A quick follow up to last week’s post. It occurs to me that a neurotypical person might wonder why I don’t just hang up the clothes in the closet or put them back in the drawer at the end of the day. That’s what my neurotypical wife does… which still amazes me on some level after 13 years of marriage and 15 years of living together. Well the answer is hard to articulate but really gets to the heart of what ADHD really is. When we think “focus,” we generally think about sitting still in a lecture or something of that type. But one of the most under-appreciated and least recognized ways that a lack of focus affects us is the ability to do simple but routine and boring tasks. As ADHDers, because of our brain chemistry, we experience boredom in a way that a neurotypical person would have a hard time understanding. (I think I’ll do a post on just the boredom issue soon.) And, there is very little that is more boring for us than routine tasks like doing dishes, dealing with the mail, folding and putting away laundry, etc. This deficit is often attributed to motivation… or lack thereof. Personally I think lack of initiation is closer to the truth, but really, it’s just attention. It takes so much attention for us to focus on boring and routine tasks that it is far easier to not do them. The longer term consequences of having a messy room or a cluttered house just aren’t as compelling in the moment as the desire to avoid the excruciating boredom of engaging in the behaviors necessary to avoid that messy room. Standard Disclaimer:  In an effort to foil my own perfectionist tendencies, I do not edit my posts much… if at…

One of my best friends had what he called a “clothes tree” when we were in high school. I thought that was brilliant. So I adopted it. The concept is that it provides a place to put clothes that have been worn but aren’t dirty. Because, let’s be honest, I’m not hanging that stuff up at the end of the day or folding it and putting it back in a drawer. Instead of a free-standing coat rack, like my friend used, I screw a straight coat rack to my wall above my hamper. Both clothes tree and hamper are between the door and the bed and right next to the PJ’s. This way I don’t have to fold or use hangers. I just plop the clothes on the clothes tree and they stay clean to be worn again and don’t end up cluttering the room. Everybody wins! Then, if the tree gets full, or once a week, or on laundry day, I’ll spend 5 minutes and put everything away. But that is 5 minutes not at the end of the day, not when my meds are worn off, and not when I’m already tired and worn out. Standard Disclaimer:  In an effort to foil my own perfectionist tendencies, I do not edit my posts much… if at all. Please and typos, mistakes, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing. I focus on getting my content down. An imperfect post completed is better than a perfect post that goes unposted.

I have always gotten emails (almost daily) from CHADD, ADDutude, NRC, etc. They are great resources for ADHDers and parents. But for me, they often cover topics that I’m already an expert in. However, I was recently added to a list that is designed for clinicians. The ADDitude ADHD research digest. Frankly, I don’t think it should be only for clinicians. I firmly believe that all ADHDers should have access to current science. I would suggest everyone read this newsletter. Of course, bear in mind, most research is not yet actionable. Studies need to be reproduced and verified on many cases. But, more good information is always an asset to us.  Here’s a link to this months entry: http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=05c078d02e79a07f64018da62&id=b08a7fb4f4&e=56e9d42595 I personally recommend reading the 1st and 3rd posts if you only have time for 2.

All the research shows that the best thing you can do to effect a positive outcome is medication therapy, provided it is consistent and effective. The second best thing you can do is engage in behavioral intervention. That would be Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or Coaching. The best outcomes come from a combination of the two. I would argue that the third best thing you can do is practice good sleep hygiene. If you are not getting enough sleep, it is impossible to be optimally effective and attentive. I don’t know how much research there is into sleep and ADHD, but I’ve observed that the “brain fog” that accompanies sleep deprivation is not too dissimilar to the default state of our ADHD brains. There is a decent amount of evidence that exercise is an incredibly valuable part of overall ADHD treatment. I’ve never met anyone who could manage their ADHD fully with exercise alone. But, I can attest to the fact that consistent vigorous activity directly affects my attention positively. Incidentally, it also helps me manage my anxiety, depression, sleep, and general health. A well balanced life is key. If we are not getting the social interaction, intellectual stimulation, and whatever else we need like having a creative outlet or a forum for competition, we are not going to thrive. I imagine this is true for most humans, but we seem to be more in need of this balance than many. Standard Disclaimer:  In an effort to foil my own perfectionist tendencies, I do not edit my posts much… if at all. Please and typos, mistakes, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing. I focus on getting my content down. An imperfect post completed is better than a perfect post that goes unposted.

Too many doctors as unnecessarily afraid of dealing with stimulant based insomnia. It is actually one of the more manageable side effects. Most people on stimulant therapy have their sleep affected only by meds taken late in the day or by higher doses. Though I take high doses and am medicated late in the day, I know from when I first started medication almost three decades ago that if I take any Ritalin at all at any time during the day, I don’t sleep that night… on my own. I think about how much it would have wrecked my life if I had had a doctor who give up on stimulants at that point. Instead I happen to have one of the best ADHD doctors in the world. He tried many things to counteract the stimulants until we settled on Clonidine. I’ve taken it every night for 28 years and it simply cancels out the Ritalin and I go to sleep normally about an hour later. It’s not a sleeping medicine and may even help with my ADHD symptoms, though my doctor says that the short acting form that I take shouldn’t have any effect in that area. Guanfacine is probably prescribed more now that Clonidine is, but they are related and both offer similar help in sleeping. And, there are several other meds that can help offset the stimulants. So, don’t give up the chance of being effectively medicated in the evening. Whether it’s homework time or your kids bedtime, the evening is part of your life too. Note: As with all my entries pertaining to medication, I will remind everyone that I’m not a physician. I simply post about medication because it is so important, because I so often see people not being educated about all the options…

I know I do. Science tells me that you do to, that is to say, if you have ADHD, you have it all the time. I am consistently amazed at how many medical professionals I am aware of who don’t seem to think ADHD needs to be treated all the time. Essentially, the definition of ADHD includes the concept that the symptoms are present in multiple aspects of your life. It’s not just about school, work, or social situations. Though it may be more or less of an issue in different areas of your life, it will always be there in one way or another. I can’t think of another medical issue that doctors seem content to treat for a select few hours a day. No one would suggest that it’s okay to have high blood pressure as long as it’s only after 5pm. No one would tell me that I only need to wear glasses (for an astigmatism that affects my near and far vision) during my work day. I don’t think it would be prudent for a diabetic to manage their blood sugar Monday through Friday and take weekends off. How about being managing depression and anxiety during the school year but taking the summer off? Of course the one caveat to this is if there are substantial side effects that don’t allow for being medicated full time.* In most cases, with a competent physician, side effects can be mitigated enough to allow ADHDers to be medicated the amount that they need to be. Speaking only from my own experience, I need my medication to be the best version of myself in all aspects of my life. Yes,it allows me to be the coach that I want and need to be, and it allows me to be a…

As several of my clients are applying to and often getting into their first choice college I’m reminded of a “fun” thing that happened to me. I remember the pressure and the stress of getting the applications done. I succumbed less to the stress of getting in than most. For some reason I rolled with that one. Anyway, my first choice was Brown. I knew I didn’t have the “resume” to get in, but I thought that my ADHD gave me an explanation as to why my “measurables” weren’t quite up to snuff but that if you looked at my total package I was a good candidate. Still a reach. Not getting in would have been a minor footnote in my life as it wasn’t that big a deal. For example, I can’t remember if it was Oberlin that wait listed me and Vassar that I didn’t get into… or the other way around. Who cares. But Brown was different. My Dad is an Alumnus. So, when I didn’t get in, they sent him a letter offering him counseling, presumably because he should be so disappointed at his son’s lack of success. I have let this fuel me for the 20 years since. In fact, pretty much every time the world has told me that I can’t do “it,” I’ve made it my mission to do “it” anyway if it was really important. Or I’ve let that fuel me as I’ve gone in a different direction. Standard Disclaimer: In an effort to foil my own perfectionist tendencies, I do not edit my posts much… if at all. Please and typos, mistakes, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing. I focus on getting my content down. An imperfect post completed is better than a perfect post that goes unposted.

Two of my favorite resources to donate clothes, housewares, etc. are THEY COME TO YOUR HOUSE. IT’S AMAZING! The Vietnam Veterans of America: The Epilepsy Foundation of New England: http://donateclothes.epilepsynewengland.org/massachusetts?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=donate%2520clothes%2520ma&utm_campaign=donate%2520clothes%2520ma These are my two favorites because they are very easy to schedule, come to your house, and take more than most services. I’ve used them both and find them to be reliable about coming when they are supposed to. And, the Epilepsy Foundation has recently added drop off locations, if that’s your thing. You can also see a map of those at the above link.

I deal with lots of kids who are super stressed about the SATs and the ramifications. A lot of them take classes, endless practice test, read books, make flash cards, and generally drive themselves crazy. I’m not saying that some kids don’t benefit from a little studying. But, the way most kids get wound up about the test can’t be helpful. I would wager that they lose more points from the test taking anxiety than they gain from much of the studying. My philosophy was to be super chill about it. I had bigger fish to fry focusing on my classes. I figured I either knew it or not. I took the same approach to my SAT II’s and my AP. I never took a class, read a book, did a practice test, or made a single flash card. I just made sure to learn my stuff in school, get a good night’s sleep and eat a solid high protein breakfast. The result was that I went into that room with no pressure, stress, or anxiety. And, that let my brain do its cognitive best without any interference. Results: World History SAT II – conveniently can’t remember because it was bad. Class hadn’t prepared me for it. My parents asked me if I wanted to study and retake it. I laughed. SAT – Eng: 720, Math: 690 US History SAT II – 730 US History AP – 3 or a 4 can’t remember exactly, but a credit-earning grade either way English/Writing SAT II – 780 I don’t mention these scores to toot my own horn. I have always tested well. I honestly believe that if I had studied and got all wound up I may not have done as well. Unscientific, yes. But, sometimes I can color outside the lines.…

I’ve seen it in Lexington, Mass., where parents and educators came together this year to read our book, Beyond Measure, and screen the companion film. Inspired, they’re taking town-wide action. One elementary school ended traditional homework and replaced it with nightly reading for pleasure. Other schools in town are making time during the school day for the academic help and project work that are often pushed into precious after-school hours. Meanwhile, Superintendent Mary Czajkowski is meeting with students, parents, and teachers to shape more change for 2017. The strain students are suffering from overwork and unhealthy attitudes toward learning, she says, “has to bring our way of doing things into question.”

I think this article is a bit all over the place and I’m not totally on board with all the possible solutions or explanations, but it raises some very interesting points. Worth considering

Apparently it is the time of year to start thinking about a gap year for your outgoing seniors.  Info on our local Boston fair:  And more on some of the programs available through at least one local company: