What are code words? Can code words help ADHD families? We asked Elaine Taylor-Klaus, a professional certified coach and family advocate. With both her professional and personal experience as a mother of five, Elaine explained how code words work in her own family and why they are useful to get someone’s attention, change a course of action, or constrain a meltdown. Continue reading “ADHD Strategies: Using Code Words in ADHD Families”
ADHD Non-MEDS: Mindfulness, Exercise, Diet, and Sleep
Many with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are looking for solutions that don’t involve medications. Some time ago, I had the opportunity to talk about this subject with ADHD coach Brett Thornhill who also has ADHD and can speak from both personal and professional experience. Continue reading “ADHD Non-MEDS: Mindfulness, Exercise, Diet, and Sleep”
ADHD: Brain Dump vs. Task List
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – December 21, 2020
All too often, those with ADHD struggle with working memory challenges. If you are one of those individuals, you may have multiple thoughts or tasks in mind but have trouble organizing and sequencing them. ADHD coach Jeff Copper suggests doing a brain dump as the most effective strategy to help. Continue reading “ADHD: Brain Dump vs. Task List”
ADHD, Emotion, and Dr. Russell Barkley
When it comes to emotions, the focus seems to dwell on the negative. Sometimes as I’m coaching those with ADHD, I see them as very passionate about things and they’re full of emotion, but this passion often rages out of control. So, is there a positive side? A few years ago, I interviewed Dr. Russell Barkley (www.russellbarkley.org) on Attention Talk Video to get his perspective as a researcher on the subject. In our discussion, he explained that in some circumstances these emotions may actually be beneficial. Continue reading “ADHD, Emotion, and Dr. Russell Barkley”
ADHD and Emotional Self-Regulation: Fight, Flight, or Freeze
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – November 9, 2020
The response in all living things when they are threatened is fight, flight, or freeze. Fight back, run like heck, or play dead. It’s an innate instinct for all species because it’s really all about survival. Continue reading “ADHD and Emotional Self-Regulation: Fight, Flight, or Freeze”
ADHD Tip: Getting Your Thoughts Out & Organizing Them
If you have ADHD, you may find yourself often struggling with getting things organized, especially organizing your thoughts. I like to see the bigger picture to help me understand how it all comes together. With that in mind, my demonstration on Attention Talk Video offers a simple method to organize tasks and thoughts that have helped me. Continue reading “ADHD Tip: Getting Your Thoughts Out & Organizing Them”
ADHD Couples: The Parent-Child Relationship
In couples’ relationships where ADHD is involved, all too often there is a parent/child dynamic between the partners. What this means is that, usually, it is the non-ADHD partner who takes on the parent role, the one who seems to be the manager or who takes charge, whereas it’s the ADHD partner who is somewhat irresponsible, inconsistent, less competent, and more childlike. In our interview on Attention Talk Video, marriage and relationship consultant Melissa Orlov (www.adhdmarriage.com) shares insight on how couples can work together toward a transition where they learn how not to step on each other’s toes. Continue reading “ADHD Couples: The Parent-Child Relationship”
Exactly How Did You Do That: The Value of an ADHD Recipe
Some time ago, I talked with Dr. David Nowell (www.drnowell.com) about observing how we do things. What I mean is that, for most of us with ADHD, we are not aware of how we do things, like getting to places on time, making a relationship work, or sticking to a workout schedule. But to get the same results each time, we can use a very simple technique, which is asking “How exactly did I do that?” One example is Grandma using a recipe that enables her to make the same delicious cake again and again. So, it occurred to me that knowing our personal recipe for success is just as valuable. Continue reading “Exactly How Did You Do That: The Value of an ADHD Recipe”
Is It ADD, AGE, or Menopause?
ADHD manifests differently in women and men. It makes sense when you think about it as there are physical differences between the genders. More importantly, there are hormonal differences. Such small differences can result in big differences, especially when it comes to ADHD and menopause. Continue reading “Is It ADD, AGE, or Menopause?”
Attention Deficit Disorder: Meet the Neurotransmitters
Sometimes you just need to put a face with a name in order to remember something. It is also helpful if that face has characters that represent what the face is all about or helps you remember more about the face. Linda Roggli, the ADDiva, is very creative. She put a face on the names of the key neurotransmitters that impact those with ADHD. The cartoon faces really help bring a context to each neurotransmitter. Continue reading “Attention Deficit Disorder: Meet the Neurotransmitters”
ADHD: Is Dopamine Something You Can Feel?
Booyah! Is that what dopamine feels like? Dopamine is the reward neurotransmitter and, in a way, ground zero in the context of ADHD. Think of your brain like Pavlov’s dog. If you push a lever and don’t get dopamine, you find another lever, and so on and so on till you find a lever that gives you dopamine. At that point, the problem is not pushing the lever but, rather, not pushing it. Continue reading “ADHD: Is Dopamine Something You Can Feel?”
ADHD and Thoughts: The Jigsaw Puzzle in Your Mind
Those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have lots of thoughts. Some thoughts go to the puzzle they’re working on in their mind; some thoughts might go to a puzzle they might be working on in the future; and other thoughts they don’t know what to do with. ADHD coach Jeff Copper uses a jigsaw puzzle as a metaphor to help you begin to witness the real challenges of ADHD in putting thoughts together to solve puzzles and problems. Continue reading “ADHD and Thoughts: The Jigsaw Puzzle in Your Mind”
ADHD and Emotions: A Visual Metaphor for Context
ADHD is a self-regulation and working memory challenge. Two things that those with ADHD need to regulate are attention and emotion, according to Dr. Russell Barkley. Yes, according to Dr. Barkley, emotions are as much a part of ADHD as attention. The words “emotional self-regulation” are just words. Often it is easier to “get” what the words mean with a visual metaphor. Continue reading “ADHD and Emotions: A Visual Metaphor for Context”
ADHD, Working Memory, Worry and Anxiety
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – Published April 6, 2020
Many of those with ADHD don’t learn in a linear fashion. They tend to ping pong all over the place, bouncing from topic to topic based on what they’re interested in. In the long term, do they actually learn? Or is it a waste of time? ADHD coach Jeff Copper talks about a personal experience how his non-linear learning over a period of time is starting to come together in a very orderly way. Continue reading “ADHD, Working Memory, Worry and Anxiety”
ADHD: Nonlinear Learning
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – March 16, 2020
Many of those with ADHD don’t learn in a linear fashion. They tend to ping pong all over the place, bouncing from topic to topic based on what they’re interested in. In the long term, do they actually learn? Or is it a waste of time? In this video, ADHD coach Jeff Copper shares a personal experience how his non-linear learning over a period of time is starting to come together in a very orderly way. Continue reading “ADHD: Nonlinear Learning”
ADHD: Basic Level of Truth
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – November 21, 2019
Attention and ADHD coach Jeff Copper has found that there are certain basic truths that those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often don’t acknowledge that result in them paying attention to the wrong thing and anchoring them in “stud.” In this video Jeff shares a few and talks about how acknowledging them is a powerful step in moving forward. Continue reading “ADHD: Basic Level of Truth”
ADHD: Application of Knowledge Is the Hard Part
Those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder know what to do. Their challenge is doing what they know to do. In this episode of Attention Talk Video, ADHD coach Jeff Copper illustrates the difference between knowledge and activation, knowing what to do and executing it, and pinpoints a few of the issues associated with activating, as well as the mindset to move forward. If you want to gain insight around ADHD and activation, watch this short video. Continue reading “ADHD: Application of Knowledge Is the Hard Part”
ADHD Mindset Tip: Motivation
Got attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? What is your mindset around motivation? In this video ADHD coach Jeff Copper builds on his earlier video, “ADHD Mindset: Setting up Your Mind to Think“ (https://youtu.be/nVu4fZnwbuE), sharing the power of using a different mindset to witness the obvious. In this video Jeff uses specific examples explaining motivation and illuminates the path to manage it using specific examples to empower you to learn to problem-solve. Continue reading “ADHD Mindset Tip: Motivation”
ADHD Zombie – Stimulant Medications
The word “zombie” seems to be used as an adjective around how some feel when they talk about ADHD stimulant medications. In this episode we interview Dr. Charles Parker (http://www.corebrain.org/reality) to understand what the phenomena is all about and to see if something can be done about it. Continue reading “ADHD Zombie – Stimulant Medications”
ADHD: Awareness of Negative Forces – Part 1
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a real challenge for many. In this video, ADHD coach Jeff Copper brings to your attention one of three very real negative forces that work against you when getting help. The focus of this video is to acknowledge an elephant in the room to help you understand why many of the tips, solutions, and strategies out there don’t work. If you’re a big picture thinker, don’t miss this video. Continue reading “ADHD: Awareness of Negative Forces – Part 1”
ADHD: Awareness of Negative Forces – Part 2
This is part two of a three-part series to identify negative forces that worked against those trying to manage their attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In this video, ADHD coach Jeff Copper shares a second negative force that works against you when getting help. If you’re the type of person that just likes to have the insight and you know what you’re up against, this is a video you won’t want to miss. Continue reading “ADHD: Awareness of Negative Forces – Part 2”
ADHD: Awareness of Negative Forces – Part 3
Those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have a different brain wiring. Isn’t it interesting how society encourages you to be yourself, but then turns and identifies all your flaws to fix you? In this episode of Attention Talk Video, ADHD coach Jeff Copper shares a third negative force that works against you when getting help. If you are a big picture thinker and like to understand the invisible “why,” tune in and watch this video. Continue reading “ADHD: Awareness of Negative Forces – Part 3”
Thinking about Thinking
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – January 22, 2019
Every once in a while, you stumble onto a phrase or something that’s worded in a way that puts things into perspective and brings an aha because you can finally articulate it and wrap your mind around the concept. I once heard it stated, “I don’t know who discovered water but I’m sure it wasn’t a fish.” To me, this is a very profound statement, because there are some things in this world that are so obvious that they’re missed because they’re so obvious.
Ugly Organizing Systems Are Not All Bad
By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – September 17, 2018
Organization isn’t always pretty; in fact, it can be downright ugly, and many ugly organizational systems are more effective than pretty ones. If you look up the word “organized” in the dictionary, you see words like structured, controlled, and systematic. Now, while these are great descriptors, it makes me think of warehouses in rows and columns. I’m not saying that type of system isn’t effective, but it just doesn’t work for me. What it really comes down to is whether I know exactly where something is when I need it.
Continue reading “Ugly Organizing Systems Are Not All Bad”