Tim Tebow seems to be all the rage in the news today. From his message of faith to perserverance to there is much we can learn. Now I’ll admit, I don’t watch the news much. I’ve heard rumblings of Tim Tebow and “Tebowing” but I don’t fall too much into the hype and at one point, I’ll admit I had had enough of this “miracle” man and his story of being a great athelete we should all look up to.

But this past Saturday morning, the news was on in the background and I heard a little about his story. It caught my attention and it made me realize, Tim Tebow can teach us a lot about ADHD.

If I understand things correctly, Tim Tebow thrived at the University of Florida, winning two National Championships and the coveted Heismann Trophy.

He was a sports hero, and since moving to Florida, I have learned this state is very loyal to their athletes and to their football teams. Tebow is both.

So what does Tim Tebow have to do with ADHD?

Well…everything and nothing. It all depends on where you choose to stand, and how you choose to look at things.

After a great career in college, NFL scouts, coaches, and commentators didn’t believe this young man had what it would take to thrive in the NFL. I heard something about his passing style and how it didn’t fit.

Then I heard Tebow talk about his faith… His perserverance… The influence from his parents… His values to try his best.

That’s when I realized Tim Tebow has everything to do with ADHD.

Here’s a man who thrives in the right environment. We know this to be true about individuals with ADHD. Put them in the right environment, allow them to do something they are passionate about, and build a team of support around them… WATCH OUT! A person with ADHD can thrive, succeed, and dominate.

Does Tim Tebow have ADHD? Heck if I know. And if that’s the message you are getting, I am NOT doing a good job explaining why he matters.

It’s NOT about his brain. It’s NOT about his “inability.” It’s NOT about his ability.

Tim Tebow and the ADHD connection is all about an individual thriving under the right circumstances.

Tim Tebow doesn’t let the critics change who he is. He doesn’t allow people to take him (the sqaure peg) and force him through the round hole.

Tim Tebow’s Miracle Comeback

On the news, there was even talk about his marketing potential. How could the business world capitalize on the celebrity of Tim Tebow to sell more products…

One marketing and branding expert said, Tim Tebow needs to stick to brands that fit who he is. He needs to find companies that match his personal beliefs and morals.

Sounds a lot like this branding expert is suggesting Tim Tebow not sell out!

Well…we need to teach our children (and their teachers, and other professionals) that we shouldn’t ask our children to sell themselves out.

Children with ADHD need to be lifted up for who they are, accepted for who they are not. And believed in just the same.

For every child in the right environment can and will flourish. The challenge is often finding that environment, and having enough people believe in them to lift them and help them thrive.

Can you do that for your child?

When I first came across this video on Facebook today, I was watching it because a friend asked a question.  Little did I know that what Ken Robinson would be speaking about would have me jumping up and down, on the edge of my seat, and cheering for more.

This is simply brilliant.

It starts off about the economy and our education system.  Ok…I was curious.  But then at the 4:30 mark, my ears perked up as I heard Ken Robinson speak about ADHD and the epiedmic, or rather the “NOT  an epidemic” of ADHD.

That’s when things got REALLY good, and I knew I would have to share this with you.

This is NOT about politics.

This is NOT just  about the economy.

This is NOT just about our education system.

This is NOT just about ADHD.

It’s about the big picture.  This is about life and where we are headed.  This is what I have been talking about when it comes to seeing a child with ADHD for more than just the diagnosis.  This is about how we can support a child with ADHD…heck, any child…  We need to focus more on the big picture and societal shifts and trends than we do the micro of ADHD symptoms and diagnosis.

Watch this video, and let me know what you think (in the comments below):

• How did it make you feel?
• What was your gut reaction?

SpongeBob and ADHD?

Did you hear this yet?

A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, suggests that kids around 4 years of age demonstrated decreased attention levels after watching only nine minutes of the favored Nickelodeon show SpongeBob Squarepants.

Two groups were tested, one watched SpongeBob Squarepants and the other watched what the journal is reporting as a “slower paced” show called Caillou…

I’m familiar with both shows.  I’m just not certain what the media outlets and / or the study is referring to as a “slower-paced” show versus the alternative of what?  A more hyperactive show – featuring an energetic, flighty SpongeBob who is all over the place?  (NOTE: Sarcasm intended here).

But seriously…this has generated quite a bit of news attention and talks children and attention issues.

Noted in the research, these children were not reported to have any identified attention problems like ADD / ADHD.  It was also a small sample size (red flag), and the show is intended for 6-11 year olds.

These are the points being argued, debated, and presented by the mainstream media, research scientists, and of course the creators and distributors of the show.  Oh, and let’s not forget that the American Academy of Pediatrics says “No television for children under two years of age,” and other groups are saying that we should focus on quality of television and NOT quantity.

Well DUH!!!
Oh the issues I want to tear apart here and rant on…

#1.  My readers know how I feel about research.  It has it’s place, but typically there are flaws and limitations that while they might get mentioned (in small print) don’t lead the newscasts or the water-cooler talk on Twitter and Facebook.  For instance, this story probably already has legs because it involves SpongeBob, television, our children, and attention questions.

The reality is, and mentioned, that this study involves a very small sample.  And worse off, it’s reportedly a sample of all middle to upper class white kids.  Where’s the diversity?  There was also no-pretest measuring intelligence or attention span.

The researchers claim, as mentioned above, there were no identified attention problems in these children.  BUT, we all know how misunderstood ADD / ADHD is.

#2  The issue of Quality vs. Quantity.  I like that this is emphasized, but seriously, are we to be surprised that children are watching more and more television at a time when life is busier and busier on parents…just to get by and survive?  Think about it…  In a lot of families, two parents are out of the house working just to go by.  Kids (older brothers and sisters) have more and more homework and even more extracurricular activities.

This now doesn’t involve or consider the current state of our society given how stressed out parents might be that they are possibly about to lose their jobs or might already out of work.

Ok…let’s not hit that panic button here quite yet.  And I might be guilty of inciting some panic by stirring the pot.

But the issue of quantity verus quality is HUGE.  Are we as parents / adults paying attention ourselves to what our kids are watching?  And what about the commercials that are targeting a certain demographic between SpongeBob aged-kids and Calliou aged kids?

Me Personally?

I’ve said my peace…  I think research nowadays makes headlines because the news likes a juicy story.  We are still struggling as a community to understand what causes ADHD, what contributes to ADHD, and to what makes an individual’s symptoms worse.

So does SpongeBob cause ADD / ADHD?  Doubtful.  And that’s NOT what the research is suggesting.  (Me either).  What is pointing out however, is that attention spans are being affected by current trends in society.  And because we do a poor job diagnosing and identifying ADD / ADHD from other conditions…we have to be more alert of what is going on.

And more than ever, we need to be stronger advocates for our children.  Information like this falling into the wrong hands can cause even more frustration, singling out, and fingers being pointed at our children (or even us as parents).

Now It’s Your Turn…

What do you think?  Let us know your reaction in the comments.

I recently answered this question and thought it was worth sharing. Plus, it really got me thinking. For those of you who do take medications yourself, or have children taking medications, what experience do you have or see as a result?

It’s difficult to say what you changes you might see in your husband without knowing which exact medication he is being prescribed. There are different types, two primary to be exact (stimulants and non-stimulants) along with some “off-label” medications that are for other conditions but have also shown to work with ADD / ADHD.

Depending upon which medication he is prescribed, along with his particular type of ADD / ADHD, his experience of ADD / ADHD, and how his body reacts, there is just know way to tell.

In most cases, there are generally side-effects, and I would encourage you to watch for them, ask him about them, and then have him communicate with his prescribing physician if there is any concern.

As for how they help, the best way I can put it is that the medications are said to improve focus, concentration, and attention so that his brain or his energy can be focused on other tasks. The medication itself does not get rid of ADD / ADHD… It merely relieves symptom experience so he can dedicate “resources” to other tasks.

One friend of mine who has taken ADD / ADHD medication for different periods in his life (a young adult) has shared with me that it allows him to better control his emotional reaction to situations and deal with them more effectively.

Unfortunately, I can’t get you a better answer right now without knowing more about your husband and which medication he will be prescribed. But I hope this helps.

As for whether they work or not (the medications), biologically they do. But again, they are not a cure for ADD / ADHD. They do not suddenly make life miraculously better. There are still lots of things to work on, and the medication is supposed to help with that…but certainly not resolve everything.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, comments, or personal experience with medication. Go ahead and share with us all what experience you have had. We’d also love for you to share this with anyone you know who might find this information or your comments useful.

In a blog post today, CNN’s medical team discusses the recent results of a Consumer Reports Health Survey that suggests the two most important keys to successfully helping and supporting a child with ADHD.

These two keys:

1. Medication
2. Schools that are “in the know”

All in all, this is a very interesting read and perspective on the difficulties many children and parents face when trying to manage and overcome the challenges presented by ADHD.

The article is heavy on research findings and statistics, reporting that 84 percents of parents turn to medication at one point or another.  I don’t know about you, but that seems very high given the great controversy reported by so many parents who are against using medication.  But that’s just my thought, and reaction.

At the same time, I definitely agree that medications are an important part of comprehensive treatment, but only when necessary and fully explored (not just for the sake of medicating).

What I liked most was the balanced discussion of just how important it is to be working with schools who are flexible and prepared to support these children in their unique learning styles.  That’s a huge factor!  It’s an awful lot to put the pressure on these children, and I think it even goes so far to suggest that they are the ones who must adapt to the world…rather than teaching them the value of choice, flexibility, and most importantly, fit.

What do you think?  I’d love to hear your thoughts on the article after you get a chance to read it all.

As an admitted self-improvement / personal development “junkie,” I have been listening to T. Harv Eker’s The Milllionaire Mind Intensive audios this weekend. As I often talk about here and with clients, I believe that your mindset towards your wants and desires has a tremendous impact on what you are able to achieve.

Now I obviously won’t be talking about “Winning the Financial Game” like Harv does, but I couldn’t overlook one of his lessons that really applies to everything we do in life.

“Are you playing to win, or not to lose?”
~T. Harv Eker

As I heard T. Harv talk about this concept, it immediately simplified something I like to talk about but never quite found the words to sum it so succinctly or clearly.

When I think about a lot of my clients and the questions I get from readers like you, it’s not uncommon to hear from people that they are constantly playing catch-up or clean up from the day to day stress and frustration of parenting a child with ADHD (or just parenting in general, honestly).

The message I want to share this week, and the real takeaway lesson has to do with being active and not passive… It has to do with responding to situations, and NOT reacting.

These are subtle, yet important differences that can truly mean the difference between success or ongoing struggle with anything you face in life.

Another great thing Harv talks about is that most people don’t know what they want in life, but they certainly know what they don’t want.

Whether you are looking for financial freedom (as T. Harv talk about), or parenting a child with ADHD, the same applies again.

Without a clear ending in mind, you will never know WHEN you get there, and you most certainly WILL NOT know HOW to get there.

With that said, I’d like to give you some homework this week….but NOT just any homework. I want to leave you with something that will help you get on the road to reaching your goals, and having a clear path to follow.

HOMEWORK: (You’ll need a pen and paper).

1. Write down what you want for your self, your child, and / or your family. (Be as clear and as specific as possible).
2. Write down how you picture things to be if you had a magic wand and could suddenly remove all the struggles you currently face (related to or not to ADHD specifically).
3. Act as if…

The final step, “Act as if…” means you want to begin acting like the situation has changed. You want to treat your self, your spouse, your siblings, your child, or anyone else like things have already changed.

When you act as if, you will start to change habits to get what you want.

For a long time now, there has been great concern, speculation, and rumor that ADHD might be caused (or at the very least contributed to) by certain pesticides used to grow and manufacture our foods.

While the medical community has so far said “no,” today we hear otherwise from a newly published study in the Journal of Pediatrics.

According to the study, one common pesticide (organophosphate) used to grow fruits and vegetables suggests there is reason to be concerned. Of over 1,000 participants involved, 119 had symptoms of ADHD. Researchers analyzed single urine samples and found that children with the highest concentrations of the pesticide were more likely to have ADHD.

Researchers and experts caution that more research must be conducted, but also suggests that we need to look at these findings very seriously.

What you can do

Lead author of the study, Maryse Bouchard, states that we should limit our exposure to the chemical by eating only organic produce. She also added that frozen blueberries, strawberries, and celery had more pesticide residue that other foods.

According to one Today Show expert contributor, we should also avoid eating foods that are out of season.

You can read the full article here:

ABC News

Yahoo News

Today Show

There I was watching my children in the middle of their first ever Easter Egg hunt when their differences jumped right out and smacked me in the face. My 2 1/2 year old son and my 4 1/2 year old daughter couldn’t be more different. (Some clearly more obvious than others):

• Gender…
• Age…
• Thinking…
• Concept…
• Understanding…
• Perspective…
• Determination…
• Intention…

It was all in front of me…the differences were screaming out at me. One kid was grabbing as many Easter Eggs as he could (dominating the hunt), while my the other was being very select (almost inattentive) with her selections.

At first I started wondering… What was wrong with my daughter? Was she not seeing all the eggs right in front of her? Did she not have that determination and focus to win? Why was she getting beaten by her younger (and less capable) little brother?

But I bit my tongue… I kept watching and I let those thoughts just sit…without reacting or trying to intervene.

That was entirely different however for my mother-in-law and my wife. They both were trying to steer my daughter in the direction of more eggs. They even slowed her down to try and explain the rules of the hunt… **Don’t even get me started on that just yet.**

Still sitting with my birds-eye view, my mind was now spinning with thoughts and ideas about what this all really meant. An Easter Egg hunt right? I got this all from an innocent fun Easter Egg hunt.

When it was all over, my wife asked our daughter why she didn’t pick up more of the eggs. She even tried rationalizing with her…”Honey, you walked past so many different eggs, why?”

My daughter was great….”But Mommy, I only wanted the yellow and pink ones.”

Now you can accuse of me thinking too much. I probably do!!! But the implications here were staggering for me.

• No one took the time to explain the rules (if there are any).
• Most of the group thought a certain way about the experience and then tried influencing others to think that way.
• No one stopped to ask my daughter what her plan was.
• We assumed way too much…
• We became competitive for our kids and lost sight of the goal: FUN

I am sure there are a million and one lessons we could pull from this experience… just so many lessons from an EASTER EGG HUNT.

But if you are thinking like me…this is how we (society) do things. The majority rule and make the rules. We accept those rules as “normal” and we question anything that is different.

It could just be me and how my brain works…but I’m willing to bet there are some of you who can see what I’m talking about….all from a simple Easter Egg Hunt…

What do you think? Let us know…

Earlier this week, I started a little controversy among our readers about Diagnosing ADHD and how important it really is to have the diagnosis.  The responses that came in were quite incredible, and nothing short of what I expected for a condition that is still greatly misunderstood by many (not our readers of course).

I am still reading (and re-reading) the comments to really absorb the different perspectives of ADHD, and getting diagnosed.

One thing to me is clear:  Getting the right diagnosis is critical, but it is only a first step!  For the record, I always advocate to my clients and anyone I speak to that seeing a professional – an expert who understands ADHD, children, and development – is of the utmost importance when you don’t know what’s going on.

Let me say that again (it was a mouthful):  Getting the right diagnosis, from the right* person is the most important first step.

But it’s ONLY a first step because there is so much else going on.  The diagnosis can change, and it can be complicated.  In my years of working with children and families, I just don’t know how an accurate diagnosis is made in one 15-minute appointment when there is clearly so much to consider.

Here’s just a taste of what makes the diagnosis so difficult to make:

1. Bad Information:  There is a LOT of bad information that leads to great misunderstanding about what ADHD is and what it is not.
2. Signs & Symptoms: As Dr. Kane mentioned in our previous post, there are over 50 other conditions that can mimic ADHD.  (Not to mention the things that can complicate what might or might not be ADHD).
3. One Size Does NOT Fit All: ADHD is going to be different for almost everyone with the condition.  There is NO one right answer…it’s about personal choice (as pointed out by colleague and friend Tara McGillicuddy).
4. Life Happens: One cannot overlook the dramatic impact and influence that life has upon symptoms of ADHD.  We cannot just attribute everything to the condition…we MUST look at what is going on in a person’s life.
5. Explanation NOT Excuse: ADHD (or the right diagnosis) can help explain why a person acts, behaves, or just is a certain way.  But it does NOT define them, and it should NEVER be used as an excuse.

Yes…there are plenty more complications to getting the diagnosis right.  And that’s why I call it a good and important (critical) first step!

So what’s this all about then?

As I mentioned, it is more important to me (in my humble opinion) that once we have a working diagnosis or understanding of who the person is, we focus on their unique challenges and NOT the diagnosis.

Sometimes we get it right.  Sometimes we get it wrong.  But behavior and our action / success is a good indication of what is going on.  I’ve said before that bad behavior is often a cry for help.  Having a bad attitude is often a way of getting attention when we can’t find the words to say what we really want.

No matter how you cut it…it’s just not as a straightforward as we’d like it to be.  And that’s the POINT!  As a parent of a child with ADHD, you’ve got some great responsibilities.  Yes….it might be more than the “average” kid, but as one “different” child (now adult) to others…. I don’t want to be average.  I like standing out…and yes…I love causing a little controversy.

Additional Responsibilities:

1. Get educated on ADHD / related conditions
2. Advocate for your child
3. Focus on their differences (not…”my child has ADHD”)
4. Question everything (even me).
5. Work with your child’s differences (not against them)
6. Make it fun.

As hard as all of this sounds…all parents face this every single day.  The good news is that ADHD is NOT a life threatening condition.  It’s NOT the end of the world.  It is however…or could be…another challenge you must face.  But hopefully, with this information and the right supports in your life, you will know when to stand up and shout, and when to laugh it off.

At least I hope you can…

Earlier this week I met with a colleague to discuss our views on ADHD and how we can really help make a difference in education, training, and support.  It was a really great conversation…very stimulating to the point that I was furiously taking notes the entire time.

But we got stuck…  My colleague asked me “At what point do you educate people on the diagnosis and the importance of HAVING the diagnosis?”

“……………………………”  Suddenly things got very quiet.

Most of you know by now how I feel about a diagnosis…  I won’t mix words here…but for me it’s sorta “nice to know” information.  At least that’s how I will start a conversation or how I REALLY feel about the diagnosis (and most diagnoses in general).

But this comment or difference in approach split the conversation.  We quickly kept dancing around the issue.

How important is it to have that diagnosis?  I mean…to really have it?!?!?!

We both agreed that there are two very distinct groups of people (more I’m sure in reality)…

1. People who have life changing “a-ha” moment when they find clarity from the diagnosis.
2. People who really don’t get all that excited or care…  They just keep moving on with life.

Now these are general characterizations for a reason…  I honestly know that deep down inside there are many different reactions to getting a diagnosis, or even the suggestion of an ADHD diagnosis.

But the question today is really about….  How important is to have that diagnosis versus understanding your differences and what that really means?

Can you have one without the other?

This is a very loaded question for me.  At the end of the day, I don’t much care what the diagnosis is…  At least if we are talking about ADHD.  I am more interested in helping people understand their differences and HOW those differences create challenges than I am nit-picking whether it’s ADHD or not.

BUT!!!!  At the same time…it is clearly important to me because otherwise I wouldn’t insist that people see specialists to get their diagnosis.

So WHY then is this so difficult?

Well…we know how complex ADHD is to diagnose properly.  There are co-morbid conditions that complicate a diagnosis, and there are many other factors that influence our behavior and how we are affected by life.

Plus there is the difference I experienced in my own childhood….  Being identified as “gifted and talented” and how my differences were encouraged and NOT seen as weaknesses.  Just from that experience alone I am convinced that differences are just that….  DIFFERENCES!!!!  They are NOT good or bad until you use them…  And how you decide to use them…

PLUS…there is just so much more to consider.  We need to look at the underlying cause of the behavior.  Is it really ADHD or is it the child?

And I think that’s where we got stuck.  Because I always encourage people to see a specialist to get diagnosed.  I think it’s critically important that we have an accurate diagnosis, or at least a clear picture.  BUT…I still want to know…

How important is that you have the diagnosis?  Is it more or less important to have the diagnosis versus understanding your individual, and unique challenges?

Let me know.  Clearly both are important to me…BUT I am a little stuck and am leaning more towards the side of being aware of your differences more than anything else.