I had a great session with my coach last week. I was feeling some guilt about a situation in my life. (Specifically, about not wanting to spend every possible waking moment with my son.) His answer to guilt blew me away and I wanted to share it with y’all. Jerry observed that guilt is usually a result of our breaking our own rules. We all have core beliefs, standards, values, whatever you want to call them. It is less common that we trample those. But we often make up/ assume rules that may or may not truly serve those core values. Then adopt these rules as fact. I’m sure some rules are great, but the more I’ve explored this, the more I realize how many of them get us in to trouble. For example, the issue I was discussing with my coach: I felt guilty about not picking up my little man (4.5 yrs old) from preschool the minute I could. Even if I don’t have a client my last slot of the day, I often do office work or take the opportunity to wind down with a few minute of and old Star Trek TNG. (They play like 3 a day on BBC America! I love my DVR!) So, the value there is that I take being a dad very seriously. I am an active, loving, affectionate, supportive 1/2 of my son’s parenting team. I have my strengths and weaknesses and make my mistakes, but on balance, I’m the dad that I want to be. That’s who I am and what is important to me. Incidentally, I had a very good role model in my own father. Unfortunately, I had unwittingly attached “rules” to how I fulfill my core value of being a great dad. I had decided that…

I took a break over the summer from posting. As I have entered the fall, and tried to get back going on the blog, I have found it difficult. I have a list of topics I want to address, but seem somewhat overwhelmed by jumping in to the more complex, lengthy, or challenging ones. Therefore, this is the perfect time for me to remind myself that this blog doesn’t have to be perfect. My plan is to rededicate myself to a stream of consciousness form of writing (with little or no editing) that emphasizes content, not form, but allow me to write the darn entries! Done is better than not done perfectly!

“No one axiom can be deemed wise and expedient for all times and circumstance.” -Thomas Jefferson I’ve been meaning to share this with y’all. My post on rules made me think now was the time. I came across this quote while doing some history reading my Jr. year in High School. It has been the foundation of my personal philosophy ever since. I could tell you what it means to me… but I’m interested in what it means to you. Hope you find it thought provoking.

A client’s mom shared this poem with me recently. It was written about 45 years ago by her mom about her brother. Ten-Year-Old …Does everything by fits and starts, Runs the gamut of manly arts, Works five minutes on model planes, Makes dirty marks on the window panes, Concentrates on spinning a top, Teases his sisters ’til told to stop, Tries to think of something to do, Idly thumbs through a book or two, The trouble with this man of parts, He has more fits than finished starts. –Marguerite Whitley May

I have a lot to offer in terms of what I have figured out. But, that doesn’t mean I have it all figured out or that I don’t have my struggles too. As much as I would love to tell y’all that I’m perfect, I am far from it. It occurs to me that it might be helpful to share some of the things that I sill work on myself. After all, I am always telling my clients not to compare themselves to other, especially since those who seem to have it all together might not. I can be a role model with out being perfect, right? So, I want to share that I’ve really been struggling with my attention for the last week or two. I mean really struggling. It almost feels like I haven’t taken my meds at all. I’ve started doing two a day work outs to try to balance my brain chemistry I’ve moved up my session with my coach so I see him monday morning. I’ve talked some of it out with my wife. I’m eating well and sleeping fantastically. I’m managing my anxiety really well. And, I still can’t seem to sit down and focus on what I want to. (I’m sure you’ll find that this post is indicative of this struggle, as will be even more stream of consciousness than usual.) What’s to be learned from this? I don’t know. Why am I sharing? Because I don’t know what is to be learned yet. It would be neat and tidy to figure out what’s going on and then share a nice positive outcome. But it feels important to be sharing where I am now. I guess the important thing is that I’m doing what I can, keeping my head up, and fighting the…

I know this is an ADHD blog.  I have made a conscious decision not to post about non-ADHD-related issues.  Today is different here in Boston.  This is one of those times when life interrups our lives, when the world transcends each of our own worlds.  At times like this we all need to find our own voices and our collective voice as Americans, but even more so as human beings.  This happens to be an easy forum for me.  So this is my voice. This hit me pretty close to “where I live.”  My father was finishing lunch with a friend less than a block away… and was getting ready to head over to the race.  We couldn’t get in touch with either of them until they arrived back home more than an hour later.  My wife works downtown at a space that hosts marathon-related events.  I am beyond thankful that I don’t have more of a story to tell than that.  But this post isn’t about me. This about US.  Whenever a tragedy like this happens, I am struck by the stark contrast of this horrible day, from every other day, (since September 11th.)  I always hope that tragedy can bring us perspective.  All to often I think we as Americans take for granted the “blanket of freedom” and safety that is provided us every day.  As a parent, this sort of thing is even more terrifying than I ever thought anything could be.  I know what kind of person I am.  If I had been there, I like to think that the “5 years ago me,” would likely have run toward the disaster to help total strangers.  I also know that if I had been there yesterday, my first and only thought would have been for my 4 year old son.  The first…

With a heavy heart we I am back to the business of ADHD today… The following is a redacted copy of a letter I wrote for a client recently to help her get the accommodations her daughter needs.  I honestly don’t know if it will be helpful or not.  I don’t know if they even consider the professional opinion of a coach.  I thought it would be interesting to share, both as a practical document and in terms of addressing the larger philosophical issue of what to do with our ADHD children, especially the bright ones.  (FYI: I haven’t met the dumb ones yet.  Misunderstood and struggling: yes!  Dumb: no way!  Perhaps my next post will be on our need to redefine “smart” in our school system and in our society.) April 2013 To Whom It May Concern: Hello.  My name is Matt Reid, ACC, AACC.  I am a certified ADHD coach.  I am located in Milton, but have clients with ADHD between the ages of 13 and 60 across The United States.  I also teach and speak to parents groups, support groups, and groups of teachers on ADHD related topics across New England.  I also have ADHD myself.  I primarily work with my clients one-on-one, but occasionally am asked by parents to get involved in their interactions with their respective school systems. This letter is to support [Removed] need for accommodations at [Removed] High School.  It is my intention to add depth to the rather brief letter provided by her doctor.  [Removed] came to me this winter with a legitimate medical diagnosis of ADHD, (combined type.)  During the course of several sessions I had with [Removed], I saw no reason to doubt the ADHD diagnosis.  She is classically ADHD, having trouble maintaining focus and sitting still.  These issues are greatly improved through the use of…

Here’s another conference nugget: Here are some interesting facts about the two stimulant families, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate…) & Amphetamine (Adderall, etc.) Stimulants appear to be less effective on ADHD in children who are also on the Autism Spectrum  and those who’s ADHD is brain injury related. Stimulants don’t directly effect executive function.  (However, it is my non-scientifically validated opinion that being able to concentrate helps ADHD’ers work on their executive function issues.) Metadate CD capsules can be opened and sprinkled on food for kids who have trouble with the pills. New research indicates that there is no statistically relevant difference in hight with medicated kids.  There is a lag in growth, but it appears that we catch up. There is a slight difference in weight. Generic drugs only have to be within 20 – 30% of the original’s effectiveness.  Most of them are made by the same drug makers that produce the name brand though.  However, my personal experience is that I respond differently to generic Ritalin, though my insurance won’t let me get the name brand any more.  (The same goes for Catapres)  But, I’ve actually found that I respond better to specific generic producers.  When possible, I order these meds by producer. Here are some interesting contrasts between the two families: Dosing can be a little harder with the methylphenidate family.  (I’m going to call it the Ritalin family from now on to save on my typing.)  It is only 10 – 30% bioavailable.  That means that a relatively little amount of the drug the you take actually gets in to the blood stream.  It can be more effected by metabolism etc.  The Amphetamine family, (Adderall from not on,) is about 80% bioavailable. Ritalin is not effected by being taken with food.  Adderall can be.  Some research indicates that Adderall is less effective in an…

by theinplace Hey everyone. About 2 weeks ago I attended a fantastic ADHD conference though the MGH Psychiatry Academy here in Boston… well, actually Cambridge. It was geared toward medical professionals — I was probably the only coach in the room, but that’s fine with me. Basically, the conference was a review what we know about ADHD, presentations on all of the new science from the past year, and the implications of how this knowledge helps those of us with ADHD be effectively treated. Topics included stimulant and non-stimulant meds, CBT, neuro-imaging, the genetics of ADHD, managing ADHD in college students, and so much more. This is the first of what I hope to be many posts over the next few months about what I learned. I hope they are helpful. Please reach out if you are interested in more information. I will do the best I can to send you in the right direction. Possibly the most interesting and important thing that I learned was about medication and the ADHD brain. (Much of this is from a study that hasn’t even been published yet.) There are really two parts to this. 1. As brain scanning becomes more sophisticated we are better able to isolate population differences between our ADHD brains and the “neurotypical” brain.* In large scale population studies, it has been proven that there is a small but substantial difference in the size of our ADHD brains. Certain regions are, on average, smaller — as I recall about 10-15%. (As a note here, don’t interpret this as a lack of intelligence The last study I saw indicated that ADHD’ers actually have a slightly higher than normal IQ, 100 vs. 107.) There is also some really interesting information about how our brains work when they are working versus when…

As much as I hate to admit it when I make a mistake… One other thing that I learned at the conference is that a small percentage of ADHD’ers do outgrow it. I would still argue that many people who claim they outgrow it, are just living ADHD friendly lives as adults and don’t realize they are just managing their ADHD effectively. However, the newer brain scans do show that in some cases, the differences in brain size are corrected in adolescence I am endeavoring to track down the actual statistics. (I want to say it was in the low teens though.) I will post that when I have it.

I haven’t had time to read that most recent article in the Times.    However, I will say that with in the ADHD community the Times has already become a joke.  They so clearly have an anti-ADHD bias that we all need to take their “reporting” on the topic with a grain of salt, at best.   I imagine that schools wouldn’t dare such a “pop culture” source when considering how to deal with kids and family, especially when such matters can ultimately end in litigation.  But, stranger things have happened.  Certainly worth keeping an eye on. Personally, I do my best to refute ADHD misinformation as often as possible.  I would encourage all of you to do the same.  It is our combined voice as parents and many of us as ADHD’ers ourselves that will move this public debate beyond the hysterical and in to the realm of science and fact.  Let your voice be heard whenever you can.   Just look at the Autism and vaccination situation.  All that research establishing a link has been proved to have been falsified and totally discredited.  Yet, how many people still believe there is a link because the voice of reason isn’t loud enough and doesn’t come often enough.  Speak up!

This is a fantastic shake for several reasons.  It is great for us who help manage our ADHD with exercise, including lifting, and who want to lose fat and build muscle in it’s place.  I usually have one after my workout at least 4 days a week.  It gets you all those mini nutrients in the fruit as well as really effective protein delivery. But, here’s the thing:  I was a chef for 13 years.  If it don’t taste good, I don’t want no part of it!  I’m a lot like your kids that way.  Which is why this is a great option for kids who struggle with eating in the stimulants.  Believe me, I’ve been there.  My parents forced me to drink those Ensure brand shakes out of a can.  Their awfulness still turns my stomach 25 years later.  Bottom line, it didn’t take a lot of supplementing as long as we worked my eating schedule around the meds.  But, if I had had access to this tasty treat, I would have enjoyed a daily smoothie without complaint…  maybe. Matt’s World’s Yummiest Protein Shake Ingredients: 8 oz skim milk 1 sm squeeze real chocolate syrup* 1 heaping scoop Vanilla flavored Whey Protein powder** 1/2 a banana, fresh or frozen*** 10-15 Blueberries, depending on size, fresh or frozen*** 2-3 Strawberries, quartered, fresh or frozen*** Method: Start by measuring the milk in the caraffe of the blender. Add everything else and blend**** until smooth. It should fit in a Pt. glass with 1/2 a banana… though I like a whole one… *I like Alaskah organic that I get at Whole Foods.  Good flavor, consistency, ingredients. **I like the Whole Foods 365 brand.  Dissolves well, subtle vanilla flavor, and you can’t beat the price. ***I buy fresh berries when they are on sale, freeze then on a flat tray, then pack them in…