adhd coaching

G-R-O-W with Coaching

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Adolescents with ADHD often have decision making. ADHD coaching opens the door to independence by teaching young people to set goals, analyze risks and benefits, explore options, and make decisions. Coaching encourages young people to make decisions by using the acronym: GROW.

Goal setting for the short and long-term
Reality checking to analyze current situation. Is the goal realistic?
Options and back-up plans for attaining goals
What must be done? When must it be done? Who will do it?

With ADHD coaching, young people develop skills for success as they learn to grow in their decision-making. Coaching is unique because it does not focus on emotional issues as in therapy nor does it focus solely on academic as in tutoring. Instead coaching enhances executive functioning skills and teaches strategies and new habits to compensate for ADHD symptoms.  Parents tend to report better communication with their child after coaching while the child reports greater self-satisfaction. Start growing your skills today with coaching!

Contact Dr. Gordon for help with your ADHD. We have treatment and solutions available online, by phone, and in our offices.

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written by:
 Brianna Malinowski, 
Jay Gordon, Ph.D

Sleeper-Triplett, J. (2010). Empowering Youth with ADHD. Plantation, Florida: Specialty Press
Picture retrieved from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140625091836-194432021-want-to-grow-on-twitter-here-s-how on Oct. 4, 2015

Using a Home Point System

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Setting up a point system for your child may be an effective way to both increase good behavior and properly and consistently reward this good behavior. An example of a point system is provided below.
It is important to modify this example to fit your own life. You may also wish to target behaviors that your child needs improvement in (completing homework, brushing teeth, etc.) and to modify the rewards based on your child’s interests (video games, playing outside, special food, etc.). Points can be tallied by the parent or can be represented physically using tokens (coins, bingo chips, etc.). As listed below, the child is rewarded with points for each task that he/she completes. Later, the child may “pay for” certain rewards using the points earned.

point system for helping adhd behavior

Contact Dr. Gordon for help with your ADHD. We have treatment and solutions available online, by phone, and in our offices.

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written by:
 Brianna Malinowski, 
Jay Gordon, Ph.D

Barkley, R. (2013). Taking charge of ADHD: The complete, authoritative guide for parents (Third ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Picture retrieved from: https://www.etsy.com/listing/152852009/100-vintage-multicolored-plastic-bingo on Sept. 24, 2015

Diagnosing ADHD

When to Seek Help

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It may be difficult to know when to make that first call for help with your child’s behavior. You may wonder if his/her behavior is just a phase, whether it is normal for a child of his/her age, or if his/her inattention is severe enough to warrant a diagnosis. If any of the following 6 situations sound similar to your experiences, you may want to consider getting help for your child’s potential ADHD.

  1. You have noticed that your child displays greater activity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity than other children for the past 6 months or longer.
  2. You expend more energy and time than other parents in keeping your child out of trouble and under control.
  3. For the past 6 months (or more) other parents have told you that your child is less controlled, more impulsive, and less attentive when with his/her peers.
  4. You have painstakingly viewed or have been informed that other children do not want to play with your child due to his/her active, impulsive, or aggressive behavior.
  5. You lose your temper often with your child or feel exhausted or depressed due to the time and energy that your parenting involves. You may also feel as though you’re on the verge of harming your child with physical discipline.
  6. A teacher or daycare staff member has told you that your child has behavioral issues.

You may be wondering where to seek help for your child. The first step is to make the phone call to begin a diagnosis process and, eventually, a treatment process. Contact Dr. Gordon, a neuropsychologist, for a comprehensive ADHD assessment.

Contact Dr. Gordon for help with your ADHD. We have treatment and solutions available online, by phone, and in our offices.

Get Started

written by:
 Brianna Malinowski, 
Jay Gordon, Ph.D

Barkley, R. (2013). Taking charge of ADHD: The complete, authoritative guide for parents (Third ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Picture retrieved from: http://www.zenlifesolutions.com/do-you-know-what-you-want/question-mark/ on Sept. 24, 2015

ADHD Medication

How Does ADHD Medication Work?

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ADHD MedicationTypically, medication is most effective at reducing symptoms of ADHD, while behavioral interventions are effective at resolving social and academic issues. The process of diagnosing ADHD can be a confusing and stressful time, not to mention the confusion regarding how medications work. Keep in mind that a detailed description of this process can fill a book about psychopharmacology and that this is a basic summary of some ADHD treatments.

ADHD is linked to dopamine deficiencies in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, or tiny chemical, in the body that is associated with pleasure, rewards, and coordinating and organizing behavior. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serve as the messengers between brain cells (neurons). One brain cell releases dopamine, which travels to the neighboring cell. There is some excess dopamine in between the two cells (in the synapse), which is brought back to the original brain cell for use later, in a process called reuptake.

For people with ADHD, the goal is to increase the effects of dopamine on the body. This can be done by preventing reuptake of dopamine with medication. In other words, a cell releases dopamine to its neighboring cell, leaving some excess dopamine between the two cells or synapse. Instead of the excess dopamine being brought back to the first cell, it is left in the space between the two cells. Therefore, the reuptake is inhibited, or stopped. This way, more dopamine is allowed to communicate with the next cell, thus improving symptoms of ADHD.

Contact Dr. Gordon for help with your ADHD. We have treatment and solutions available online, by phone, and in our offices.

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written by:
 Brianna Malinowski, 
Jay Gordon, Ph.D

Hinshaw, S., & Scheffler, R. (2014). The ADHD Explosion. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT)

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What was once diagnosed as “ADHD predominantly inattentive type” may actually be better identified as a diagnosis of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT). Although SCT is not an official diagnosis within the DSM-V, research suggests that it does exist and manifest in ways that are different from inattentive ADHD.
Children with SCT are commonly described as “spacey” or living in a foggy daydream. They tend to stare into space more, appear to be sleepy, and are lethargic and slow-moving. Similarly to those with ADHD, these children miss information from their environment due to their inattentiveness. Like in ADHD, they make more mistakes in following instructions, not, however, due to impulsivity as in ADHD, but rather due to a problem identifying and separating irrelevant from relevant information.
On a positive note, children with SCT tend to experience fewer defiance, social relationship, aggression, and impulsivity problems at home and at school. However, they tend to perform poorly on tasks involving hand-eye coordination, perceptual-motor speed, and memory retrieval over time. They are also more likely than children with ADHD to develop anxiety or depression. Rates of SCT appear to be the same for males and females, unlike the disproportional number of male sufferers of ADHD. Much information regarding treatment has yet to be discovered, as SCT is a relatively new problem recognized by clinical scientists.

Contact Dr. Gordon for help with your ADHD. We have treatment and solutions available online, by phone, and in our offices.

Get Started

written by:
 Brianna Malinowski, 
Jay Gordon, Ph.D

Barkley, R. A. (2013). Taking charge of ADHD: The complete, authoritative guide for parents (3rd ed.). NY: The Guilford Press.
Photo retrieved from: http://loveyourorbit.com/personal-development/slow-down-america-or-else/

ADHD at Work

ADHD at Work

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One area of impairment that adults with ADHD face is the workplace. Specifically, to attain a high occupational status is difficult for these workers as their ADHD may prevent them from being the “ideal employee.” Little research exists on the specific effects of ADHD on the workplace. One study examined 18 non-medicated adults with ADHD and an equal number of adults without ADHD. In a simulated 8-hour workday, the participants had to complete work-related tasks such as reading, completing logic and math problems, writing, and comprehending videos.
As to be expected, participants with ADHD reported a greater difficulty to be quiet and still than their peers without ADHD. Math scores and reading comprehension and speed were lower for those with ADHD. This study provides evidence to the claim that people with ADHD have greater difficulties at work, thus preventing them from being promoted to positions of high status.
The Labor Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills provides a research-based list of skills required for a successful employee. These skills include critical thinking, reading ability, adjusting to unfamiliar situations, the ability to multitask, and the ability to work as a team member. All of these requirements may be hindered by ADHD. For help with managing your symptoms of ADHD and to achieve your best self in the workplace, contact Dr. Gordon.

Contact Dr. Gordon for help with your ADHD. We have treatment and solutions available online, by phone, and in our offices.

Get Started

written by:
 Brianna Malinowski, 
Jay Gordon, Ph.D

Biederman, J., Mick, E., Fried, R., Aleardi, M., Potter, A., & Herzig, K. (2005). A simulated workplace experience for nonmedicated adults with and without ADHD. Psychiatric Services, 56(12). Retrieved from www.ps.psychiatryonline.org
Image retrieved from http://www.success.com/article/maybe-its-not-adhd-why-smart-professionals-struggle-at-work on Sept. 9, 2015