ADHD Essentials

What’s Up Team?! It’s your humble host, Brendan Mahan, back at it again.  The podcast has been on hiatus for a while, but I am finally in a position to resume posting.  So please tell your friends that I have returned.   The plan is to continue with the interview format that established ADHD Essentials as one of the top ADHD podcasts in the field, and to add in the occasional episode of me exploring useful topics as appropriate.  That said, I am expanding the scope to ADHD in general, as well as other neurodiverse topics such as anxiety and autism.  The parenting information will still be there, but I’m no longer covering parenting exclusively.  And odds are that I will be playing with my Wall of Awful model more frequently, because one of the reasons for the extended hiatus was that I a have signed a book deal with Hachette Book Group’s Balance Imprint, and Overcoming The Wall of Awful: Why It’s Hard to Get Things Done When You Have ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety, (and how to do them anyway) will be in a bookstore near you in the Fall of next year.  Turns out writing a book is REALLY time consuming. That said, ADHD Essentials will resume with some long-overdue episodes, including interviews with ADHD luminaries Ari Tuckman, Archie Chimayani, Larry Jones, and Farah Jamil.  And I’ll also share my thoughts on subjects ranging from afterschool restraint collapse to emotional regulation and connection. I plan to post several episodes in the next week or so to get the ball rolling, and then settle in to a once-a-week pattern after that. I’m glad to be back at it, I hope you enjoy what I have in store for you. Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com

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 IS OPEN: For the ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups: CLICK HERE for more information, and to sign up!   SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: My "Wall of Awful" model was recently featured on Jessica McCabe's How to ADHD channel on YouTube.  I'd love it if you'd take a look at her channel, as well as my episodes (Episode 1 and Episode 2).  They really do great work, and I'm honored to be included.   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community   Another big thank you to Jeffrey Gordon of Ideal Video Strategies, who did the heavy lifting on editing this episode.

Kids with both ADHD and giftedness, and often referred too as "Twice Exceptional".  Today, we're talking about them.  (But not behind they're back.  They're welcome to listen in.) Our guest for today's episode is Dr. Robert Gruberman. Robert is the director of his school district’s gifted and talented program.  He has been assessing and teaching gifted children in his district for nearly two decades, and has been a public educator for even longer. In today’s episode, we discuss ADHD and giftedness through the lens of an academic expert in the field.  We talk about the various components of giftedness, and where they overlap with ADHD, the social emotional side of giftedness, how twice exceptional kids are affected by having both ADHD and giftedness, and how to help kids with ADHD, giftedness, or both, manage the challenges they face.   Shameless Plugs:   Learn about The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups! Or register at https://www.adhdessentials.com/sign-up/. Go to https://www.adhdrewired.com/events/ for details about the monthly Q&A with Eric Tivers.   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: The various components of Giftedness The Social-Emotional side of Giftedness Models of the solar system upsetting a 4-year-old The overlap between ADHD & Giftedness Giftedness & ADHD are not two sides of the same coin Shared characteristics, arrived at differently But there’s lots of crossover Giftedness and ADHD can exacerbate each other when they co-occur. When school challenges become home challenges Work in short bursts toward small, manageable goals The importance of getting kids invested The power of choice Peer support “All Summer in A Day” Don’t rush to judgement ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Dr. Saline is a licensed, clinical psychologist, who guides families from the maze of emotions, conflict and stress related to ADHD, toward successful dialog, interventions and connection. Today, we're talking about her new book, What Your ADHD Child Wises You Knew.  There are many things that I liked about this book. But what I loved about it, is the way it’s framed.  Quotes and brief, personal stories from kids with ADHD are sprinkled throughout, to help us better understand the impact ADHD has on them, and, as you’ll hear, Dr. Saline does not shy away from addressing the emotional impact of ADHD. I greatly enjoyed my conversation with Dr. Saline, and look forward to having more.  I'm certain she'll be back.   Shameless ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Plug:   Join the ADHD Essentials Facebook Community.  Connect with other parents affected by ADHD, get tips on how to manage the disorder, and keep up to date on ADHD Essentials.   In Today’s Episode We Discuss: Dr. Saline’s family history with ADHD Solving the right problem, and starting with the problems that overlap Managing technology & your child The importance of getting your kid’s buy-in Dr. Saline’s Five C’s of Parenting Kids with ADHD: self-Control, Compassion, Collaboration, Consistency, Celebration The Importance of Bids in relationships Shame & ADHD Positive vs. Negative Statements Pointing it out when our kids meet our expectations Bedtime conversations ADHD & Friendships Strength-based thinking & Attentive Awareness The vulnerability of ADHD   Guest Links: Dr. Sharon Saline’s Website Dr. Sharon Saline on Facebook Dr. Sharon Saline on Twitter Buy “What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew”.   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community      

In today’s episode, I talk to Jessica. She ahs ADHD, her husband ahs ADHD, and one of her two sons also has ADHD. Like many good ADHDers, Jessica has thrown out the rulebook for how things are “supposed to be done”, and is doing what works instead. As a family, they’ve built a foundation of mutual respect, and they address problems head on. They don’t play games, or hold grudges, and it’s clearly working for them.  We talk about ADHD at home, in school, and in sewing class. And Jessica shares stories about her dad’s lack of a filter, her own time in high school, and why little boys and living plants don’t mix. Let me know what you think of today's episode by emailing me at Brendan@ADHDessentials.com. And, as usual, I can be found at www.ADHDessentials.com.  Show Notes: http://www.adhdessentials.com/podcast-11-building-foundation-respect-jessica-adhd-mom/  

I had a blast talking to my friend Dr. Kirsten Milliken. We started off doing an episode for her show, Your ADHD Life, and wrapped up with this episode of ADHD Essentials. Kirsten is a psychologist, a mother (with ADHD) of two boys (one with ADHD, one without), and an ADHD coach! So there was a lot to talk about. In today’s episode, we discuss about her journey to getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult, her book PlayDHD, and the importance of learning how to pause when moments get heated. She also indulged me as I told her about a scavenger hunt I created for my boys that was inspired by her work. There’s a lot in this one. I hope you enjoy it!   Dr. Kirsten Milliken can be found at YourADHDLife.com. Her book, PlayDHD, can be found here. And you can contact her here.   Let me know what you think of today's episode by emailing me at Brendan@ADHDessentials.com. And, as usual, I can be found at www.ADHDessentials.com.  My blog post on how I created the scavenger hunt is here.    Show Notes   2:06     How Dr. Kirsten became diagnosed with ADHD 4:07     Missing signs of ADHD because you’re too close to them 5:11     The “ah-ha” moment of diagnosis 6:18     Professionals who “get” ADHD tend to have ADHD 6:49     Not all clinicians understand ADHD at a deep enough level 7:45     ADHD is a matter of degree 8:30     Does our distracted culture make it harder to prove ADHD is valid? 8:58     Yes. Unless you have a good metaphor 9:31     ADHD, asthma, and our distracted culture 11:23   Going back to Dr. Kirsten as a parent 11:38   ADHD adds a lot of fun! 12:01   Folks with ADHD can be frustrating for nonADHDers 12:52   Oftentimes strong emotions spread from mm to son, and vice versa 13:15   Wanting things to be better for our kids 14:03   The emotional challenges of ADHD 14:31   The movie “Up” gets Oliver down 14:58   “As a parent, I wanna fix that!” 15:17   Uncomfortable emotions mean you care 15:49   The challenge of being less emotionally reactive 16:04   Naming our emotions helps us control them 16:27   They’re not trying to upset us 16:56   “This is” vs. “You are” 17:04   PlayDHD 17:45   Brendan and Kirsten’s first meeting 18:28   Using play to help kids manage ADHD 19:18   The link between ADHD and play 20:01   What the doc means by play 21:03   Using play to help kids clean their room 23:00   Kirsten inspires Brendan’s scavenger hunt 23:53   The clues built the skills 25:05   Addressing social emotional needs with the hunt 26:41   You can use play to teach lids things 27:02   There’s a reason kids with ADHD can be class clowns. 27:16   “Just a doctor” 28:01   Coaching is the best model for treating ADHD 28:15   Coaching vs. Therapy 28:44   Therapy is about “fixing” yourself 29:19   Coaching is about where you want to go 30:41   Your ADHD Life 32:36   If you understand, you can help 32:47   Ending Essential 34:13   Managing the pause 35:58   Finding the pause after the reaction 37:41   Modeling the pause

In today’s episode, I talk to my friend Dr. Ari Tuckman about ADHD and Productivity.  Ari has been working in the field of ADHD for over 25 years. He’s part of the leadership team for the International Conference on ADHD, speaks all over the world, and is the author of five books on ADHD, including his latest, The ADHD Productivity Manual. Ari and I talk about the essential challenges of ADHD and productivity.  We discuss the importance of managing your environment (including screens), the benefit of doing things in ways that work better for ADHD brains even if they’re atypical, why getting clear on why we’re doing the thing can help us get it done, and how our relationship to productivity affects the way we present ourselves to the world.       Guest Links: Learn more about Dr. Tuckman and his work here:  https://adultadhdbook.com/   Order "The ADHD Productivity Manual" here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4M3PM4W?ref_=pe_93986420_775043100   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 

In today’s episode, I talk to my friend Tamara Rosier.  Tamara runs the ADHD Center of West Michigan, she is also the author of two books - “Your Brain’s Not Broken”, and her new book, “You, Me, and Our ADHD Family”, as well as the workbooks that accompany both.  Tarama and I discuss her new book, and explore how ADHD affects family communication patterns, over-functioning and under-functioning, triangles, and ways to mend relationships.   Guest Links: Learn more about Tamara and her work here:  https://www.tamararosier.com/ https://adhdcenterofwestmichigan.com/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Find Dr. Carolyn at: http://drcarolynparcells.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the.adhd.md/   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community     

It’s the end of 2024, so Dr. Carolyn and I are talking about goal-setting and how we view New Year’s Resolutions.  Along the way, we dabble in the importance of working with our brains rather than against them, the power of feeling seen, and why staying true to our values is important.   Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Find Dr. Carolyn at: http://drcarolynparcells.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the.adhd.md/   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community

Today, we’re joined by executive function and leadership coach Frankie Berkoben.  She shares why our executive function capacity can be so variable and the importance of being able to accept that variance, as well as the seven types of bandwidth, and why executive function coaching is helpful for leaders. Guest Links: Learn more about Frankie and her work here: https://www.franklyquiteadhd.com/ Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links:   Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Patrick LaCount, the research officer for the “How to ADHD” YouTube channel. Patrick talks to us about ADHD in young adulthood. We discuss the importance of taking a long view for both parents and young adults, tips for making friends, and the value of mindfulness.     Guest Links: Learn more about Dr. LaCount and his work here: https://practicalpsychservices.com/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 

Our friend Dr. Caroyn, the ADHD MD is back! We talk about the importance of community to ADHD, how those communities allow us to embrace different parts of ourselves, and why the ADHD Conference is so meaningful to so many.     Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Find Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells at: http://drcarolynparcells.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the.adhd.md/   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community   

In today's episode, we're joined by Julie Kliers.  Going undiagnosed until age 46 and not wanting to see her sons repeat her own struggles, Julie embarked on a crusade to learn all she could about ADHD, and became the person she needed.  Now, she helps adults and students with ADHD embrace their unique and unlock their full potential! Julie talks to us about the power of diagnosis, overwhelm, and boundaries.  We discuss the ADHD trap of thinking we should be doing things in a neurotypical way and then beating ourselves up when we can’t, how executive function challenges lead to overwhelm, the struggle of black-and-white thinking, and ways to get into action.   Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Learn more about Julie and her work here: https://www.julieadhdcoach.com/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Kyrus Keenan Westcott of The Vibe with Ky. Ky talks about behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances, the power of the stories we tell ourselves, masking, being an introvert, and the growth he’s gained from doing The Vibe with Ky.   Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Learn more about Ky and his work here:  https://thevibewithky.com/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 

Dr. Carolyn is back!  Carolyn is a pediatrician with ADHD who can talk about the disorder from any number of directions! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as the ADHD MD. In today's episode, Dr Carolyn Lenszch-Parcells shares some good news, and we finish up our conversation about ADHD meds.  This time, we discuss non-stimulants, and a bit about the med shortage.     The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups    Learn more about Dr. Carolyn and her work here:  http://drcarolynparcells.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the.adhd.md/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community   

In today’s episode, we talk to friend-of-the-pod, and New York Times Best-Selling author AJ Jacobs.  AJ is an editor at large for Esquire, as well as a journalist, author, and lecturer best known for writing about his lifestyle experiments.  He’s also a fellow ADHDer.  AJ talks to us about his latest book, The Year of Living Constitutionally.  We discuss: How his year of living like a colonial American affected AJ’s mental health (mostly in good ways) Why flexible thinking matters and how to support it Lifestyle lessons from Benjamin Franklin And election cakes Guest Links: Learn more about AJ Jacobs and his work here:  https://ajjacobs.com/     Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join the ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 

Today’s episode features Alan Brown, the ADD Crusher!  And it's a little different from the norm because it was recorded live at the 2023 ADHD Con during my Lunchtime Q&As with ADHD experts and dignitaries. Alan and I discuss his principles for success with ADHD.   Managing our outlaw brain Doing what we didn’t want to do Not relying on motivation The importance of baby systems Learning vs. Execution   The episode was produced by Stephen Tonti and Benj Welmond of Attention Different.  Guest Links: Learn more about Alan and his work here:  https://addcrusher.com/ https://www.alanpbrown.com/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 

Today, Dr. Carolyn, the ADHD MD returns to the show!  We discuss: Overwhelm Work/Life Balance The risks of tasks that help us activate, but aren’t what we need to do Being a person on the internet The importance of having a team  The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY!    Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Brendan Goes "Live" every Friday at 11am EST. Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Find Dr. Carolyn at: http://drcarolynparcells.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the.adhd.md/   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community 

Content Warning - brief mention of suicide. Today, I’m joined by Tracey Otsuka author of ADHD for Smart Ass Women. In this episode Tracy talks to us about ADHD and women.  We discuss: Gender norms and ADHD The lack of formal research on women with ADHD The connection between estrogen and dopamine Women and trauma Imposter Syndrome Procastivity ADHD & Perimenopause    Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here     Learn more about Tracy and her work here:  https://www.tracyotsuka.com/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com   Men’s ADHD Support Group Links: Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group Join the Men’s ADHD Support Group’s Facebook Community   

Today, I’m joined by Dr. William Dodson.   Now semi-retired, Dr. Dodson is a Board-Certified adult psychiatrist and was one of the first clinicians to specialize in adults with ADHD over 25 years ago. He has been on the faculties of Georgetown University and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.  He was the recipient of the national Maxwell Schleifer Award for Distinguished Service to Persons with Disabilities in 2006, and was named a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association in recognition of his clinical contributions to the field of ADHD in 2012.  He has written more than 120 articles and book chapters designed to help a lay audience better understand ADHD and its treatment. In this episode Dr Dodson shares his “Interest-Based Nervous System” approach to ADHD.  We discuss: The changes he’s seen in ADHD treatment over the course of his career How the ADHD nervous system differs from the neurotypical one, and how that causes confusion and challenges when it comes to motivation. Key Questions to ask about ADHD  The 5 general areas that support ADHD engagement The dangers of creating urgency & catastrophe in order to activate    Register for the ADHD Essentials Parenting Groups Here   Guest Links: Learn more about Dr Dodson here: https://www.dodsonadhdtreatment.com/   Learn More about Brendan and his work at:   Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Join The ADHD Essentials Facebook Community Check out the ADHD Essentials Website Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Learn more about the Men’s ADHD Support Group