ADHD Essentials

By Brendan MahanHealth & Fitness Mental Health Education Self-Improvement

ADHD Essentials episodes

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
February 14, 2018 Curious Accountability with Cameron Gott, ADHD Coach and Author

It was my honor to talk about ADHD with Cameron Gott. He’s been coaching people affected by ADHD for over 15 years, and is one of the people I most wanted to get on the pod. So, when he told me he liked the show, I jumped at the chance to get him on. I’m glad I did.
We talk about his new book, Curious Accountability (co written with Casey Moore), as well as the trials of bringing unmedicated kids to Walmart, the importance and challenge of reflection, and what it was like for both of us growing up with ADHD. The conversation was excellent. I learned a great deal from it.
Cameron’s book is phenomenal. I highly recommend it.
Without geeking out about the whole thing, I really enjoyed the concept of presence as it relates to Curious Accountability, and the way the three conversations discussed in the book provide an effective communication frame that can be used to talk to our kids about the challenges they face. Done right, it can limit the amount of intense confrontation and emotionality that so often derail those conversations.

Cameron Gott can be found at www.CameronGott.com.

The first chapter of Curious Accountability can be found at:
https://www.camerongott.com/2018/01/24/curious-accountability-chapter-one/

As usual, I can be found at www.ADHDessentials.com.
Please let me know what you thought of today’s episode by emailing me at [email protected].

SHOW NOTES:

3:10     Cameron’s first experience working with kids with ADHD.
4:31     Certain environments invite certain behaviors
5:50     Teaching trip plans
6:14     Mine the learning and apply forward
7:15     Putting accountability in a positive light
8:11     What accountability means to most people… And what gets lost in it
9:08     What Curious Accountability is about.
9:29     Pausing, Pivoting, and ADHD
9:47     Light the Rocket and Go!
11:14 Fitting reflections into the day
11:59   Don't get us started on recess!
13:15   Just enough structure to be successful
14:17   Using structure outside of the plan/schedule
15:43   ¾ of the battle of ADHD
16:06   Presence and Curious Accountability
17:30 Curiosity and assuming good
19:13   How Cameron’s ADHD shows up
19:35 Trading Volume and Speed for Mastery
20:05   The student side of the pressure to get 100% right away
21:28   Bringing accountability out in the open in our relationships
21:57   Keep an eye on the bigger picture
22:19   The 3 Conversations of Curious Accountability
23:56   The Big Carrot in the Sky
24:21   Conversation 1
24:37   Conversation 2
24:27   Conversation 3
24:57   Where the failure in the system happens
25:14   The ADHD Experience (Not being able to do what’s on the plan)
25:25   Sometimes the plan has to fail so you know what to address
25:45 How curiosity plays in
26:13   Mirror Neurons and Modeling
27:33   The Value of pairing accountability with curiosity
28:29   You need a safe place to share what’s going on…
29:20   …but it has to come from the top down
29:42   Radical transparency: Apply it at home!
30:11   The power of assumption
30:33   Curiosity is a muscle to build
31:11   Tone of voice matters
31:42   What would have helped when Cameron was in high school
32:43   Timing matters when asking questions
33:17   Prefrontal Cortex shutdown (is a good name for a band)
34:29   Ending Essential
34:59   The book is Phenomenal
35:51 Extra Bonus Ending Essential
38 min
February 14, 2018 Curious Accountability with Cameron Gott, ADHD Coach and Author
It was my honor to talk about ADHD with Cameron Gott. He’s been coaching people affected by ADHD for over 15 years, and is one of the people I most wanted to get on the pod. So, when he told me he liked the show, I jumped at the chance to get him on. I’m glad I did.
We talk about his new book, Curious Accountability (co written with Casey Moore), as well as the trials of bringing unmedicated kids to Walmart, the importance and challenge of reflection, and what it was like for both of us growing up with ADHD. The conversation was excellent. I learned a great deal from it.
Cameron’s book is phenomenal. I highly recommend it.
Without geeking out about the whole thing, I really enjoyed the concept of presence as it relates to Curious Accountability, and the way the three conversations discussed in the book provide an effective communication frame that can be used to talk to our kids about the challenges they face. Done right, it can limit the amount of intense confrontation and emotionality that so often derail those conversations.

Cameron Gott can be found at www.CameronGott.com. The first chapter of Curious Accountability can be found at:https://www.camerongott.com/2018/01/24/curious-accountability-chapter-one/

As usual, I can be found at www.ADHDessentials.com.
Please let me know what you thought of today’s episode by emailing me at [email protected].

SHOW NOTES:
3:10     Cameron’s first experience working with kids with ADHD.
4:31     Certain environments invite certain behaviors
5:50     Teaching trip plans
6:14     Mine the learning and apply forward
7:15     Putting accountability in a positive light
8:11     What accountability means to most people… And what gets lost in it
9:08     What Curious Accountability is about.
9:29     Pausing, Pivoting, and ADHD
9:47     Light the Rocket and Go!
11:14 Fitting reflections into the day
11:59   Don't get us started on recess!
13:15   Just enough structure to be successful
14:17   Using structure outside of the plan/schedule
15:43   ¾ of the battle of ADHD
16:06   Presence and Curious Accountability
17:30 Curiosity and assuming good
19:13   How Cameron’s ADHD shows up
19:35 Trading Volume and Speed for Mastery
20:05   The student side of the pressure to get 100% right away
21:28   Bringing accountability out in the open in our relationships
21:57   Keep an eye on the bigger picture
22:19   The 3 Conversations of Curious Accountability
23:56   The Big Carrot in the Sky
24:21   Conversation 1
24:37   Conversation 2
24:27   Conversation 3
24:57   Where the failure in the system happens
25:14   The ADHD Experience (Not being able to do what’s on the plan)
25:25   Sometimes the plan has to fail so you know what to address
25:45 How curiosity plays in
26:13   Mirror Neurons and Modeling
27:33   The Value of pairing accountability with curiosity
28:29   You need a safe place to share what’s going on…
29:20   …but it has to come from the top down
29:42   Radical transparency: Apply it at home!
30:11   The power of assumption
30:33   Curiosity is a muscle to build
31:11   Tone of voice matters
31:42   What would have helped when Cameron was in high school
32:43   Timing matters when asking questions
33:17   Prefrontal Cortex shutdown (is a good name for a band)
34:29   Ending Essential
34:59   The book is Phenomenal
35:51 Extra Bonus Ending Essential
38 min
February 07, 2018 Love Languages, Twin Gaps, and Being Married to ADHD with Sandy, Wife and Mom to ADHD
Sandy and I had a great conversation about her husband, her kids, and the way ADHD affects their family. One aspect of this episode that I love is the symmetry of it - the topics we discuss early on in our conversation return again at the end, allowing us to go into more depth in them the second time through.
I was impressed with Sandy's honesty and willingess to be vulerable, as well as the clear love she has for her husband. Being married to ADHD can be hard at times, and I appreciated her willingness to go there during her time on the show.
And she seemed to find some meaning in the thoughts and ideas that I shared. Which is nice, since helping people is my main goal in doing this.
I hope you find meaning in this episode as well.

As usual, I can be found at ADHDessentials.com.
Or email me at [email protected].

SHOW NOTES:
1:46     Always 15 minutes early or 30 minutes late
2:55     Chris’s diagnosis leads to Dad’s tears
4:06     ADHD, litigation, and the need for excitement
5:18     Last minute struggles and working in bursts
7:13     Travelling in the car together
8:32     Struggles with consistency
8:54     Feeling like she has to overcompensate for Chris’s ADHD
11:26   Three kids, and one might have ADHD
13:40 Two years old and counting in three languages
14:12 How Sandy met Chris
15:06   Married to ADHD is a mixed bag
15:47 ADHD and the gap between the twins
17:00   The kid who walks into walls
18:34   Swimming lessons and mercurial moods
20:36   W’s Everywhere
22:44 What ADHD adds
24:24 Self Medicating with Surfing
24:59   Overcompensating after hurting feelings
26:51 Empathy beats fixing
27:06   Prepping the ADHD person in advance
28:44   The biggest challenge is carrying the mental load
31:58   But it depends on the day
34:15 “Is there anything you need me to do?”
35:31 Chris addressing Sandy’s needs makes a world of difference
36:17   A strong base of love and understanding helps a lot
38:35   The 5 Love Languages
40:57   Dopamine and small vs. large efforts
43:09   ADHD is just one aspect of the relationship
44:19   Communication and problem-solving
46:10   The moralization of ADHD
46:40   Sandy reflects again on Chris’s dad’s reaction to Chris’s ADHD diagnosis

48 min
February 07, 2018 Love Languages, Twin Gaps, and Being Married to ADHD with Sandy, Wife and Mom to ADHD
Sandy and I had a great conversation about her husband, her kids, and the way ADHD affects their family. One aspect of this episode that I love is the symmetry of it - the topics we discuss early on in our conversation return again at the end, allowing us to go into more depth in them the second time through.
I was impressed with Sandy's honesty and willingess to be vulerable, as well as the clear love she has for her husband. Being married to ADHD can be hard at times, and I appreciated her willingness to go there during her time on the show.
And she seemed to find some meaning in the thoughts and ideas that I shared. Which is nice, since helping people is my main goal in doing this.
I hope you find meaning in this episode as well.
As usual, I can be found at ADHDessentials.com.
Or email me at [email protected].
SHOW NOTES:
1:46     Always 15 minutes early or 30 minutes late
2:55     Chris’s diagnosis leads to Dad’s tears
4:06     ADHD, litigation, and the need for excitement
5:18     Last minute struggles and working in bursts
7:13     Travelling in the car together
8:32     Struggles with consistency
8:54     Feeling like she has to overcompensate for Chris’s ADHD
11:26   Three kids, and one might have ADHD
13:40 Two years old and counting in three languages
14:12 How Sandy met Chris
15:06   Married to ADHD is a mixed bag
15:47 ADHD and the gap between the twins
17:00   The kid who walks into walls
18:34   Swimming lessons and mercurial moods
20:36   W’s Everywhere
22:44 What ADHD adds
24:24 Self Medicating with Surfing
24:59   Overcompensating after hurting feelings
26:51 Empathy beats fixing
27:06   Prepping the ADHD person in advance
28:44   The biggest challenge is carrying the mental load
31:58   But it depends on the day
34:15 “Is there anything you need me to do?”
35:31 Chris addressing Sandy’s needs makes a world of difference
36:17   A strong base of love and understanding helps a lot
38:35   The 5 Love Languages
40:57   Dopamine and small vs. large efforts
43:09   ADHD is just one aspect of the relationship
44:19   Communication and problem-solving
46:10   The moralization of ADHD
46:40   Sandy reflects again on Chris’s dad’s reaction to Chris’s ADHD diagnosis
48 min
January 31, 2018 Transitions, Testing, and and Helping Kids Understand Who They Are with Cara Fleming, School Psychologist
Cara Fleming is a school psychologist at the high school level, as well as a transition consultant.
What’s a transition consultant? I’m glad you asked. Transition consultants help kids successfully make the leap from high school to college and/or the workforce.
Cara was great to interview. We laughed a fair amount, looked at things in new ways, and discovered some interesting things along the way. Cara talks transitions, testing, and shares why she isn’t a geneticist. Her knowledge and enthusiasm really shine through. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the show.
Cara can help with questions around transition from high school, and also performs independent testing for families looking into Special Education diagnosis in the New England area. She can be contacted at [email protected].
As usual, I can be found at ADHDessentials.com.
Or email me at [email protected].

P.S. This was the first episode I recorded for the podcast. I’ve learned some things since then (mostly on the technical end - editing & recording stuff), but I’m pretty happy with it.

SHOW NOTES:
2:27    The child HAS to be involved in the transition process
3:31     Kids need to have something they can succeed at
5:49     Disability Awareness
7:18     Disability documentation and the transition to college
8:08     Some colleges specialize in students with disabilities
10:13   Self-Advocacy and College
11:46   ADHD Supports in College
14:06   504 vs. IEP
16:42   Why Special Ed Teachers want to be useless
18:31   But, what if my kid isn’t going to college!?!
19:01   Licenses and 504s
19:56   How to ask for accommodations in the real world
22:28   Know your disability
23:15   “How can I do a better job for you?”
23:38   Sparkle! Sparkle! Sparkle!… Documentation
25:55 Empathy for testers and school staff
27:47   Credentials to look for in outside evaluators
29:05   The Historical Perspective
30:04   ADHD leaves a footprint in cognitive testing
31:55   Transition Plans for the Post-High School World
32:45   A Three-Legged Stool on a Really Nice Rug
32:59   The Academic Leg (which Cara turns into a prong)
33:12   Performance based tasks of attention
33:35   Cara changes the stool by adding a fourth leg/prong
34:32   Cara recaps the leg/prongs
34:48   The rug is for transition planning
35:35 ONET
38:14   You have to know what’s bad about the job you want
38:55   Cara talks about transitioning from a Geneticist to a poet (to a school psychologist)
40:37   What Cara loves about her job! (Besides the kids)
41:16   Why helping kids understand who they are matters
42:31   Self knowledge shifts the locus of control to the individual
43:43   Cara’s daughter turning 15 gave her a new empathy for parents
45:06   Ending Essentials
47 min
January 31, 2018 Transitions, Testing, and and Helping Kids Understand Who They Are with Cara Fleming, School Psychologist
Cara Fleming is a school psychologist at the high school level, as well as a transition consultant.
What’s a transition consultant? I’m glad you asked. Transition consultants help kids successfully make the leap from high school to college and/or the workforce.
Cara was great to interview. We laughed a fair amount, looked at things in new ways, and discovered some interesting things along the way. Cara talks transitions, testing, and shares why she isn’t a geneticist. Her knowledge and enthusiasm really shine through. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the show.
Cara can help with questions around transition from high school, and also performs independent testing for families looking into Special Education diagnosis in the New England area. She can be contacted at [email protected].
As usual, I can be found at ADHDessentials.com.
Or email me at [email protected]. P.S. This was the first episode I recorded for the podcast. I’ve learned some things since then (mostly on the technical end - editing & recording stuff), but I’m pretty happy with it.

SHOW NOTES:
2:27    The child HAS to be involved in the transition process
3:31     Kids need to have something they can succeed at
5:49     Disability Awareness
7:18     Disability documentation and the transition to college
8:08     Some colleges specialize in students with disabilities
10:13   Self-Advocacy and College
11:46   ADHD Supports in College
14:06   504 vs. IEP
16:42   Why Special Ed Teachers want to be useless
18:31   But, what if my kid isn’t going to college!?!
19:01   Licenses and 504s
19:56   How to ask for accommodations in the real world
22:28   Know your disability
23:15   “How can I do a better job for you?”
23:38   Sparkle! Sparkle! Sparkle!… Documentation
25:55 Empathy for testers and school staff
27:47   Credentials to look for in outside evaluators
29:05   The Historical Perspective
30:04   ADHD leaves a footprint in cognitive testing
31:55   Transition Plans for the Post-High School World
32:45   A Three-Legged Stool on a Really Nice Rug
32:59   The Academic Leg (which Cara turns into a prong)
33:12   Performance based tasks of attention
33:35   Cara changes the stool by adding a fourth leg/prong
34:32   Cara recaps the leg/prongs
34:48   The rug is for transition planning
35:35 ONET
38:14   You have to know what’s bad about the job you want
38:55   Cara talks about transitioning from a Geneticist to a poet (to a school psychologist)
40:37   What Cara loves about her job! (Besides the kids)
41:16   Why helping kids understand who they are matters
42:31   Self knowledge shifts the locus of control to the individual
43:43   Cara’s daughter turning 15 gave her a new empathy for parents
45:06   Ending Essentials
47 min
January 23, 2018 Routines, Giggles and Belonging with Dan and Stacy, ADHD Parents
As I spoke with Dan and Stacy, our guests for this episode, I was struck by how clearly their love for each other and their kids came across. Dan's thoughfulness about how ADHD affects their family of four, and Stacy's understanding and acceptance of the struggles it presents were moving. As was their clear support for one another, and their children.

I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it.
As usual, I can be found at ADHDessentials.com.
Or email me at [email protected].

Episode 004: Routines, Giggles, and Belonging with Dan and Stacy

2:44     Child Evaluation leads to Parental Diagnosis
4:42     ADHD has always been there
8:22     Counting Down for Compliance, not Completion
8:51     Routine, Practice and Habit
12:37   Kids as “Little Recorders of Us”
14:19   Giggles in the Walls
16:25   The Value of Routines
17:07   Disrupted Routines
18:32   Relationships and Belonging
24:44   Overcoming Fear at Disneyland
35:19   Evening Routines
36:06   Love and Humility
38:36   Catching Lessons
39:04   Empathy and Marginalization
41:25   Ending Essentials

44 min
January 23, 2018 Routines, Giggles and Belonging with Dan and Stacy, ADHD Parents
As I spoke with Dan and Stacy, our guests for this episode, I was struck by how clearly their love for each other and their kids came across. Dan's thoughfulness about how ADHD affects their family of four, and Stacy's understanding and acceptance of the struggles it presents were moving. As was their clear support for one another, and their children.I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it.
As usual, I can be found at ADHDessentials.com.
Or email me at [email protected].

Episode 004: Routines, Giggles, and Belonging with Dan and Stacy

2:44     Child Evaluation leads to Parental Diagnosis
4:42     ADHD has always been there
8:22     Counting Down for Compliance, not Completion
8:51     Routine, Practice and Habit
12:37   Kids as “Little Recorders of Us”
14:19   Giggles in the Walls
16:25   The Value of Routines
17:07   Disrupted Routines
18:32   Relationships and Belonging
24:44   Overcoming Fear at Disneyland
35:19   Evening Routines
36:06   Love and Humility
38:36   Catching Lessons
39:04   Empathy and Marginalization
41:25   Ending Essentials
44 min
January 16, 2018 Separating Attitude from Performance with Michele Monteiro, Special Education Teacher
Episode 3 finds me talking to Michele Monteiro. She's a special education teacher at a school for kids with social, emotional, and other disabilities. Many of her students have ADHD.
We talk aobut how students taking, or not taking, their prescribed medication affects both themselves, and their classmates, the importance of letting kids earn back your opinion of them when they mess up, and the transformative power of chef Boyardee and ramen.
Side Note:
During our conversation, Michele and I express frustration with the the fact thatn not all educators are able to understand/respect the social and emotional challenges of their students. No offense is intended. I’ve worked with a great many teachers and administrators who deeply value social emotional learning. And, given that you’re here, I’m sure you do too.
Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoy it.
As usual, I can be found at ADHDessentials.com.

Show Notes:

2:10 Bit by ADHD
3:40 Time Blindness
6:31 How not taking Prescribed Meds affects classroom
10:16 Shame and ADHD
16:18 Effort Grades
17:26 Separating attitude from performance
18:08 Earning point back by doing well afterward
19:15 Teaching Self-Care
21:06 Why Projects don’t work for Michele’s population
22:08 Emotions Beat Academics
22:31 ADHD & Comorbidities
23:12 Why Michele Loves Her Job
24:38 The Value of Kids Putting Their Heads on Their Desks
27:31 Managing the Emotional Drain
27:47 The Value of Shared Experience
29:23 The Transformative Power of Chef Boyardee and Ramen
30:23 On Self-Care
31:55 Self Care Outside of School
32:31 Being Goofy in Class
34:22 Ending Essential
36 min