Parents of Very Complex Kids

Parents of Very Complex Kids

Underestimated, Undervalued, and Underutilized Complex kids are children, teens, or young adults who struggle with some aspects of life, learning, or both. They may not have a diagnosis at all; they may have a single diagnosis, such as dyslexia or ADHD; or they may present with more than one coexisting condition, even three or more.…

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Executive Function Issues and ADHD

Executive Function Issues and ADHD

ARE THEY MORE LIKE TWINS OR COUSINS? Jack is a twenty-eight-year-old man who has chronic issues with running late that date back to childhood. He also has difficulty keeping track of his schedule and tends to finish tasks at the last minute. Jack remembers having the same issues as far back as elementary school. Margaret…

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Reading Comprehension and Executive Function

Reading Comprehension and Executive Function

Learning disabilities and ADHD often go hand in hand. According to Thomas E. Brown, PhD, approximately 45 percent of those with ADHD have coexisting learning disabilities. The most common learning disability of students with ADHD is dyslexia, characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities (International Dyslexia…

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Those Lovely ‘Mones: The Intersection of ADHD and Hormones

There has been much discussion lately about the relationship between hormones and ADHD symptoms. The key word here is “discussion” rather than “knowledge.” There are a few tantalizing scientific studies that link hormones with neural connectivity in the ADHD brain and subsequent ADHD symptoms. Their precise influence and mechanisms of action are mostly mysteries yet…

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Coping with Sensory Overload

Coping with Sensory Overload

For many adults and children with ADHD, sensory overload can affect relationships. When we are flooded with sensory information, lights feel brighter, sounds are louder, and crowds seem to close in on us. Sensory bombardment and overwhelm can make situations draining and anxiety-provoking. To reduce the effects of overstimulation, we may try to cope by going…

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Understanding and Differentiating Between Autism and ADHD

There is often CONFUSION AND DEBATE regarding the distinction between ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This article begins with a description and elaboration of their similarities and differences. Then we’ll examine the impact of these two disorders in a four-year-old boy who has this dual diagnosis within a typical classroom, before closing with a discussion…

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ADHD, PTSD, or Both?

It is my tenth month as a clinical psychology fellow in a busy, publicly funded metropolitan hospital. I look over my intake referral for the week, and similar to many referrals I have gotten thus far during my internship, I am being asked to assess a child’s inattentive and noncompliant behavior. Many referrals are made…

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New Guidelines for ADHD and Complex ADHD

AAP Revises ADHD Guidelines by Karen Sampson Hoffman, MA The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released its updated guidelines for the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD. The updates place a greater emphasis on identifying ADHD in preschool-aged children and on addressing co-occurring conditions in children and teens. The guidelines are written for pediatricians and…

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Beyond “Oppositional Defiant Disorder”

“He’s got oppositional defiant disorder.” Maureen would never forget those words. Her five-and-a-half-year-old son was certainly a handful. At home, Timmy had tantrums all the time. It seemed impossible to get him to do the smallest of things. During the first weeks of kindergarten, he was already getting into all sorts of trouble. He would…

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Understanding Meltdowns: The ADHD Volcano Model

A MELTDOWN CAN SEEM TO COME OUT OF NOWHERE. It’s one of the challenging or explosive behaviors we see in those who have ADHD. Sometimes it appears as poor self-esteem, yelling, rage, or tears. But sometimes the challenging behavior is your own in reaction to your spouse, child, sibling, or friend who has ADHD: “Why…

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Treating ADHD and Emotion Dysregulation

A TENDENCY to experience and express intense negative emotions is among the most significant problems people with ADHD face. Among children, low frustration tolerance, rageful outbursts over seemingly small annoyances, and explosive overreactions to disappointments other kids handle with composure often make peer relationships and family life difficult. These difficulties can lead to a cycle…

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