Ace the Break: Avoid the “Summer Slide”
How to Prevent Kids with ADHD from Falling Down the “Summer Slide” This Year Each day, I see the lingering impacts of the pandemic play out as parents contact our practice, wondering if our tutors or executive function coaches can help. The most common concerns are among parents of students with ADHD and weak…
Read MoreCompensatory and Recovery Services for Students with ADHD
Closed schools. Endless virtual meetings. A classroom at your kitchen table. Sound familiar? It is difficult to think of a single facet of school that the COVID-19 pandemic did not change for students, families, and school staff. As schools have transitioned back to in-person instruction, parents (and legal guardians) and school staff are noticing the…
Read MoreScreen Time and Sleep During the Pandemic
What kinds of difficulties did children and adolescents with ADHD experience with screen use and sleep during the pandemic? This research update reviews two recent studies. The first study found that compared to those who had less problematic digital media use, youth with ADHD who had more problematic use showed worse attention levels, more…
Read MoreRoutines for Times of Uncertainty
Establishing and maintaining routines can be difficult for individuals with ADHD. They are also especially prone to being thrown off easily by deviations from routine, and often experience increased trouble getting back on task. While everyone’s experience with ADHD is not the same, it is probably safe to say that many people—whether they have ADHD…
Read MoreADHD and Social Connectedness
How is ADHD related to social connectedness among youth? What factors may protect against the consequences of low social connectedness among individuals with ADHD? This month’s research brief focuses on these two overarching questions. The first study found that youth with ADHD were more likely to have lower levels of different types of social supports…
Read MoreResilience and ADHD During the Pandemic
What are sources of resilience for adolescents and young adults with ADHD during the pandemic? In this research update, the first study examined the experience of loneliness for college students with ADHD during COVID-19 and how their perceptions of social support and hope may make a difference in these experiences. The second study looked at…
Read MoreADHD + COVID-19 = ? What Families Are Telling Researchers
COVID-19 literally turned our lives upside down. Take me, for example: I have worked from home since March 2020. That’s nine months of not seeing colleagues and having to use all of my energy to regulate myself to get my work done at home and keep up with online meetings, all while trying to balance…
Read MoreStepping Back to Move Forward
Executive Dysfunction, Heightened Anxiety, and the Impact on College Readiness Although we all feel like the pandemic has stretched on forever, it may surprise you to learn that for today’s high school seniors, statistics back up that feeling. Slightly more than 30% of their total high school experience has taken place during the pandemic.…
Read MorePromoting Resilience Among Children and Teens During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges to children’s lives. These challenges may be more pronounced among children with ADHD given wide disruptions to routine and structure. The same procedures that were introduced to protect us from COVID-19 and contain its spread, could adversely impact the emotional wellness of children with ADHD by limiting social…
Read MoreHelp Your Child with Screen Resistance or Anxiety in Distance Learning
Virtual learning leads to challenging circumstances and struggles for many children and teenagers with ADHD. While some are doing well, others suffer mightily. Despite the hard work of dedicated teachers and loving, committed parents, many students are resisting, avoiding, or shutting down in the face of virtual learning demands. As a family therapist, I have…
Read MoreTen Ways You Can Help Your Child Succeed Socially When They Return to School
The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone other than people who enjoy misery. At this point, though, even they may be getting fed up. One of the hardest hit groups are kids who have ADHD and also struggle with social interaction. In addition to the difficulty in reading faces that wearing masks causes, online…
Read MoreSpecial Education and the Pandemic
Three Things Parents of Kids with Special Needs Need to Know This is a difficult time for all of us. Teachers and school administrators are making great efforts to meet the needs of all students, including students with special needs. Now, more than ever, parents, advocates, and school staff should do their best to work…
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