A phone call from my mother changed everything. We had always been close, but our relationship was rocky – lots of anger, frustration, and assumptions on both sides. After a quick hello, she told me how she had read an article about older adults with ADHD. My irritation at being...
that kid 1 of 25 “My Kid Is ‘That Kid’” By Mary White In ADDitude’s most popular blog post of all time, a mother introduces us to “that kid” — the intense child with special needs who has trouble making friends, and about whom teachers and other parents issue stern...
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Boredom is our nemesis. Like kryptonite for ADHD brains, boredom is worse than intolerable — it’s downright painful. Low dopamine levels, however, mean that ADHD brains frequently find themselves in a state of boredom — a major problem when it comes to starting and persisting on life’s daily tasks and...
I talk too much. For as long as I can remember, the urge to express and connect has been a constant one, for better or worse. On the plus side, I find my gift of gab makes me incredibly transparent. People don’t often have to wonder what I’m thinking, and...
It’s hard to believe, but we know many of you are already thinking about that big transition from the cozy preschool world into the “big kid” realm of elementary school. It can be a lot to digest for a parent, but we have you covered with some great tips from Brooklyn...
Popular media and big-box commercials paint the back-to-school season as an exciting time, full of fresh starts and fresh school supplies. But for parents of kids with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia, the reality is more challenging. Understood.org’s Back-to-School Stress Study, conducted online by The Harris Poll,...
Key takeaways for caregivers on harsh parenting Although most parents strive to provide a loving, gentle and supportive environment for their children, they sometimes rely on harsh parenting practices to instill discipline and rules. Our research shows that harsh parenting, such as hitting or shouting, may have a damaging effect...
Are you exhausted after socializing with friends? Do you feel like hiding away from the world at the end of each workday? Well, you’re not alone. Before I was diagnosed with ADHD, I considered myself an introvert who absolutely needed regular breaks after any kind of social interaction. I’d take...
The first time I remember feeling different from others was in primary school. I was about 6 years old, and the local firefighters had just wrapped up their visit to our school (a highly anticipated event). We were to spend the remainder of the day drawing and coloring. The day...
As the summer winds down, and with September almost upon us, parents (myself included) can’t help but feel both scared and excited for back-to-school days. The prospect of getting back into a routine — and the promise of planning out that first week, from outfits to lunches — almost made...
For most college students, motivation soars at the start of each new semester. But as assignments, tests, and obligations pile on, motivation wanes and threatens to fizzle out entirely. To stay motivated in college, it’s important to continuously connect your obligations to your values and to the bigger picture. You...
Anne Duncan experienced high, persistent anxieties and social difficulties during her 12 years as a teacher. Discouraged, she left teaching and spent three years searching for a different occupation, eventually turning to administrative work. She connected with Crossroads, a disability employment group in Sacramento, and volunteered in several clerical roles...
Brooklyn Bridge Park is offering a really cool volunteer ecological stewardship program by application & interview only. It is perfect for kids (14-18) who are interested in environmental studies. It would probably be a great resume builder for college as well. Participants work on community service projects in ecology with...
A cozy evening. I have completed all my chores and I’m snugly wrapped in my cherished threadbare pajamas. In my hand is a piping-hot cup of coffee emanating comforting warmth. While the outside world remains chaotic and unpredictable, within the confines of my cozy place, I discover ease in the...
It’s 2023 and people are still very concerned about the learning loss that took place when schools were virtual during the height of the pandemic. People are still talking about it, but not questioning it. It is accepted now that kids are all behind and still not catching up. How...
It’s that time of year—back to school! I know it’s an exciting and overwhelming time for every parent, but for a parent of a child with multiple severe food allergies, this transition can be particularly anxiety inducing. My son is among the (exponentially) growing number of children that has severe...
Just as overeating can overwhelm our digestive systems and cause us to develop symptoms of indigestion, traumatic experiences can get “stuck” in our nervous system, leading to ongoing distress and negative emotions and beliefs. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy helps individuals heal from the experiences that haunt them...
Household chores have a way of piling up, don’t they? Work and other obligations take up most of our days, so when we do have free time, the last thing we want to do is even more work. Yet, as we all know, routine maintenance supports a functional household —...
From the sanctuary of my rooftop, I listened as my family clamored around the dinner table, laughing, joking, and chatting away. In my usual hideaway, I gazed up at the stars and wondered why I never felt like I fit in anywhere, not even with my own family. At 15...
