treating kids: Latest News

“Twenty-five years ago, ADHD was seen as our fault, not a treatable condition. Today, I feel comfortable talking about ADHD with anyone.” — Sean, Texas“The understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity grows every year.

Delayed gratification — the ability to resist an immediate reward in favor of a more valuable one later — is the most important skill you can teach your child to set the stage for their financial wellness.Waiting sounds basic, but it’s far from simple to practice. As a Certified Financial Planner®, I know that many people spend their entire lives struggling to wait — a habit that is at the root of all kinds of financial problems, from impulsive spending and overblown budgets to reaching retirement age with few or no savings.I am not perfect. Delaying gratification has not come easy for me because of my ADHD, a condition marked by impulsivity and dopamine-seeking.

October 20, 2025Autism diagnosed in early childhood is genetically distinct from autism diagnosed after age 10, according to a new study that identified two unique genetic profiles in early- and later-diagnosed autistic individuals. The study, published in Nature, found that later-diagnosed autism had a more significant genetic correlation to ADHD, as well as mental health conditions including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The following is a personal essay that reflects the opinions and experiences of its author.October 17, 2025This November marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a landmark law that shapes the educational experiences of more than 7.5 million students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) across the United States.In exchange for federal funding, states must provide students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education; the IDEA governs this and how an IEP (Individualized Education Program) is structured, built to address a student’s needs, and implemented in the classroom. Central to the IDEA’s effectiveness is federal monitoring of state compliance; however, that enforcement structure is now under serious threat.Earlier this week, the Trump administration effectively killed the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) — an office within the U.S.

Just about every mainstream medical, psychological, and educational organization in the U.S. long ago concluded that ADHD is real, and that children and adults with attention deficit disorder benefit from appropriate ADHD treatment.Yet, somehow, the world still seems to be filled with self-appointed ADHD “experts” — some well-meaning, some sanctimonious — who insist on burdening us with their ill-informed opinions and asking repeatedly, What is ADHD?We’ve all heard the ADHD skeptics’ comments: “ADHD is bunk!” “Can’t people take responsibility for their own actions anymore?” “All that so-called ADHD kids really need is discipline!” “Drug companies invented ADHD so they could sell stimulants.” Blah, blah, blah.We expect to hear such nonsense about ADHD and LD from misinformed movie stars ranting on talk shows.

On a hot summer day in my new office, my client and I were shivering cold. “The air conditioning is hyperactive, maybe?” I jokingly wondered as we pulled on sweaters. I turned the thermostat up to 76 degrees, then 80, but the cold air wouldn’t stop.“Our HVAC system seems overactive,” I explained later to my husband.

ADHD is an inaccurate — and potentially corrosive — name. The term “deficit disorder” places ADHD in the realm of pathology, or disease.

September 24, 2025The ADHD community has lost a caring, generous, and influential leader.Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D., died on August 18 at the age of 83.

FREE WEBINAR ON SEPTEMBER 24 Click here to register for “The ADHD Guide to Managing Stress and Emotions at Work” with Diann Wingert on September 24 at 1 pm ET.

by Penn and Kim Holderness Grade level: preschool-1stFor nearly a decade, Penn and Kim Holderness have documented what it’s like living with — or loving someone who has — ADHD. Their honest, relatable, and often humorous depictions of everyday attention deficit have attracted millions of YouTube followers, and their book ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD (#CommissionsEarned) was a bestseller in 2024. Now, younger audiences will benefit from the couple’s signature wit and playfulness with All You Can Be with ADHD (release date: October 15).

If you want your child or teen to retain more when cramming for a test, or to have laser-like focus when completing homework assignments, crank up the study music.Research indicates that music strengthens areas of the brain that, in children with ADHD, are weak. Music strengthens the auditory, visual/spatial, and motor cortices of the brain.

Many experts today argue that attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is not, at its core, an attention problem, but rather a self-regulation problem exacerbated by weak working memory.Our brains comprise two systems: the automatic and the executive. The automatic system guides 80 to 90% of our activities every single day; the executive system guides the remaining 10 to 20% and requires purposeful, regulatory effort.

August 22, 2025The benefits of ADHD medication use include significantly reduced rates of first-time and recurring suicidality, criminal behaviors, vehicular accidents, and substance misuse, according to a new study published in The BMJ.1“Public discourse, media coverage, and interactions with individuals affected by ADHD show that many patients and caregivers lack awareness of the risks and benefits of ADHD drug treatment, leading to uncertainty in treatment decisions,” the study’s authors wrote. “This knowledge gap served as a key motivation for our research.”Indeed, in an ADDitude survey of more than 11,000 readers, less than half of caregivers said they chose to medicate their children within 6 months of diagnosis, largely due to the fear of real or perceived side effects like appetite suppression or sleep disruption.

Caffeine is the world’s most common (and delicious) stimulant. Unlike prescription stimulant medications such as amphetamine (brand name: Adderall) or methylphenidate (brand name: Ritalin), caffeine occurs naturally. Coffee drinkers with ADHD may find that it improves focus, ramps up productivity, promotes wakefulness, and reduces ADHD symptoms.

FREE WEBINAR ON AUGUST 26 Click here to register for “An Adult’s Guide to ADHD Treatment Considerations” with John Kruse, M.D., Ph.D., on August 26 at 1 pm ET.

Empathy is the emotional glue that binds all relationships. I’ve never had an adult client come into my office and say, “My parents took too much time to truly listen to me. That really messed up my childhood.”When children refuse and resist, responding with empathy feels unnatural.

August 13, 2025Serotonin dysfunction occurs in nearly three-quarters of psychiatric and somatic comorbidities linked to ADHD, according to a new systematic review published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.1The study identified 182 comorbidities in ADHD populations and found strong evidence linking 135 (74.2%) of them, including 91 psychiatric and 44 somatic conditions, to imbalances in the brain’s serotonergic system.“This association confirmed the occurrence of comorbidities within a clearly defined ADHD population (rather than the presence of ADHD within a population with a particular condition), and also confirmed that the comorbidity was a co-occurring condition and not an adverse event elicited by ADHD treatment,” the researchers wrote.The research team examined close to 50,000 papers published between January 2010 and March 2024. Based on the volume of articles and the overall high grade of evidence, they concluded that the top five psychiatric ADHD comorbidities associated with serotonin dysregulation include:The top five somatic ADHD comorbidities associated with a serotonin dysregulation include:The brain’s “feel good” chemical, serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, impulsivity, and physical functions, such as sleep and digestion.According to a recent study in Nature, serotonin neurons signal to the brain the expected value of near-future rewards.

Emotional dysregulation and impulsivity can hijack learning when students’ ADHD symptoms collide with academic pressure, peer conflict, transitions, or other stressors. Understanding the neuropsychological underpinnings of, and triggers for, these outbursts is the first step to curbing them – with efficacy and empathy.Not every meltdown is preventable, nor is every response perfect. But educators can minimize the impact of emotional dysregulation in the classroom by building a toolkit of proactive and reactive strategies designed to create a supportive environment for all students.[Free Webinar: “Classroom Behavior Strategies for Students with ADHD”][Download: Free Guide to Solving Behavior Problems Rooted in Executive Function Deficits ]Educators can help students understand and support their emotionally dysregulated classmates with the following tactics.Taylor just had a meltdown in class and, wow, it was a doozy.

As a child psychologist, I see a direct connection between academic achievement and a child’s ability to build meaningful friendships, manage their emotions, and tolerate distress. When a child is emotionally dysregulated, they are less available to learn. When individuals with ADHD get triggered and do not have the skills to regulate emotions effectively, they enter a fight-or-flight state.

Have you ever worried about your appearance, or how you responded to a situation, or how people perceived you? Of course, we all have. But with social anxiety disorder, these worries are more intense and persistent than is warranted — or healthy.Early research on social anxiety exclusively studied people with a fear of public speaking.

After a long school day spent completing worksheets, staying seated, and managing assignments, your child predictably and understandably revolts at the mention of homework. (Hello, cognitive overload and academic anxiety.)How can you support your child so they feel less pressure? Follow these tried-and-true best practices to prevent homework mutiny.Your child needs time to decompress after school. Provide a healthy snack.

$24.99The Bouncyband Wiggle Seat cushion helps to calm and occupy children who struggle to stay seated or stand in place. Flexible nubs on one side and smaller bumps on the other provide tactile stimulation to help kids reduce stress and stay focused. The ergonomic, latex-free portable seat cushion disc comes with an Easy-Inflation Pump for firmness adjustments.Buy This Item on Amazon.

Parents seldom deny it: Summer break comes with its own set of challenges. Sure, those nine months spent cajoling your kids (and maybe even yourself) out of bed and to school on time are over. You survived the late-night homework and test agony.



Every stage of life is defined by developmental milestones that are shaped or complicated in some way by the symptoms of ADHD.In children, ADHD symptoms and traits like hyperactivity, distractibility, and impulsivity can influence behavior and performance in the classroom, with friends and family, and out in the world.Below is an overview of the ADHD experience in childhood, including essential skills, parallel ADHD-related challenges, recommended treatments, and positive parenting strategies from experts that apply to all aspects of this stage of life.In grades 1 through 6, students work to build a rock-solid academic, social, and emotional foundation in the following areas:[Self-Test: ADHD Symptoms in Kids]Positive reinforcement is particularly powerful at this stage of life. When elementary students constantly face punishment and disappointment from parents and teachers, their confidence and self-concept are destroyed. Set a time to discuss undesirable behavior after the immediate, stressful moment has passed.



by Dav PilkeyReading Age: 8-10 years“Dog Man introduced the robot 80-HD (a play on ADHD) as a character, and we are big fans!”With far-fetched escapades, lovably flawed characters, and loads of potty humor, Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series is tough to resist for even the most reluctant reader. The latest installment, Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder, opens with the title character getting sprayed by a skunk.

June 17, 2024Emotional dysregulation (ED) and maladaptive personality traits may cause relatively high functional impairment among college students with ADHD and warrant consideration during clinical assessments, suggests a new study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.1The study analyzed survey data collected from 2020 to 2023 on symptom severity, ED, and emotional instability among 1,858 college students across eight universities in the United States. Among subjects with self-reported ADHD symptoms, three profiles with distinct emotional dysregulation dimensions, impairments, and personality traits emerged:The Primarily Inattentive Profile reported the highest level ofParticipants who fit this profile also reported the lowest levels of emotional stability and limited access to emotional regulation strategies.The Moderate ADHD Severity profile reported the lowest levels of ADHD impairment and internalizing problems compared to the other ADHD profiles.The High ADHD Severity profile reported the highest levels of risk-taking behaviors.

The summer slide is real — and real hard on kids with attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) and learning disabilities, who work diligently and tirelessly for each and every academic gain they make. The last thing anyone wants is to waste three months re-teaching and re-learning all of the lessons from last spring. Yet you’re not sure where or how to begin a summer learning program.

June 10, 2025ADHD prevalence in adults and children remains stable, suggesting that the steady increase in new ADHD diagnoses does not indicate an “epidemic” but improved research and diagnostic tools, according to a new study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders. 1The systematic review, led by a team of researchers from King’s College London, found no significant increase in ADHD prevalence rates among children and adults from 2020 to 2024 compared to earlier time periods.

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA), also known as pervasive or persistent drive for autonomy, is a behavioral profile characterized by intense and extreme resistance to, and avoidance of, everyday demands.In the context of PDA, what counts as a demand extends beyond direct instructions like “clean your room.” The common, trivial requirements and expectations of daily living — from getting dressed for school and responding to a greeting, to following the body’s internal cues to eat and sleep — are often perceived as demands. Casual suggestions can also be interpreted as demands.

The ADHD brain thrives in environments that are unwaveringly positive, motivating, and encouraging. A kind, uplifting outlook does wonders for neurodivergent youth, who face more than their fair share of negative feedback, punishment, social rejection, and other daily frustrations.

Do you find your foot tapping or your body swaying almost automatically when a good song begins playing? Our bodies naturally want to synchronize with the rhythms in music. This phenomenon is musical entrainment, a useful tool that helps us use music to regulate not just our motor movements, but our heartbeat and breathing, too.In my clinical experience as a music therapist, I’ve seen how music and other sensory experiences help individuals improve their focus, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Try these fun (and whimsical!) activities, designed to stimulate the sensory pathways (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell) to relax the body and mind.Grab a light scarf.

Learning about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) — a profile characterized by intense, anxiety-driven resistance to everyday demands and expectations — finally helped me understand my son, Max, and how to support him.During his early years, Max would frequently refuse to do what was asked of him and insist everything be done his way. He would inexplicably melt down or erupt in anger over seemingly minor issues. By the time he was 7, he had collected several diagnoses, including ADHD, autism, and ODD.

May 27, 2025ADHD raises the risk of obesity, but its effect is dampened for people living in large cities, according to two new studies.Young adults with combined-type ADHD are more likely than their non-ADHD peers to carry excess weight around their midsection and to have an unhealthy waist-to-height ratio (known as the body mass index or BMI), according to a new cross-sectional study published in American Journal of Human Biology. 1Obesity-related health conditions, such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, are tied to excess abdominal fat.“The effect of ADHD on obesity intensified with age,” however, “no significant association was found with blood pressure, but trends suggested hypertension may escalate with age among ADHD individuals,” the study’s authors wrote.The biological link between ADHD and obesity, and the influence of environment on this relationship, was the focus of another new study led by researchers from the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University and the Italian National Institute of Health. 2The study, published in PLOS Complex Systems, proposed that ADHD influences obesity along two pathways:“A lot of people I work with complain about using food for stimulation,” said Nicole DeMasi Malcher, M.S., R.D., CDES, during the ADDitude webinar “Eating with ADHD: Improving Your Relationship with Food.” “They are constantly looking for food to deliver a quick fix rather than thinking about the long-term effects.”Malcher attributes this behavior, in part, to poor interoception, the ability to sense what’s happening inside the body, including cues such as thirst, hunger, and fullness.

Not available June 17th? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Summer is tricky.

A staggering three-quarters of adults with ADHD have at least one coexisting condition like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), substance use disorder, or an eating disorder.1 Similarly, up to 80% of children with ADHD also have a co-occurring disorder2, which complicates symptom management.A complex condition requires a thoughtful treatment approach, and multiple diagnoses often require treatment with more than one medication. Unraveling the answers takes time, plus trial and error.

Parent behavior training is one of the best-kept secrets in ADHD management. This evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents with ADHD is highly effective, yet it is scarcely mentioned by clinicians.As many as 62% of kids with ADHD receive a diagnosis and a prescription for medication without a recommendation for any type of parent behavior training or family therapy, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

January 29, 2020Low vitamin D levels during pregnancy increase the risk of ADHD diagnosis in childhood, according to a study from The Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. This is the first study to investigate the impact of maternal vitamin D levels on formally diagnosed cases of ADHD in children.1Researchers identified many covariates associated with ADHD in offspring, including maternal age, self-reported smoking, socioeconomic status, immigrant status, and substance abuse.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is a strong understanding of their ADHD brain. The more your child understands about their brain wiring and systems for internal and external information, the greater their self-awareness, confidence, and self-advocacy skills.Use the examples below to help you explain ADHD to your child in easy-to-understand language that diminishes shame and accentuates strengths.

May 1, 2025When Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. calls autism a “preventable disease” and floats the idea of an autism registry, he’s not only spouting fringe opinions.

Not available May 29th? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.A growing body of research points to an association between neurodivergence, joint hypermobility, chronic pain, and anxiety, though this link is not well understood. Health care providers have recognized for years that people with ADHD and autism experience physical symptoms, such as migraines, gut disorders, and pain sensitivity, at a rate higher than the general population.

Whining. Pestering. Arguing.

April 29, 2025Vitamin D insufficiency worsens sleep problems in children with ADHD, but it does not directly affect the condition’s symptoms or functional impairments, a recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found.1Children with ADHD are more likely to experience vitamin D deficiencies than are children without ADHD, according to previous research.2 However, this study found no causal relationship or direct link between ADHD symptoms and vitamin D insufficiency.Scientists did find that low vitamin D levels (below 30 ng/mL) can worsen sleep difficulties, impairing sleep quality and worsening sleep disordered breathing, in children with ADHD.The researchers wrote that sleep difficulties “increased daytime sleepiness, inattention, and oppositional defiant disorder symptoms in children.” Additionally, it was found that sleep disordered breathing can affect a child’s attention, focus, hyperactivity, memory, and executive functioning, essentially exacerbating ADHD symptoms.Nearly three-quarters of children with ADHD experience a sleep problem or disorder.3 Additionally, up to half of children with ADHD have sleep problems, such as difficulty sleeping, insomnia, night waking, and hypersomnia.4, 5This is the first study, to the researchers’ knowledge, that examines whether vitamin D insufficiency exacerbates sleep problems and symptoms in children with ADHD.

Not available May 15? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Puberty is a transformative period in childhood development, marked by significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes.

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April 11, 2025In 44 days, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission says it will deliver to President Trump a report — based on existing research, public hearings, roundtables, and meetings but not new studies — on the scope, causes, and treatments related to childhood chronic disease. In its founding documents, the MAHA Commission, chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.

Parents, especially of younger children, comprise the first line of defense against behavioral problems because they are truly the agents of change. This is not to say that parents are at fault for behavioral problems, but rather that their influence over the solution cannot be overstated.When caregivers are well-versed in the tried-and-true approaches proven to remedy ADHD behavioral problems, it leads to a positive parent-child relationship and to a happy, healthy, and successful child who is better equipped to cope with ADHD symptoms and other challenges.These behavioral techniques should follow a hierarchy that looks like the following:[Click to Read: How to Reinforce Good Behavior]Despite many reminders, your child won’t get off their video game and go to bed.