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Why Your Child Doesn’t Want Your Advice (Even When They Come to You)

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Have you ever wondered why your child doesn’t want your advice, EVEN when they come to you? What is your child is actually looking for? Does this sound familiar? “Stop telling me what to do.” Or just: “I know.” Or the one that stings a bit more: “I wasn’t asking for advice.” If you’re parenting … Read more

What Are the Developmental Norms for Executive Function Skills?

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Before you decide a behavior is a choice, it helps to know what’s actually reasonable to expect. This is one of the questions I get asked most, by parents and educators alike. Once people understand that Executive Function skills drive behavior, it’s reasonable to wonder what to expect at different ages. And, of course, underneath that … Read more

New Research on the ADHD Brain: What I’m Updating in My Teaching

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A foundational finding I’ve relied on for nearly 20 years just got more complicated – and I want to make sure what I’m teaching reflects it. For nearly two decades, I’ve been explaining the ADHD brain to parents, educators, and clinicians with a framework that felt solid. It was grounded in research. It made sense … Read more

What Parents Really Need from the Professionals in Their Child’s Life

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And what gets in the way – even when everyone means well. Many parents have had the experience of sitting across from their child’s teacher, or therapist, or school counselor – someone who is clearly kind, clearly trying – and leaving the meeting feeling more alone than when they walked in. Not because anyone was … Read more

504 Plans and IEPs: Helping Your Child Get the Support They Need

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When parents hear terms like 504 Plan or IEP, the conversation often centers on eligibility, services, and paperwork. But for children with ADHD and Executive Function challenges, the more important question is this: Do the adults supporting this child understand how their brain works? When that understanding is in place, the plan becomes more than … Read more

Talking to Your Child About ADHD Medication

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A real conversation about brains, tools, and trust. My work is dedicated to helping families reduce daily stress, understand what’s really getting in the way, and build calmer, more connected relationships that support growth over time. Give yourself grace, learn what you need, and get the support you deserve. I can’t tell you how many … Read more

What We’re Missing in ADHD Treatment

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Rethinking Consequences, Skill Gaps, and Responsibility My new article in Psychotherapy Networker about the gaps many families experience in ADHD care I’m excited to share that my newest article has just been published in Psychotherapy Networker, a publication I’ve long respected for the thoughtful conversations it brings to the mental health field. For many years, … Read more

Why the Science of Reading Is at the Center of U.S. Education Policy

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 And Where States Stand Today If We Know How Kids Learn to Read, Why Aren’t All Kids Learning? There’s renewed national focus on how children learn to read – and lawmakers are paying attention. In early 2026, members of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee held hearings on childhood literacy and the research known as the … Read more

Why Caffeine Isn’t a Substitute for ADHD Medication (And Why That’s Okay)

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You may come across well-meaning suggestions – or even presentations – that frame caffeine as a natural, low-risk alternative to stimulant medications for ADHD. One ADDitude article states it clearly: “Caffeine is not a good alternative to ADHD medication.” They go on to explain that ADHD stimulants provide reliable, steady symptom management, while caffeine’s punch … Read more

8 Classroom Shifts That Make a Real Difference for Students with ADHD

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Practical, brain-based strategies teachers can use immediately – without lowering expectations Most teachers want to support students with ADHD. The challenge isn’t commitment – it’s training. Traditional classroom models weren’t designed with executive function in mind. So even highly skilled educators can find themselves relying on systems that don’t quite work for neurodivergent learners. In … Read more

Teaching Teachers to Manage ADHD and Executive Function

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A recorded training for educators and school professionals. Many teachers care deeply about their students with ADHD, yet most have never received formal training on how ADHD and executive function challenges actually impact learning, behavior, motivation, and emotional regulation. In this recorded presentation, I walk through what educators really need to understand about ADHD, executive … Read more

Control, Not Controlling: Parenting Kids with ADHD

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Editor’s note: This essay reflects ideas from my newly updated book, 8 Keys to Parenting Kids & Teens with ADHD, which was released February 17, 2026.  Most parents don’t set out wanting to control their children. The parents I work with want something far more humane: a home that feels calm and connected, where there’s … Read more

Helping Families Navigate ADHD, Medication, and Support

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Interview with Psychiatrist Dr. Marcy Cooper: I recently sat down with Dr. Marcy Cooper, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, to talk about how she works with families managing ADHD—and what she wishes more people understood about psychiatric treatment. Below is an excerpt from our conversation. Cindy: Dr. Cooper, I’m so glad to share your insights with … Read more

We Know Better About ADHD. Imagine If We Did Better for Kids

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A call to parents, educators, and clinicians to act on what we know. Too many children today are struggling in ways that feel painfully familiar. You remember feeling like you were always trying to catch up, working twice as hard for half the recognition. Or maybe you knew those kids who were constantly corrected, misunderstood, … Read more

Parent the Child You Have: Understanding ADHD, Letting Go of Guilt, and a First Look at My New Book

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Reflections and insights from the new edition of 8 Keys to Parenting Kids & Teens with ADHD There’s a phrase I have carried with me for years – one that guides my work, my teaching, and now, more than ever, my role as a mother and grandmother: Parent the child you have. Not the child you … Read more

Productivity is Hard with ADHD – How to Make It Easier

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I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Ari Tuckman for many years, and I’m always grateful for the clarity, practicality, and empathy he brings to conversations about ADHD. A renowned psychologist, author, and international speaker, Ari is someone I turn to often- for his insights, his research-backed wisdom, and his ability to make even the … Read more

Protecting IDEA: The Role of OSEP

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As you have probably heard, over the holiday weekend the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) – the federal agency responsible for implementing and overseeing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – was effectively wiped out. Fewer than a handful of people remain to distribute and oversee more than $15 billion in IDEA funds and nearly 500 … Read more

Can Executive Function Skills Improve? What Research Really Says

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Executive Function skills – like working memory, attention, processing speed, and flexible thinking – are measurable through formal evaluations. Naturally, when parents and educators see these scores, the question arises: Can these skills improve? The short answer is – it depends. Some areas show growth with targeted strategies and environmental supports, while others are more … Read more

When Students Aren’t Coachable Yet: How Parent Coaching Can Bridge the ADHD Readiness Gap

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  by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP Founder, PTS Coaching, LLC Back in 2007, I had the good fortune of taking Jodi Sleeper-Triplett’s coach training. Like so many others who’ve learned from her, I came away with a deep respect for the power of coaching, especially for teens and young adults navigating ADHD and Executive Function … Read more

The Smartest Investment Schools Aren’t Making (Yet): ADHD Parent Coaching

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Why Every School Should Have a Trained ADHD Parent Coach on Staff Schools routinely offer academic interventions, counseling services, and behavior plans to support students with ADHD and Executive Function challenges. They create thoughtful IEPs and 504 Plans designed to help students develop the skills and compensatory strategies they need to reach their potential. Teachers, … Read more

Gentle vs. Tough: A Better Model for Parenting Kids Who Struggle

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Calm and Connected Parenting Is Not the Problem As an ADHD and Executive Function parenting specialist, I’ve spent decades training thousands of parents, educators, and mental health professionals around the world. My Calm and Connected model has helped families navigate the real-life messiness of raising kids with complex needs—without resorting to punishment or passivity. So … Read more

The World Needs More ADHD Parent Coaches

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We’re living in an era where more families than ever are seeking help—but far too often, they’re looking in the wrong places. They want to know how to “fix” their child’s ADHD. They’ve tried therapy, medication, behavior charts, and sticker systems. They’ve tried the latest social media trends and quick tips. And still, their home … Read more

How to Support Adult Children and Grandchildren with ADHD

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Grandma has ADHD blog

I first met Jami Shapiro at the CHADD conference and was immediately struck by her warmth, wisdom, and passion for helping people better understand ADHD across the lifespan. Her personal story—of discovering her own ADHD through her child’s diagnosis and eventually recognizing the same traits in her mother—is powerful, relatable, and deeply important. Jami is … Read more

Beyond the ADHD Diagnosis: What Kids with ADHD Really Need – Response to The NY Times Article

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You may have seen the recent New York Times article by Paul Tough: “Have We Been Thinking About A.D.H.D. All Wrong?” As someone who has spent nearly two decades working with parents, educators, and professionals to support children with ADHD and Executive Function challenges, I appreciate the broader discussion this article invites—but it doesn’t tell the whole story. … Read more

Think Your Kid Has ADHD? Just Got the Diagnosis? Now What?

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What to Do After an ADHD Diagnosis: Treatment Guidelines for Parents Simple, trustworthy guidance to help you support your child—without the overwhelm. If you’re wondering whether your child might have ADHD—or you’ve just gotten the diagnosis—or you’re a professional working with families navigating this journey—you’re probably feeling a mix of relief, worry, confusion, and maybe … Read more

Mastering Time with ADHD

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I’m excited to welcome Dr. Tamara Rosier as a guest blogger! Tamara is a brilliant ADHD coach, educator, and the founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan. She has a deep understanding of the ADHD brain and offers practical strategies to help individuals manage their time and energy more effectively. In this post, she … Read more

Why Closing the Department of Education Would Undermine Special Needs Students, Marginalized Communities, and Equitable Access for All

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By Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, ADHD Coach and Teacher Trainer NOTE: I recognize this is a sensitive and complex political issue, and I do not share my perspective lightly. I believe that good, kind, and intelligent people can hold varying opinions on this topic. I aim to foster open, respectful dialogue and welcome thoughtful discussion … Read more

Transforming the School Experience with Little-Known Coaching Strategies

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I was honored to be a featured speaker at the 2024 Global ADHD Parenting Summit, where experts from around the world came together to support and empower parents raising children with ADHD. The event offered practical tools, fresh perspectives, and heartfelt encouragement for navigating the many layers of ADHD parenting. In my interview session, “Transforming … Read more

ADHD Coaching – A Guide for Parents

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ADHD Coaching. A Parent's Guide

Is Your Teen or College Student Ready for ADHD Coaching? A Guide for Parents As I discussed in my previous blog, Unlocking Your Child’s Potential: The Power of ADHD Coaching for Your Teen or College Student with Executive Function Challenges ADHD coaching can be a powerful tool for helping children with ADHD and Executive Function challenges … Read more

Let’s Stop Timed Tests

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Stop Timed Tests

Adam Grant, a well-known Organizational Psychologist and Psychology Professor at the Warton School of Business, recently wrote an excellent opinion piece in the NY Times titled: The SATs Will Be Different Next Year, and That Could Be a Game-Changer (NY Times, Sept. 20, 2023). Please read this article by Adam Grant and his take on timed … Read more

Train All Teachers About ADHD Challenges

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Train All Teachers About ADHD Challenges blog 8.17.23

It is time to train ALL teachers on how to Understand and Support Students with ADHD, Executive Dysfunction, and Behavioral Challenges. Teachers and their students deserve it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9.8% of school-age children have been diagnosed with ADHD.  Most of these children are educated in the general education classroom, … Read more

Becoming a Parent Coach

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Becoming a Parent Coach Blog Banner

A while back, I was a guest on Sean McCormick’s, Earn More Tutoring podcast, where we discussed my coaching model and how I began training others to be ADHD Parent Coaches.

We also discuss the progression of how PTS Coaching began and grew. There are many good takeaways if you have a coaching or tutoring business that you are getting off the ground.

LISTEN HERE

I have had so many participants of my Calm and Connected© parent workshop want to take their passion and train to support other parents.  Through my ADHD Parent Coach Academy, I train therapists, educators, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and parents whose children have now launched into adulthood.

If you have any questions about becoming an ADHD Parent Coach, please get in touch with me:
You can call me at 516.398.9934.

Or, if you prefer, please use this link to set up a good time for us to speak: http://bit.ly/PTScalendar

I’m looking forward to talking with you.

Best,
Cindy

“Why Don’t You Listen?” How to Stop Nagging and Start Communicating

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ADHD ODD

I recently wrote this article for ADDitude Magazine online. I hope you find it helpful. Your child or teen may be ignoring your requests for very good reasons. Instead of insisting on compliance and obedience, we can find out the source of their resistance by engaging in teachable moments. “My son just doesn’t listen to … Read more

Creating a Calmer, More Connected School Year with Your Child

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When structure disappears, the hard moments don’t have to. Jodi Hogan is my facilitator for the ADHD Parent Coach Academy – and one of the people I trust most to speak to parents about what actually helps – which is exactly why I asked her to share this. Back-to-school is often described as a time … Read more

To the Teachers Who Showed Up Anyway

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The school year is ending. Or it already has. And before we all move on to summer schedules and whatever comes next, I want to stop and say something I don’t think gets said enough: Thank you. Not the obligatory, end-of-year thank you. The real one. Teaching is hard. It has always been hard. But … Read more

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