Understanding and Supporting Your Child or Teen with ADHD

Does anyone in your family have ADHD? If so, do you often feel frustrated by their indecisiveness, disorganization, lack of motivation or difficulty finishing what they start? Dr. Norrine Russell, this week’s Mom Enough guest, understands your frustration and exhaustion.   An ADHD coach and mom of two complex kids with ADHD and other challenges, Dr. Russell first wants you to know that ADHD is not a behavior problem, but a neurodevelopmental disorder; your kids are not just intentionally being “lazy” or “sloppy.” Also, all kids with ADHD are not alike. Some struggle most with starting a task, others with sticking with a task. Some feel paralyzed when they have to make choices among too many options – or figure out where to start when their whole room is pure chaos. But Dr. Russell also knows there are evidence-based practices that can help your child learn to live better with ADHD. And there are professionals who can determine the treatment and supportive strategies that will be most appropriate for your child. There are several people in Marti & Erin’s family who have ADHD, so they were soaking up Dr. Russell’s wisdom and practical tips. They think you will be too!   DID THIS EPISODE CHALLENGE YOUR BELIEFS ABOUT ADHD? Why did Dr. Russell say it’s a mistake to think of ADHD as a behavioral problem? Think of people you know who have ADHD, children or adults. What are the different ways their neurodevelopmental disorder shows up in their everyday life? What kind of treatment, coaching or support have they had and how has that helped?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADHD? ❉ THE PLACE OF MEDICATIONS IN CHILDREN’S TREATMENT. As parents, we often have strong reactions to the idea of medicating children because of emotional or behavioral problems. But, as this Mom Enough guest knows, medicating children sometimes can free them to learn and play and thrive. Dr. Elizabeth Reeve joins Marti & Erin for a thoughtful and informative discussion about the proper place of medication in a child’s treatment, how to explain the need for medication to the child, and how to head off inappropriate use of these prescription drugs.   ❉ HOW ART HELPED DAV PILKEY RISE ABOVE ADHD & DYSLEXIA: HOPEFUL INSIGHTS FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS AND DOG MAN SERIES. Dav Pilkey was a self-described trouble-maker in the early years of school, often ending up alone in the hallway when his teacher had had enough. Struggling with both reading and attention, Dav passed his time by drawing cartoons of the colorful characters in his imagination – a superhero named Captain Underpants was created in 2nd grade! Dav describes how he eventually became an avid reader and a highly successful author and artist whose books have engaged countless kids, including many reluctant readers. Dav’s story and his wise advice will inspire you whether or not your own children struggle as Dav did.