Parents of Neurodivergent Children

03/02/2025

Do you stay up late scrolling, binge-watching, or diving into hobbies? You’re not alone.
This is the rebound effect ( not to be confused with medication rebound), which is familiar in ADHD women. It’s your brain’s way of reclaiming balance after a day of navigating a world that isn’t designed for neurodivergence. This world hijacks and overwhelms your nervous system, leaving it frazzled and overstimulated. This constant mismatch causes immense distress.

Do you stay up late scrolling, binge-watching, or diving into hobbies?

02/26/2025

Imagine being asked to sit still, stop moving, and focus—even when your body is telling you to do the opposite. For neurodivergent kids, classrooms can feel like an obstacle course designed for someone else’s brain. But what if we built classrooms that worked for all brains?

Tools and Tips for Neurodivergent Affirming Parenting

02/08/2025

1️⃣ Respect Bodily Autonomy: Avoidance Is Okay
✔️ Kids have the right to avoid distressing sounds without judgment.
✔️ They don’t have to "adjust" or "build tolerance"—their comfort comes first.
✔️ If a child expresses discomfort, validate them:

➝ "I see that this sound is too much for you. Let’s find a way to make you more comfortable."https://open.substack.com/pub/adhdkids/p/parenting-newsletter-understanding?r=5ptrw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

01/18/2025

Your Child Doesn’t Need to Be Fixed 🦋

Your child’s brain isn’t broken, delayed, or deficient—it’s beautifully wired for wonder, discovery, and diving deeply into what matters most to them.

ADHD individuals are gifts to the world, yet they are often not taught to see their strengths. Without this support, their potential may go unexplored—even though the world desperately needs passionate specialists and innovative thinkers.

A Revolutionary Perspective for Parents 🦋

01/05/2025

Unmasking happens through small acts of authenticity, starting with how you speak to yourself.

Let’s try something new. Instead of using language that invites guilt or self-doubt, let’s use words that build confidence and self-compassion. This slight shift will help you move from masking and people-pleasing to embracing your true self.

When you replace self-deprecation with kindness, you show up more fully—without apology.

🫶 Empowering Language Phrase Shifts for Your ADHD Journey

01/01/2025

Help your kids learn how to name their needs 💡 How the Color System Helps

🟢 "I can do it" – They feel proud and capable when things are going well. Recognizing strengths is just as important as naming challenges.

🟡 "I need help" – Kids learn it’s okay to ask for support. This builds confidence in recognizing their limits and reaching out when things feel hard.

🔵 "I need love" – Emotional connection matters. This phrase encourages kids to identify when they need comfort, grounding, or closeness.

By making these conversations a daily habit, your child builds emotional awareness and self-advocacy – key tools that will serve them for life.

You can start to help your kids avoid masking today

12/31/2024

ADHD adult? Here are four things to help your focus at work, along with a printable.

Your brain won't focus if these 4 things aren't right (quick fix inside!)

12/16/2024

📚A New Study on ADHD and College Students

ADHD and the shift to college life present unique challenges. Unstructured environments amplify struggles with focus, organization, and time management. However, with the right strategies and support, students with ADHD can thrive. Here’s what the latest research reveals:

📊 Why Study ADHD in College Students?

Most ADHD research focuses on children, leaving gaps in understanding its impacts during college—a critical time for independence and self-management.

This study (2018–2024) explored:

How ADHD affects academic performance.
Factors influencing GPA and success.
Tools used to measure ADHD in higher education.
🔍 Key Findings on ADHD and Academic Performance

Lower GPAs: Students with ADHD have lower GPAs than their neurotypical peers.
Inattention matters most: Difficulty focusing is the strongest predictor of academic struggles, surpassing hyperactivity or impulsivity.
Factors influencing GPA:
🟢 Positive correlation: High school GPA and executive functioning skills (planning, organization).
🔴 Not correlated: SAT scores, which were unreliable predictors for ADHD students (unlike for neurotypical students).
🟡 Medication’s mixed impact: Users showed slightly higher GPAs (M = 2.93) than non-users (M = 2.81), though results varied by individual.
🛠️ Measuring ADHD in College

Self-reports: Students rate their ADHD traits.
Academic records: GPA tracking and formal ADHD diagnoses.
🎯 Why College Is Especially Hard for ADHD Students

Less structure = more challenges: Students must manage time, tasks, and responsibilities independently.
Amplified struggles: ADHD intensifies difficulties with planning, organizing, and focusing.
Comorbid conditions: Anxiety and depression often co-occur, compounding academic challenges.
🧰 Strategies for Success

Time management & study skills: Teach approaches tailored to ADHD needs.
Personalized accommodations: Tailor support like extended test times, distraction-free environments, and note-taking assistance.
🌟 Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Colleges that adopt flexible deadlines, accessible materials, and varied content delivery methods create more inclusive environments for neurodivergent students.
📌 Why This Matters This research underscores the importance of holistic, multi-dimensional support systems for ADHD students in higher education. Academic performance, mental health, and personalized accommodations must work together to help students succeed.

💡 Final Thoughts The transition to college is a pivotal time for students with ADHD. With proactive preparation, emotional support, and affirming, inclusive environments, we can empower neurodivergent students to reach their full potential.

📝 Citation: Pagespetit et al. (2024). ADHD and Academic Performance in College Students: A Systematic Review. Journal of Attention Disorders. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547241306554

How do you think colleges can better support neurodivergent students? Let’s discuss in the comments! 🌟

12/10/2024

What This New Research Says About Medication as Support

A groundbreaking study reveals that methylphenidate, a widely used ADHD medication, can help ADHD people achieve:

Improved control over internet use

Fewer impulsive purchases

Reduced overeating

Better management of compulsive behaviors related to relationships and s*x

Although the study was small, involving just 37 participants, it underscores how medication could be potentially supportive if you are experiencing some of these patterns.

A small new study provides some hope 💜

12/08/2024

Explaining Rejection Sensitivity to Kids

12/07/2024

Emotional Regulation

ADHD people can recognize feelings