. interventions to “do what they know” It’s not a lack of knowledge, but an inability to perform mundane or confusing tasks at an assigned time that is affected by ADHD.
“What you need to know about Attention Deficit Disorder:
Accept that supports may be needed throughout the school day, month, year,
or even across the lifespan of a person with ADHD.
Interventions have to happen in the here and now on an as-needed basis.
Their use often requires coaxing and coaching from an external source (teachers, parents, peers, visual cues, and/or technology).
The strategies ONLY work when they are used.”
Although Mary’s advice is quite useful for the classroom, the same understanding of ADHD and principles for getting things done remain true for all ages. It is well worth reading for yourself as well as sharing with your child’s school
Advocacy and Homework
Guest author, Mary Fowler shares 8 Tips to Help you be your Child’s Advocate. If your child is struggling at school, she says, “most teachers appreciate your clearheaded understanding of your child’s problems and any possible interventions you can suggest.” Do the work. Be prepared to offer the help that your school will need.
For children and parents who dread homework, see Strategies to Make Homework Go More Smoothly. It provides routines and incentive systems to help kids complete AND turn in their work. Peg Dawson, EdD, of Child Mind claims ”This is the best guide to helping kids do homework successfully that we’ve seen.” For a printable version to share, download the ADHD: A Primer for Parents & Educators from The National Association of School Psychologists.
VIDEOS
I really like The ADHD Manifesto, by Andrea Nordstrom of the Art of ADHD. Andrea is a professional ADHD Coach for adults wanting to turn their amazing ideas into reality.
The Art of ADD is not about being normal or fitting it. It’s about being ADD and using that medium to create a masterpiece out of your life. We don’t do life the normal way, we do it the ADD way! (3-minutes)
The ADHD Poem by slam poet IF – 4-minute spoken word poem by IF. “My childhood tasted like chaos…At 8, I was diagnosed a disaster… a Hurricane… Having ADHD is like being an exclamation point in a world of commas. … But, isn’t being different the one thing we ALL have in common?”
You’ll find an animated version of the ADHD Poem on IF’s home page.
May Newsletter: Week 2 and 3
