News & Insights

The holidays can be a great time for some, but a particularly difficult time for others. Family can be a source of support or aggravation, or the lack of it can be lonely. Maybe you feel pressured to spend more money on gifts than you can afford.

What would happen if you did not attend your family gathering? What would happen if you ignore that annoying family member? Perfection is an impossible standard to live by. Pleasing everyone is simply not going to happen.

If you are trying to help change the behavior of a loved one with ADHD, the task might seem easy in planning, but starting it suddenly becomes a more difficult task. The person can become distracted, forget what the steps were, and crossing the finish line is a big accomplishment.

In the world of behavioral health, there is a concept called "Shaping". You start with the easiest step and work your way up to more tasks and more complex tasks. Behavior shaping requires patience, but it pays off.

A question I frequently ask friends and clients alike is what's stopping them from doing something. Overcoming obstacles with ADHD is talked about a lot, but how do you get past them without identifying them?

"I don't want to" or "I don't feel like it" is often overlooked because you judge yourself for it. Instead, ask why. There's a reason for it, and discounting those thoughts is clearly preventing you from doing it.

Time away from work, school, and other daily responsibilities is often refreshing and good for clearing the mind. When a person has ADHD, though, the return to reality can be a bit disorienting.

Review what daily and weekly life looks like. Look at a schedule or checklist and see what you usually do. Go over it piece by piece to bring yourself back into the swing of things without becoming overwhelmed.

Cleaning with ADHD is a challenge that many face. Executive function challenges can make it hard to know where to start or how to divide up the tasks. My first approach is: I wait until I'm bothered by my surroundings to change them.

Fighting an ADHD brain is a lost battle - the key is adaptation. How can I do what I need to do? The answer is different for everyone.

ADHD is tricky. There is a history of stigma attached to it with the idea that it's a parenting issue or character flaw. ADHD is hereditary and biologically based. The brain's neurotransmitters and the way the brain is wired contributes to the symptoms. It's no one's fault.

Working collaboratively as a family, setting limits while also helping develop coping strategies, can make a significant difference in outcomes.

One of the most common struggles for individuals with ADHD is establishing consistent daily habits and routines. Whether it's leaving shoes in the middle of the floor, forgetting homework, or not putting items back where they belong, these patterns can repeat endlessly.

Establishing consistency in routines is essential. Daily reminders, checklists, and visual cues can help reinforce behavioral patterns across all ages.

The decision to pursue medication treatment is deeply personal and often comes with a lot of questions. Parents and individuals alike wrestle with weighing the benefits against risks and potential side effects.

Counseling can teach strategies for self-control and emotional regulation as an alternative or complement to medication. Many people find that a combination approach works best.

As summer winds down and the school year approaches, it's time to prepare. For families with children who have ADHD or other challenges, this transition requires thoughtful planning.

Start by reviewing any academic support plans and make sure they're current. Manage separation anxiety by gradually reintroducing structure and routine. Establish consistent sleep routines well before school starts.

One of the biggest challenges for people with ADHD is maintaining to-do lists and remembering tasks. The irony is that a to-do list doesn't help if you forget you have it or where you put it. This is a real and common struggle.

Some people thrive with digital lists and reminder notifications, while others prefer paper-based systems. The key is finding a method that works for your brain and that you'll actually use consistently.