ARTICLES FOR PARENTS
ARTICLES FOR PARENTS
ATTENTION-DEFICIT / HYPERACTIVITY
DISORDER (ADHD)
DISORDER (ADHD)
by Ellen Littman, PhD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
How you parent your child with ADHD can have a profound impact on his happiness and success. Making family members an integral part of the treatment plan will improve family dynamics and provide the steadfast support your child deserves.
by Ellen Littman, PhD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
ADHD and co-existing executive function challenges are highly complex conditions that have far-reaching effects not only on the individual with the condition, but also on those with whom they interact. Understanding what drives the behavior of your child with ADHD may help you respond in supportive and compassionate ways rather than with anger and resentment.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Ryan Wexelblatt has devoted his career to working with boys with ADHD. In a recent webinar for ADDitude this licensed clinical social worker shared several strategies to help boys with ADHD learn to compensate for their shortcomings, in order to prepare them to become resilient and independent young adults.
for Smart Kids with LD
ADHD impacts children in similar ways, whether they are Black, Brown or White. But studies indicate that cultural considerations such as stereotyping, racism, implicit bias, research representation, and care disparities negatively affect the way Black children are evaluated and treated by mental health professionals and in school settings.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Despite the large number of children and adults who have ADHD, the condition is still widely misunderstood. Separating truth from myth can help reduce stigma and ensure that those with ADHD receive the help they deserve.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
In their new book, ADHD 2.0, Drs. Edward Hallowell and John J. Ratey delve into the latest research on ADHD and make the case for fundamental changes to how kids with the condition are treated. Moving from the traditional negative framework to a positive one, the authors advocate for strategies that build on kids’ innate strengths and creativity.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Emotional regulation is key to being a successful, independent adult, yet many teen boys with ADHD have an especially hard time with that task. An essential part of parenting an adolescent male with ADHD is teaching him how to manage extreme emotional responses and develop life-long coping skills.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
Because ADHD involves a range of issues and may include multiple co-existing conditions, diagnosing it is challenging. Families turn to a variety of professionals to diagnose ADHD with varying results. Understanding the pros and cons of each can help you determine which professional is best-suited to your child’s needs and your family’s situation.
by Mark Bertin, MD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
For children with ADHD who do not take medication, managing symptoms successfully includes the consistent application of proven behavioral and educational interventions at home and at school. There is scant evidence to suggest complementary and alternative therapies work.
for Smart Kids with LD
When kids have learning, attention and executive-function challenges, parents often end up doing too much. Use these guidelines to transition from “enabling” to “abling” your child on their road to independence.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Research by Dr. Daniel Amen shows that ADHD is not a single or simple condition. There are seven distinct types of ADHD, each one requiring a particular treatment. Amen’s studies show that when the type of ADHD is treated properly, the results are effective.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
For kids with ADHD, EF impairments are typically “chronic and severe” and the consequences of lacking focus and sustained attention can be considerable. Learning to drive is an example of this.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Research shows that physical activity is a promising alternative or additional treatment option for kids with ADHD. Regular exercise helps these kids by activating the brain systems that support attention, focus, memory, self-regulation, sensory input, and executive functioning.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
In an enlightening report published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, students described their childhood and adolescent struggles with loneliness, isolation and misunderstanding, as well as their successes with supportive environments and strategies.
by Alan Wachtel, MD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
About half the children with ADHD also have co-existing conditions such as learning disabilities or mood disorders. The challenge is to figure out if other problems are co-existing conditions or a result of the ADHD. True co-existing conditions must be treated; conditions resulting from the ADHD may resolve themselves with successful ADHD treatment.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Although ADHD and OCD are often thought of as polar opposite conditions, they are in fact more similar than you’d think. This can lead to confusion and misdiagnosis. Understanding what motivates the similar behaviors can provide clues to an appropriate treatment plan.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Understanding what motivates these behaviors will help you determine the best treatment.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
When children are diagnosed with ADHD, they often don’t have the tools to explain it to their friends and classmates. In a webinar for ADDitude, licensed clinical social worker and ADHD expert Ryan Wexelblatt shared advice on how to help your children talk to their peers about ADHD.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
In Black children behaviors commonly associated with ADHD may be symptoms of trauma, depression, or stress related to difficult living situations.
by Jacob Presson
When a student teacher returns to the preschool he once terrorized, a young child triggers memories of his struggles with ADHD.
for Smart Kids with LD
Kids with ADHD and co-existing conditions experience improved outcomes when their primary care providers, behavioral health professionals, psychiatric consultants and school-based teams collaborate on diagnosis and treatment in an integrated care model.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Musical activities engage various centers of the brain that often cause problems for those with ADHD. Rhythm, melody and tempo activate attention and focus • Moving to music helps organize the brain. Playing music enhances sustained attention, impulse control, planning, self-esteem, complex decision-making, and the ability to make sense of sound in noise.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Navigating adolescence is challenging for most kids (and their families), but for boys with ADHD, the teen years can be particularly trying. But you have an important role to play in helping your son master the skills that will eventually lead to self-sufficiency and independence. Leaning in with these strategies can make the transition easier for all involved.
by Ellen Littman, PhD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Having a child with ADHD often impacts the entire family. Educating family members about the condition can help ensure realistic expectations, which will lead to a more positive, less stressful dynamic at home.
for Smart Kids with LD
Resolving problems and navigating tense conversations with your child are best achieved through positive communication, but as every parent knows that’s not always easy to manage. Use these guidelines to help you set and maintain a positive tone.
WEBINAR: “Encouraging Responsibility and Independence: The Importance of Positive Communication at Home, at School and in the Social Arena”
by Alan Wachtel, MD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Children with ADHD who are treated comprehensively have the most positive outcomes. A comprehensive plan involves medication in conjunction with educational, behavioral, and psychological interventions. Parent advocacy is critical to ensuring that the treatment plan is implemented properly.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Traditional talk therapy and social skills groups rarely work for boys with ADHD. The better option is to seek out ADHD clinicians and coaches who understand gender-based differences and have experience working with young males.
for Smart Kids with LD
Inattentive ADHD is characterized by the ability to focus intensely on areas of interest while paying little or no attention to tasks that are unexciting. Here, Dr. Thomas Brown, a leading expert in the field, explains the nuances of this form of ADHD along with the challenges of diagnosing it.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Children with ADHD may have other mental health issues that complicate their learning challenges. In fact, about 30% of kids with attention difficulties also have OCD or a related anxiety disorder. In such cases, it’s important to understand and treat both issues.
by Eve Kessler, Esq. based on a presentation by Alan Wachtel, MD
for Smart Kids with LD
When left untreated ADHD is among the most debilitating disorders to live with. The risks of not treating ADHD include academic, social, and emotional problems in childhood. The problems may follow a person into adulthood impacting job performance, marital and family relationships, mental health, and automobile safety. Children with ADHD who are not treated are more likely to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.
based on an ADDitude webinar by Kathy Kuhl
School options for kids with learning differences and ADHD include neighborhood schools, charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, parochial schools, and homeschooling (online or in-person). This article features information about each of those areas in or der to help you assess what option is best for your child.
ATTENTION-DEFICIT / HYPERACTIVITY
DISORDER (ADHD)
by Ellen Littman, PhD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
How you parent your child with ADHD can have a profound impact on his happiness and success. Making family members an integral part of the treatment plan will improve family dynamics and provide the steadfast support your child deserves.
by Ellen Littman, PhD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
ADHD and co-existing executive function challenges are highly complex conditions that have far-reaching effects not only on the individual with the condition, but also on those with whom they interact. Understanding what drives the behavior of your child with ADHD may help you respond in supportive and compassionate ways rather than with anger and resentment.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Ryan Wexelblatt has devoted his career to working with boys with ADHD. In a recent webinar for ADDitude this licensed clinical social worker shared several strategies to help boys with ADHD learn to compensate for their shortcomings, in order to prepare them to become resilient and independent young adults.
for Smart Kids with LD
ADHD impacts children in similar ways, whether they are Black, Brown or White. But studies indicate that cultural considerations such as stereotyping, racism, implicit bias, research representation, and care disparities negatively affect the way Black children are evaluated and treated by mental health professionals and in school settings.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Despite the large number of children and adults who have ADHD, the condition is still widely misunderstood. Separating truth from myth can help reduce stigma and ensure that those with ADHD receive the help they deserve.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
In their new book, ADHD 2.0, Drs. Edward Hallowell and John J. Ratey delve into the latest research on ADHD and make the case for fundamental changes to how kids with the condition are treated. Moving from the traditional negative framework to a positive one, the authors advocate for strategies that build on kids’ innate strengths and creativity.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Emotional regulation is key to being a successful, independent adult, yet many teen boys with ADHD have an especially hard time with that task. An essential part of parenting an adolescent male with ADHD is teaching him how to manage extreme emotional responses and develop life-long coping skills.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
Because ADHD involves a range of issues and may include multiple co-existing conditions, diagnosing it is challenging. Families turn to a variety of professionals to diagnose ADHD with varying results. Understanding the pros and cons of each can help you determine which professional is best-suited to your child’s needs and your family’s situation.
by Mark Bertin, MD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
For children with ADHD who do not take medication, managing symptoms successfully includes the consistent application of proven behavioral and educational interventions at home and at school. There is scant evidence to suggest complementary and alternative therapies work.
for Smart Kids with LD
When kids have learning, attention and executive-function challenges, parents often end up doing too much. Use these guidelines to transition from “enabling” to “abling” your child on their road to independence.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Research by Dr. Daniel Amen shows that ADHD is not a single or simple condition. There are seven distinct types of ADHD, each one requiring a particular treatment. Amen’s studies show that when the type of ADHD is treated properly, the results are effective.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
For kids with ADHD, EF impairments are typically “chronic and severe” and the consequences of lacking focus and sustained attention can be considerable. Learning to drive is an example of this.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Research shows that physical activity is a promising alternative or additional treatment option for kids with ADHD. Regular exercise helps these kids by activating the brain systems that support attention, focus, memory, self-regulation, sensory input, and executive functioning.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
In an enlightening report published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, students described their childhood and adolescent struggles with loneliness, isolation and misunderstanding, as well as their successes with supportive environments and strategies.
by Alan Wachtel, MD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
About half the children with ADHD also have co-existing conditions such as learning disabilities or mood disorders. The challenge is to figure out if other problems are co-existing conditions or a result of the ADHD. True co-existing conditions must be treated; conditions resulting from the ADHD may resolve themselves with successful ADHD treatment.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Although ADHD and OCD are often thought of as polar opposite conditions, they are in fact more similar than you’d think. This can lead to confusion and misdiagnosis. Understanding what motivates the similar behaviors can provide clues to an appropriate treatment plan.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Understanding what motivates these behaviors will help you determine the best treatment.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
When children are diagnosed with ADHD, they often don’t have the tools to explain it to their friends and classmates. In a webinar for ADDitude, licensed clinical social worker and ADHD expert Ryan Wexelblatt shared advice on how to help your children talk to their peers about ADHD.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
In Black children behaviors commonly associated with ADHD may be symptoms of trauma, depression, or stress related to difficult living situations.
by Jacob Presson
When a student teacher returns to the preschool he once terrorized, a young child triggers memories of his struggles with ADHD.
for Smart Kids with LD
Kids with ADHD and co-existing conditions experience improved outcomes when their primary care providers, behavioral health professionals, psychiatric consultants and school-based teams collaborate on diagnosis and treatment in an integrated care model.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Musical activities engage various centers of the brain that often cause problems for those with ADHD. Rhythm, melody and tempo activate attention and focus • Moving to music helps organize the brain. Playing music enhances sustained attention, impulse control, planning, self-esteem, complex decision-making, and the ability to make sense of sound in noise.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Navigating adolescence is challenging for most kids (and their families), but for boys with ADHD, the teen years can be particularly trying. But you have an important role to play in helping your son master the skills that will eventually lead to self-sufficiency and independence. Leaning in with these strategies can make the transition easier for all involved.
by Ellen Littman, PhD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Having a child with ADHD often impacts the entire family. Educating family members about the condition can help ensure realistic expectations, which will lead to a more positive, less stressful dynamic at home.
for Smart Kids with LD
Resolving problems and navigating tense conversations with your child are best achieved through positive communication, but as every parent knows that’s not always easy to manage. Use these guidelines to help you set and maintain a positive tone.
WEBINAR: “Encouraging Responsibility and Independence: The Importance of Positive Communication at Home, at School and in the Social Arena”
by Alan Wachtel, MD, with Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Children with ADHD who are treated comprehensively have the most positive outcomes. A comprehensive plan involves medication in conjunction with educational, behavioral, and psychological interventions. Parent advocacy is critical to ensuring that the treatment plan is implemented properly.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Traditional talk therapy and social skills groups rarely work for boys with ADHD. The better option is to seek out ADHD clinicians and coaches who understand gender-based differences and have experience working with young males.
for Smart Kids with LD
Inattentive ADHD is characterized by the ability to focus intensely on areas of interest while paying little or no attention to tasks that are unexciting. Here, Dr. Thomas Brown, a leading expert in the field, explains the nuances of this form of ADHD along with the challenges of diagnosing it.
by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD
Children with ADHD may have other mental health issues that complicate their learning challenges. In fact, about 30% of kids with attention difficulties also have OCD or a related anxiety disorder. In such cases, it’s important to understand and treat both issues.
by Eve Kessler, Esq. based on a presentation by Alan Wachtel, MD
for Smart Kids with LD
When left untreated ADHD is among the most debilitating disorders to live with. The risks of not treating ADHD include academic, social, and emotional problems in childhood. The problems may follow a person into adulthood impacting job performance, marital and family relationships, mental health, and automobile safety. Children with ADHD who are not treated are more likely to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.
based on an ADDitude webinar by Kathy Kuhl
School options for kids with learning differences and ADHD include neighborhood schools, charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, parochial schools, and homeschooling (online or in-person). This article features information about each of those areas in or der to help you assess what option is best for your child.