By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – April 28, 2025
Human development is a complex process that involves physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes throughout a person’s life. As they progress through various stages of life, it is essential to understand the differences between normal and abnormal behavior. It is crucial that mental health professionals differentiate between typical inattention or hyperactivity and symptoms associated with ADHD. Continue reading “Coaching ADHD and Understanding Human Development”
As an ADHD and attention coach, I am often asked whether exercise is good for those with ADHD? The answer is a resounding yes! In fact, if exercise could be bottled into a pill, it would be hailed as the drug of the century—not just for everyone, but especially for those with ADHD. 
When it comes to coaching those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), interest isn’t just something; it is everything. In reading this article, you will understand why interest is such an important part of coaching those with ADHD and how it can serve as a window to what is instinctive—or how those with ADHD are hardwired. 
A big question I often hear is whether or not someone should disclose that they have ADD/ADHD. While I can’t make that decision for anybody, I do want to talk about the pros and cons and help facilitate your thinking process if you’re contemplating disclosing your ADHD. 
Today, we’re talking about one of the most powerful tools for managing ADHD challenges—brainstorming. I don’t mean just the outcome, but the process itself. For those with ADHD, understanding and managing brainstorming can be a game-changer.
Much has been written about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Some of it is consistent; other things are confusing. Today, I’d like to clarify a few things.
Some years ago, I had a conversation with an expert in the criminal justice system around helping young people with ADHD avoid the criminal justice system by understanding and managing their symptoms. The conversation included markers that represent important times, called tipping points, when those with ADHD are vulnerable and could head down the wrong path. But resources are available to help parents be proactive to catch these things before they happen.
Heading to college can be tough for students with ADHD and keeping in touch as a parent can pose some challenges, too! I had a talk with Rob Tudisco, former president of Edge Foundation, to talk about the struggles of students with ADHD as they go off to college.
Those who are living with ADHD face challenges in various aspects of life from the classroom to relationships. One area that has drawn attention is the impact of ADHD on sports and exercise. The struggles for those with ADHD are unique, and the impact of sports and exercise is as diverse as the individuals it affects. That’s why I think it’s important to address the issue. 
In the world of ADHD awareness and advocacy, few voices are as compelling as Alan P. Brown, creator of 
As an ADHD and attention coach, it is my job to bring clarity to my clients by listening to what they are NOT saying (i.e., the unasked questions). I do this by asking questions that lead them through five simple steps designed to take them from stuck to aha. My goal today is to take the mystery out of the coaching process by showing you how my techniques move my clients forward by helping them choose their focus. 
In this blog post, I address how individuals with ADHD often thrive by using strategies that are nontraditional and are more suited to their brain’s unique wiring. With ADHD, their ability to focus and process information is impaired, and traditional methods may not always work. Instead, they should experiment with different environments and other approaches, like using background music or movement to optimize learning or productivity. 
I stumbled into ADHD coaching as a profession 15 years ago. Daily, most people go to work, but I go to fun! Two things I like most about the job is the creativity and helping people. It is even more rewarding to help those who struggle with limiting beliefs or the reflexive urge to focus on emotions. (Often, judgment is what keeps a person down.) 
You fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after… NOT! How about a reframe? You fall in love, get married, and live happier, and happier, and happier. Now you’re talking! 
If you have ADHD, you may find that your biggest problems are related to specific types of tasks. For example, boring things can feel like a big challenge. But more importantly Multifaceted or unclear tasks can leave you feeling overwhelmed and stuck. So how do they relate to ADHD? 
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide, impacting their daily lives, relationships, and overall well-being. To shed light on this complex condition, David Giwerc of ADD Coach Academy (
If you’re like me, you’ve probably heard countless people use the phrase, “Every individual has a unique set of gifts, talents, or abilities at which they excel.” And, in my experience, this is definitely true. However, you’d be surprised to learn the number of people who can’t articulate their own unique set when asked; in fact, many of them find the answer to this question to be difficult and even intimidating. 
There are lots of conversations around when you should disclose your ADHD and when you shouldn’t. In fact, it may be better to disclose only the symptoms, not the diagnosis. But sometimes it’s kind of cool and clever to find that there are benefits around disclosing it. 
For many young folks with ADHD, the transition from adolescence to adulthood is a bit more complicated than it might seem. Legal issues change, the mental health landscape changes, and the likelihood of more serious addictions come into play. In fact, it’s a conundrum when it comes to coping with the circumstances. It may involve legal twists, mental health turns, and the haunting specter of addiction. 
Sara has ADHD. She has struggled to pay attention throughout her life. Before coming to coaching, she was easily distracted and stressed out in crowds. It was only after she came to coaching that she discovered how to be effective at managing her attention and stress. 
Play is not just for kids… especially for adults with ADHD. Let’s talk about de-stigmatizing play. All too often, adults think of play as childish, but for those with ADHD, playing or having fun in the workplace has value in the business world. In this blog post, we are exploring the significance of play that can enhance creativity and executive functioning. 
If you are a man married to a woman with ADHD, we are talking to you! In all likelihood, your marriage or partnership is anything but mainstream. Old paradigms don’t work. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a survival guide? 
Those with ADHD struggle with boredom more than neurotypicals do. This especially applies to bedtime. Boredom has been defined as the physical discomfort where one is motivated to escape it. In other words, if those with ADHD are uncomfortable or bored, they will seek comfort, even if what is comforting is something they shouldn’t do. It takes an enormous amount of cognitive energy to sit in pain when all we want is to seek relief. And when it’s time to go to sleep, those with ADHD have a tough time dealing with that boredom even for a few minutes.
In the classroom, ADHD students are often fidgety and energetic, unable to sit still and pay attention. What can teachers do? In my experience as an ADHD and attention coach, I have heard schoolteachers and other educators talk about their challenges in managing these students. It calls for a balance of structure with flexibility that can reduce the student’s impulsivity and anxiety, and, thus, the concept of in-house field trips was born. 
Living in a relationship where one or both partners have ADHD can present unique challenges. Those challenges require a subtle approach so the partners can achieve understanding and communication. Without this growth between them, the partners may suffer daily disagreements with no resolution, resulting in resentment and frustration. But help is available when the partners truly want to move forward in a happy and successful relationship. 
We live in a society that fosters negativity and self-limiting beliefs. Just look at the daily news, the endless array of advertisements for things to “fix us,” or the fascination with the mishaps of celebrities as just a few examples.
What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)? Can an individual have ADHD and OCD at the same time? If so, how can a person obsess and be compulsive and, at the same time, be impulsive and distracted? Believe it or not, it happens. To learn more, I had a conversation with Dr. Roberto Olivardia, a clinical instructor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard Medical School with a private practice in Arlington MA, as well as Dr. Kirsten Milliken, a psychologist and trained ADHD coach. 
The word “how” is an interesting word when you think about it. “How” can be used as a noun, a conjunction, an idiom, or an adverb. As an attention coach, I use “how” as an adverb. Adverbs work as adjectives to modify verbs. For example, “How do I pay attention to something?” To illustrate, let’s substitute “attend” as the verb in the following sentence: “How does one address the president?” becomes, “How does one attend to the president?” 
We often talk about memories. It feels like it’s just one thing and one kind of memory, but there are several different kinds of memory. Today, we’re breaking down memory into three key types of memory for those with ADHD: long-term memory, working memory, and prospective memory. In other words, memories are remembering backwards, remembering in the moment, remembering into the future. 
What is obvious to you? To me, what is obvious is a function of what you pay attention to. Not sure if you agree with me? Then pay attention to most jokes, parables, quotes, and metaphors. They all illustrate my point. Each one is designed to shift your attention to what is obvious. 
Are you familiar with the ADHD Machine, Mind, and Mission Model? To me, it’s an exciting tool to help you understand how to move forward with ADHD. The model can also explain how medications and other treatments, like coaching, can affect progress differently. It’s a mental model for those who are struggling to move forward. It’s a great way to put things in context, not just things like exercise, diet, and medicine, but also coaching and other types of treatment. 
Are you a parent looking for effective strategies to improve communication with your ADHD child? In an interview with Elaine Taylor-Klaus (
Those with ADHD are often challenged to maintain a regular sleep schedule due to the restless and overactive nature of their minds. There are just too many other more interesting things to do than sleep. Racing thoughts and an inability to switch off cognitive processes can make bedtime a frustrating ordeal, leading to inadequate and poor sleep. It’s like a roller coaster ride! 
Those with ADHD often go through life with challenges that make them feel like they’re living in a maze where there’s an obstacle at every turn. But there is hope, because we now have a way to shed some light on what’s holding them back. Through a special lens I’ve developed over many years, we can look at our thoughts and beliefs to see what’s actually there. It’s called AttentionScope® and it’s incorporated into my new systematic program, Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out™. 
Students, whether they’re teenagers, adolescents, or young adults in college, need to have their own goals, their own reasons to succeed, which really leads to whether they are motivated. Sometimes this means they need professional help, and coaching is an effective means to help them move forward because research is showing that coaching has a positive impact. However, there is a caveat. Are they coachable? Meaning, are they ready for coaching? That’s a very important question, because the answer apparently is, no, they are not all ready for coaching. 
As an ADHD and attention coach, I frequently have individuals come to me for coaching because they are not getting the outcome they want. The majority of the time they are “stuck” because they are paying attention to how they believe something works (or how they believe it is supposed to work).
“If we weren’t all crazy, we would go insane” ~ Jimmy Buffet. That’s right; we’re all a little crazy in our own way, especially those with ADHD. All too often, ADD-ers get caught up in the seriousness of life. Most could use a little humor to lighten things up, and the ability to laugh at themselves is something we should aspire to just to take off some of the pressure. 
Frustrated by your weaknesses? Why not look at the opposite end of the spectrum?
What is stigma? How does it impact ADHD? Is it different from discrimination? How is it different and what are its properties? Does language play a role in stigma? How can we overcome stigma? In this blog post, I’m looking into the concept of stigma to unravel its layers and explore its implications… especially regarding its impact on ADHD. 
I’m a fan of what I call insightful thinking, and I’m sharing a simple example that I think beautifully illustrates the difference between insightful thinking and methodical thinking as a way to help delineate the different types of problem-solving strategies. Let’s begin by defining a few terms so we are paying attention to the same thing.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is confusing and key ADHD symptoms are often misunderstood in relationships. One of the patterns that couples fall into that is damaging for them is that they don’t understand the symptoms as they’re expressed in the relationship.
Life in a family of five where they all have ADHD can be a unique and challenging experience. The dynamics in such a family are often characterized by high energy levels, impulsivity, and difficulty with focus and organization. With everyone sharing similar traits, there may be a sense of understanding and empathy within the family, as they can relate to each other’s struggles. But it can also lead to chaos and frustration, as it might be harder to maintain routines and responsibilities. 
As an ADHD and attention coach, I’m often asked what works for those with ADHD. So, I want to dive into that, but I also want to explore what doesn’t work. First, it’s essential to understand that everyone’s experience with ADHD is unique, so what works for one person may not work for another. But in general, the key to success is finding strategies that support the individual’s strengths and challenges.
Have you ever meditated and noticed your mind wandering? Congratulations, you’re meditating correctly. You might be wondering, “What does meditation have to do with my ADHD?” The answer is in a paradigm shift, because meditation is all about paying attention to your attention! It’s like a workout for your mind, helping you become more aware of the present moment and improving your ability to control what you focus on. 
The placebo effect has been documented to positively impact physical and mental health. How can this be? After all, a placebo is benign. It’s a sham or simulated intervention designed to produce a perceived or actual improvement. Many times, a placebo is used to reinforce a person’s expectation of getting well or moving forward. Studies show this phenomenon is pervasive. But, if a placebo is benign, how can it have positive effects? I’m calling this to your attention as evidence of the power of what you pay attention to. 
I’d like to share an old parable used by Mark Twain that I feel illustrates the dangers of searching for, or succumbing to, the control of others regarding what you should do in life.