Adhd Essentials

NOTE:  THE AUDIO ON THIS EPISODE DOESN'T SEEM TO WORK.  I'M TRYING TO GET IT FIXED. Today, it's just me.  With an eye toward the future, I give you an update on episode 100 (which drops tomorrow), and beyond!  Then I share some thoughts on fear and parenting as it relates to the judgement of others, and what "They" think.  I hope you enjoy it. Upcoming Events: November 4th - 7th The PARENTING AUTISM SUMMIT!  (It's useful for ADHD parents, too!)  Register at the link provided.   November 21 from 7pm to 9pm The first live episode of ADHD Essentials at the Commonwealth Learning Center in Needham, MA!  RSVP at info@commlearn.com.     ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community    

Today, we’re talking to Penny Williams of Parenting ADHD and Autism.  Penny is a luminary in the field of ADHD and Autism.  Her son’s ADHD diagnosis sent her on a journey from needing help to providing it.  She’s written four award-winning books on the subject, and offers services like mom retreats, and coaching for parents in need.  It was an pleasure to talk to her, and I’m very glad we’ve connected. REGISTER FOR THE PARENTING AUTISM SUMMIT!   (IT'S USEFUL FOR ADHD PARENTS, TOO!) In today’s episode, we talk about Penny’s journey as the mom of an ADHD son, the importance of parent mindset and how it can affect the emotional well-being of our homes, gaps between ability and output, and being a survivor.   RSVP for the Upcoming Live Podcast Episode at info@commlearn.com.   Guest Links: Learn more about Penny's work at https://parentingadhdandautism.com. Register for Penny's Parenting Autism Summit. ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Group

Today, we’re talking to my friend, Lysa Miller.  Lysa is amazing.  She’s a single mom with ADHD of kids with ADHD.  She has started and runs multiple businesses, including 3 Media Web, the company responsible for my website, and a women’s networking group in Central Massachusetts. Oh, and she’s also a client. In today’s episode, Lysa opens up about her life with ADHD, and shares the lessons she’s leanred along the way.  We discuss the importance of having a good morning, useful tech tools for managing our lives, teaching our kids by giving them jobs we struggle with, the struggles of supporting our kids when we have ADHD, too, and the power of looking for help.   RSVP for the Upcoming Live Podcast Episode at info@commlearn.com.   Guest Links: Learn about Lysa's Web Design and Digital Marketing Agency at http://www.3mediaweb.com   Find out about Lysa's Women's Networking Group at http://www.metrowestwomen.com Check out her upcoming women focused sales summit http://www.salesempowermentsummit.com Em

When I told my sons that I was going to be posting two bonus episodes during the month of October, the get really excited and told me they wanted to be interviewed for one of them.  So, in today's episode, we're talking to my kids, Nathan and Gavin. The boys and I talk about their thoughts on school, hobbies, adventures, and being a Mahan.  I hope you enjoy this window into our family.   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Today, we’re talking to Jeanette G. of “Excuse My ADHD”.  Jeanette is a mom who is harnessing the power of podcasting to chronicle her journey with ADHD. In today’s episode, Jeanette’s shares a bit about her life as an ADHD mom.  We discuss navigating parental guilt, her interview of a member of Scottish Parliament, the bias toward childhood ADHD, the connections between ADHD and compassion, and what it takes to follow through on our goals. Guest Links: Learn more about Jeanette G and her podcast, Excuse My ADHD. Check out the videos of Daniel Johnson, MSP speaking to Scottish Parliament about ADHD that was mentioned by Jeanette.   Video 1  (38.50) Video 2  (8.15) ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community    

Today, we’re talking to Beth Dinelli and Alex Fortuna of the Commonwealth Learning Center.  The Commonwealth Learning Center supports kids with learning disabilities through specialized, one-to-one instruction.  Beth is the director of Commonwealth Learning Center in Danvers, MA, and Alex is the director of Commonwealth Learning Center in Needham, MA. LAST DAY TO REGISTER for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups!   In today’s episode, we’re talking about the intersection of reading and ADHD.   Alex, Beth and I look at the various elements that going into reading, from very basic foundational elements, to more sophisticated ones.  We also discuss multiple reading disorders, dyslexia among them, and ways parents can help their kids read better, and more. Sign-Up for October's ADHD reWired Live Q&A!! SPECIAL NOTE:  The audio on this one is a little static-y and click-y.  I apologize in advance.  We did what we could to clean it up, but some of it is still there.  BONUS SPECIAL NOTE:  In ord

It’s that time of year again.  The leaves are turning, acorns litter the ground, the air is becoming chilly.  It’s the season of pumpkin spice!  It’s been around for years now, but it seems like people are still out of their minds about it.   Why?  Why is pumpkin spice so exciting for so many people? Because it’s a special event. It adds an interesting twist to ordinary, commonplace things - like coffee, pancakes and muffins.  And, it’s only available for a little while.  What does this have to do with ADHD? The ADHD brain loves unique experiences and reward.  Pumpkin spice, because of it’s limited timeframe, is a unique experience. And for some, the unique flavor it adds to their food is a reward. People with ADHD need a little “pumpkin spice” every now and then to help motivate them. It adds an interesting twist to an activity that has become boring and uninteresting.   Register For & Learn About The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups! How to Use “Pumpkin Spice” Best used to manage uniqu

Today, we’re talking to Danielle Frisby.  Danielle is the mother of a son with ADHD, and a Social Impact Event Coordinator.   Her company,  “UnBoxing Change” provides a voice to communities through membership driven engagement activity and involvement. In today’s episode, Danielle shares with us how being an event planner has informed the way she approaches motherhood, including - why we should look at meals as events, the importance of dates, times and locations, finding the good no matter what, and figuring out ways to help our kids feel safe so they can have hard conversations with us.  And, she shares her son Jordan’s Ending Essentials to conclude the show. Register For & Learn About The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups!   Guest Links: Learn more about Danielle and her work with UnBoxing Change on Instagram (@unboxingchange) Facebook email:  Unboxingchange@gmail.com UnBoxing Change Mission: UnBoxing Change believes that​ ​Community​ i​ s the secret. UnBoxing Change

Today, we’re talking to Alan Mosden.  Alan is the father of several children with special needs, who wrote a comment letter that addresses how the Family Medical Leave Act applies to IEP Meetings. In today’s episode, we discuss what a comment let is, and how FLMA applies to school care meetings, petitioning the government to get things done, and advocating for our kids.   Special Note: Nether Alan nor I are lawyers. So, although we talk about legal matters in this episode, do not take any of it as legal advice.  Consult your legal representative before implementing anything discussed in this episode.   Learn About & Register For The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups Here!   Guest Links: The Comment Letter (FMLA2019-2-A) discussed in this episode, in which the DOL concluded that FMLA covers an employee’s attendance at a school meeting where their child's IEP will be discussed.   Additional Links: The article written by Jeff Nowak about Aelan's Comment Letter mentioned in today's episod

Today, we’re talking to Matt Fahy, LMHC.  Matt is a licensed mental health counselor based in Florida.  He began his quest to better understand the human condition as an Anthropologist, spending a number of years exploring and working on archeological sites.  Eight years ago, he shifted his focus to mental health counseling.  And now, he has married the two and uses his Anthropology knowledge and counseling skills to run therapeutic games of Dungeons and Dragons for his clients.   RSVP for the ADHD reWired Live Q&A Featuring Jessica McCabe, Eric Tivers, and Brendan Mahan!  Tuesday, September 10th!  1:30pm Eastern / 10:30am Pacific!   In today’s episode, we talk about what Dungeons and Dragons is, how Matt uses it as a therapeutic tool  to help the kids he works with develop social skills,  problem-solving skills, and greater insight into themselves, the roots of this approach in classic psychological approaches, and Matt shares with us the tale of the clients in one of his groups helped Boogers the G

Today, we’re talking to Amy Leone.  Amy is a mental health clinician who specializes in adolescent and youngadults with dual diagnoses, including substance abuse, and behavioral or trauma related symptoms.  I first met Amy when I joined her Juvenile Advocacy Group, a group she created to address the effects of the opioid epidemic in Milford, MA, which has become a model for many other towns throughout Massachusetts, as well as the state as a whole.  She is one of the most caring and driven people I know, and it an honor to call her my friend. In today’s episode, Amy talks to us about vaping. What it is, why it’s so hard to catch, its connection to marijuana use, step we can take to keep our kids from doing it, and the fact that it might be a signal of the need for stress reduction and mental health supports for both kids and parents. A quick disclaimer:   This week’s episode is about vaping.  It touches on addiction, and the kinds of behaviors that might signal addiction.  I don’t want to panic anyone.  If

Today, I share a handful of back to school tips and ideas.  Depending on the age of your kid and your individual situation, some of these might need a little tweaking, but I’m sure you’ll find things in here that are useful. The topics include: Expectations Starting in the morning Making friends Relationships with teachers Homework  Studying Transitions Winding down for bed Register Here For The Executive Function Online Summit (TEFOS)   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the next round of The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Today, we’re talking to Seth Perler.  Seth is an Executive Function and Twice Exceptional Coach who has dedicated his life to helping kids overcome their challenges so they can live great lives.  He does this by teaching the world about executive function. Unsurprisingly, he’s also the founder of The Executive Function Online Summit. In today’s episode, Seth and I talk about the resistance our kids sometimes experience when faced with challenging tasks, how major shifts come from millions of little successes, The Executive Function Online Summit (TEFOS), and the importance of our relationships with our kids.    Register The Executive Function Online Summit (TEFOS)   Guest Links: Learn more about Seth at https://sethperler.com.   Replay of my ADDitude Webinar on The Wall of Awful   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the next round of The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Faceb

My buddy Adam Wilson is back on the pod! Adam is the founder of Calm Passion, a non-profit that creates sensory sensitive spaces to help those with sensory needs participate in events like comic book conventions and movie showings that might otherwise be too overwhelming for them.  He also runs Calmer Con, which is an entire pop culture convention Adam has developed for kids, adults, and families with sensory needs. In today’s episode, Adam and I talk about the importance of having a consistent approach to how we handle our kids, the power reframing our struggles, navigating the isolation of raising a kid with special needs, including our kids on their support team, and going out to dinner to get on the same page as our partner.   Recent & Upcoming Appearances: Replay of my ADDitude Webinar on The Wall of Awful Register for the Live Q&A with Eric Tivers Register The Executive Function Online Summit   Guest Links: Learn more about Adam & Calm Passion at http://calmpassion.org Or check them o

Today, we’re talking to Lindsey Steele.  Lindsey is a high school social studies teacher with ADHD. She writes about managing the life of a teacher while having ADHD on her blog, Fight, Pray, Teach.  In today’s episode, Lindsey and I talk about how having ADHD informs her teaching practice, and her relationships with her students.  She also shares some of the organization strategies she uses in her classroom, and we talk about how they can be applied in the home by parents affected by ADHD.         Register for my Webinar with ADDitude Magazine on Tuesday, August 6th at 1pm Eastern, Here!   Guest Links: Learn more about Lindsey and her work at https://fightprayteach.wordpress.com/ Read her article about organizing her classroom to be ADHD friendly. ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the next round of The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

Today, we’re talking to Doug Harris of ADHD Synergy.  Doug is a long-time ADHD coach, working primarily with creatives and the gifted.  He organizes the Ann Arbor Michigan ADHD Support group, and was an absolute blast to talk to!  In today’s episode, Doug tells us about finding connection in ADHD conferences and groups, how he used streaks to meditate for 388 days in a row, his theory of pre-trying, and growing up with ADHD. Guest Links: Learn more about Doug at http://adhdsynergy.com Find the Ann Arbor, MI support group here: https://www.meetup.com/AnnArbor-ADHD-ADD-Support/ ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the next round of The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

It was is an honor and a privilege to reconnect with my old friend, Jarra Meltzer for this interview. Jarra is the senior Developmental Learning Specialist at the Interactive Learning Center in Lexington, MA, and is an expert in learning and development of children, both academically and socially. In today’s episode, we discuss focusing on process over results, the power of saying “I wonder…”, allowing space for failure, asking better questions, and the pillars of problem solving.   Guest Links: Learn more about Jarra and her work at https://theinteractivelearningcenter.com    ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the next round of The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  Check out the ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community

WARNING:  At one point in this episode, we discuss mass shootings at mosques and synagogs.  It's only a small part of the show, but it does occur. /WARNING Today, we’re talking to René Brooks of Black Girl, Lost Keys. René is a member of the ADHD tribe, and return guest.  She’s currently raising awareness for Black Women’s Health as part of the “Crazy Like a Fox Tour”.  The tour will be in Philly on Sunday at Location 215, and then they’ll be at Impact Hub in Baltimore on July 27th. Go to CrazyLikeAFoxTour.com for more details.    In today’s episode, René and I share some of our ADHD struggles and vulnerabilities while discussing ADHD & Self-Esteem, the  importance of asking for help, the intersection of mental health and race, and the power of networking.   Guest Links: Learn more about Rene at her website: BlackGirlLostKeys.com  Check her out on Facebook or Twitter And go see her in the "Crazy Like A Fox" Tour   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for the next round of The ADHD E

I really enjoyed this conversation with ADHD coach Monica Hassal of Connect ADHD. Monica and I met  at last year’s ADHD Conference, and she’s been a big supporter of this show. I am overjoyed to finally have her on!  She's incredibly knowledgeable, as evidenced by this episode.  I'm sure I'll have her back on in the future. You can learn more about her work at ConnectADHD.com. In today’s episode, we discuss Executive Function, why ADHD rarely travels alone, and the various layers that underly problem behaviors through Monica’s outstanding Volcano of Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.   (Scroll Down to See an Image of Monica's Volcano Below.)   ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups! CLICK HERE for more information, and to sign up! REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY, JULY 10th!   Monica Hassall's Volcano Model of ADHD:   Guest Links: Learn more about Monica and her work at www.ConnectADHD.com.   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching G

Today, we’re talking to Gail Oakerman.  Gail is an Educational Consultant, Counselor, and one of my old College Professors.  She runs Five Points Counseling in Lunenburg, MA. In today’s episode, we discuss the internal struggle of ADHD, how systemic & cultural realities get in our way, the power of teaching kids ways to talk about their challenges, and harnessing incremental change.   REGISTRATION IS OPEN: For the ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups: CLICK HERE for more information, and to sign up!   SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: My "Wall of Awful" model was recently featured on Jessica McCabe's How to ADHD channel on YouTube.  I'd love it if you'd take a look at her channel, as well as my episodes (Episode 1 and Episode 2).  They really do great work, and I'm honored to be included.   ADHD Essentials Links: Learn about & Register for The ADHD Essentials Online Parent Coaching Groups  ADHD Essentials Homepage Contact Brendan at brendan@ADHDessentials.com Join Our Facebook Community   Anot