ADHD Essentials

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 lo...

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...

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...

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 throug...

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 E...

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 kid...

My buddy Adam Wilson is back on the pod! Adam is the founder of Calm Passion, a non-profit that creates sensory sensitive spaces to help those with sensory needs participate in events like comic book conventions and movie showings that might otherwise be too overwhelming for them.  He also runs Calmer Con, which is an entire pop culture convention Adam has developed for kids, adults, and families...

Today, we’re talking to Lindsey Steele.  Lindsey is a high school social studies teacher with ADHD. She writes about managing the life of a teacher while having ADHD on her blog, Fight, Pray, Teach .  In today’s episode, Lindsey and I talk about how having ADHD informs her teaching practice, and her relationships with her students.  She also shares some of the organization strategies she uses in h...

Today, we’re talking to Doug Harris of ADHD Synergy .  Doug is a long-time ADHD coach, working primarily with creatives and the gifted.  He organizes the Ann Arbor Michigan ADHD Support group, and was an absolute blast to talk to!  In today’s episode, Doug tells us about finding connection in ADHD conferences and groups, how he used streaks to meditate for 388 days in a row, his theory of pre-tryi...

It was is an honor and a privilege to reconnect with my old friend, Jarra Meltzer for this interview. Jarra is the senior Developmental Learning Specialist at the Interactive Learning Center in Lexington, MA, and is an expert in learning and development of children, both academically and socially. In today’s episode, we discuss focusing on process over results, the power of saying “I wonder…”, all...

WARNING:  At one point in this episode, we discuss mass shootings at mosques and synagogs.  It's only a small part of the show, but it does occur. /WARNING Today, we’re talking to René Brooks of Black Girl, Lost Keys. René is a member of the ADHD tribe, and return guest.  She’s currently raising awareness for Black Women’s Health as part of the “Crazy Like a Fox Tour”.  The tour will be in Philly...

I really enjoyed this conversation with ADHD coach Monica Hassal of Connect ADHD. Monica and I met  at last year’s ADHD Conference, and she’s been a big supporter of this show. I am overjoyed to finally have her on!  She's incredibly knowledgeable, as evidenced by this episode.  I'm sure I'll have her back on in the future. You can learn more about her work at ConnectADHD.com . In today’s episode,...

Today, we’re talking to Gail Oakerman.  Gail is an Educational Consultant, Counselor, and one of my old College Professors.  She runs Five Points Counseling in Lunenburg, MA. In today’s episode, we discuss the internal struggle of ADHD, how systemic & cultural realities get in our way, the power of teaching kids ways to talk about their challenges, and harnessing incremental change.   REGISTRATION...

Today's Episode is a little more personal.  In it, I share the story of the worst year of my life, how it turned into the greatest lesson of my life, and why it might be useful for you as well.  Along the way, we'll talk about expectations for summer vacation, confirmation bias, and my signature Facebook practice.   The second annual Parenting ADHD Summit wraps up today.   But don’t worry!  All 28...

Today, we’re talking to Krista Gordon.  Krista is mom of two kids with ADHD, and the founder of Tranquil Little One . Krista shares her story of getting her kids diagnosed with ADHD, learning how to help them manage their it though both mental and physical therapies, and how that led to her work with Tranquil Little One. In today’s episode, we discuss how the way our children feel physically can a...

Welcome to ADHD Essentials! Friend of the Pod, ADHD coach, and professional organizer Cindy Jobs is back for a second round! In today’s episode, we talk about the cost of keeping things in terms of upkeep, space, money, and bandwidth, how to manage challenge of organizing shared spaces, and why me putting my laundry away is a way for me to love my wife.   Online ADHD Parenting Summit: CLICK HERE f...

Have you seen the ADHD comic memes going around social media that are set on a black background, with neon colored words and pictures? Well today, we’re talking to the artist of those memes Dani Donovan.   Dani is an artist who has her heart on her sleeve, and a fire in her belly.  She’s a part of the ADHD tribe, and was great to talk to.  I really enjoyed our conversation, and look forward to sta...

Today, we’re talking to Cameron Gott.  Cameron is a giant in the world of ADHD coaching, having been at it for over 15 years.  (He’s also the first repeat guest on the pod!)   Cameron first appeared way back in episode 7, talking about his book, Curious Accountability. And he appears on the web at CameronGott.com . As you might expect with a guest of Cameron’s caliber, this one’s a doozy.  It’s ch...

I really enjoyed my conversation with Juma Innis.  Juma is the director of The Message. Juma and his team at provide schools with workshop residencies, assemblies, and concerts in order to empower teens for success in a 21st century powered by media.   They teach teens to think more critically about the messages they're being exposed to by helping schools, both the teachers and the students, devel...

Today, we’re talking to my friend Leanne.  Leanne is a school psychologist working with elementary school students.  I really enjoyed our conversation.  It was both wide ranging, and insightful.  In today’s episode, we talk about how school testing works, things that don’t show up on tests and rating scales, the difference between private testing and school testing, and looking at the whole studen...

Today, we’re talking to my friend Evan Kirstein of Progressive Growth Coaching.  Evan is a fellow ADHD coach, who also happens to be a soon-to-be dad. In today’s episode, we talk about impending fatherhood, a maturing view of love, hauling watermelons, imposter syndrome, and importance of knowing the score.    SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: My  "Wall of Awful" model was recently featured on Jessica McCabe'...

1. Let them read whatever they want.  2. Use audiobooks (or audible). 3. Encourage books that are part of a series. 4.Encourage books from a high interest universe they know from other media (Spider-Man, Star Wars, Minecraft, LEGO, etc...). 5.Remember nonfiction. 6. Encourage reading comics & graphic novels. 7. If they're reading at inappropriate times (the dinner table, when they should be sleepi...

One of my favorite things about doing this podcast is the way it has helped me reconnect with people.  Today’s episode is an excellent example of that.  I recently invited my old principal, Gerry. Goyette, to come on the show to talk ADHD from the administrative side of school, and he was nice enough to agree.  It was an absolute pleasure to talk ADHD and education with him. He’s just as smart as...

The other day, my friend Tim, an ADHD dad himself, was telling me about his job.  It turns out that one of his responsibilities is helping kids (and adults) understand the importance of protecting their identity when online.  I thought that might be useful information for you all to have, so I invited him on the pod!   In today’s episode, we talk about ways to keep identity safe, what to do if it’...

Today, we’re talking to David Greenwood.  David and I first connected when he interviewed me for his book on ADHD & productivity, Overcoming Distractions .  He is a father with ADHD who has a son with autism.  I really enjoyed our talk.  I hope you do too.  In today’s episode, David tells his tale of finding his way with ADHD.  We talk about the value of experiential learning, the challenge of bal...