ADHD Essentials

When I told my sons that I was going to be posting two bonus episodes during the month of October, the get really excited and told me they wanted to be interviewed for one of them.  So, in today's episode, we're talking to my kids, Nathan and Gavin. The boys and I talk about their thoughts on school, hobbies, adventures, and being a Mahan.  I hope you enjoy this window into our family.   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Today, we’re talking to Jeanette G. of “Excuse My ADHD”.  Jeanette is a mom who is harnessing the power of podcasting to chronicle her journey with ADHD. In today’s episode, Jeanette’s shares a bit about her life as an ADHD mom.  We discuss navigating parental guilt, her interview of a member of Scottish Parliament, the bias toward childhood ADHD, the connections between ADHD and compassion, and what it takes to follow through on our goals. Guest Links: Learn more about Jeanette G and her podcast, Excuse My ADHD. Check out the videos of Daniel Johnson, MSP speaking to Scottish Parliament about ADHD that was mentioned by Jeanette.   Video 1  (38.50) Video 2  (8.15) ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community    

Today, we’re talking to Beth Dinelli and Alex Fortuna of the Commonwealth Learning Center.  The Commonwealth Learning Center supports kids with learning disabilities through specialized, one-to-one instruction.  Beth is the director of Commonwealth Learning Center in Danvers, MA, and Alex is the director of Commonwealth Learning Center in Needham, MA. LAST DAY TO REGISTER for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups!   In today’s episode, we’re talking about the intersection of reading and ADHD.   Alex, Beth and I look at the various elements that going into reading, from very basic foundational elements, to more sophisticated ones.  We also discuss multiple reading disorders, dyslexia among them, and ways parents can help their kids read better, and more. Sign-Up for October's ADHD reWired Live Q&A!! SPECIAL NOTE:  The audio on this one is a little static-y and click-y.  I apologize in advance.  We did what we could to clean it up, but some of it is still there.  BONUS SPECIAL NOTE:  In order to celebrate ADHD Awareness month, and to get to 100 episodes before the upcoming ADHD Conference November 7ththrough the 10th, I will be posting two bonus episodes during the month of October.  So keep your eye out for them.   Guest Links: Learn more about the work of the Commonwealth Learning Center. ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community    

It’s that time of year again.  The leaves are turning, acorns litter the ground, the air is becoming chilly.  It’s the season of pumpkin spice!  It’s been around for years now, but it seems like people are still out of their minds about it.   Why?  Why is pumpkin spice so exciting for so many people? Because it’s a special event. It adds an interesting twist to ordinary, commonplace things - like coffee, pancakes and muffins.  And, it’s only available for a little while.  What does this have to do with ADHD? The ADHD brain loves unique experiences and reward.  Pumpkin spice, because of it’s limited timeframe, is a unique experience. And for some, the unique flavor it adds to their food is a reward. People with ADHD need a little “pumpkin spice” every now and then to help motivate them. It adds an interesting twist to an activity that has become boring and uninteresting.   Register For & Learn About The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups! How to Use “Pumpkin Spice” Best used to manage unique challenges or when the ADHD person is stuck Make sure it is a positive reward. Make sure it is unique. Make sure it has a limited in time frame. Communicate clearly that it will not happen again soon. The pumpkin spice approach to motivation works best when unique challenges arise.  It can be very helpful when people with ADHD go through a period of increased difficulty with motivation or productivity. Just like coffee shops and bakeries keep coming up with new uses for Autumn’s favorite flavoring, there are no limits to how pumpkin spice approach to motivation can be used.  I’ve shared a few examples.  Please let me know how you apply it.  I’d love to hear from you. RSVP for the ADHD reWired Live Q&A  Tuesday, October 8th!  1:30pm Eastern / 10:30am Pacific!    

Today, we’re talking to Danielle Frisby.  Danielle is the mother of a son with ADHD, and a Social Impact Event Coordinator.   Her company,  “UnBoxing Change” provides a voice to communities through membership driven engagement activity and involvement. In today’s episode, Danielle shares with us how being an event planner has informed the way she approaches motherhood, including - why we should look at meals as events, the importance of dates, times and locations, finding the good no matter what, and figuring out ways to help our kids feel safe so they can have hard conversations with us.  And, she shares her son Jordan’s Ending Essentials to conclude the show. Register For & Learn About The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups!   Guest Links: Learn more about Danielle and her work with UnBoxing Change on Instagram (@unboxingchange) Facebook email:  Unboxingchange@gmail.com UnBoxing Change Mission: UnBoxing Change believes that​ ​Community​ i​ s the secret. UnBoxing Change was created to tackle the most pressing problems people face on the planet. We believe that​ ​“Community”​ ​is the key to solving these problems and that we, as members of this mission, are the agents of change that we all seek. UnBoxing Change understands that we are all responsible for our piece of the mission. From the Homeless to the Hungry; To the Left behind and the Forgotten-UnBoxing Change provides a voice to communities through membership-driven engagement activity and involvement. ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Today, we’re talking to Alan Mosden.  Alan is the father of several children with special needs, who wrote a comment letter that addresses how the Family Medical Leave Act applies to IEP Meetings. In today’s episode, we discuss what a comment let is, and how FLMA applies to school care meetings, petitioning the government to get things done, and advocating for our kids.   Special Note: Nether Alan nor I are lawyers. So, although we talk about legal matters in this episode, do not take any of it as legal advice.  Consult your legal representative before implementing anything discussed in this episode.   Learn About & Register For The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups Here!   Guest Links: The Comment Letter (FMLA2019-2-A) discussed in this episode, in which the DOL concluded that FMLA covers an employee’s attendance at a school meeting where their child's IEP will be discussed.   Additional Links: The article written by Jeff Nowak about Aelan's Comment Letter mentioned in today's episode.   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the next round of The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Today, we’re talking to Matt Fahy, LMHC.  Matt is a licensed mental health counselor based in Florida.  He began his quest to better understand the human condition as an Anthropologist, spending a number of years exploring and working on archeological sites.  Eight years ago, he shifted his focus to mental health counseling.  And now, he has married the two and uses his Anthropology knowledge and counseling skills to run therapeutic games of Dungeons and Dragons for his clients.   RSVP for the ADHD reWired Live Q&A Featuring Jessica McCabe, Eric Tivers, and Brendan Mahan!  Tuesday, September 10th!  1:30pm Eastern / 10:30am Pacific!   In today’s episode, we talk about what Dungeons and Dragons is, how Matt uses it as a therapeutic tool  to help the kids he works with develop social skills,  problem-solving skills, and greater insight into themselves, the roots of this approach in classic psychological approaches, and Matt shares with us the tale of the clients in one of his groups helped Boogers the Goblin learn coping strategies to better manage his anxiety. Guest Links: Learn more about Matt Fahy and his work at https://mattfahy.com.   Additional Links: Learn more about Dungeons & Dragons at https://dnd.wizards.com. Check out my friend Ryan's gaming newsletter, Burn the Tavern Down.   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the next round of The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community    

Today, we’re talking to Amy Leone.  Amy is a mental health clinician who specializes in adolescent and youngadults with dual diagnoses, including substance abuse, and behavioral or trauma related symptoms.  I first met Amy when I joined her Juvenile Advocacy Group, a group she created to address the effects of the opioid epidemic in Milford, MA, which has become a model for many other towns throughout Massachusetts, as well as the state as a whole.  She is one of the most caring and driven people I know, and it an honor to call her my friend. In today’s episode, Amy talks to us about vaping. What it is, why it’s so hard to catch, its connection to marijuana use, step we can take to keep our kids from doing it, and the fact that it might be a signal of the need for stress reduction and mental health supports for both kids and parents. A quick disclaimer:   This week’s episode is about vaping.  It touches on addiction, and the kinds of behaviors that might signal addiction.  I don’t want to panic anyone.  If your kid engages in one or two of the behaviors mentioned, that doesn’t mean they’re vaping or engaging in addictive behaviors. Sometimes our kids becoming more secretive is a perfectly healthy, developmentally appropriate way of seeking independence and setting boundaries.  That said, the more of these behaviors you see, the more concerned you may need to be.  You can learn more about addiction and what to do if your kid might be  vaping, or using drugs or similar substances athttps://www.drugabuse.gov, and https://drugfree.org.    CLICK HERE to register for a free information session about the ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups and find out if they're right for you.   Update: During the course of this discussion, Amy mentions that vaping doesn't necessarily leave a smell.  She also later talks about there being a smell of marijuana from  dabbing.  This is not a contradiction, things just weren't made clear enough.  Some vaping methods leave no smell, others do.  Sometimes the smell is connected to the flavor, say strawberry.  When dabbing the smell of marijuana will typically be present, unless there are steps are taken to cover it up.   Guest Links: Learn more about Amy and her work at https://community-impact-inc.com. Learn about the Juvenile Advocacy Program she created here, and here.   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the next round of The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Today, I share a handful of back to school tips and ideas.  Depending on the age of your kid and your individual situation, some of these might need a little tweaking, but I’m sure you’ll find things in here that are useful. The topics include: Expectations Starting in the morning Making friends Relationships with teachers Homework  Studying Transitions Winding down for bed Register Here For The Executive Function Online Summit (TEFOS)   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the next round of The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Today, we’re talking to Seth Perler.  Seth is an Executive Function and Twice Exceptional Coach who has dedicated his life to helping kids overcome their challenges so they can live great lives.  He does this by teaching the world about executive function. Unsurprisingly, he’s also the founder of The Executive Function Online Summit. In today’s episode, Seth and I talk about the resistance our kids sometimes experience when faced with challenging tasks, how major shifts come from millions of little successes, The Executive Function Online Summit (TEFOS), and the importance of our relationships with our kids.    Register The Executive Function Online Summit (TEFOS)   Guest Links: Learn more about Seth at https://sethperler.com.   Replay of my ADDitude Webinar on The Wall of Awful   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the next round of The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community