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Hope — the belief that the future is bright and that you have the power to make it so — is a vital cognitive skill. Children who feel more hopeful about the future consistently have better attendance, classroom engagement, grades, and self-regulation.

Official diagnosis or not, many kids and young adults experience sensory needs that are either misunderstood, dismissed, and/or overwhelming. For children on the autism spectrum or living with ADHD, sensory issues are practically expected. Hypersensitivity to extreme heat or cold, and to loud/bright/all-consuming holidays and big celebrations is a way of life.If your child loves July 4 but someone always ends up in tears, here are four practical ways to prepare yourself and your family:Fireworks are ubiquitous on Independence Day.

FREE WEBINAR ON JULY 17, 2024:Click here to register for “College Accommodations for Neurodivergent Students”May and June are tricky months to be on social media if college graduation is up in the air for your child, as it is for mine. It seems like it was just yesterday that we posted photos of high school graduation, then the college drop-off, wherein I stood awkwardly in my kid’s dorm room trying to smile through tear-smudged mascara.We didn’t know what to anticipate over the next four years.

Executive functions (EFs) refer to a family of mental processes that allow us to reason and think before acting, meet new challenges head-on and with flexibility, and stay focused and concentrate, and more. So essential are executive functions to our well-being that they have been described as the mental toolkit for success.1 Often, EFs can be more predictive of academic and career success than either socioeconomic status or IQ.2To improve any executive function, practice is critical.

While kids do need a break from school, this doesn't mean they need a break from learning. Studies show that children who don't exercise their brains during the summer can lose up to two months worth of valuable, hard-won learning.

Not available August 8? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.What are the signs of ADHD in a preschooler? Can preschoolers be diagnosed with ADHD? Research suggests that symptoms of ADHD can emerge in young children.

Summer should allow kids and parents to recharge, move, and smile a lot. But depending on how this school year went for your child — and how much learning loss occurred — a summer slide may seem inevitable. For many, interventions like private tutors, in-school support, and summer programs are not monetarily or logistically feasible.

“If airports and planes could be quieter, filled with fewer people, and require N95 masks, I'd be much happier.”“I kind of like air travel. All the waiting is basically free daydreaming time.”“I absolutely get impatient and full of rage in airports.”“I'm on fire at the airport! Deadlines and fast thinking.

Not available August 14? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Unrelenting patterns of disorganization, procrastination, and late assignments wear down and discourage many parents of students with ADHD as the school year grinds on. But it doesn’t have to be this way! As we embark on a fresh new autumn, it’s important to recognize that these ADHD struggles bring with them opportunities for academic growth and positive transformation — and it’s all possible through the power of thoughtful systems. Join us for an insightful webinar with Ann Dolin, M.Ed., an experienced author, educator, advocate, and parent of kids with ADHD who brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges your child faces.In this webinar, Ann will share her expert advice and practical strategies to support your child’s success and transform school-related stress into triumphs this school year. Participants will learn: Don’t miss this opportunity to equip your child with the tools they need to thrive in the new school year.Have a question for our expert? There will be an opportunity to post questions for the presenter during the live webinar.Ann Dolin, M.Ed., has nearly 30 years of experience working with students.

June 28, 2024Non-stimulant medication is nearly as effective as stimulant medication at improving executive function in children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in May by Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.1Long-term use of stimulant and non-stimulant medications had a similar positive effect on cognition, compared to placebo, for people with ADHD. Although the treatment effect sizes varied slightly in magnitude, a meta-regression analysis found no significant differences in the overall impact on cognition between each type of ADHD drug.Methylphenidate (stimulant) and atomoxetine (non-stimulant) were the only two medications with multiple studies meeting inclusion criteria for this analysis.

On a chilly autumn morning, I sat beneath fluorescent lighting in a room full of my peers to take the PSAT. I had done well on the previous year’s test, so my hopes were high. The first hour or so was not too torturous.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends treating ADHD in children and adolescents with FDA-approved medications, plus parent training in behavior modification and behavioral classroom interventions. Likewise, research confirms that “stimulant medications are most effective, and combined medication and psychosocial treatment is the most beneficial treatment option for most adult patients with ADHD.” Still, many individuals seek to augment their ADHD treatment plans with natural therapies ranging from nutrition and vitamins and herbs and fish oil.“Parents and adults see me either because the ADHD medication isn’t doing the job, or they want more improvement and can’t increase the dosage without increasing side effects,” says Richard Brown, M.D., associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and co-author of the recent book How to Use Herbs, Nutrients, and Yoga in Mental Health Care.Here are 10 of the most popular natural ADHD remedies — including foods, ADHD supplements, and herbs — and research findings for each.All ADHD treatment decisions should be made in consultation and coordination with a licensed medical provider.Poor nutrition can cause a child or adult with ADHD to become distracted, impulsive, and restless.

EDITORS’ NOTE: The following information is updated annually. The ADHD Medication Guide, developed and maintained by Dr.

There is a lot of pride in my neuroqueer family. I call us a rainbow family because we represent so many different sexual identities and gender expressions, all knit together with love. I am proud to be part of such an amazing patchwork of people who understand that family is what you make it, and love is love.There is also lots of neurodivergent pride in my family.

Thirst is a bodily sensation that many neurodivergent children struggle to recognize due to sensory processing differences – an issue especially in the warm summer months. Children who have trouble with the interoceptive sense may feel internal discomfort but will struggle to register that it’s due to thirst or dehydration.Help your child stay hydrated and healthy this summer (and year-round) with these strategies.Develop a fluid-intake routine to train your child to better tune in to their senses.Challenge your child to drink a minimum of eight cups of fluids — even better if it’s mostly water — spaced out every few hours throughout the day (e.g., after waking up, mid-morning, before lunch, mid-afternoon, and before dinner).

Close your eyes for a moment and visualize a place of healing, rejuvenation, and wellness. What does that look like? What sounds do you hear? What’s the temperature? Is there a breeze blowing? What does it smell like?Most people who do this exercise will describe a place in the natural environment – not a place behind a screen. It might be a sandy beach with the waves rolling in, a mountain meadow, or a forest of towering trees.

June 18, 2024The ADHD medication shortage just got worse.That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which warned of likely ADHD treatment disruptions for thousands of Americans after two executives from Done, the telehealth provider, were arrested last week for alleged health care fraud. The CDC estimates that up to 50,000 patients who rely on Done or similar subscription-based telehealth platforms for ADHD medication may be impacted, plunging into crisis a system already massively strained by a two-year drug shortage.The Department of Justice accuses Done of conspiring to illegally distribute Adderall and other stimulants for financial gain.

June 16, 2024Decision-making deficits may signal and lead to social problems for children with ADHD. Strong feelings of delay aversion — which cause individuals with ADHD to choose the option most likely to avoid delays and wait times — drive poor decision making for youth with ADHD, according to a two-phased longitudinal study published by Nature in March.1The study is the first to investigate and link general deficits in decision making to social problems in ADHD.

On the cusp of summer, ADDitude asked caregivers: What are your trouble spots in managing children during the long school break? How do you overcome these issues? Here’s what they shared:“I take advantage of the morning coolness and plan outdoor activities before the summer sun heats up. One child is very sensitive to heat, so indoor activities take up the afternoon. I allow screen time later in the day. If I allow this too early, I’ve lost them for the rest of the day.”“All of my kids have ADHD, and they get on each other’s nerves, so separating them as much as possible works best.

Not available July 17? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Moving on to college is a big transition, especially for students with ADHD who receive IEP accommodations that end with a high school graduation.

Even in the safety of our own homes, children are prone to accidents and little mishaps.