"ADHD's Common Denominators: 11 Hidden Truths That Unlock Treatment Success" over at ADDitude Magazine is a superb summary of how to approach treatment for ADHD or executive function disorder. My favorite:

Sometimes in life we need an accountability partner. This person can be a professional coach, but it can also be a friend, a family member or even an online community. Say you want to train for the Crescent City Classic. You have the perfect training schedule to finish that 10k, but how will you ever get the motivation to follow it?

I’ve had a few interesting conversations lately with clients about days off. One client was back at her childhood home for a vacation and the other was easing into the weekend. Both are in the early relationship stages with their planner. Yes, days off are for relaxing and letting the mind wander: both necessary activities for inciting juices to flow and innovation to spawn.

Maybe some of you have given up alcohol for Lent. Maybe some of you thought about giving up alcohol for Lent. Maybe some of you have a great intention. In any case, I came across this inspiring letter written by someone who struggled with both ADHD and alcoholism: quite a typical co-morbid pair. 

When I first became aware that my son might have ADHD, I realized I needed help. I needed to to put together a support team—not just for him, but for myself and for my family’s sanity. I will forever be indebted to the learning specialist at his school who gave me pep talks and told me who to call and where to go.

We all know the importance of sleep for your body and your brain. Especially to improve working memory, the brain has to rest and process all of the information it’s been fed all day. Ideally, remove all technology from the bedroom at least an hour before sleep. Blue light disrupts melatonin production. That melatonin suffuses the brain and tells it to shut down and go to sleep. So bring it on, melatonin!

You are what you eat. Forget bikini season, think Beautiful Brain Lifestyle! Luckily, we don’t need any special diets or supplements for a happy, high-functioning mind. Eating a variety of fresh and colorful natural foods, as suggested in the article "9 Foods to Supercharge Your Brain," will do the trick. Pretty on your plate and you can think straight!

This Saturday, March 3rd, please join NOLA CHADD at 9 am at the Broadmoor Arts & Wellness Center for our monthly informal meet-up for parents of children diagnosed with ADHD. I'll be there, and I look forward to seeing everyone. Please help spread the word! 

When you’re a mom with ADHD, parenting can be even harder, as this article, "Never Good Enough: The Emotional Toll of Motherhood," explains. So forget super mom! All you have to be is super You.

Studies show that pursuing goals that are in alignment with our core values is a key to happiness. That sounds so simple, doesn’t it?  But what are your core values? If someone asked you now, would your answer be the same tomorrow? What do you value in life?

The article "Is Your Child a Phone Addict?" from The New York Times demonstrates how parents can have difficulty distinguishing phone abuse from appropriate use.I recommend the apps Moment and Forest so that you become aware of your habits and use your phone mindfully. Working with a coach like Mind Coach NOLA can also help you or your family members!

Yesterday, I received an Instagram message from @Mrs.SuperDuper, a.k.a. Coach Rachel Sirwatka, who shared with me her video, "You Are Never Getting Your Pencil Back." And I couldn't wait to share it with you! Coach Rachel is a science teacher who makes videos (like this one) for her students. Not only is she hilarious and spunky, she has the right idea about how magical an ADD or ADHD diagnosis is.

I remember when I got the official diagnosis that my son has ADHD. His teachers had been patient and wonderful, as were the learning specialist and the counselor at his school. I already knew it was coming but my husband was in denial and a small part of me just wanted it all to go away. “Maybe it’s just a phase that he will outgrow,” I told myself. And when the psychologist explained to us he was a “classic textbook case,” I was both relieved and devastated.

Following along with Part 1 of this series, we're looking at "the Power of Unsubscribing." Today, let's think about another approach: "unsubscribing" from the powerful siren song of your phone.

I’d never heard the term “micro-progress” but, since reading Time Herrera's article "Micro-Progress and the Magic of Just Getting Started" in the New York Times, I have used the term and recommended it to my clients. It’s a magic trick to get started a project or task that you just can’t or won’t start. When faced with an activity that looms large, try this trick:

A few mornings ago, I met a friend for a sunrise run, hoping to catch a glimpse of the lunar eclipse. Halfway through mile two, she told me one of her dirty secrets: She had over 16,000 emails in her inbox.

ADDitude Magazine's article "10 Ways to Improve Your Teen's Executive Function Skills" is a great place to start, but don’t assume all teens naturally possess executive function skills. While they want mastery and control of their own lives, we also want to foster independence safely.

New Orleans friends, don't forget! The February meet-up for parents of children diagnosed with ADHD is this Saturday, February 3rd at 9 am on the second floor of the Broadmoor Arts & Wellness Center. Coordinator Casey Blasiar, licensed clinical social worker and therapist, and guest speaker Adela Baker, ADHD coach, will be leading the discussion, but you are encouraged to bring any topics or questions you'd like to discuss. We hope to see you there!

What is an ADHD coach? How is an ADHD coach different from a therapist? Why couldn't I just ask a friend to do this for free? ADDitude Magazine's "FAQ About ADHD Coaching" is an excellent summary of what an ADHD coach can do for you. All of these questions apply as well to those interested in coaching even if they haven't been diagnosed with ADHD; some of my clients want help pursuing career goals, writing that book, becoming more organized as they tackle med school, or making healthier decisions in their lives.

"Right Goal, Wrong Strategy: 11 New Treatment Ideas" offers a quick slide show with ideas to help you become more productive. My faves: find a cheerleader, spark interest, change the format, creative competition and find an accountability partner.