ADHD Treatment

Have you or your child been recently diagnosed with ADHD? Now what?

Do you struggle to have patience with your ADHD child?
Do you find that normal parenting tricks don’t work with your child?
Do you feel exasperated almost every day with the challenges of ADHD?
Do you feel that your child’s pediatrician or psychiatrist aren’t able to fully support you?

ADHD therapy is a critical part of ADHD treatment. Most psychologists and psychiatrists recommend weekly therapy interventions for parents and children, alongside medications and school accommodations. Unfortunately, most therapists are inexperienced with ADHD and have little training in this field.

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I am uniquely poised to support your family. I myself have lived a lifetime with ADHD. ADHD is a highly heritable condition and three of my children also have this diagnosis. My personal experience as a child was a trial-by-fire initiation into the difficulties of conforming to neurotypical society and schooling. I was not diagnosed until adulthood and I managed to bootstrap myself to Harvard and beyond.

As an ADHD therapist, I strive to save parents and children from the uncertainty and discomfort that I endured to reach my goals. ADHD is now the most studied condition in psychology. We have extensive research on medication, behavioral management, therapeutic interventions, and education best practices. The answers are out there.

Let’s start with the basics.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition formally known as ADD/ADHD, and now subsumed under the umbrella of ADHD. ADHD can take three forms in children:

Inattentive
These are the daydreaming children, off in their own world while their teacher gives instructions. These kids are usually very creative and their learning style doesn’t fit well with verbal instruction. Children with inattentive type ADHD can train themselves to pay attention in school but it is draining. They often come home without enough focus and willpower left for homework. Organization is really hard. Forgetfulness is the norm. Parents will say “everything is in one ear and out the other.”
Hyperactive-Impulsive
These kids seem like they are attached to a motor. They have an almost inexhaustible need to move their bodies -- often at inappropriate times! They don’t control anger well, and can be impulsive. They don’t like waiting. They want what they want and they want it now. Hyperactive-Impulsive kids will often get flagged by teachers in the 3rd grade when learning becomes more demanding and there is less outdoor playtime.
Combined
These kids meet the criteria for both 1) and 2). They get a lot of negative feedback that can hurt their self-esteem. These children often exasperate both teachers and parents and hear a chorus of: “Why can’t you just pay attention?” and “You need to calm down!” Often they don’t even realize they are annoying others.

Adults with ADHD may have very different presentations, and some can even be in “remission” for the disorder. Hyperactivity tends to calm down after adolescence but can also morph into addiction, workaholic behaviors, or obsessive exercise. However, ADHD always begins in childhood (some researchers have found evidence of ADHD in the womb!). Reading these above descriptions, ADHD adults can easily recognize their own childhood struggle.

Why is ADHD therapy recommended?

Besides bringing greater awareness to the condition and building familial empathy, ADHD counseling can help both children and adults manage the other mental health conditions that often present alongside ADHD. Children and adults with ADHD have a higher incidence of depression, anxiety, and substance use.

Learning to positively cope with ADHD at a young age transforms mental health outcomes for life.

ADHD, while widespread and common, isn’t often regarded with compassion and patience. Even after diagnosis and/or medication, children can struggle to shed the negativity they received from the outside world. ADHD boys especially end up getting labeled “trouble” and can internalize this label. Inattentive children can begin to begin to think they are “stupid” as they can never seem to follow along like the other children.

We can only actualize to our “best selves” if we truly believe in our potential. Much of ADHD therapy is healing from these negative encounters with others and learning to really notice and cherish the positives about ourselves.

As I tell my young clients, I honestly believe that ADHD is my superpower. I know it was an impediment in some ways, but I also recognize that it has given me my best traits. I think my hyperactive tendencies helped me have the energy to parent two babies alongside two toddlers. I think my intense passion drives me towards excellence. I think learning to cope with ADHD gave me incredible compassion for others who just don’t fit the mold. I have long recognized that difference can be empowering.

Your child also needs this positive reframing on their own experience. Working with the techniques of CBT, we learn to recognize all the strengths that we may derive from ADHD.

Perhaps you have more questions about ADHD counseling...

Can you help with adult ADHD?

Yes! As another adult with ADHD, I personally love these cases.

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Often in my practice, adults will learn of their diagnosis alongside their children. This is a highly genetic disorder; many kids with ADHD have parents with ADHD. Parents struggle to both support their kids and find their own equilibrium. Family life with multiple people with ADHD can be wonderful but stressful.

Other adults received the diagnosis in children but weren’t given much support beyond medication and sort of just got on with their lives. Adults with ADHD are often thrilled to learn how much progress in treatment has been made since their childhoods.

What if my child does not want to come to therapy?

I never recommend forcing an ADHD child into therapy. If the child shows resistance to the idea, then I would suggest starting with ADHD parenting coaching. As you build your skills to support and put appropriate boundaries on your child, you will find that your child is more cooperative. They may eventually feel drawn to join you in my office.

Treatment for ADHD is often managed best by parents. Unlike a therapist who only has access to the ADHD child once a week for 45 minutes, parents have the opportunity to catch teachable moments throughout the day. Parents are there to lay down swift boundaries when things go sideways.

If parents take on ADHD coaching with passion and a thirst for knowledge, they can learn to be their children’s best advocates, behavioral trainers, and therapists. If parents are able to bolster their own mental health, their child’s outcomes are even better.

Are you ready for solution-based ADHD treatment?

If you would like to schedule an appointment or discuss your needs, you can call or text 720-310-0570, email help@kairoswellnesscollective.com, or send a message here. Feel free to reach out by text or phone whenever is convenient. We will get back to you shortly to discuss goals, pricing, and schedule.

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