Kids, teens, and young adults with ADHD can put parents (and therapists) in a bind—should they be given more oversight to ensure success or more freedom to learn on their own? Although kids and teens with ADHD have understandable desires for independence, the developmental delays in executive functions associated with ADHD can significantly impact their ability to do the right things at the right times. This then understandably evokes more oversight, restrictions, checking, and even criticism from parents. Unfortunately, well intentioned lectures from parents (or therapists) and heart felt promises from the child or teen don’t lead to the lasting change that everyone is hoping for.
By understanding how the executive function deficits impact daily functioning and how that makes certain family dynamics more likely, therapists will be able to help these families navigate the daily challenges more effectively in order to reduce conflict, foster understanding of ADHD, and support agency to prepare young adults for launching into college and beyond. This will take the therapist out of the middle of the endless tug of wars and give them a framework to help these families.
Objectives
Attendees will be able to
- Explain to clients how ADHD impacts kids’, teens’, and young adults’ functioning.
- Apply strategies to help families to negotiate common stress points such as homework, mornings, and screentime.
- Apply an understanding of ADHD to help families of college students to negotiate roles and expectations for the student and parents.
Outline
- Introduction
- How ADHD impacts functioning
- Goals of therapy
- Lay the groundwork for launch (Kindergarten – 8th grade)
- Manage attention and distractions
- Is the problem skills or motivation?
- Handle homework, screen time, mornings
- Address oppositionality
- Medication for ADHD
- What non-prescribers need to know
- Help families make an informed decision
- Prepare for launch
- Break out of the teenage power struggle
- Create a sustainable process
- Promote active problem solving
- The college application is diagnostic
- Delay the launch (gap year)
- The gap year myth
- Benefits of gap years
- Setting the gap up to do what it should
- Survive the launch (post-high school)
- Clarify parents’ role
- Setting appropriate expectations for the student
- What it takes to be successful in college
- Exploring alternatives to college
- Q&A
About the Presenter
Ari Tuckman, PsyD is a psychologist, international presenter, author, and ADHD thought leader. He has given more than 700 presentations and podcast interviews and routinely earns excellent reviews for his ability to make complicated information understandable and useful. He is the author of four books: “ADHD After Dark: Better Sex Life, Better Relationship”, “Understand Your Brain, Get More Done”, “More Attention, Less Deficit” and “Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD”. He is a co-chair of CHADD’s conference committee and was awarded the 2023 Hall of Fame award for his significant contributions to the field. A popular expert and advocate, he has been widely quoted in national media such as The New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, and Men’s Health. He is in private practice in West Chester, PA, USA.
