ADHD Essentials

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Robbin Miller.  Robbin is a mother with ADHD of a child with ADHD.  She’s also a licensed mental health clinician, a college academic coach, and the author of a children’s book about early intervention playgroups. We talk about early markers for ADHD, the steps Robbin has been taking to support her son ever since he was an infant, and the challenges she helps her college students with.   Blatant Plug: I’ll be a part of the 9th Annual Online ADHD Awareness Expo taking place throughout the month of October.  My topic - "3 Ways to Communicate with Your ADHD Child Besides Talking"! Register at https://www.adhdexpo.com/adhdessentials to let them know I sent you.   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: Robbin’s journey in adopting her son Early intervention Playgroups Markers for ADHD Robbin’s experience with ADHD testing How Robbin supports her son Setting rewards and limits Household responsibilities The importance of thinking twice Tips for College “It has to be on their terms” Robbin’s book, “Playgroup Time” ADHD, Emotions, and taking a break   Guest Links: Robbin’s book: “Playgroup Time” on Amazon.   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Adam Wilson is the creator of Calmer Con.  An event he developed to help kids with sensory needs experience the thrill of a comic book convention, without the overwhelm.  Adam’s son is on the spectrum, so at it’s core, Calmer Con is a mission of love for him.  And Calmer Con's first convention was great.  I know, becasue I was there! (And yes, I realize this show is supposed to be about ADHD, but I tend to think of autism as sort of a cousin to ADHD, and many of the challenges are similar.  Not to mention, Adam’s story is so good that I just had to have him on.) In this episode we’ll look at the struggles of parents who’s kids can be overwhelmed by sensory input, discuss the importance of acceptance, and maybe, just maybe, find the inspiration to do something big!   9thAnnual Online ADHD Awareness Expo Plug: The 9thAnnual Online ADHD Awareness Expo will take place throughout the month of October.  And I’ll be a part of it.  My topic is 3 Ways to Communicate with Your ADHD Child Besides Talking.  Register at https://www.adhdexpo.com/adhdessentialsto let them know I sent you.   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: Adam’s goals for Calmer Con How Adam created Calmer Con Connecting to a child with autism Sensory challenges and the movies The value of talking to experts Why paraprofessional educators / teacher aides are amazing! The Overstimulation/Anxiety Spiral Different types of meltdowns The Tale of Logan and the Ocelot Sacrificing things you love to make something more important How Adam workshopped elements of the convention Star Wars Skill Drills you can do at home! Evolving Calmer Con to better serve parents The importance of opportunities for social interaction The power of acceptance   Guest Links: Learn more about Calm Passion and Calmer Con Check out the Calm Passion Facebook Page   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Dr. Saline is a licensed, clinical psychologist, who guides families from the maze of emotions, conflict and stress related to ADHD, toward successful dialog, interventions and connection. Today, we're talking about her new book, What Your ADHD Child Wises You Knew.  There are many things that I liked about this book. But what I loved about it, is the way it’s framed.  Quotes and brief, personal stories from kids with ADHD are sprinkled throughout, to help us better understand the impact ADHD has on them, and, as you’ll hear, Dr. Saline does not shy away from addressing the emotional impact of ADHD. I greatly enjoyed my conversation with Dr. Saline, and look forward to having more.  I'm certain she'll be back.   Shameless ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Plug:   Join the ADHD Essentials Facebook Community.  Connect with other parents affected by ADHD, get tips on how to manage the disorder, and keep up to date on ADHD Essentials.   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: Dr. Saline’s family history with ADHD Solving the right problem, and starting with the problems that overlap Managing technology & your child The importance of getting your kid’s buy-in Dr. Saline’s Five C’s of Parenting Kids with ADHD: self-Control, Compassion, Collaboration, Consistency, Celebration The Importance of Bids in relationships Shame & ADHD Positive vs. Negative Statements Pointing it out when our kids meet our expectations Bedtime conversations ADHD & Friendships Strength-based thinking & Attentive Awareness The vulnerability of ADHD   Guest Links: Dr. Sharon Saline’s Website Dr. Sharon Saline on Facebook Dr. Sharon Saline on Twitter Buy “What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew”.   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community      

I’m pretty jazzed about this episode.  One of my goals at the start of this podcast was to get Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants on the show.  Well, Mission Accomplished!  Today’s the day that episode drops. Dav only had about 15 minutes to talk, and was gracious enough to include my sons.  That's right, not only is Dav on the show, but I got to share the mic with my boys for this one!  We recorded last week, and by coincidence, they were home from school due to teacher training.  Which is awesome because they’re the reason I pursued getting him on in the first place.  I am grateful to Dav and his team for helping to make this episode happen.  It will always have a special place for me.   That said...  SHAMELESS PLUG: Regitration fo the On-Line Parent Coaching Groups Ends on MONDAY!   The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups will run two sessions.  One will be on Mondays & Wednesdays at 5:30pm EST and the other session will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12pm, EST.  They run for seven weeks beginning the week on September 16th. Go to https://www.adhdessentials.com/sign-up/to sign up for a free 15-20 minute prescreening call to see if the groups are right for you!  Or go to https://www.adhdessentials.com/parentgroups/ for more information.   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: Dav’s childhood with ADHD & dyslexia Dav’s struggles in school How Dav’s parents responded to him having ADHD How comics influenced Dav growing up The Secret Origin of Captain Underpants The Secret Origin of DogMan ADHD & Creativity Seeing ADHD as a gift & a different way of thinking   Guest Links: Learn more about Dav at www.scholastic.com/pilkeypower.   Get Dav’s new book, Dogman: Lord of the Fleas athttps://www.scholastic.com/kids/book/lord-of-the-fleas-by-dav-pilkey/   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Today's episode is short and sweet.  I'm flying solo, and talking about the role dopamine plays in ADHD.  I hope you find an insight or two in it!   Shameless ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups Ad:   The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays for seven weeks, from Tuesday September 18th through Thursday, November 1st. Go to https://www.adhdessentials.com/parentgroups/ for a free 15-20 minute prescreening call to see if its right for you!   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: What is the role of dopamine in ADHD? What the heck is a Dopamine Hunt!?!    ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  ADHD Essentials Homepage Email Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community    

It was an honor to interview Joyce Kubik for the pod.  Joyce is a mother with ADHD of kids with ADHD.  (In fact, her kids are now grown, and have ADHD kids of their own!) Joyce is also ADHD coach.  Indeed, she was among the first.  Hers are the shoulders that so many of us stand on when doing this work. She is a pioneer in the industry.  And she shares her story, and some of her pioneering work with us in this episode.   Shameless ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups Ad:   The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays for seven weeks, from Tuesday September 18th through Thursday, November 1st. Go to https://www.adhdessentials.com/parentgroups/ for a free 15-20 minute prescreening call to see if its right for you!   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: Joyce’s life with ADHD. Growing up with ADHD in the 50s & 60s Living with an alcoholic father Joyce’s journey of self-discovery Learning about ADHD from an episode of 20/20 in 1993 ADHD Misdiagnosis The importance of accurate descriptions of ADHD symptoms ADHD & Reading Using color to help study & remember content Joyce’s Bridge Model for ADHD ADHD & Memory Struggling to graduate from college Academic tips for students Getting results in a unique way Doing things the ADHD way Parenting in “rescue mode” Being a parent with ADHD of kids with ADHD Why ADHD kids interrupt How to have a calmer dinner   Guest Links: Email Joyce at joyce@joycekubik.com Visit her Website:joycekubik.com Joyce’s memoir, “Unraveling ADHD”, can be bought on Amazon or at https://www.joycekubik.com/books-dvds/   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  ADHD Essentials Homepage Email Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community    

Today, we’re talking to Linda Roggli and Diane Dempster about the ADHD Parents Palooza, which will run next week, from August 20thto the 25th. The ADHD Parents Palooza brings together many of the most well-known experts on ADHD to talk about parenting our complex kids.  Guests include Dr. Russell Barkley, Ned Hallowell, and Jessica McCabe. I wasn’t able to be a part of the Parents Palooza this time, but I hope to participate next year.  I’ll be in the audience with those of you who attend, though. And if you need help implementing the things you during the Palooza, the ADHD Essentials Parenting Coaching Groups are a great place to get that support.  The next session starts in September.   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: The goals of the ADHD Parent Palooza The topics that will be discussed at the ADHD Parent Palooza Russell Barkley, Grand-Parenting, & ADHD The Guest Experts who are involved Where to find the Palooza How to avoid being overwhelmed by the all of the information of the Palooza The value parent coaching   Guest Links The ADHD Parents Palooza  Linda Roggli, the ADD Diva Diane Dempster & Elaine Taylor-Claus's Impact ADD   ADHD Essentials Links Join Our Facebook Community Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  ADHD Essentials Homepage Email Brendan

Today, we’re talking to Melissa Carriveau.  She's a Master’s Level Certified Special Education Teacher with almost 25 years of experience.  She has been an doing special education consulting for nearly 20 years with both school districts and individual families. She was trained through the Federation of Children with Special Needs and through Wrightslaw. She is also a special education surrogate parent and the parent of a child with special needs. In Today’s Episode We Discuss: What is a Special Education Advocate? What should we look for in an advocate?   How best to communicate with schools Assuming everyone is there for the right reasons. How to navigate IEP & 504 Meetings The importance of documentation Keeping communication child centered You’re a good parent.  Schools aren’t judging you. Mourning the kid you didn’t have. Why you shouldn’t sign anything at a team meeting Team meetings are a negotiation Getting your kid’s year started on the right foot with meetings & letters Supports vs. Accommodations in school 504s vs. IEPs Typical ADHD Accommodations How to find an advocate What an advocate needs from you The importance od paperwork & documentation    Links and Such:   Our Guest: Find Melissa on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BayStateAdvocacy Or email her at BayStateAdvocacy@gmail.com     ADHD Essentials:ADHD Essentials Website ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Email Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com

This is a powerful one.  Diann Wingert, LCSW shares her journey with ADHD.  It's a tale the encompasses her professional work and her role in her family, and mirrors our modern undernstanding of ADHD.  She shares her struggles, uncertainty, successes, and growth.   Diann Wingert  is a coach and psychotherapist on a mission to help others achieve their true potential through radical self acceptance, leveraging their strengths and creating an ADHD friendly business and life. She helps creative entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals overcome their struggles with procrastination, perfectionism and people pleasing.  Find Diann at www.diannwingertcoaching.com.   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: What counted as ADHD in the early to mid-90s and how still that colors views today How our understanding of ADHD has evolved The patterns of ADHD across generations How a child’s diagnosis might affect their parents ADHD & Trauma Why people with ADHD might not get diagnosed until college The rainbow of colors of ADHD What ADHD adds to our parenting Empathic Time Travel Blame vs. Responsibility The transition from parenting children to parenting adults The echoes of WWII (Wait… What!?!) Radical Self-Acceptance   Links and Such: From Our Guest: www.diannwingertcoaching.com   From Our Host: ADHD Essentials Website ADHD Essentials Facebook Group  

On the pod today is Meg Flannagan of MilKids.  Meg is a former teacher turned education consultant.  She’s a military wife, and she started MilKids to support military families, but it has since grown into a flourishing education blog. She’s also the author of “Talk to the Teacher”. Her book is an outstanding resource for ADHD parents because of the sheer amount of structure it provides around communicating with school.     In Today’s Episode We Discuss: Similarities between Questions to ask when homework takes too long How long homework should take Homework strategies The lack of breaks and time to move for kids in school Heavy Screen Use at School Assigning playtime for homework Navigating homework resistance #1 Teaching Secret: Kahn Academy How to effectively communicate with teachers “New” Math is in Puberty School in Japan vs. America How the book supports school communication record keeping What to do if the parent/teacher relationship becomes adversarial Ways to keep the parent/teacher relationship from becoming adversarial   Links and Such: From Our Guest The MilKids Website The MilKids Facebook Page    From the Episode: ADHD Essentials Episode 8 on brain breaks w/Steph Letourneau "What Teachers Make" slam poetry by Taylor Mali   From Your Host: ADHD Essentials Website ADHD Essentials Facebook Group

Disclaimer:  Part of today’s show includes our guest sharing a time of struggle, when she considered ending her life.  Obviously she didn’t, and we spend the majority of the episode on other topics, including some of the strategies she used to move past that stage, and being a mom with ADHD.  But I want to be mindful of my listeners, so I’m telling you in advance.  That said, I also recognize that shying away from such topics doesn’t help anyone. People consider suicide when their emotional pain overwhelms their coping resources, often when they are in the depths of depression. If you, or someone you know, is considering suicide: Please call the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255.   Text “HOME” to 741741 Or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org   This is episode 29. Today, I’m talking to talking my friend, Kat. Kat is a single mother with ADHD, whose child is neurotypical.  She is among the strongest people I know. In this episode, Kat tells us about her journey with ADHD and depression.  Along the way, she’ll share why she initially found her ADHD diagnosis to be so devastating, her 3 Ts of Thought, tips on co-parenting, and, of course, her love for her son.   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: Kat’s Journey with ADHD & Depression Kat’s Three Ts of Thought and how they have helped her Getting help for suicidal ideation The moralization of ADHD and how it impacts ADHDers Divorce How shame can affect friendships The wrong way to tell your kids they have ADHD Being a mom with ADHD of a neurotypical son The Cult of Being Busy  

In this episode, I talk to talking to Katelynn Shea and Stephanie Kozlowski of Dynamy Internship Year. Katelynn is the Director of Admissions at Dynamy, and Stephanie is the Business Manager and Onsite Coordinator for USA Gap Year Fairs.     In Today’s Episode We Discuss: What is a Gap Year? The benefits of taking a Gap Year for kids with ADHD How Dynamy develops executive function skills Navigating the area between structure and independence The value of natural consequences The value of participating in an internship (perhaps one in blacksmithing?) How Gap Years help kids who are college bound, but not college ready Why colleges like kids who take Gap Years How Gap Years help students make better career choices Finding a good Gap Program with Gap Matcher The USA Gap Year Fairs   Links and Such: Learn more about USA Gap Year Fairs here: www.USAGapYearFairs.org Learn more about Dynamy here:www.dynamy.org Take the Gap Matcher Quiz here:https://gapmatcher.com Contact Katelynn Shea at SheaK@youinc.org Contact Katelynn Kozlowski at KozlowskiS@youinc.org   And, as always, you can learn more about ADHD Essentials at: www.ADHDessentials.com. Contact me at Brendan@ADHDessentials.com.    

Episode 27 features Richard Podgur.  Richard is a music teacher in private practice. He teaches all ages, toddlers on adulthood, but specializes in teaching kids with ADHD.  As I spoke to him I was struck by just how much Richard’s approach to teaching and managing kids with ADHD applied to situations beyond the teaching of music.  I think you’ll find many of the ideas discussed in today’s episode useful at home. In Today’s Episode We Discuss: Getting kids to practice Time as the great limiting factor Shame and ADHD Taking in the view from a mile up Why ukuleles are better than guitars The importance of creativity and imagination Why kids with ADHD love music Ways to manage kids with ADHD How to help kids struggle through the early learning stages   As usual, I can be found at www.ADHDessentials.com.Email any questions you have to brendan@ADHDessentiasl.com.

Today's episode is a bit different.  The kids are home from school, I'm launching my first coaching groups, and I get to spend all day Friday driving out of state to visit the in-laws.  So, time has been limited this week.  As a result, rather than posting an interview, I'd discussing the challenges of ADHD as it relates to time.  I hope you enjoy it.  We will return to our ususal interview format next week!   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: The difficulty folks with ADHD have with time awareness The role shortened time horizons play in goal setting and doing things last minute How long it takes your humble host to mow his lawn And why he timed it to find out.

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Jack Gantos.  Jack is the author of the Joey Pigza book series, about a boy who has ADHD.  The first book of which, Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, is a National Book Award Finalist, and celebrates it’s 20thanniversary this year. Learn more about Jack, and all of his books at http://www.jackgantos.com.   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: A spolier-free overview of the Joey Pigza books. Why writing the books was a labor of love for Jack. How things have changed for kids with ADHD over the past 20 years. Rambling childhoods. The value of Audiobooks.   Registration for the ADHD Parenting groups closes on Monday, June 25th! To learn more,and get on the registration list, go to www.ADHDessentials/parentgroups.