Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

PRESENTATIONS

ARTICLES FOR PARENTS

VIDEOS

ATTENTION-DEFICIT / HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)

PRESENTATIONS

The Scoop on Psych Testing:
What Do All Those Numbers Really Mean?

Caley Schwartz, PhD

VIDEO

Materials: Psych Testing (PDF Format)

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Co-sponsored by Wilton Library

Ten Practical Strategies to Help Your Children Improve Their Executive Function Skills

Mary Murphy, PhD

VIDEO

Materials: Executive Functioning presentation (PDF Format) and Practical Strategies (Summary) (PDF Format)

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Co-sponsored by Wilton Youth Council and Wilton Library

How to Help Your Elementary School Child Develop Organizational Skills for Distance Learning and for Life

Mary Murphy, PhD

VIDEO

Materials: EF Skills for Distance Learning (Elementary-Schoolers) (PDF Format)

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How to Help Your Middle- and High-Schooler Develop Organizational Skills for Distance Learning and for Life

Mary Murphy, PhD

VIDEO

Materials: EF Skills for Distance Learning (Middle- and High-Schoolers) (PDF Format)

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Executive Function Skills Your Teens Need Before Graduating from High School

Mary Murphy, PhD

VIDEO

Materials: EF Skills for Teens (PDF Format)

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Sponsored by SPED*NET Wilton in partnership with Wilton Youth Council, Wilton Public Schools, Wilton Library and Newtown Sped PTA

Healthy Connections:
An Inside Scoop on Adolescents and Addiction

Anthony Nave, LCSW

VIDEO

Materials:  Healthy Connections (PDF Format)

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Sponsored by Mountainside Treatment Center. Brought to you by SPED*NET Wilton, Wilton Youth Council, and Weston Youth Services

What Parents Should Know
About School Discipline for
Kids with LD/ADHD/ASD

Robert M. Tudisco, Esq.

VIDEO

Materials: School Discipline (PDF Format)

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Presented by SPED*NET Wilton in partnership with Wilton Public Schools

The Elephant in the Room:
Navigating the Minefield of Sexuality for Kids with Special Needs

Marcia Eckerd, PhD

VIDEO

Materials: Navigating the Minefield of Sexuality
(PDF Format)

Related Article: How Parents Can Facilitate Sex-Ed for Teens with ADHD

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qEEG and Neurofeedback:
Breakthrough Applications in Neuroscience That Lead to Improved Diagnosis and Treatment of Emotional, Behavioral and Learning Issues

James Cooney, LCSW

VIDEO

Materials: qEEG and Neurofeedback (PDF Format)
Neurofeedback: An Efficacious Treatment for Behavioral Health — Summary of the Evidence (PDF Format)

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Sponsored by SPED*NET Wilton in partnership with Wilton Library and Wilton Public Schools

Orchestrating Virtual Socializing:
Helping Kids with LD/ADHD/ASD Stay Socially Engaged During the Shutdown

David P. Sylvestro, MA, CSP

VIDEO

Materials: Orchestrating Virtual Socializing (PDF Format)

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Academic Coaching:
Empowering Students with ADHD and
Executive Function Challenges

Kelly Schwenkmeyer, MEd

VIDEO

Materials: Academic Coaching (PDF Format)

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Encouraging Your Teenagers to Find Their Own Paths:
A Roadmap for Choosing a College, a Career, or Something Different

Rick Fiery, MS, MBA

VIDEO

Materials: Find Your Path (PDF Format)

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Co-sponsored by Wilton Youth Council and Weston Youth Services

Post High School and College Planning for Students on the Spectrum: Helping Our Students Prepare for Their Future and Find the Right Path

Jane Thierfeld Brown, EdD

VIDEO

Helpful Checklists:
Is Your Kid Ready for College? (PDF Format)
Am I Ready for College? (PDF Format)
Study Habits and Skills Checklist (PDF Format)

Website: Going to College (Resources for Teens)

Dr. Brown’s Book: The Parent’s Guide to College for Students on the Autism Spectrum

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Co-sponsored by Wilton SEPTA, Wilton Public Schools, and Darien SEPAC

Transitioning to College:
Understanding Post-Secondary Challenges and Legal Issues for Students with ADHD and Learning Disabilities

Robert M. Tudisco, Esq.

VIDEO

Materials: Transitioning to College
(PDF Format)

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Co-sponsored by Wilton Library

Transitioning to College:
A Roadmap for Reasonable Accommodations Under Section 504

Robert M. Tudisco, Esq.

VIDEO

Materials: Transition to College (PDF Format)

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Co-sponsored by SoNo Branch Library: SPED MATTERS

Michael Gilberg

Ptahra Jeppe

Robert Tudisco

A View from the Inside:
Attorneys with ADHD,
Dyslexia and ASD

Michael Gilberg, Esq.
Ptahra Jeppe, Esq.
Robert Tudisco, Esq.

VIDEO

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Sponsored by SPED*NET
in partnership with
Newtown Sped PTA

ARTICLES FOR PARENTS

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.

ARTICLE

by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD

Eating disorders are a serious mental health issue that began to increase among school-age children during the pandemic. Females—and especially those with ADHD—are at greater risk for this illness. Understanding the various types of eating disorders and the warning signs of each may help you recognize a potential problem before it becomes serious.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

by Eve Kessler, Esq.
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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD

A leading researcher explains the interplay of hereditary and environmental risk factors that cause ADHD and provides helpful guidelines for reducing controllable factors that may help alleviate some ADHD behaviors.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

by Eve Kessler, Esq.
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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

by Eve Kessler, Esq., for Smart Kids with LD
based on an ADDitude webinar by Kathy Kuhl

With so many school options to choose from, figuring out the best fit for your child with LD or ADHD can be challenging. Use these guidelines to help determine the best option for your child and your family.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD

Having a child with LD or ADHD requires extraordinary parenting skills to manage strained family dynamics. This article provides guidelines to navigate the emotional minefield, minimize friction, and prevent long-lasting damage.

ARTICLE

by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD

Struggling with learning differences takes a toll on your child’s self-esteem, which in turn impacts their ability to make and keep friends. To help your child become more socially competent, you must begin by building their self-esteem. These strategies from a noted expert will get you started.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

by Eve Kessler, Esq.
for Smart Kids with LD

Understanding what motivates these behaviors will help you determine the best treatment.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

by Jacob Presson

When a student teacher returns to the preschool he once terrorized, a young child triggers memories of his struggles with ADHD.

ARTICLE

by Eve Kessler, Esq.
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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

by Eve Kessler, Esq.
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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

by Eve Kessler, Esq.
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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

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.

ARTICLE

Eve Kessler, Esq., for Smart Kids with LD
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.

ARTICLE

VIDEOS