Attention
Does My Child Need Medication for ADHD?
As a parent, few decisions feel heavier than deciding whether your child might need medication for ADHD. It’s normal to have questions, hesitations, and even fears. The good news is: most parents already have a strong inner compass when it comes to this choice. In my experience, parents generally know when it’s time to seriously…
Read MoreHelp Your Child Build Study Skills
Supporting your child’s learning at home can feel like a delicate balancing act. You want to help—of course you do—but you also want your child to grow confident, independent, and capable. The good news is that with a few intentional strategies, you can create a homework routine that builds study skills, lowers stress, and supports…
Read MoreADHD Screenings: Be Careful
Screenings for ADHD may be quick, affordable, and convenient (especially if done with the pediatrician), but their results should be interpreted cautiously. This information is only a tiny glimpse of your whole child. If you plan to try medication, you may not be addressing the cause of the attention problems. Let me explain. Pretend you…
Read MorePrepare in Advance for Teacher Conferences
Teachers don’t always have time to communicate with parents on a regular basis. Things get missed – all the time. Parents can be surprised by how much they learn when information is directly requested. If you are already aware of things you need to monitor, write down your questions so you don’t forget. If your…
Read MoreAnxiety and ADHD
Recent estimates from a very large US study (>45,000 participants) with the CDC shows that around 35% of children and 43% of adolescents/teens with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder (Danielson et al., 2024). Next to behavioral/conduct problems, anxiety is the most commonly associated disorder with ADHD. Why and how are anxiety and ADHD related?…
Read MoreAnxiety and Math
The impact of anxiety on math achievement has received significant attention in the field of educational research. There is no doubt that anxiety symptoms and math performance are negatively related (as one goes up, the other goes down). In some kids, problems in math may cause anxiety. But in other kids, anxiety may contribute to…
Read MoreADHD in Girls Looks Different
Imagine an 8-year-old girl in the back of the classroom, sitting quietly, gently swinging her legs under the desk, and staring out the window during class. Meanwhile, the class is working on a timed science quiz, and she hasn’t started yet. She is daydreaming, lost in her own world, but eventually gets to work. The…
Read MoreHow Does Your Child Process Signals from Their Body?
Does your child ignore, miss, or over attend to internal signals from their body, such as hunger, thirst, full bowel/bladder, body temperature, heart rate, breathing, pain, or muscle tension? Maybe it depends on their stress level or physical health. Interoception can be defined as the ability to perceive the internal state of one’s own…
Read MoreTips for College Students with ADHD
ADHD (including the former diagnosis of ADD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that first presents in childhood, but most individuals are impacted as adults. Adults with ADHD need to self-advocate when they require supports in their life. College is one setting where teens and young adults with ADHD may need accommodations. ADHD can significantly impact a…
Read MoreIf Your Child Needs Help in the Public Schools…
There is a formal process for getting your child the help they need. The details will vary by state, but the general steps are similar. Also keep in mind that some schools have more resources than others, so delays can be quite long (e.g., 3-6 months or more). Begin to advocate as soon as possible!…
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