Part I of this blog looked at the shame so common among ADHD children, exploring its likely origins and its impact the ADHD child’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Part II discusses some approaches we may find useful in helping children diminish the shame they feel about their ADHD. What We Can Do For the most […]
Category: ADHD
ADHD & The Legacy of Shame: Part I
ADHD is a multifaceted condition, and when I work with children hindered by it, I try to help them with as many of its facets as I can. I advocate for ADHD kids, especially at school, and encourage them to be more effective in advocating for themselves. I show them techniques for planning, organizing, structuring […]
5 Myths About ADHD
According to the most recent findings published by the Centers for Disease Control, 11% of U.S. children are currently diagnosed with ADHD, including 5.6% of girls and 13.2% of boys. The CDC further states that about 17% of boys will be treated for ADHD at some point between the ages of 4 and 17. With […]
On Being The Homework Police
I am convinced that parenting is something we never really know how to do until we are done. This notion comes to mind when I think of my son, Greg, who was so bright and capable as a child and is now a bright, capable adult. There are moments every so often when I want […]
ADHD: Some Facts About Medication
This blog was originally posted on August 9, 2013 and updated on October 19, 2018. Parents of ADHD kids often ask what I think about using medication to treat their children’s symptoms. I usually reply that I am agnostic about pharmaceuticals – that I advocate neither for nor against them. What I do urge is […]
ADHD Part I: What Is It?
According to the DSM-IV TR, the manual that outlines generally accepted definitions of “mental disorders,” Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be diagnosed when an individual (usually a child) exhibits six or more symptoms from one or both of two categories. The first includes signs of inattention such as inconsistent focus, careless mistakes, forgetfulness, distractibility, trouble […]
ADHD Part II: How Is It Treated?
According to a recent article, about 10.4 million U.S. children, mostly boys, were treated for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in 2010. This number was the highest in the nation’s history, representing a 66% increase since the year 2000 and resulting in treatment costs totaling $6.85 billion. Given these statistics, it is no wonder that there […]