ADHD Treatment
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
In my recent article 504 Plans and IEPs: Helping Your Child Get the Support They Need, Jodi walked through the what – what these plans are, how they differ, and how to navigate the process as a parent. I want to build on that with something equally important: What schools are actually required to do when … Read more
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
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
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
What teachers are grateful to learn when understanding finally clicks. At the beginning of my teacher trainings, before we talk about strategies or classroom systems, I always start in the same place. I ask educators to consider the social and emotional impact that ADHD and executive function challenges have on learning, motivation, behavior, and even … Read more
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
A decade of reflection with Debbie Reber Ten years ago, conversations about neurodivergence sounded very different. In this reflective conversation with Debbie Reber, we look at what’s changed, what still feels hard for families (especially in schools), and why understanding has to keep evolving. I was recently a guest on Debbie Reber’s Tilt Parenting Podcast … Read more
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
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
Why ADHD Parent Coaching Works, and Why We Need More Trained Professionals Parents today are more informed than ever about ADHD. They’ve read books. They’ve followed experts. They’ve tried the charts, the consequences, the routines. They’ve been told to “be consistent,” “lower expectations,” or “just hold the line.” And still, so many families are struggling … Read more
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
TIPS, TOOLS, and STRATEGIES for PARENTS, STUDENTS, and PROFESSIONALSSubscribe to my Newsletter and receive a Free Introduction to my book, 8 KEYS TO PARENTING CHILDREN WITH ADHD
