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

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

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

Using Stories to Support ADHD Brains

A conversation with ADHD Parent Coach Academy graduate and author, Manal. One of the things I love most about training ADHD Parent Coaches is watching how each graduate brings their own creativity, insight, and lived experience into the work. Manal is a wonderful example of that. As both an ADHD coach and someone diagnosed later … Read more

How the ADHD Conversation Has Changed – and What Hasn’t

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

Today is launch day.

After years of listening to families, training professionals, revising, rewriting, and deepening the work, 8 Keys to Parenting Kids & Teens with ADHD – 2nd Edition is officially out in the world. This book was never meant to be a collection of quick fixes. It grew out of my original Calm and Connected parent workshop series that I began … Read more

Why an ADHD Diagnosis Isn’t a Label – It’s a Lens

Understanding ADHD: Why Diagnosis Matters More Than You Think (Part 1 of 2) This is Part 1 of a two-part series on the importance of accurate ADHD diagnosis. Today, we’ll explore why naming ADHD is not a label that limits a child, but a light that helps families understand behavior, reduce shame, and access meaningful … Read more

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

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

How to Support Adult Children and Grandchildren with ADHD

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

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?

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

Teacher Insights: Do all Students with ADHD need an IEP?

space Did you know that just about 10% of school-aged children have a diagnosis of ADHD? Knowing this, let’s consider the average class size of 23 students. That means that at least two students in a general education classroom are likely to have a diagnosis of ADHD. It’s also possible that this number is higher, … Read more