Supportive or Overparenting? Helping Your Teen with ADHD Develop Independence

How can you best help your child affected by ADHD be successful? And what is the difference between supportive parenting and overparenting, often called “helicopter parenting?” When your child struggles with executive function challenges—remembering homework, gym shoes and being able to make good decisions about the present and future—it can become a challenge to straddle…

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Got Allergies? Check for Allergy & ADHD Medication Interactions

It is spring and golden pollen is floating on the breeze. As you may be reaching for that over-the-counter allergy medication, have you considered its possible interaction with your prescription medication for ADHD? Many medications can interact with one another. While over-the-counter medications are generally considered safe for occasional use, some allergy and cold medications,…

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In Order to Get Health Insurance Subsidies, You Must File a Tax Return

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the federal government subsidizes the cost of health insurance for individuals with household incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level (currently $97,000 for a family of 4). Most qualifying individuals choose to receive these subsidies as “advance tax credit payments,” which the government pays directly to…

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Don’t Text & Drive. Tips to Avoid Distractions with ADHD

Your cellphone buzzes. It could be a phone call, a text, or an instant message. But is it worth the risk of checking your phone while you’re driving? Tuning the radio, talking with passengers, checking maps, and having friends or young children in the car can all be additional sources of distraction. For adult and…

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Make Memories with ADHD

Memory and ADHD Research shows that individuals with ADHD are four times more likely to have working memory problems compared to peers without attention problems. The term working memory describes the ability to hold in mind and use information over short periods of time. Working memory is also thought of as the mental workspace that…

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Paying Attention to the Science

"My son was just diagnosed with ADHD, and I don’t know much about ADHD or its treatment," one mother recently wrote. "What can I do to help my son?" Where do you turn for information when faced with a new diagnosis? How do you make sense of all the information out there from friends and…

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CDC Awards CHADD Four-year Grant

The CDC awards CHADD a four-year grant for the National Resource Center on ADHD LANHAM, Md. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded $3.4 million over the next four years to Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) to continue the National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC). The new cooperative agreement from…

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ADHD Assessment: What to Expect

“What can I expect when my child has an assessment for ADHD?” is something many parents wonder when it’s first suggested their child be evaluated for ADHD. Once an appointment is made with a pediatrician or a specialist in childhood ADHD, you can expect: A physical exam, including a family medical history Interviews with you…

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Relationship Tips for Couples with ADHD

With all the Valentine’s Day commercials on TV and chocolate sales in grocery stores, this can sometimes be a difficult month for couples affected by ADHD. There can be unmet expectations for the “perfect” romance when the symptoms of ADHD lead to tension or disappointment in their relationship. Terry M. Dickson, MD, ACG,  who does…

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Why Romance is Related to Executive Functions

Did you ever think about how executive functions – memory, planning, and organization – are related to romance? When your executive function abilities are affected by ADHD, romance can be a bit of a struggle for you and your partner. Psychologist Ari Tuckman has worked with couples affected by ADHD and, in a special Ask the…

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Ask the Specialist: Resolving ADHD Conflicts in Couples

Q: My husband has ADHD and we are constantly fighting! I don’t know what to do about this anymore! We need suggestions, we need help. Frustrated Wife A: You’re not alone in this. Many couples affected by ADHD struggle with communication and often find themselves arguing. The symptoms of adult ADHD—inattention, forgetfulness and distractibility—are especially…

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What’s for Dinner? Tips for Healthy Meal Planning

In this busy world of work and family obligations, social events, and long commutes, dinner can often slide into stressful last-minute decisions. Add in the symptoms of ADHD, and trying to eat healthy meals without resorting frequently to takeout, eating out, or convenience foods can be a real challenge. Many restaurant and pre-made meals can…

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