For a long time, for many of us with ADHD, making friends meant fitting in and blending in.  We worked hard to seem easygoing with friends or to play up our interest in a topic rather than sharing a real topic of enthusiasm. Over time we learned to suppress our preferences and needs, or to…

“We can’t keep accommodating him forever.” “She needs to be ready for the real world.” This sentiment echoes through countless IEP and 504 meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and kitchen table conversations. It reflects a genuine concern: How do we support students with ADHD without creating dependency? How do we prepare them for a world that won’t…

ADHD is a prevalent, biologically based condition that changes how the brain develops and works. It’s not about being lazy or undisciplined—the brain is literally wired differently. This means that people with ADHD can have challenges with self-control, focus, managing their behavior, and staying organized, but it also comes with unique strengths and ways of…

Many adults with ADHD struggle with focus, organization, and follow-through. But ADHD doesn’t just affect your mind—it can also impact your physical health. Studies now show that people with ADHD are about twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes. That means your risk of diabetes is probably higher than you realize. If you have…

Why Alice in Wonderland Felt Like My First Real Textbook The first time I saw Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, I was six. And I remember this clearly—not because of the animation, or the colors, or even Alice—but because of what it felt like: relief. Like someone had finally opened up a book and said, “Hey,…

How the Immune System May Shape ADHD—and Why It Matters for Boys and Girls For decades, ADHD has been understood primarily as a neurodevelopmental condition rooted in brain structure and dopamine function. But new evidence is expanding this view—and pointing researchers toward an unexpected contributor: the immune system. (Jue, 2024). The connection between inflammation and…

Back in the day I was a founding professional advisor for one of the Chicago CHADD chapters. In that capacity I would attend all the professional presentations. It was striking how often parents’ questions were themed by how to deal with PITA (pain-in-the…) teachers and school administrators. This led me to wonder if there were…

Ever wondered why we still need ADHD Awareness Month? After all, CHADD has been supporting individuals and families affected by ADHD since the mid-1990s, there are many websites and books on ADHD, and it is one of the most well-researched brain-based conditions. When up to ten percent of the population has ADHD, we all know…

Research has demonstrated that ADHD is related to greater difficulties in functioning in romantic relationships. What factors may influence how ADHD is related to these relationship challenges? Understanding this question provides further insight into areas to address in treatment. This research brief reviews two articles that investigate this question. The first study examined how self-regulation…

Thanks to the creative efforts of educator and ADHD coach Sarah Kesty, teachers for grades six to twelve now have access to more tools for helping teens significantly improve in areas of executive function. Each of these tools is described in great detail in her recently published book, Growing Executive Function. Teachers unfamiliar with the…

Living with ADHD can sometimes feel like a constant uphill battle. From losing your keys to zoning out during conversations, the daily frustrations can build up. But what if I told you that ADHD doesn’t have to be a weakness? In fact, with the right ADHD hacks, it can become your greatest strength. As a…

Our interest in helping college students with ADHD began fifteen years ago, emanating from our experiences conducting assessment services on their behalf in the ADHD clinic at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Many of these evaluations were requested by campus support units (disability services, student health) seeking diagnostic clarification and documentation prior…