For The Love Of Parenting

đź‘ŤAct Now: Celebrate Child's Strengths In ADHD Month - Episode 42

• Season 2 • Episode 42

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What's Up Wednesdays!

October is National Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and celebrate the strengths of those living with ADHD. Join me today as I dive into what ADHD really means, the impact it has on everyday life, and how parents can celebrate and support their children’s unique strengths. Let’s dispel myths, raise awareness, and ensure every child with ADHD feels seen and valued. So, Join me today! Come on!

A. Organizations to check out!

B. ADHD Tools



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Remember, as parents, do your best—there are no perfect parents, but countless ways to be loving and supportive. Signing off from the For Love of Parenting podcast. Thanks for listening. Until next time.

Hello, for my love of parenting parents! And Welcome back!!

I want to thank you so much for being patient with me as I did not air an episode last week. I was attending a breastfeeding conference in Chicago, and it was a blast. Now, I cannot remember if I mentioned or not during my last episode – that in the month of October I will discuss National ADHD Awareness Month.

Well, if not, October is National ADHD Awareness Month, a topic close to my heart as my daughter has ADHD. And as a parent, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges that come with raising a child with ADHD, and I understand what many other parents go through.

For those unfamiliar with ADHD, it’s a common condition caused by differences in the brain. These differences make it harder for people with ADHD to focus on tasks unless they’re genuinely interested in them. It’s not about laziness or intelligence—ADHD impacts focus, impulsivity, and sometimes hyperactivity.

According to the organization Understood, it’s estimated that between 5 and 11 percent of people in the U.S. have ADHD, with children and teens particularly affected by hyperactivity and impulsivity. However, ADHD can present in different ways, with some individuals struggling primarily with focus.

A key challenge for people with ADHD is executive function, a group of mental skills that help us stay organized, plan, and manage time. When these skills don’t work as efficiently, it affects many aspects of life—from schoolwork to daily tasks. For my daughter, staying organized has always been a struggle, whether it was cleaning her room or managing school assignments. Tasks often needed to be broken down into smaller steps to help her understand and complete them. She had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in school that included special support for her unique learning needs. However, sometimes an IEP can be fight to get with some school systems. (But sharing my journey with having a learning need would be an entire series. Let me say, it’s not easy of the parent nor the child).

We didn’t receive an official ADHD diagnosis for my daughter until she was in the second grade. Although my husband and I noticed some differences early on, we weren’t sure what was causing them. After discussing it with our pediatrician, we decided to have her tested. A piece of advice for parents: consider getting your child tested outside of the school system. External evaluations tend to be more thorough and unbiased, and some insurance providers may cover the cost.

ADHD symptoms—such as trouble with focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity—can vary. Not everyone has all three symptoms, and they can change over time. The stereotype of a child with ADHD being constantly in motion doesn’t apply to everyone. Some may only struggle with focus, which is sometimes referred to as ADD.

Executive function difficulties can lead to struggles with time management, organization, and planning. People with ADHD may also have trouble managing emotions and shifting focus between tasks. There’s another unique aspect of ADHD—hyperfocus. While people with ADHD generally struggle to focus, they can sometimes become deeply engrossed in activities they find interesting. For example, a child might spend hours on a craft project but lose focus quickly when doing homework.

ADHD can appear at any age, with some signs emerging as early as preschool. However, many people don’t receive a diagnosis until later, often when schoolwork becomes more challenging or in adulthood. It’s important to dispel the myth that ADHD simply goes away as people get older. While hyperactivity and impulsivity may decrease with age, difficulties with focus usually persist.

The good news is that there are treatments and supports that can help manage ADHD symptoms. These include medication, behavior therapy, and even accommodations at school or work. If your child has ADHD, don’t hesitate to seek out the resources that can help them succeed.

There’s been significant research on ADHD in recent years. Brain imaging studies show that while brain development in people with ADHD is similar to those without it, the areas involved in executive function take longer to develop. This can make children with ADHD seem one to three years younger than their peers in terms of behavior. Genetics also play a role—ADHD tends to run in families.

There are several treatment approaches for ADHD, including:

  • Medication: The most effective treatment for many people, with stimulant and non-stimulant options.
  • Behavior therapy: This involves creating a reward system to encourage positive behavior changes.
  • Alternative treatments: Though there are many claims about “natural” ADHD treatments, few are backed by solid evidence.

So, for this year’s National ADHD Awareness Month, I encourage parents to celebrate their child’s unique strengths. Here are a few ideas to help you celebrate:

  • Highlight their strengths: Be specific with your praise. Instead of just saying “good job,” try “You’re an amazing problem solver! I love the way your brain works!”
  • Encourage creativity: Allow your child to explore their creativity and celebrate their innovative ideas.
  • Brag about your child: Share their accomplishments with friends and family to foster awareness and positivity.
  • Wear orange: Orange is the color of ADHD Awareness. One year, my daughter and I made orange T-shirts with words related to ADHD. She wore it proudly to her school, which specialized in teaching children with learning differences. This not only raised awareness but helped her feel proud of who she is.

Parents, with the right support, people with ADHD can thrive. My daughter is doing it. She graduated high school, attended some college for Wild Life Biology, but changed her major and is now working in her field of digital media while deciding where she will attend college next. She is thriving in life and with her career. Buts It’s important for parents to advocate for accommodations that will help their child succeed in school and in life. Remember don’t give up! The road might be hard, long and lonely – but you will see the rewards and your child will be happy that you supported and believed in them. It was interesting, when I decided to record my episode on this topic – I came across a quote from Magic Johnson that states: All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them. This is a true statement.

It’s essential to create a safe, supportive environment for children with learning differences like ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. Our children need to know that it’s okay to be different and that they are loved and valued for exactly who they are.

Thank you so much for joining me for today’s episode. I hope that you learned something about this important observance. But most of all, please celebrate your child for who they are and the gifts that they have. And please go out and bring education and awareness to everyone you know about ADHD. 

Until next time. Take Care!

Tags: #ADHDAwarenessMonth, #ADHD, #ADHDsupport, #ADHDawareness, #ADHDcommunity, #EndTheStigma, #raising kids with ADHD, #parenting tips, #executive function.