Newly diagnosed ADHD. Please share resources
Hello. My two sons ages 6&8 are newly diagnosed ADHD. I probably have it too, but as a middle age woman will be harder to diagnose.
Can you please share any and all resources? Books, websites, favorite pediatricians. Treatments outside of meds (not opposed to meds but want to try all evidence based treatments), that have worked and any practitioners that you like.
I feel like I have a huge learning curve. Looking back, there are many undiagnosed ADHD in our family, who were not treated. Thank you!
Dec 22, 2023
Parent Replies
Hi there! Saw your question about your newly diagnosed kids with ADHD. I recently did a program at Clarity Pediatrics which really helped me with my sons behavior at home. He’s 8 and extremely difficult to manage when we ask him to do things at home. His impulsivity also gets in the way of friendships and he was diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder. We did a parent training class with the doctor there, Shaleise Collier. She was awesome! We learned a lot and we are able to address his behavior and adhd successfully. Doctor Collier is in the Bay Area. I hope that you get the support you need.
additudemag.com was very helpful to me as the mom of an ADHD kid.
There is an overwhelming and infinite amount of resources, podcasts, facebook groups, books, information, etc, etc, out there - I tend to peruse a variety of resources and then dive in to what seems relevant/of interest to me and my personal situation. For a concrete, pragmatic recommendation, I like the book 8 Keys to Parenting A Child With ADHD; it comes in audiobook on Hoopla app of Oakland Public Library if you prefer audio format. I found it affirming, validating and practical. In addition to Additude magazine (which you can follow on social media) that another responder mentioned, CHADD (https://chadd.org/) can be a first good stop. I will also mention that I myself sought and received an ADHD diagnosis at the age of 42 and also have lots of undiagnosed ADHD in my family. I have found that starting my own journey to address and understand my own ADHD (via self-education, ADHD-specific coaching/therapy, medication) has helped me understand myself, better parent kids who likely have it too and have more compassion and patience for us all! So it's never too late!
I forgot to mention in my original response that Tilt Parenting can be a helpful and validating podcast. Full PreFontal is another podcast that while not ADHD & kid specific, is a podcast that explores various elements of executive functioning and there are some interesting guests and topics that are helpful and relevant. Also, I have found that searching the archives here on BPN offers good local ADHD resources and insight.