ADHD Essentials

By Brendan MahanHealth & Fitness Mental Health Education Self-Improvement

ADHD Essentials episodes

March 29, 2018 Seeing an ADHD Diagnosis as a Manual with Kimberly, mother of a son with ADHD
Kimberly has a son diagnosed with ADHD, and she sees that diagnosis as a manual to help her better understand how to help him succeed. Over the course of the interview, she shares her son's passions and struggles, as well as the things she has learned as a result of their family's journey.Kimberly has some amazing stories about her son, including the challenge of her son's Geography test, his misadventures with his grandfather, and the various entrepreneurial ventures he's been pursuing in his quest for a Tesla.
Let me know what you think of today's episode by emailing me at [email protected].
And, as usual, I can be found at www.ADHDessentials.com.

P.S. You can find The Jordan Harbinger Show here.
50 min
March 21, 2018 Reducing The Barrier to Entry with Brendan Mahan, ADHD Poet
Today's episode is a bit different. Due to the recent snow storms, and an exceptionally busy month, I don't have the 6-8 hours needed to edit a full interview. In today's episode, I go back to my English teacher roots, and blend them with my ADHD coach skills to create something short, sweet, and actionable. I hope you enjoy it.

We're looking at the struggle that comes about for those of us with ADHD when the "barrier for entry" is too high, and thinking about how we can reduce those barriers. Oh, and I read an original poem. (I promise it all makes sense.)
Let me know about your expereicnes/struggles with barriers to entry, and how you're overcome them at [email protected].
And, as usual, I can be found at www.ADHDessentials.com.
A copy of the poem in today's episode can be found here:
http://www.adhdessentials.com/barriertoentrypoem/

10 min
March 21, 2018 Reducing The Barrier to Entry with Brendan Mahan, ADHD Poet
Today's episode is a bit different. Due to the recent snow storms, and an exceptionally busy month, I don't have the 6-8 hours needed to edit a full interview. In today's episode, I go back to my English teacher roots, and blend them with my ADHD coach skills to create something short, sweet, and actionable. I hope you enjoy it.We're looking at the struggle that comes about for those of us with ADHD when the "barrier for entry" is too high, and thinking about how we can reduce those barriers. Oh, and I read an original poem. (I promise it all makes sense.)
Let me know about your expereicnes/struggles with barriers to entry, and how you're overcome them at [email protected].
And, as usual, I can be found at www.ADHDessentials.com.
A copy of the poem in today's episode can be found here:
http://www.adhdessentials.com/barriertoentrypoem/
10 min
March 14, 2018 Respect as the Foundation of Family with Jessica, ADHD Mom
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 [email protected].
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/

48 min
March 14, 2018 Respect as the Foundation of Family with Jessica, ADHD Mom
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 [email protected].
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/
48 min
March 07, 2018 Zerberts, Sensory Challenges, and Crayons in the Dryer with Eric Tivers, Parent with ADHD of a thrice-exceptional son
Today’s episode is a conversation with my friend Eric Tivers. Eric is an ADHD coach, and licensed clinical social worker. He’s the host of the ADHD reWired podcast, and runs the ADHD reWired adult coaching groups.
But in this episode, he’s talking as a dad who has ADHD, parenting a thrice-exceptional child who is gifted, and who has autism and ADHD. We discuss the challenges of transferring skills from work to home, the role sensory stimulation plays in his life, including how overwhelming it can be, and he tells the epic tale of cleaning crayons out of his dryer.

Eric can be found at www.ADHDreWired.com.
You can learn more about his coaching groups at www.coachingreWired.com.
And the reWired podcast can be found at www.ADHDreWired.com/podcast
Let me know what you think of today's episode by emailing me at [email protected].
As usual, I can be found at www.ADHDessentials.com.

Show Notes

2:03    Hardest job he’s ever had
3:15    Son doesn’t know why he did, Dad doesn’t know why he didn’t
3:43    Planning and being “on” as dad
3:59    Son has always needed/gotten less sleep
4:34    Transitioning is hard because Eric is “state-based”
6:05    Getting home after son is in bed
6:44    Working on shifting gears
6:54    Adulting is hard
7:10    Making a dentist appointment
7:32    “ADHD is frustrating and comical at the same time.”
7:43    “…and I’m responsible for a life!”
8:13    Eric is grateful for wife and her acceptance of his ADHD
9:09    “Acceptance grows when gratitude shows up.”
9:23    Phone calls are hard
10:29 Supportive spouses supplying strategies
11:09 Filling tires and taking Adderall
11:55 The struggle to bring successful work strategies home
12:12 Environmentally-based to-do lists
12:37 Dad needs checklists and reminders for homework, too!
13:09 On the transfer of concepts from one environment to another
14:02 Generalization of concepts
14:11 Stepping back professionally from Autism work
15:24 Uncarved pumpkins
16:04 Needing a plan at home as well as at work
16:38 On trying to remember names
17:29 How to fake it when you forget a teacher’s name
18:23 Wild wife memory skills
19:00 Eric the hippy
19:21 Never enough time
20:10 Fluff only after 8pm
21:12 “Dishwasher moments”
22:04 Wandering assumptions
22:32 Undermined at the gym
23:12 Father and son podcasts and projects
23:46 Creating space for son to “let him be him”
24:05 Potty humor
24:33 Son is linguistically gifted
26:13 On Pokemon
28:05 On wrestling and rough play
28:40 Activate Zerbert-Tron
29:21 Teaching boundaries and body respect
30:13 The power and challenge of reassuring hugs
30:55 Eric opens his parenting toolbox
31:05 The row your boat strategy
31:29 Developing cues to breathe deeply
32:36 Meet them where they are, and start with sensory needs
33:40 Teach self-regulation strategies
34:45 Give Feedback with self-esteem in mind
35:42 X-Ray blankets and dentist nerves
36:14 Family visits and sensory overwhelm
37:45 Ending Essentials
38:46 Eric’s not-so proud parenting moments
42:37 Wrap-up

44 min
March 07, 2018 Zerberts, Sensory Challenges, and Crayons in the Dryer with Eric Tivers, Parent with ADHD of a thrice-exceptional son
Today’s episode is a conversation with my friend Eric Tivers. Eric is an ADHD coach, and licensed clinical social worker. He’s the host of the ADHD reWired podcast, and runs the ADHD reWired adult coaching groups.
But in this episode, he’s talking as a dad who has ADHD, parenting a thrice-exceptional child who is gifted, and who has autism and ADHD. We discuss the challenges of transferring skills from work to home, the role sensory stimulation plays in his life, including how overwhelming it can be, and he tells the epic tale of cleaning crayons out of his dryer.

Eric can be found at www.ADHDreWired.com.
You can learn more about his coaching groups at www.coachingreWired.com.
And the reWired podcast can be found at www.ADHDreWired.com/podcast
Let me know what you think of today's episode by emailing me at [email protected].
As usual, I can be found at www.ADHDessentials.com.

Show Notes

2:03    Hardest job he’s ever had
3:15    Son doesn’t know why he did, Dad doesn’t know why he didn’t
3:43    Planning and being “on” as dad
3:59    Son has always needed/gotten less sleep
4:34    Transitioning is hard because Eric is “state-based”
6:05    Getting home after son is in bed
6:44    Working on shifting gears
6:54    Adulting is hard
7:10    Making a dentist appointment
7:32    “ADHD is frustrating and comical at the same time.”
7:43    “…and I’m responsible for a life!”
8:13    Eric is grateful for wife and her acceptance of his ADHD
9:09    “Acceptance grows when gratitude shows up.”
9:23    Phone calls are hard
10:29 Supportive spouses supplying strategies
11:09 Filling tires and taking Adderall
11:55 The struggle to bring successful work strategies home
12:12 Environmentally-based to-do lists
12:37 Dad needs checklists and reminders for homework, too!
13:09 On the transfer of concepts from one environment to another
14:02 Generalization of concepts
14:11 Stepping back professionally from Autism work
15:24 Uncarved pumpkins
16:04 Needing a plan at home as well as at work
16:38 On trying to remember names
17:29 How to fake it when you forget a teacher’s name
18:23 Wild wife memory skills
19:00 Eric the hippy
19:21 Never enough time
20:10 Fluff only after 8pm
21:12 “Dishwasher moments”
22:04 Wandering assumptions
22:32 Undermined at the gym
23:12 Father and son podcasts and projects
23:46 Creating space for son to “let him be him”
24:05 Potty humor
24:33 Son is linguistically gifted
26:13 On Pokemon
28:05 On wrestling and rough play
28:40 Activate Zerbert-Tron
29:21 Teaching boundaries and body respect
30:13 The power and challenge of reassuring hugs
30:55 Eric opens his parenting toolbox
31:05 The row your boat strategy
31:29 Developing cues to breathe deeply
32:36 Meet them where they are, and start with sensory needs
33:40 Teach self-regulation strategies
34:45 Give Feedback with self-esteem in mind
35:42 X-Ray blankets and dentist nerves
36:14 Family visits and sensory overwhelm
37:45 Ending Essentials
38:46 Eric’s not-so proud parenting moments
42:37 Wrap-up
44 min
February 28, 2018 Playing and Pausing with Dr. Kirsten Milliken, ADHD Parent, author, and ADHD Expert
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 [email protected].
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
40 min
February 28, 2018 Playing and Pausing with Dr. Kirsten Milliken, ADHD Parent, author, and ADHD Expert
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 [email protected].
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   Usibng 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
40 min
February 21, 2018 Slow Mornings, Smashed Tasks, and Kindness Clipboards with Stephanie Letourneau, 3rd Grade Teacher
On one of the recent snow days, I sent a message to my friend Stephanie Letourneau and asked if she’d let me interview her for the podcast. She agreed, and I’m glad she did. What followed was an excellent discussion about helping our kids break down tasks, manage their emotions, and feel included.
Another topic we discuss is the challenging shift that occurs between 2nd and 3rd grade. This type of shift also happens between 3rd and 4th grade, and during the transitions from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school, and from high school to college. So, although the strategies Stephanie shares come from the perspective of a third grade classroom, they can be adapted across grade and age levels, and used both in school, and at home.
If you need any help adapting the ideas in this episode, feel free to contact me at [email protected].
And, as usual, I can be found at www.ADHDessentials.com.

Show Notes:
2:05     Why the transition from 2nd to 3rd grade is hard for students and for Stephanie
4:06     How the transition affects ADHD students
4:44     Learning to read vs. Reading to learn
6:43     Summer regression
7:06     Smash the Task!
7:13     The value of starting slow
8:08     Smash the Task Part II
9:57     One task at a time with clear instructions
10:16   Two kids with ADHD: One’s done, the other hasn’t started.
11:04   Brendan tries to translate the tips hiding in the story
13:10   Writing is thinking
13:45   Choice helps with engagement
14:44   But too much choice can be overwhelming
15:55   Know your kid’s learning styles
16:20 Things that work for ADHD kids are just good teaching strategies
16:32 School is not an office!
16:51 It’s not in the curriculum, but teaching kids to recognize their emotions matters
17:30   Slowing down the morning is about getting the emotions in line
17:56   10 minute guided meditations help with transition
18:40   Spaghetti toes
19:36   NOTE: An OT is an occupational therapist
20:13   Putting work into helping kids transition
21:05   Teaching strategies, development gaps, and the nature of ADHD
22:57   Grade-to-grade transitions, ADHD, and regression
24:25   Making sure their brains are ready
25:07   Allow time for transition. Even at home.
25:39   Alternative Seating
27:45   Systems and discussions help navigate seating (and other) conflicts.
28:11   ADHD kids like the rockers. (Tired kids do too!)
28:50   Go Noodle
29:38   Sometimes you have to stop and take a break
30:25   A lesson from Stephanie’s grandma
31:02   Meditation and “A Stitch in Time Save Nine”.
32:03   YouTube advocates lying to children
33:37   ADHD kids are more likely to be bullied
33:52   Making the classroom safe for everyone.
34:58   Creating an inclusive environment
35:29   Kindness Clipboards
37:36   We’re all in this together
38:45   Positive Attitude
39:13   Ending Essential
41 min