Teaching Management of the Expense of ADHD

Yesterday, my 9 year old put a CD in the microwave to see if it would glow like it did on Myth Busters.  Last week, my six year old threw his Ugly Doll at his brother, missed and smashed the hall chandelier- it was apparently some throw. Last month, my six and 13 year olds had a caulk battle in my garage that left caulk smeared on bricks, cars and hair.   These are only a few of the highlights in a series of...

How to Fiscally Manage Breaking and Losing Possessions?

We started with establishing an automatic savings plan for each child at ING Direct, but you could use any on-line banking service.  We liked ING Direct because it is free, with no transfer fees or account minimums- perfect for kids.  The savings plans are connected directly to our checking account, which we already manage on-line with another bank.  Each week a nominal fee is transfer from our account to each...

How Do You Repair a Rift After a Series of Mistakes?

Like it or not, if you live with ADHD, you are going to have to become an expert rift repairer, know expert apology strategies to repair friendships, engender forgiveness, and extend acceptance.  As a parent and your child’s model, teaching how to repair a rift, begins with you.  Unlike with other kids, the process of repairing a rift after several mistakes, has to be overtly taught. 1)    Own your behavior...

How Do You Apologize?

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, families with ADHD have to be expert apologizers!  Impulsive behavior just naturally leads to quick tempers, misinterpreted situations, speaking before editing, and acting before reviewing.  Learn how to apologize.  Teach your kids how to effectively apologize- it will be a lifelong gift! Body Posture. When offering an apology, turn and face the...

Basal Ganglia in Boys with ADHD Deviate from Norm

Research recently published in the January 2009 American Journal of Psychiatry, reinforces what many families managing ADHD already know.  In a research study by Anqi Qiu, Ph.D. et al., significant anatomical brain differences were found  in the basal ganglia during brain image studies of 66 typically developing children, 35 of which were boys, and 47 children with ADHD, 27 of which were boys. The volume and shape...