Backpack Blues and Bugs: Scaffolding for Executive Function Delays

Having worked as an occupational therapist in schools for many years, I have seen the inside of way too many backpacks. Backpack management is an essential skill for all students and requires a level of executive function often delayed in students with ADHD. This delay can be as much as one-third the chronological age of…

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The First ADHD Awareness Day

The First ADHD Awareness Day

It all began twenty years ago with an unsolicited phone call. The national office of ADDA—the Attention Deficit Disorder Association—received a call from someone claiming to work for a senator who asked if there was something they could do to help promote awareness for adult ADHD. Although our secretary assumed it was a prank call,…

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Digital Media Use and ADHD Symptoms

Digital Media Use and ADHD Symptoms

With varying digital media outlets available—from social media and internet browsing to watching television—available at the palm of our hands, there has been growing concern over how this increased exposure may affect adolescents and children. Current research is investigating the association between ADHD symptoms and digital media usage in adolescents. Some studies suggest that ADHD…

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Bring Back the Third Place

The answer to loneliness might be to bring back the third place. Loneliness is a longing for something you do not have or that you miss and wish you had again. And unfortunately for many of us with ADHD, feeling lonely and wanting a friend or group of friends is common. As much as we…

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The Regional Intervention Program

The Regional Intervention P

Designed to help a parent learn to manage and, in many instances, learn to effectively remediate their young child’s behavioral challenges, the Regional Intervention Program (RIP) in Nashville, Tennessee, continues to enjoy a national reputation for its effectiveness in improving the quality of life for the families it serves. The program is designed specifically to…

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ADHD Awareness 2024: Awareness Is Key!

ADHD Awareness 2024

The goals of the early ADHD Awareness Days declared by the United States Senate continue every October with ADHD Awareness Month. This year, the ADHD Awareness Coalition, in partnership with the Centre for ADHD Awareness (Canada), ADHD Europe, and ADHD Australia, is sponsoring online events, webinars, podcasts, and downloadable answers to ADHD questions provided by…

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The Double Whammy: ADHD + DCD

The Double Whammy: ADHD + DCD

Developmental coordination disorder is a common condition that co-occurs with ADHD. About fifty percent of school-age students with ADHD also have DCD; yet this often goes unrecognized, and students miss out on the help that could be available to them. DCD is a developmental motor disorder that results in performance of everyday activities that require…

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The Back-to-School Toolkit When Kids and Parents Have ADHD

A Back-to-School Toolkit

As the summer break comes to an end, parents and kids with ADHD often find themselves filled with hope and anticipation for a better school year than the last one. The backpacks are packed, new school supplies are sorted, and parents are hopeful they can establish structured bedtime routines and oversee homework completion. The reality…

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Sleep Challenges and ADHD in Children

Sleep Challenges and ADHD in Children

Children with ADHD commonly experience difficulties with their sleep. Increased sleep difficulties can affect both health and daily functioning. Gaining deeper insight into what sleep difficulties look like and how they are related to various factors—such as mental health, attention, and reasoning—is a crucial step in promoting well-being in children with ADHD. What does recent…

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Navigating Screen Time Recommendations with Neurodiverse Children

Navigating Screen Time Recommendations with Neurodiverse Children

In today’s digital age, managing screen time for children is a challenge many parents face. For those with neurodiverse children, such as those with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the challenge can be even greater. Generalized screen time recommendations often fail to consider the unique needs and behaviors of neurodivergent children, leaving parents struggling…

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How to Actually Use Your Accommodations for ADHD in College

“Sorry, Lauren, you cannot use extended time on this exam because you did not register online within seven business days to take the exam with this accommodation at the testing center.” “Jack, as your professor, I can give you a copy of the notes as indicated in your accommodations letter. However, I can’t keep track…

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