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Good Grade Wall

Posted by Kayla
good grade wall

Our kids run into so much negativity from other people, from situations, and - admit it - from their own head! And while we *do* have to be firm with our kids, we have to set expectations and dole out discipline, we should still be a source of support and encouragement. That's why I LOVED what one of our Facebook friends shared her "Good Grade Wall". Here's what she said: Since our daughter struggles so much in school due to her ADHD and multiple Learning Disabilites, we are always looking for ways to let her know that with extra work and putting the time in she can achieve … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Encouraging Tagged With: , ,

What To Do When They Just Can’t Sit Still

Posted by Brock
can't sit still in classroom

You know the type. You can easily recognize her in a classroom setting. The teacher’s talking, and he’s in constant motion. She’s drumming her fingers on the desk. His leg is bouncing up and down with a rhythm to match the tune in his head….except he doesn’t recognize that he’s moving. The good news is that often, the wiggling and jiggling is an attempt to pay attention. The bad news is that the constant movement looks like distracting and annoying hyperactivity. Aside from starting gym class a little early, what can you do? Take a look at the following tried and true tips to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Focusing Tagged With: ,

Memorizing Hint…In the Middle of the Night

Posted by Kayla
memorizing hint

Just heard this memorizing hint, which probably isn't good for a younger child. But for high schoolers and college age kids - and their parents, it sounds very promising. If you have to memorize anything that can be put onto notecards, set a stack of the cards beside your alarm clock, and set the clock to go off in the middle of the night. When the alarm sounds, go through the cards very briefly, then go back to sleep. The person explaining this said that he learned it from a college professor, and that it really, really worked. What do you think? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Succeeding Tagged With: ,

Realistically Resolve to Reorganize

Posted by Brock
adhd getting rid of clutter

How do you see the new year? Just another day? Or is this the year to bring about the changes you've longed for? New Year's resolutions can be tricky. While it's great to set goals, pinpointing achievable goals is a delicate balance between simple, challenging and downright unrealistic. Organizing a child or teen with ADHD-inattentive tendencies sounds impossible - like the proverbial nailing of Jello to the wall or herding cats. But finding ways to help your child is achievable. As parents and advocates, your job is two-fold: 1) simplify the task. 2) equip the child for the task. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Organizing

Perpetual Thankfulness…Keep it Going!

Posted by Brock
thank you note

You've probably seen a number of posts saying "I'm thankful for....." Personally, I love reading them, because thankfulness changes us. It allows us to see the glass half full instead of half empty. Thankfulness allows us to remember what we might otherwise forget or take for granted. I believe our perspective positively changes when we realize the gift a new day brings. Rainy day? What a great day to stay inside! Fog? What a fantastic special effect for our Facebook pictures! Hail? Hmmmm. I’m thankful it doesn’t hail every day?? You get my point – there’s always, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Encouraging Tagged With: ,

Before and During: How Success Stories Get Started

Posted by Brock
hints for focus

As the parent of an ADHD-inattentive child, you may sometimes feel overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted. I know there were times at our house when life seemed to be one steady stream of prepping for the next test and whacking away at assignments in bite-sized chunks. Flash cards, IEP meetings, and peppermint tea – we were always thinking of the next strategy for ADHD. While I don’t mean to imply that we’ve arrived and have it all figured out, I do want to encourage you. Success may start slowly, but it always starts. Don’t forget to notice triumphs no matter how … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Succeeding

Make That Acceptance Speech Early: Thanking People Who Made an Impact on Your Child

Posted by Brock
thank you note

“I’d like to thank the Academy, my mother and my wonderful first grade teacher……”) Are you counting days until the end of school? Before you start prepping for that end-of-the-year party, let’s pause and think about gratitude for a moment. Now would be a great time to express thanks to people who made a positive impact on your child this year. Your child’s teacher is a good person to start with. A sincere handwritten note is a rare treasure, but email certainly conveys your sentiments. In our children’s lives, I can count several individuals who brought out the best … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ADHD in Real Life, Encouraging

Walk, Run or Jump to Your Nearest Study Break

Posted by Brock
physical activity and adhd

To an ADHD-inattentive child, homework seems endless. It starts after school, stops for a dinner break and can sometimes go until bedtime. In hindsight, it's fairly easy to say the whole time wasn't productive, but at the time, the whole family can be caught up in the "crisis du jour." Maybe it's like this at your house. You hear "AHHHHH. One English lit test, a history essay and 35 math problems." That's your first clue that it's going to be a long night. "Okay, ask me these questions. I think I'm ready…." would be Lesley's usual request, but often we both realized after the first … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Focusing Tagged With: ,

How Reading Shapes Us: Guiding Your Children to Good Choices

Posted by Brock
reading aloud to an adhd child

Albert Einstein once said "If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales." I'm not out to give you a definitive list of books your children must read to be a model citizen or better student. I do want to encourage you to keep reading and to keep putting books in your children's hands. You never know which book is going to spark, inspire and change everything. Some of us may not be born book lovers, but most of us are born to become book lovers. For the same reason children shouldn't be served a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ADHD Strategies, Recommended Reading Tagged With: ,

Preparing for the SAT or ACT: A Guide for ADHD Students

Posted by Kayla
testing hint for adhd child

The first time Joe had a College Board test - I think it was the PSAT - we didn't know you needed to apply for testing accommodations. Joe went in expecting extra time, and he was unpleasantly surprised. Today's post is by Jenn Cohen, the self described 'Chief Word Nerd' of Jenn Cohen Tutoring. She has some invaluable tips to help you navigate the troubled waters of the SAT and the ACT. I wish I had read this a few years ago! College admissions tests are a necessity for most college bound students, but just a mere mention of those three letters S-A-T can make kids (and parents) run for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: School and ADHD-Inattentive, Succeeding Tagged With:
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