In this blog, I will share personal stories about how I have been impacted by ADHD as a parent. I will tell you what I wish I had done differently at each stage of my son’s development. There is no simple answer or fix with ADHD. It’s complicated, just like people. We’re all different. My […]
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What If My Child’s Area Of Brilliance Is Gaming? Should I Support It Anyway?
What is ADHD brilliance anyway? Simply stated, ADHD brilliance is the part of each ADHD person that naturally shines. When I think of the ADHDers in my life, most are highly creative, quick-humored, spontaneous, playful people who have a magical touch in life that is hard to put into words. Think Peter Pan, Jim Carey, […]
“Why’d She Have to Graffiti My Desk?”: When Learning Supports Backfire
When my son, William, was in 3rd grade, his teacher, Mrs. Carter, called me at home one evening. She wondered what we did to help William complete tasks. Did we use checklists? Incentive charts? “We’ve tried about everything since kindergarten,” I said, trying to think quickly. Even though I was a child psychologist, anxiety clouded […]
“My Heart Hurts”: The Power of Hearing Your Child Versus Cheering for Your Child
My son, Will, said this exact statement in middle school one evening as he lay face down on his bed. We had gone to see his long-time psychiatrist, Dr. Michaels, earlier that week to discuss medication. During the appointment, Will acted the same as always; fidgety, but self-assured. Will explained to Dr. Michaels that he […]
“I Want to Stop Talking but I Can’t”: Five Ways for Teachers to address Hyperactivity without Shaming the Student
This is the exact statement my son, William, uttered when my husband and I asked him to zip his lips in his kindergarten classroom. His teacher had flagged me down in the hallway earlier that day. “He talks all day long,” she explained, wide-eyed. “Is he like that at home?” “Yes,” I explained, holding back […]
5 Reasons to Consider Neuropsychological Testing for Your Child
Wouldn’t it be awesome if every child loved school like this kiddo? I believe that every child has the potential to love school. Some kids just need more support along the way. Neuropsychological testing has MANY benefits, such as: #1 Neuropsychologists identify your child’s learning style and mental health needs During testing, neuropsychologists test various […]
3 Steps to Becoming a Fierce Advocate for your Child
Being an advocate for our child is not a solitary activity. The best advocates I know seek help when tackling big issues. Here are three things I’ve learned about advocating for my own son, and for the children, adolescents, and parents I’ve counseled at work as a child psychologist. #1 Don’t Stick Your Head in […]
