ADHD Crash Course

Working memory can be thought of as our shortest term memory; it's the information we hold in our mind in order to get things done. These are some common ways working memory deficits show up in our day to day lives:Having to dig a box mix out of the trash several times to re-read steps when bakingWalking into a room but forgetting why you're thereForgetting a new acquaintance's name seconds after you've heard itIf any of these sounds familiar, you can join us today for a discussion on working memory; what it is and how to support your brain if you struggle in this area!

Exploring the misconception that ADHD is used as an excuse, discussing the concept of locus of control and how it relates to ADHD, and emphasizing that ADHD is an explanation and not an excuse for certain behaviors.

There's a word swap you can use to strengthen executive function skills AND approach yourself (and others) with less judgment. Try replacing "why" with "how" in some of your questions.Example: "Why did I wait until the last minute to start this project?""How do I decide when to start my project?""Why is it so hard for me to make decisions?""How  do I make decisions?"When we're frustrated, why questions can make us feel defensive. They ask us to justify our motives or reasoning.  “How” questions shift us to a place of curiosity- how exactly is this thing getting done (or not getting done)? Why asks for motivations, but how is a question that looks at our process.  "How" helps us see the steps that lead us to an outcome and make changes. Then we can decide if there are different steps we want to take to change those outcomes!

What is DBT ( (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy)? How is it different from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and how is it used to support people with ADHD?Today we'll explore the DBT approach and its components, including mindfulness, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and distress tolerance skills. 

Why do divergent thinkers frequently deal with overwhelm? One possible reason is our tendency to see all of the things... all at once! Our brains like to make connections and that can serve us in some settings but lead to overwhelm in others.When it comes to overwhelm, this pattern of thinking can make prioritizing and decision making tough. It's harder for us to "back off" of the connections our brain has made and see/ do one thing at a time. (This focus on one thing at a time is an important part of keeping overwhelm at bay).In today's episode of ADHD Crash Course, I'll talk about practical ways that we can see less and how to use this approach to beat overwhelm!

Today we're talking about Mental Load, otherwise known as "invisible labor" and why understanding this concept is so important for those of us with ADHD.What is mental load? It's the cognitive labor that goes into taking care of life. It’s the “worry work”; anticipating what is needed, researching options, planning, organizing, remembering, monitoring—- all of the thought work that goes into managing homes, work, family, and social lives. If you are not in a partnership, you carry the weight of this work independently and if you have ADHD, this invisible labor can be even more challenging since in requires strong executive functioning skills. Being in a partnership may not necessarily lighten this load for women, though. Studies suggest that women are often the default person for carrying the mental workload in families and that this can lead to overwhelm and burnout. Today we'll talk about this dynamic and ways we can protect against the negative impact of not sharing this cognitive work.Additional Resources:Fair Play by Eve Rodsky

Today we speak with Dawn Barclay, author of "Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse".  Dawn shares helpful tips for how we can support our children with invisible needs like ADHD, Autism, and anxiety and enjoy creating family memories with less stress!You can connect with Dawn in the following ways:WebsiteTwitterFacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Today we chat with Dr. Tamara Rosier, author of Your Brain's Not Broken. Dr. Rosier discusses the difference between convergent and divergent thinking and why understanding this difference can have a huge impact for those of us with ADHD!Many with ADHD prefer divergent thinking since this allows for creativity, expansion, and connection. While necessary for everyday life, tasks that fall under the convergent thinking category are often found to be boring or frustrating to those with a preference for divergent thought. We need both "thought modes" to thrive in our modern world and Dr. Rosier's interview will offer us some tools to help us do that!Dr. Tamara Rosier's website

Shell Mendelson, ADHD Career Coach, discusses the process of finding a career path with ADHD, the difference between mission and purpose, and the importance of finding joy in work. They also talk about overcoming fear, gaining clarity, and upcoming ADHD programs to help individuals discover their career paths.

When I refer to "time travel" I'm talking about our ability to think about our future selves and determine what we will need at that future point. This can also refer to our habit of thinking about the past and applying what we've learned to our current circumstances.For those with ADHD, traveling through time may not be automatic, and time might be seen as "now" or "not now", but that doesn't mean we can't strengthen this skill.Use today's tips to plan for what's next and set your future self up for success!