Going deeper with executive function tasks that are resistant to intervention Students come to parents, teachers, academic coaches, and therapists with a range of executive functioning (EF) skills they use to manage their academic day successfully. Whether they experience challenges managing a planner, addressing long-term assignments, social skills, or just getting through the day, we…

As we move into a new year, many of us set goals which can lead to task overload. Have you ever wondered how, despite knowing what you needed to do, how to do it, and why it mattered, you still failed to even start the task? What happened? When talking about ADHD, we often highlight…

For more than a decade, I have been delivering the presentation Do You Own Your Stuff or Does Your Stuff Own YOU? to San Diego audiences. I would always start the talk with a photo of an elderly man and his adult son standing in front of a packed storage unit with the comment, “Someday,…

In recent years, more and more adults have received a first-time ADHD diagnosis, leading to increased demand for care. The United States has witnessed ongoing ADHD medication shortages since 2022, as well as long waitlists for psychosocial supports like cognitive-behavioral therapy.1 A new study conducted in partnership between the University of Washington School of Medicine,…

Only a few more months until summer. The good news: You have a few more months to figure things out. Maybe you look forward to the summer season in some ways: less nagging about homework, fewer chauffeur duties for sports practices and other activities. At the same time, summers can be challenging. Each week’s schedule…

For many families, camp represents hope—a chance for kids to build confidence, friendships, and independence. But for parents of children with ADHD, camp can also bring a familiar worry: Will my child be able to handle it? I recently spoke with Dan Selmer, a psychotherapist who also works inside a traditional day camp through a…

Why do we do what we do? What makes us act the way we act? We now know that the basis of all behavior is our brains. When our brains function a certain way, we function a certain way. So it is certainly helpful to understand how brains work—specifically in regard to our attention and…

It’s 4:15 PM on a Tuesday. Your child is building Legos and having a great time. You’ve given your child the five-minute warning. Then, you announce, “Grab your gear and your water bottle! It’s time to go.” What happens next? For many families with kids who have ADHD, this moment cascades into tears, defiance, or…

How is ADHD related to digital media use among adolescents and emerging adults? This research update reviews two recent research studies examining this question. The first study conducted a systematic review of the association between social media use and inattention and impulsivity among adolescents. The authors found that most of the studies reviewed showed a…

If you’ve ever met someone you genuinely like and still watched the connection stall out, you’re not alone. A lot of people assume friendship is supposed to “just happen.” You click, you chat, you exchange numbers, and suddenly you’re close. But real friendship, the kind that feels safe, mutual, and long-lasting, usually doesn’t work like…

Two working moms from Alameda, California—Sarah Qualters and Alex Yakubov—recently co-founded a parent-led movement that’s being praised by parents, educators, and healthcare professionals nationwide. Among its important goals, the movement seeks to restrict the time children spend online until they reach the age of sixteen. Young children have been spending an increasing number of hours…

The Consummate Scientist-Practitioner Russell A. Barkley, PhD It was with much shock and sadness that I learned of the passing of Thomas E. Brown, PhD, this past September and the great loss this has caused not only for his family but for the field of ADHD as well. I am honored, however, to have been…