Featured Articles

What Makes Waking Up So Difficult for People with ADHD

In a previous article, What makes sleep so difficult for kids with ADHD, We explored the difficulties that children and adolescents may have in falling asleep.  As we have mentioned in many sessions with parents and professionals, research shows that between 25 and 50% of people with ADHD have clinically reported sleep difficulties. These can be attributed to biology, stimulant medication side effects, lack of consistent bedtime routine, and characteristics related to the ADHD itself.   For many parents, getting their … Read more

Calm and Connected Webinar with ADDitude Magazine: Great Insights Through Conversation

A few weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to host a webinar for my friends at ADDitude Magazine. As a coach, counselor, and educator through EF, ODD, and ADHD workshops for parents, teachers, and families, I was thrilled to spend some time talking about the benefits of parents and teachers working together to maintain the Calm and Connected pathways to success. I am thankful for the opportunities I have to connect with parents and teachers in the ADHD/EF/ODD community. … Read more

Does ADHD have to lead to Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is characterized by excessive anger, frustration, arguing, stubbornness and defiance. The correlation rate for being diagnosed with ADHD and ODD is staggering, ranging between 60% and 80%. It is the most common co-existing condition associated with ADHD and people with ADHD are 11 times more likely to be diagnosed with ODD than the general population. Anyone familiar with ADHD knows that its core components are Inattentiveness, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity. Yet, very often I receive calls from parents … Read more

Screens – We MUST Help Our Kids Learn to Manage

I recently showed the documentary Screenagers and hosted a panel discussion following the film. I have to tell you that the experience, the conversations, and the whole issue of how our kids today are being impacted by their use of phones and social media has shaken me to my core. Truly, I believe this is the greatest issue facing parents today. Unlike the tragedy of drug and alcohol addiction, we cannot shield our children from screens completely as they have … Read more

Improve Homework Time with Strategies that Work for ADHD

I recently presented a webinar for CHADD: Ask the Expert titled: Improve Homework Time with Strategies that Work for ADHD. As a follow-up, they asked me to write an article answering some of the questions we did not have time to address during the presentation.  Here is the article from CHADD’s ADHD Weekly Newsletter: Q&A with Cindy Goldrich: Homework Questions Answered Question: How do you address the teachers who do not understand your child? Ms. Goldrich: This question was asked in a … Read more

Can I help my child develop grit and perseverance?

I recently gave a presentation at the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) conference on impact of mindset (our belief about our ability to improve) on learning. During the questioning at the end of the presentation, one teacher asked, “I work with High School students. Is it too late to help them learn to deal with frustration and keep working?” We can all certainly understand the question – at what point do we start to say, “Well, that’s just the way he … Read more