A neurodevelopmental condition, ADHD has substantial impacts on individuals’ social, educational, and health outcomes across their lifespan. Recent research has explored the long-term consequences of ADHD on various aspects of life, emphasizing social functioning, mental health, physical health, and mortality risks. The first study investigated the life expectancy and years of life lost for adults…

Disorganized thinking. That is the conclusion I reached about what is at the core of the problems experienced by adolescents with ADHD after working with them over multiple years in the adolescent version of the Summer Treatment Program and when developing the Challenging Horizons Program. Disorganized thinking explained a lot of what I saw with…

The transition from high school to college can be a difficult adjustment for young men and women living with ADHD. Parents are important partners in their child’s success at college, but they can no longer be the drivers for their student’s success. There is an important, and sometimes jarring, developmental shift that occurs at college…

AI can be a powerful tool to complement traditional teaching methods, and it offers fresh options for students with ADHD. Of course, AI is not a substitute for good instruction from an experienced teacher, but it does offer exciting new opportunities for students and teachers. Are you interested in learning more about how AI can…

When people think about getting sober, they often imagine a dramatic event—a DUI, a car crash, losing a job, or a relationship falling apart. I always thought that was how it would have to happen for me, too. But my story was different. Getting sober wasn’t a punishment, nor was it the result of a…

We all understand that being physically fit takes effort. You go to the gym, lift weights, run on the treadmill, or do yoga to strengthen your body. But what about your mind? Just like muscles need exercise to stay strong, your brain needs regular training to stay mentally fit. This kind of training is called…

“I have friends, but my friendships are okay—not great,” is a sentiment I hear echoed from clients far too often. Friendships are demanding, and often few and far between, so clients tell me that they believe it’s important to take all the friends they can get. One gal shared last week, “I’m lucky I have…

Gifted and talented students with attention and learning differences—also referred to as twice-exceptional or 2e students—now have access to a range of high-interest courses throughout the school year and during the summer months, thanks to the vision of Sam Young. This access is the result of Young Scholars Academy, a program he started just a…

I’d like to begin this important topic with an assertion: We engaged parents are crazy people. Every. Single. One. Of. Us. Our lunacy derives from the intense love we have for our children. I remember my first experience of this. I had a hard time drawing breath and felt like I was breaking apart on…

Jennifer, a forty-four-year-old mother of three, is a successful physician with her own private practice. On the surface it appears that she is functioning well and thriving even though she has ADHD. In general, with a combination of supports that include stimulant medication, organizational strategies to keep track of tasks, and delegating certain functions to…

It’s 11:30 pm, and after a long day, you crawl into bed, ready to rest. But as soon as your head hits the pillow, your mind starts racing. Thoughts bounce from one to another, keeping you wide awake, and before you know it, hours have passed without sleep. Then, just as you finally drift off,…

One foundational step in managing ADHD is giving yourself permission to do what needs to be done about it. At first, this may feel counterintuitive—after all, no one asked for ADHD, and no one sought your consent to have it. But in this context, permission means something deeper: recognition, self-compassion, and insight. The struggle with…