Power Moms Unite

1. ADHD is a medical condition, in which the body reabsorbs the chemical messenger between brain cells too quickly.

2. ADHD makes it easier to act without thinking about the consequences (that can be good or bad, depending on whether you are driving your bike, speaking in front of a group of people or playing as the team’s soccer goalie.) ADHD can make it easier to intensely focus on things that are interesting, but it can also make it harder to pay attention to detail, be organized, plan ahead, and remember boring facts.

3. Having ADHD does not make you stupid or crazy, it means your brain works different from the average person. Just like some people can roll their tongue and other can’t, some kids have brains in which the neurotransmitter sits in the space between brain cells the proper time and other don’t. It has to do with how your body is made. No matter how much you practice, you can’t change the way your tongue rolls, or change the way the chemicals in your brain interact. You can, however use your fingers to roll your tongue and learn ways to make your brain work better for you.

4. ADHD explains why it can be difficult to sit still, remember facts and consequences, or complete a boring rote task, but it does not excuse disruptive behavior or bad manners. It is your parent’s responsibility to teach and/or get help teaching you the skills to manage your challenging ADHD behavior. It is your job to own your actions and master the skills needed to manage your behavior. Teachers and parents need to understand this a difficult journey and provide understanding and patience during your process of learning new ways of doing things.

5. Medication for ADHD allows the chemical messengers to have more opportunities to send their messages. Medicine allows you stop fidgeting and makes it easier to pay attention. It does not change your personality, improve you test scores, or teach you the skills of managing your actions. You are still responsible for your achievements and your mistakes, not your “ADHD.”

6. Because the chemistry of your brain works differently, pay special attention to what you put into your body. Eat well balance meals, high in protein, low in sugar, rich in fiber and Omega-3s. Avoid cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs, they all alter brain chemistry and development. (Good advice, even if you don’t have ADHD!)

7. Exercise daily. Strenuous exercise increases the amount of chemical messengers released in your brain. It provides a sense of well-being.

8. Lots of successful people have ADHD: Michael Phelps, Howie Mandel, Whoopi Goldberg, and Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinkos, just to name a few…

9. Impulsive behavior makes it easier to make mistakes, learn the art of repairing a rift.

10. Don’t be afraid to experiment with alternative ways of doing things:
a. Use a voice recorder and tape your lectures if you have trouble writing. Listen to your lecture later using headphone while you rollerblade, go for a walk, or take a run.
b. Fidgeting can help you to pay attention. Try squeezing a ball or rolling a rock in your fingers while studying, taking a test, or listening to a lecture.
c. Have a study buddy for every class. Identify someone who won’t mind reviewing notes and homework with you.
d. Use a “bucket method” to keep all your papers together. Store all your paper in one folder or binder, then find a buddy (like mom or dad) to help you sort thru the paper and file them into labeled subject folders, at the end of the week.

11. Recognize you are at greater risk for making impulsive decisions, make a decision about how you want to live your live before the situation presents itself. Talk to a parent or teacher about your decisions, so they can cheer for you! Write down your decisions and carry them with you. Review them often.

12. Set goals, and write them down. Initially, ask someone who cares about you to regularly force you to meet with him or her to review the goals and make a realistic plan to achieve them. It can be hard to remember to have this meeting on your own. A good life coach can help, be that a parent or a paid professional.

13. Success comes from doing the hard work of learning the skills you need. In any learning experience, mistakes are made. Be kind to yourself and forgive yourself when you make them. Tenaciously pursue information and ideas about ADHD management and the skills you need. Own who you are and celebrate yourself!