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For kids who struggle with ADHD, building skills like executive function and self-advocacy can be difficult. 

In this episode of In It, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek welcome Dr. Andy Kahn. Andy is a licensed psychologist and the associate director of behavior change and expertise here at Understood. He’s also the host of the podcast Parenting Behavior with Dr. Andy Kahn.

Andy discusses why skill-building is important for kids with ADHD. He also shares many ways families can help.

Related resources

• Understanding impulsivity in kids
• The 3 areas of executive function
• ADHD medication shortages: 8 ways to cope
• Listen: Talking through social struggles
• Listen: The power of self-advocacy for kids at IEP and 504 meetings

Timestamps  

(1:27) Reasons why some kids do not take meds 

(3:42) Areas where skill-building can help kids with ADHD 

(5:33) Skill-building for executive function 

(10:38) Skill-building for social situations

(15:40) Skill-building for impulsivity 

(19:25) Understanding and working on self-advocacy 

(23:00) The connection between access to medication and skill-building

For a transcript of this episode and more resources, visit the In It page on Understood.

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Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give