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Delight the wiggler in your life with the Teeter Popper — and the freedom to rock, wobble, and pop in safety. The curved seat and ergonomic handles are perfect for getting the wiggles out while watching TV, and the suction cups covering the Teeter Popper’s bottom will allow your kid to pop and unpop — getting a fun sensory experience at the same time.

“How thoughtful.”“What an interesting gift.”“Wow – what a surprise.”We’ve all heard the polite-yet-unenthused reaction of someone receiving an unwanted gift. Adults with ADHD — whose hobbies and interests change often — can be particularly tricky to shop for. Our advice? Go with gifts that make time, relationships, emotions, and clutter easier to manage.Here are the gifts — gadgets, books, products, and services — that ADDitude readers told us they appreciated most.[Download: Your Free Guide for Controlling Clutter]“A timer that counts backward and shows the time disappearing is so simple but made my time management so much better.” — Jo, UK“I mostly pay for convenience services myself, but some friends got me a deep clean and declutter service (without judgment) after seeing how much I was struggling with housekeeping.

I remember the time I set out to create the perfect routine that I vowed to follow for the rest of my life – an unusual endeavor for me, given that I had rejected countless routines like they were my mortal enemy. I believed in spontaneity and had feared that routines would doom me to a monotonous life.But the truth is, even as a free spirit, I knew that I desperately needed some semblance of order to function.

Your teen is counting down the days until they can finally get in the driver’s seat — a moment you’re probably (all right, definitely) dreading. You want your teen to be independent, but you also know the risks young drivers face on the road, especially when they have ADHD.

Q: “My son is a high school senior with ADHD. He’s not sure about college, but he applied anyway. He was accepted to four colleges, but once he got in, it was as if he decided to completely give up.

Attending the University of Notre Dame was always my dream. I loved the mission of the university and wanted to continue the legacy of my grandfather and great-grandfather. I vividly remember when my grandfather took me to a football game as an eighth grader.

November 28, 2023Weighted blankets help children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who struggle with sleep disorders by improving both sleep quality and duration, according to a new study published in The Journal of Sleep Research.1 While the results revealed weighted blankets can be beneficial for all children with ADHD, the effects were particularly notable in children aged 11 to 14 years with inattentive type ADHD.Specifically, the study found that weighted blankets increased sleep duration by 8 minutes, on average, for all study participants and by 16 minutes, on average, for children aged 11 to 14 with inattentive ADHD. The study also found that children without weighted blankets were awake for three minutes more during the night, on average, than were children with weighted blankets.Children with ADHD frequently experience a host of sleep problems including difficulty falling asleep, waking throughout the night, daytime sleepiness, and circadian abnormalities.

Not available December 12? Don’t worry. Register now and WebMD will send the replay link to watch at your convenience.The holiday season is usually portrayed as a joyous time of year.

The perfect holiday gift is seldom obvious. Just because it’s on your child’s wish list or strategically placed by the register doesn’t mean you should bring it home. Finding a gift they’ll truly love — and one that won’t trigger headaches or fights — begins by considering what not to buy.

During a recent training session I led on inclusion and learning differences in the classroom, I posed the following question – a tough one – to the teachers in the audience: “Raise your hand if, upon discovering that you have a neurodivergent student in your class, your immediate, unfiltered thought is a negative one?”I clarified: “Do you assume, for example, that the student’s learning difference may add to your workload or disrupt the class in some way?”A few teachers reluctantly raised their hands.Then I asked, “And how many of you, upon finding out that you will be teaching a neurodivergent student, readily think, ‘This is great! I’m going to be able to really take advantage of some of the strengths of their brain.’” Cue lots of bowing heads and sheepish looks.As a teacher of 24 years, I know that less-than-favorable unconscious (and sometimes conscious) attitudes absolutely exist within the education system toward students with learning differences. To be clear, I also know that the majority of teachers have benevolent intentions and want the best for their students.Still, the longstanding approach in education systems has been that there is a core group of students that educators teach, and then there are “others” who require differentiated learning materials to accommodate their separate needs.

In 1998, when ADDitude was founded, information about ADHD was limited, often inaccurate, and almost never about adults. Professional education and training for ADHD was extremely hard to find, as few specialized in the area.Adult ADHD was brought out of the shadows by Ned Hallowell, M.D., and John Ratey, M.D., with their groundbreaking book, Driven to Distraction.

ChatGPT exists to serve. The AI-powered chatbot, now a year old, has become one of the most wildly popular language tools on the Internet. It’s collaborative and conversational.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve chewed or picked at something. My mom tried to get me to quit when I was a kid, but this was back in the early 1970s, when body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRB) weren’t exactly a hot topic of conversation. My mom was clever though, and tried to address my nail biting by way of a reward I couldn’t refuse: If I stopped biting my nails, I’d get a Barbie Dream House.

November 22, 2023Treatment rates worldwide are consistently low for children and adolescents with diagnosed mental disorders, according to an international study published by JAMA Open Network1 that showed significant variations in treatment by age, income level, and region.The meta-analysis included data for 310,583 children across 40 studies from 1984 to 2017. The lowest combined treatment rate was reported for youth diagnosed with anxiety disorders (31% treated), followed by depressive disorders (36%), behavior disorders (49%), and ADHD (58%).Timely treatment of common mental disorders reduces the risk of negative outcomes later in life, such as substance abuse.

Q: “As a teacher, I sometimes struggle to ignore negative or inappropriate behaviors from students with ADHD. I worry about the fairness of ignoring these behaviors that other students would otherwise be called out on.”The longer I’ve spent in this field, the more I’ve come to realize that the strongest educators are skilled at ignoring mildly inappropriate behaviors from students.

$15.99Whether you’re belting out Taylor’s version or concocting a new business plan, it’s easy to lose precious time in a hot shower. This digital waterproof shower timer can help. The pocket-sized timer counts down and has three adjustable buttons for 10 minutes, 1 minute, and 10 seconds.

Not available December 19? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.“Now why did I walk in here? I can’t remember.”“Brain fog,” short-term memory lapses, and poor time management are proverbial complaints among women living through perimenopause and menopause, but could these cognitive problems — and others with mood regulation and overwhelm — point to something more?As of now, no clear links have been established between ADHD and mental changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.

Q: “As a teacher, how can I encourage my students to be supportive of their fellow classmates with ADHD? An inclusive classroom environment is my goal.”Students with ADHD thrive in a positive classroom environment, and peer interactions and relationships play a big role in shaping that learning experience.Teaching your students to be kind and supportive of their fellow classmates, including their peers with ADHD and learning differences, starts with you, the educator. A positive classroom environment is one where praise and encouragement are liberally doled out to students — and where commands, demands, and reprimands are used sparingly.[Sign Up for the ADHD Learning Series for Educators]Constantly correcting or negatively commenting on a student’s challenging ADHD-related behaviors only opens the door for other students to do the same.

$11.39The fast-paced action of 800 Pound Gorilla, a new game from the creators of Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, will keep distractable children focused and energetic kids entertained. The easy-to-learn game is filled with hilarious phrases, flying bananas, lovable gorillas, and silly performances. Playing time lasts 10 to 15 minutes, and this gift is suitable for all ages, making it a Family Game Night favorite.Buy 800 Pound Gorilla (#CommissionsEarned)$13.99The Swiftie in your household will love channeling their favorite ‘era’ and testing their Taylor Swift prowess with The Unofficial Eras Activity Book.

Depression and anxiety disorders occur with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at significant rates. While figures vary across studies, it’s estimated that 18% of adults with ADHD also have major depressive disorder, and about half of adults with ADHD have anxiety.1 What explains these high comorbidity rates?Many factors may explain the overlap, and one of them I can’t stress enough: ADHD does not happen in a vacuum, and its effects are far more impairing when the condition goes undiagnosed, untreated, or improperly treated.Undiagnosed and/or untreated ADHD makes children, teens, and adults who are otherwise bright and competent feel severely inadequate.

Not available December 13? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Burnout, anxiety, and exhaustion are common byproducts of ADHD in women. Juggling busy work and family schedules alongside an (often undiagnosed) neurological condition leaves many women desperate for support and validation.

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November 13, 2023Rising rates of depression — a condition that often accompanies ADHD and other health concerns — have earned well-deserved concern and attention. Here, Nelson M.

The other night, when my girlfriend and I sat in the kitchen enjoying a cuppa tea, I got up mid-conversation to put away a pack of cat treats. “I’m still listening!” I shouted as I walked into the adjacent room.She kept talking, and I kept puttering around. I apologized afterward, as I felt I’d been a bit rude.

You do your best to maintain a positive learning environment for your students, from reinforcing and encouraging good behavior to celebrating their contributions and achievements. But what if you could make a game out of it?The Good Behavior Game is one of many classroom behavior interventions — backed by research — that inspires better behavior from students.1 It’s a simple game that doesn’t cost a single penny to set up, and it increases your ability to teach students in an engaged, disruption-free classroom.To set up the game, start by identifying a few behaviors you’d like for your students, who will be split up into two (or more) teams, to work toward.

November 6, 2023Pediatrics Research has retracted a paper on the effectiveness of using homeopathy to treat ADHD, citing “substantial concerns regarding the validity of the results presented in this article.” 1The original article “Is Homeopathy Effective for Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder? A Meta-Analysis” reported that “individualized homeopathy showed a clinically relevant and statistically robust effect in the treatment of ADHD.”1 This retraction directly challenges those results and addresses the concerns of critics, who argue that science does not support the use of homeopathy for addressing ADHD symptoms.The journal’s editor-in-chief issued the retraction after a review found four “deficiencies,” including the following:The paper’s retraction comes more than a year after critics first questioned the validity of the studies included in the meta-analysis. Shortly after the paper’s June 2022 publication, Edzard Ernst, M.D., Ph.D., MAE, FMedSci, FRSB, FRCP, FRCPEd, asked the editors of Pediatrics Research to add a caution notice or withdraw the paper.“We conclude that the positive result obtained by the authors is due to a combination of the inclusion of biased trials unsuitable to build evidence together with some major misreporting of study outcomes,” he wrote.In a follow-up letter sent in June 2023, Ernst wrote, “In our comment, we point out that the authors made a lot of errors — to say it mildly.

Q: “How can I help my teen, who has ADHD, make better decisions without overstepping or giving unwanted advice?”Part of parenting a teen successfully is shifting from being your child’s CEO to their board of advisors. It’s a difficult transition, especially when a teen’s prefrontal cortex lags in maturity due to ADHD, and they don’t always make the wisest decisions. But if your goal is to raise an adult who can think critically, solve their own problems, and live on their own successfully, the path to independence starts now.When you find yourself longing to tell your teen what to do, stop.

Q: “We’ve recently started a daily report card with one of my students with ADHD to improve their behavior, but we haven’t seen any changes yet. What can we do to make this tool work more effectively?”Daily report cards are among the most powerful evidence-based tools that educators have to encourage better behavior in students.

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is the enduring authority for healthcare providers who diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Its origins date back to the 1800s1 and, though it continues to serve an important role for patients and clinicians, the DSM is not without significant problems.

Q: “How do I organize supplies for a hobby or a passion project that I happen to have tons of stuff for, like quilting? Is it possible to have too many hobby items?”I love scrapbooking, and I have all the scrapbooking stuff. My father-in-law loves fishing, and his collection of fishing rods covers the walls of his garage.

Q: My spouse and I have agreed to divorce. How should I talk to my kids, who have ADHD, about this in a way that will keep their emotions from spinning out of control?Talking to your kids about your decision to divorce is difficult, especially when symptoms of ADHD and emotional dysregulation are at play. Here are some tips to help this conversation go smoothly.First, be brief and straightforward.

Not available December 5? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Attention problems may signal ADHD — or another condition entirely.Some children and adolescents experience a unique type of attention problem with symptoms including excessive daydreaming, staring or zoning out, being lost in one’s thoughts, sleepiness, and peer relationship challenges.

Growing up, I was a normal, active kid who loved school and participated in many sports and activities. I loved school and it came easily to me! When I was 15, my life changed when I had an accident while horseback riding. I have absolutely no recollection of the event itself, but I know that I landed on my head.After about 45 minutes of unconsciousness, followed by another 5 hours where I was unable to recollect anything – I had no short- or long-term memory – I “woke up” in the hospital.

She was named a hero in Time magazine’s list of Most Influential People in the World. HBO made a Golden Globe-winning movie about her life. She is an author, scientist, professor, and mentor.Temple Grandin sat down recently with ADDitude for a candid conversation about growing up autistic in the 1950s and 1960s, and how society today can ignite and encourage brilliant, neurodivergent minds.Q: You say that you think primarily in pictures. You are an object visualizer, while visual-spatial minds think in patterns, and language thinkers feast on words. How is our education system today failing different thinkers?Educators are pushing algebra because they think it’s a prerequisite to logical thinking.

Taking Charge of ADHD by renowned ADHD expert Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D., is our Number One pick for anyone raising a child with attention deficit. In it, Barkley discusses the causes of ADHD, medication options, advice for parents with the condition, sibling issues, and how to work with schools and healthcare providers to find needed support.

Can’t get out of bed? Whether it’s due to a poor night’s sleep (hello, night owls), stubborn morning grogginess (i.e., sleep inertia), or dread-induced paralysis, struggling to wake up – while a common issue among individuals with ADHD – is a rough way to start the day… everyday.Try these suggestions to get your mind, body, and environment aligned to help you get out of bed in the morning with less resistance and more alertness.[Get This Free Download: How to Sleep Better with ADHD][Read: How to Break the Exhausting Habit of Revenge Bedtime Procrastination]Getting to a point where you can spring out of bed and start your day 100% energized won’t happen overnight. With any of these techniques, give yourself time to build consistency so these strategies become part of your morning routine.

By Ellen Littman, Ph.D.“Generally, non-ADHD brains can self-regulate with relative confidence, and exercise an adequate amount of control over their behavior. ADHD brains do not adapt as easily; they have their own rules of engagement. They are motivated by their search for optimal stimulation, rather than by what others label as important.

Your ADHD brain works differently. You need productivity strategies that make sense to you — not the rest of the world. This eBook provides just that: ADHD-tested time-management plans that don’t try to shove square pegs into round holes.

by David W. Goodman, M.D., LFAPA“ADHD is widely studied and recognized — except when it occurs in older adults.

Many challenges brought on by ADHD are “invisible” or easily blamed on laziness. Though teachers may recognize that students with ADHD forget to write down assignments, lose completed homework, and need fidgets to improve focus, many educators are frustrated and confounded by not-so-obvious ADHD behaviors when they inevitably pop up.

As ADDitude celebrates 25 years of ADHD advocacy and information, our editorial team is reflecting on the most pivotal research, personal stories, books, webinars, and pieces of expert advice published in the pages of ADDitude magazine and on ADDitudeMag.com. See our editors’ highlights on the 25th Anniversary Page, and enter to win a year of ADDitude magazine below.To win a one-year subscription to ADDitude magazine (a $19.95 value each), use the Comments section below to tell us: If it disappeared tomorrow, what would you miss most about your ADHD or your child’s ADHD?Sunday, November 19, 2023, at 11:59 pm EST.One entry per household.

Individuals with ADHD are uniquely impacted by video games, screen time, and technology, which we know can fragment attention, increase distraction, and potentially worsen social isolation. But can digital technology be harnessed to expand working memory, increase concentration, and improve ADHD symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults? That is a key research question today.As this exciting new area of research and clinical development gains speed, my practice in St.

October 24, 2023Older drivers with ADHD face an elevated risk for receiving traffic tickets, slamming on the breaks, and having car crashes, according to new research published in Jama Network Open. 1Car crashes were 74% more likely, traffic tickets were 102% more likely, and hard-breaking events were 7% more likely among adults aged 65 to 79 with ADHD than they were among neurodivergent drivers of the same age, according to a cohort study lead by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

I was influenced to study ADHD while an undergraduate student in psychology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill by my mentor, Donald Routh, Ph.D., who was studying hyperactive children. I was fascinated by the research and especially by these dysregulated children.

You’ve narrowed down your list of colleges, and now it’s time to tackle those applications. If your neurodivergent brain is dreading the arduous, multi-step process, this plan and system for tracking your tasks will help you get started with less stress.Create a system to track college application deadlines. If you’re a paper person, try a big wall calendar, whiteboard, or use a weekly/monthly planner.

Not available November 29? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Parenting practices have evolved alongside our understanding of children’s social-emotional development.

Q: “I need a better way to connect with my daughter. When she is overwhelmed and emotional, and I try calming her down, it only makes things worse.

For many years, ADHD was believed to impact only males — and the research reflects that. It wasn’t until 1993 that NIH-funded clinical studies on ADHD were required to include women. We’ve come a long way, but missed ADHD symptoms and underdiagnosis are still common among females with the condition.“Because of stigma as well as thoughts related to gender role presentations, ADHD symptoms in females can be thought of as more likely due to anxiety or depression,” says Dave Anderson, Ph.D., of the Child Mind Institute, in the video above.