Hey team! 

Off the bat: meds are tricky, and this episode will not push medications. What you will learn from hearing from Dr. Walt Karniski is some honest perspective and stories of other parents' journeys in exploring ADHD medications for their children. Walt personalizes the struggles and challenges perceptions as he reflects on his 40 years as a developmental pediatrician. I hadn't personally considered that what we call "Side effects" may actually be the "come down" from medications. There's lots to think about when deciding if ADHD medications are right for your family and your child. Join us in exploring on today's show. 

All my love, 

Sarah

Team! We've got an accommodations and assistive technology expert, Crystal Rose Hill-Farrell, who will share some super helpful insights for identifying and using accommodations for learning! Even if your child is not yet college-aged, you'll want to hear Crystal Rose's ideas and perspectives! 

Mentioned in the show: 

BeeLine Reader

Voice Typing (Here's my how-to Doc)

Natural Reader

CaptiVoice

All my love,

Sarah

Having a brain with executive function needs is tricky; it also connects us with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) movement. The perspective shifts associated with DEI-- inclusion and celebration of differences--benefit all of us. 

Author and speaker Deanna Singh shares her actionable and positive strategies for talking with your kids and teens about DEI. She takes away the political and negative emotions to get down to the essence of why these conversations and strategies matter. For all of us with different brains, having a welcoming space in which we can shine (and use our strategies) is huge! 

I know you'll love this uplifting and smart conversation! 

All my love,

Sarah

About Deanna: 

  Deanna Singh is a business consultant, speaker, and podcaster who is internationally recognized for her work in leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Deanna helps her clients create more equitable and inclusive work environments and engage more authentically within their internal and external communities. A gifted communicator, she is a champion for marginalized communities through her work.  Her podcast, Uplifting Impact with a focus on looking at the intersection of Leadership and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, focuses on solutions and is directed at people who want to break the status quo.  Singh earned her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Fordham University, a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University, a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University.

Actions Speak Louder book 

Uplifting Impact Podcast

I am a Girl of Color children's book 

I am a Boy of Color children's book

Selah's Bridge children's book  

Sleep. It can feel so wonderful and at times, so unattainable, especially for our teens. Yet we intuitively know--and science proves--sleep matters immensely as a brain vitamin for growing and using executive function. So, how do we get our teens (and ourselves) more sleep? Experts and authors Julie Wright and Heather Turgeon share their best tips on today's show. You'll learn so many easy-to-implement strategies from their book, Generation Sleepless, including: what causes less sleep, how we can get our kids/teens on board, and how you can pass responsibility to your child. 

Learn more about their work.

Grab a copy of Generation Sleepless. 

All my love, 

Sarah

Team, You listen to this podcast because your life is impacted by executive function needs. And, while many of our examples are for studenting, we also know that executive function needs show up...everywhere! Even on vacations! 

On today's show, we talk with author and travel expert Dawn Barclay, whose book, Traveling Different, will empower you to travel stress-free this summer! Her hope is to "open up the world" for families, and the tips she shares here (and in her book) will do just that! 

Preorder the book: http://www.travelingdifferent.com 

About our guest: Dawn M. Barclay is an award-winning author who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry. She started as an agent with her parents’ firms, Barclay Travel Ltd and Barclay International Group Short-Term Apartment Rentals, and then branched out into travel trade reporting with senior or contributing editor positions at Travel Agent Magazine, Travel Life, Travel Market Report, and most recently, Insider Travel Report. She is a mother of two and resides in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley.

Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse

Publication Date: August 15, 2022 • ISBN: 978-1-5381-6866-0 • $32.00, Hardback • 344 pages

Sometimes the right help at the right time makes all the difference! On today's show, Mel, a parent to an amazing college student, shares her journey of understanding and supporting her son! Mel shares how a deeper understanding led to her giving her son encouragement and space to change. Her son went from some failing grades and frustrating moments (including driving and safety) to an empowered young man with straight As and a transfer acceptance to his dream college! Let her story inspire you to embrace what's possible! All my love, Sarah 

Join our college prep group here

Learn more

Hi Team! 

 On today's show, you'll hear from a college student, Zach, who shares how small-but-powerful strategies and perspective changes made all the difference for his college experience! He dives into some important insights for anyone who's struggling in an area of life which they think "should" be easier and gets down to some great tips about how to make schedules work for you (whatever schedule format you choose to try!) 

Zach's progress and ever-growing toolbox of strategies are kudos to his dedication and hard work in coaching! And, it's possible for anyone with executive function struggles to grow in this way, too! If you or your child are struggling with "studenting," join our Launch to College Group! Our 8 weeks of live coaching and activities will have you ready to independently rock college, trade, or tech school--prepared with perspectives and tools to handle any life-ing that comes your way! Our group starts June 9th, 2022...so grab your spot and get ready for an action-packed brain adventure! (All ages of high school and up are welcome! The skills will help with independence, whether in college or not yet)

 Learn more: https://sarahkesty.com/college/  and join: https://www.coachaccountable.com/offering/PrvVYjdTnxfBUB2aAbtGBKD42lkOAio

All my love,

Sarah

Hi Team! If college, trade school, or tech school is around the corner for your teen, you're probably beginning to list the to-do's and what if's! I hear you there! Lots of the families I coach are peeking their heads out of the "just get to graduation" space, to take a look at the "get ready for college" section of the journey. 

On today's show, you'll hear from the brilliant and uplifting, Alec, who recently graduated with a BA in psychology. His tips and perspectives can help you begin to shift your thinking about college- or independent living-prep for your teen or young adult. (And...if your child isn't yet graduating, you'll still want to tune in to hear some of Alec's thoughts on balance, emotional regulation, and ways families can communicate! He shares so many easy-to-use strategies!)

And, if this kind of help is exactly what you're looking for right now, you've got to join our summer launch to college group. Imagine ending the summer feeling 100% confident in your teen's ability to handle independent life! That's what we're doing in our group! Learn more: https://sarahkesty.com/college/ and sign up: https://www.coachaccountable.com/offering/PrvVYjdTnxfBUB2aAbtGBKD42lkOAio

All my love to you,

Sarah

Nearly 50% of college Freshman with ADHD (or other executive function challenges) fail at least one class, if not the whole semester. Only 40% go on to graduate. Preparing your high school junior or senior with college-ready strategies is the best way to beat the stats and empower future success! (Plus, save that tuition, too!)

On today's quick show, you'll hear just some of the skills we're developing in our college prep summer group and why this is the best way to spend your summer! Now's your chance to do something fun and meaningful with your time together over the next few weeks!

Join our Launch to College and Executive Function group for guided progress toward college readiness. You know, all those skills you said you'd deal with after graduation? Learning how to do laundry, manage money, keep a schedule, wake up on their own, eat healthfully...those skills? The time is NOW!

Imagine your teen feeling 100% ready for college and adulting! That's what we're doing in our summer group! With proven strategies and neurodiverse-friendly brain hacks, your child will be empowered to handle all of the demands of college. Listen now and sign up here. 

All my love and see you in the group, 

Sarah

Team, 

Executive Function needs are invisible, and our kids are often able to cope well enough that schools don't see the true struggle. So, how do we, as parents and educators, advocate so that our kids are supported and understood? 

My friend and fellow executive function expert, Seth Perler, and I are teaming up for a 3-part series on Advocacy! Listen to part 1 here, where we talk about the need for and possible impact of accommodations for executive function! 

And, check out Seth's work on his website and The Executive Function Online Summit, which will happen in just a few months! 

My Launch to College Group for high school and transfer students and families starts soon! Click here to sign up so your child is college-ready by the end of the summer (and you can rest assured the tuition is safely invested because your child has tools to avoid failing out!) 

All our love,

Sarah and Seth