Big Kid
After the Diagnosis
My son was 7 when he was diagnosed with ADHD, ODD, OCD. As a parent who had been opposed to medication this was a humbling, eye-opening experience.
Young Child
The Diagnosis Battlefield
My child has just been diagnosed with a condition my in-laws don’t even believe exists. Now what?
Young Child
D is for Disorder
I know that many kids these days struggle from the alphabet soup of disorders. Why aren’t we talking about it more openly?
Big Kid
Dysfunction Junction: Improving Executive Function In Challenged Teens
A disorganized teen can make for an unhappy family. A few good coping strategies for improving executive functioning, everyone ends up happier, more productive.
Education
Getting Help For Your ADD/ADHD Kid
I think my second grader has inattentive ADD/ADHD. What should I do to get him the help he needs at school?
Big Kid
Letting Go Of Normal
Is normal a real thing? Should I be wishing my special-needs kids were normal? I’m not even sure it’s real, and if it is, well, it’s not for us.
Big Kid
Independence For Lunch, One Way Or Another
Challenging my teenager to manage her own school lunches is giving me palpitations, but it’s time and—one way or another—she can handle it.
Big Kid
Helping Your Student Manage Year-End School Stress
As we near the end of my autistic son’s first full-time year back in public school, the stress is wearing him down, but really, he’s doing great.
Big Kid
Transitioning To Middle School With ADHD
Transitioning to middle school is a scary time for any kid, but when it’s an ADHD child, how should you best proceed? I’ve been there. Don’t panic!
Big Kid
Taking The Power Struggle Out Of Homework Struggles
Power struggles with your teen may feel inevitable, but when you add homework issues to the mix, is there any hope for peace and productivity? I say yes.
Big Kid
May I Have This (Senior Year) Dance?
With just one (short) year left before college, I have to figure out how to give my oldest enough room to get ready to launch. We’re getting there.
Young Child
In Hindsight: Child Development & When Should We Worry?
Now that my “different” kids are teens, a reader facing issues with her 5-year-old wants to know if I see similarities in what we experienced.
Health & Safety
Why Are Girls With Autism Different?
It’s often said that girls on the autism spectrum “present differently,” but what exactly does that mean? Today we’re looking at both generalities and a few hallmark specifics of how autistic girls are unlike their male counterparts.
Big Kid
ADHD and College Prep: The Last Frontier?
My high school senior is more ready for college than I’d imagined, except for this one little issue that could turn into a giant issue. I have to trust her.
Big Kid
The Poor Sensory Sport
A mom needs advice on how to help her sensory-seeking child handle disappointment on the sports field as it’s now starting to affect his relationships.
Big Kid
Insomnia & Special Needs Kids
A school boy with ADHD is having an extra hard time falling asleep recently and its causing lots of stress on the family. This is not an uncommon problem amongst special need school-aged kids. Amalah has some advice.
Big Kid
To Label Or Not To Label, That Is The Question
A reader wants to know the value of putting a label on a struggling older child, or does it even matter? I have strong opinions on this one.
Big Kid
Life’s Not Fair, Whether I Help My Teens or Not
The knife-edge between encouraging my teens to self-advocate and stepping in while I still can is a precarious one, especially in a world that’s unfair.
Big Kid
Confessions of a Recovering Naggy McNaggerson
A lifetime of nagging my children in the name of “helping” is coming to a close, because we all need me to back off. It’s hard, but I’m working on it.
Big Kid
ADHD in the Dorm: What To Buy
Those generic “what to buy for your college freshman” lists are missing some key items for our kids coping with ADHD. I’ve got some additions for that list.