How to Improve the Educational Experience of Black Students with ADHD
African American students are many times more likely to be diagnosed with disabilities than their peers. Why does this happen, and what should schools do differently? Joy Banks, an associate professor at George Mason University, speaks on the overrepresentation and disparities in treatment of African American students in special education. She also shares the steps…
Read MoreADHD and Relationships: When Love Gets Lost in Translation
Love is always in the air, isn’t iT? Supportive relationships are key to positive health outcomes throughout one’s life. However, most of what we see in the media does not reflect what healthy relationships look like. Turn on the TV, watch YouTube, go to social media, or listen to some music and you find yourself constantly…
Read MoreCan I Have a Do-Over? Motherhood and ADHD
I remember arriving home after delivering my firstborn son. I sat on the couch gazing into his eyes and prayed that the years would last and last before he left home, committed to being a terrific parent. High hopes, great motivation, and passionate love were my driving forces. Fast-forward thirty-five years and three kids later.…
Read MoreReignite Your Resolutions: Two ADHD-Friendly Ways to Get Back to Your Goals
It’s February. The holidays are a distant memory; the weather is gray, and your local CVS is drowning in a sea of hearts and chocolates. So, of course, those New Year’s resolutions are going strong—right?!?! (She said with a mighty wink.) Of course not. Weeks have passed, the shine has worn off, life happened, and…
Read MoreCoaching Kids with ADHD in Sports
“Jimmy, please stop digging in the dirt,” said the coach. “Get in the ready position, and be prepared if the ball gets hit to you.” Does this sound familiar? For many kids with ADHD, staying focused during periods of inactivity or when they don’t have the ball can be challenging. This affects their performance and…
Read MorePhysical Exercise, ADHD Symptoms, and Mental Health
Can engaging in physical exercise be beneficial for adults in managing ADHD symptoms and mental health challenges? This research update reviews two studies that explored the effects of physical exercise for adults with ADHD. The first study examined how aerobic exercise and nonaerobic exercise affect attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Both types of exercise were shown…
Read MoreAlways Have an Exit Plan
Big social events or group gatherings can be intimidating, no matter your age. As an adult with ADHD, the impulse, or urge, to avoid uncomfortable gatherings can be high. But some of these events in your life are important! A friend’s wedding, a loved one’s graduation, or even a company dinner with your partner’s coworkers…
Read MoreMindfulness for Adult ADHD
Thanks to the pioneering efforts of Lidia Zylowska, MD, an increasing number of adults with ADHD have successfully incorporated mindfulness practices into their day-to-day lives and are enjoying an improved quality of life as a result. Attention magazine first highlighted her work over ten years ago, when this column described her eight-session evidence-based mindfulness model…
Read MoreStrategies for Dads with ADHD
“Tim, stop fiddling with that,” scolded Tiffany. “You are making too much noise and I can’t focus on the article I am reading.” Someone hearing this kind of statement might automatically assume Tim was a child with ADHD who was exhibiting symptoms of hyperactivity. However, the same scenario can easily occur for many men in…
Read MoreIs College Right for Everyone?
High school graduates today have a multitude of choices for their next steps in life. For generations, college provided the best known path to a lucrative career. But things now are less clear. The “great pause” provided by the pandemic created an opportunity to reevaluate career, education, and, for many, this meant rethinking the value…
Read MoreBehavior Strategies for Raising Kids with ADHD
Do punishments have little to no effect on challenging behavior with your child? While parents are taught to use punishment to manage unwanted behavior, it doesn’t really work for kids with ADHD, and it’s not the best approach for any child. As with anything, if you want to change it, you must address why it’s…
Read MoreAn ADHD Book Flood for the Gifting Season
Many cultures observe feasts and celebrate with gift exchanges toward the end of each year, and through the early days of the following year. In a tradition loosely translated as the “book flood,” families in Iceland exchange new books on the night before a major celebration. Then they enjoy quiet reading time together while sipping…
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