Living with ADHD

Well it's October already. Back in March I was planning on doing a monthly post. I think my ADHD might have got in the way as the days and weeks went by and I completely forgot about it whilst doing other important things.  It's not that I intend to forget these regular things. It's just that when something is exciting it takes my attention away from what I was doing and what I planned to do. It happens with the little things and sometimes the big things.  I was in more of a routine when my kids were little, yet even then,  things happened that made me realise how distracted I can get. I was so excited about the prospect of meeting someone off the train that I didn't watch the time and totally forgot that my daughter, all 6 years of age would be waiting at the bus stop for me.  She looked so forlorn when I found her there later. Of course when I realised I hadn't collected her i ran as fast as I could to get her. She was very forgiving and we laugh about it now. Eve...

It's been a while since I've written anything ADHD wise. I am back again and hope to bring you a monthly blog.  This is just a short note. In these new and uncertain days it can be tough for our kids where there is no certainty from day to day.  Rest assured that new routines will develop with time. It can also add pressure to you as carers for your families trying to juggle work, homeschooling and staying sane in isolation. There are many organisations who are bringing great ideas out to help us at this time. I will pop up a list here soon to give you access to tools that might be useful.   In the meantime, take care.  Jill

Isolation This word conjures up a range of thoughts and images on our minds. For some, it may bring up images of a relaxing beach far away where you don't have to deal with the usual business of life. But this is not isolation. For many, isolation is not about being far away and alone in an idyllic setting. I've spoken to people who talk of feeling isolated even when surrounded by a crowd. This can be especially so for parents of children living with ADHD, ASD or other disorders. These kids require extra support. They struggle to read the social cues and signals that others take for granted. They behave in ways that others don't understand. For parents, the fallout of this can be totally exhausting. On top of this there are the usual 'helpful' people who believe they have the answer for your child. These people believe that if you just did ..... (fill in the blank yourself), then all your child's issues would miraculously disappear. As a parent, this consta...

Hi, Here is a link to a great article on helping kids reframe their day and their thinking. It's not specifically ADHD related and I found it on The Gottman Institute Facebook page. I'm sharing it here because I like how it guides us through an easy, useful and practical way to engage kids in that after school conversation. http://www.pbs.org/parents/expert-tips-advice/2018/02/3-words-reframe-day/

Are you an adult living with ADHD, or married to one? This is a quick and interesting read. While it doesn't give answers it may well spark some thoughts and ideas. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/may-i-have-your-attention/201708/is-adhd-blind-relationship-desirable Jill

There's been a bit in the news and on social media about fidget toys and whether or not they are a good thing.  Personally I believe these toys have their place and can be a useful tool for children to help them concentrate at school, listen to the teacher and do their work. Like most crazes I'm sure there are times that using these toys is inappropriate and I imagine that teachers may well be dealing with large numbers of these toys in their classrooms and this could easily be very distracting. However for children who find it difficult to concentrate, these fidget toys are not a distraction but an essential tool to enable them to manage their work. I remember as a child at school having pens with a click mechanism that I constantly clicked, often without realising that I was doing so, and only having it brought to my attention by someone else who clearly found it annoying. However it was a completely unconscious action on my part. If I'd had a fidget toy that I could cl...

ADHD seems to attract an undue amout of criticism and controversy. Recently CHADD - children and adults with adhd posted an article from science based medicine. Here is what CHADD says: '"There are many legitimate criticisms of #ADHD and psychiatry, but that does not mean ADHD is a fraud. The scientific evidence, both clinical and neuroscience, is robust. Kagan’s criticisms are mostly greatly exaggerated, or they are straw men because they are already incorporated into the standard of care. Unfortunately, you will not be exposed to any of that from reading any of the popular press breathlessly reporting that ADHD is a fraud." So - read this.' I have read the article and it is a well written if slightly long paper on the reality of  ADHD, the difficulty in diagnosing the disorder and recent research which is shedding light on the disorder that continues to affect around 6% of any given population. Enjoy the read and what science is discovering about ADHD. https:...