They say a picture is worth a thousand words. There are times when a picture or a symbol can communicate things that are quite complex in a way that brings instant clarity. When you run across a graphic that really communicates and explains a concept, it’s transformative. Recently I stumbled onto a graphic that was so powerful I had to recreate the concept for my own so I could share it with you. Continue reading “Articulating Complex Concepts – Aha!”
The COVID Pandemic: You Have Academic Rights
Matt Cohen and Associates (https://mattcohenandassociates.com) is a law practice with an emphasis on special education, disability rights, and human services law. I’ve learned a lot from Matt over the years. One thing about having ADHD is that it’s challenging enough. Yet, it’s even more difficult sometimes to advocate for yourself to get the benefits of well-intended legislation or regulations.
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ADHD: Digital Descriptions
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Yet, all too often, people come to coaching using just a single word, that is, a label, to represent HOW they see something, such as, “I am a writer,” or, “He is a leader,” when in reality the label lacks specificity and represents a vague picture of HOW things really are. As a coach, I prefer using digital descriptions instead of labels because I believe they paint a clearer picture of reality.
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ADHD: Escaping Thinking
I’m very fortunate, because I have a great job — part of what I do is listen to people and understand different perspectives, ways of thinking, points of view, and processes. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to interview subject matter experts, take the best of what they’ve done, and put it together. One thing I’ve begun to do is look at emotions as a reflective response, just like when the doctor hits your knee with a hammer. Continue reading “ADHD: Escaping Thinking”
ADHD and Thinking: UGH!
Thinking is effortful. It can be incredibly gratifying or intensely painful. Take the euphoria of an aha moment when you’ve solved a problem as opposed to struggling to regulate your attention and focus on a difficult or boring task. What’s more, the pressure to think on a deadline, in the face of writer’s block for example, brings on anxiety, which is the human experience, but it’s more extreme for those with ADHD. Continue reading “ADHD and Thinking: UGH!”
ADHD: Climbing the Hill for a Better View
There are times in our world with new technologies or events that metaphorically tilt the floor of human behavior. When that happens, some things are easier, but others become more challenging. Those who lack self-awareness, effort, emotion, and willpower have no go-to strategy to survive an adversarial challenge. Metaphorically, those who are self-aware will spend the time and energy to climb the hill because they know, after climbing to the top, they can get back to what works. Continue reading “ADHD: Climbing the Hill for a Better View”
ADHD Heroes: Mom, Happy Mother’s Day!
ADHD Heroes book (www.judyadhdcoaching.com/adhd-heroes-book.html)? While the chapter about me was my story, the real hero was my mom (just like many others with ADHD). Remembering all the hours my mom sat with me to help me through schoolwork and to take me to sporting activities so I could indulge my interests. Her loving dedication helped me gain confidence in areas outside of academics to protect my self-esteem. It is my mother who is the true hero.
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What Is Executive Function and Why Does It Matter?
In the ADHD community, we often hear about executive function, but why is it so important that experts often talk about it? That question is one many of us have asked, so we want to help you understand it in a clear context. That’s why we are pleased to release our eBook titled, “ADHD, Executive Function, and Self-Regulation.” It explains the process of executive functioning in the brain as it relates to ADHD, which Dr. Russell Barkley views as largely a challenge of self-regulation. Continue reading “What Is Executive Function and Why Does It Matter?”
ADHD and Word Problems: Hate Them or Embrace Them
If you are like me, you hated doing word problems in school. Word problems are hard because there isn’t a methodical way of doing them. Solving them requires insight, trial-and-error thinking, patience, and practice.
The reason word problems were so important in school is because they require us to think more deeply, to use reasoning and deductive logic to analyze and solve problems. In other words, they develop us as thinkers. Continue reading “ADHD and Word Problems: Hate Them or Embrace Them”
People with ADHD Often Tell It Like It Is
The fun part of being an ADHD coach is to have those with ADHD articulate what I couldn’t. In the last year I’ve had a few emails, texts, and social media posts that really get to the heart of the realities of ADHD. I’d like to share a few with you and get your thoughts (please leave comments). Continue reading “People with ADHD Often Tell It Like It Is”