Your Communication Plan Is Key to the New School Year

Another school year is fast approaching, and you may wonder how you can help your child have a smooth start. Getting to know your child’s teacher is a good place to begin. “Communication is key,” says Jennifer Ciran-Debban, MA, LMHC. A family education partner at Grant Wood Area Education Agency in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, she…

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Get That Green Time In!

Summer can mean getting outside to spend time in the park, hike through the woods, or explore the wilds of your backyard. For children with ADHD, there can be additional benefits to enjoying nature. A growing body of research indicates that children and adults who spend time in nature increase their ability to pay attention…

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Webinar: ADHD, Executive Function, and The Art of Getting Kids to Listen

CHADD Webinar Highlight: ADHD, Executive Function, and The Art of Getting Kids to Listen Featuring Caroline Maguire, MEd Sometimes it seems like your child is purposely ignoring you. You’re frustrated and wondering if he’s being stubborn or just selfish in his behavior. Most often, though, it’s neither. Children develop executive function skills as part of…

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Masks May Still Be Required When Schools Open

It may be the middle of summer, but the school year will be here soon, judging by the number of back-to-school commercials popping up on TV and radio programs. During the last school year, the COVID-19 pandemic presented quite a different learning experience for most students in the United States. At-home learning, hybrid classrooms, staggered…

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Mindfulness Can Help You Manage ADHD at Any Age

Ever wish you could take back impulsively said words or strong reactions during times of stress? One way you can become less reactive is through the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice of becoming aware of the present moment and not reacting emotionally. It can be a helpful tool for individuals of any age…

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Watch: Promoting Mental Health for Black Communities

Ask the Expert: Promoting Mental Health for Black Communities Featuring Harolyn M. E. Belcher, MD, MHS     Dr. Harolyn Belcher discusses the root causes of health disparities related to mental health conditions and treatment. She offers culturally responsive solutions to help promote mental health and wellness for Black children, youth, and families. Harolyn M.E.…

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CHADD Honors Emerging ADHD Scientists

Melissa Dvorsky, PhD, and Samantha Margherio, MA, will receive CHADD’s 2021 Young Scientist Research Awards. These emerging researchers are making important contributions to the understanding of ADHD. Dr. Dvorsky and Ms. Margherio will receive $1,000 and recognition during the Virtual International Conference on ADHD, November 4–6. They will also receive a one-year professional membership, and…

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Strep Throat Could Worsen ADHD Symptoms

Growing research on streptococcus, or strep infection, and changes in children’s behavior and mental health now includes a possible tie between strep and changes in ADHD symptoms for some children. Strep throat and other strep infections result from a bacterial infection and are usually treated with antibiotics. Some new research indicates the possibility that strep…

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Is a Medication Holiday an Option for Your Child with ADHD?

As the more relaxed summer months arrive, many parents of children with ADHD consider allowing them to take a break from their ADHD medication. Often called a “medication holiday,” such a break would usually occur during the summer vacation or weekends when their child doesn’t have homework. If you are considering a medication break for…

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Webinar: Do I Have to Talk to My Parents?

Do I Have to Talk to My Parents? ADHD, Adulting, and Conversations That Help, Not Hurt Featuring Rick Silver, MD Thursday, June 24 | 6 PM ET Parents play an important role for teens as they transition to independent adulthood. Sometimes the conversations are not easy or comfortable—especially when teens have ADHD or another brain-based…

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Better Sleep Helps Teens Manage ADHD

The first days of summer break might find your teenager sleeping in—maybe even until noon. Many teens greet the long break as a chance to catch up on their sleep, something they likely missed during the school year. For teens who have ADHD, sleep is an important way of helping to manage ADHD symptoms, but…

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What to Ask Your Child’s Doctor About New ADHD Medications

The US Food and Drug Administration approved two new medications for ADHD in the spring of 2021: Azstarys, a stimulant medication, and Qelbree, a nonstimulant. Both can be prescribed for children age six and older. Newly approved medications to treat ADHD can be promising, and these medications may fill in the gaps where other medications…

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