Kay Marner

Kay Marner is the chronically overwhelmed mother of two: her neurotypical, very bright, biological son Aaron; and her one-of-a-kind daughter, Natalie, adopted from Russia, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), sensory processing disorder, and developmental delays.

She is the author of one (so far!) children's picture book, the editor of an anthology about the experience of parenting kids with ADD/ADHD, and contributes to a collaborative blog, "a mom's view of ADHD." These, and other writing opportunities, serve to legitimize the time she wastes communing with her laptop and drinking coffee (Sumatran, with cream) at Stomping Grounds several mornings each week. Her husband, Don, a landscape architect, may not always understand her inability to cope with this very nice life, but supports her, without question, anyway.

Kay has recurring dreams that it's the last day of vacation, and she hasn’t played in the ocean yet. She always misses the flight home. She loves reading, Breyer's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream, sleeping in, and Club Night (drinking wine and eating gourmet food with three other couples). She's thankful for her extended family, good friends, and reliable babysitters.

Her life may look picture-perfect, but one of her biggest blessings -- being Natalie’s mom -- is also her biggest challenge! And the reason she blogs about living in knee-deep clutter, managing Nat's special services, Nat's intense neediness (“MOM-EEEEEEEEE!”), and (oh, let's not forget) finding time to mother her other child, and how she copes -- or doesn't -- with this picture-perfect life.

Read Kay's ADHD Parenting Blog and browse her blog archives: 2008, 2009, and 2010.

• Real IEP Accommodations That Really Work
  ADDitude readers share the school accommodations — as well as IEP tips and tricks —... more »
• Fish Oil for Kids Who Hate Fish
  Omega-3s help your child manage his ADHD symptoms, but the fishy burps are a deal-breaker... Fish oil for ADHD kids»
• When Your Daughter's Worry Is Something More
  "Young girls often cannot identify their feelings. Anxiety might be felt as jitteriness, a sick... How to ease her worries »
• Is It ADHD or Autism? Or Both?
  Could your child with ADHD also have an autism spectrum disorder — or was the... Coexisting autism and adhd »
• What If We Just Kept on Learning?
  Without structured educational activities during summer break, children with attention deficit (ADD/ADHD), learning disabilities, and... ADHD summer school alternative»
• Calm and Collected: Products That Soothe the Senses
  ADHD can go hand-in-hand with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). These three products comfort sensory-seeking kids... Ahh. That's the stuff. »
• 3 Healthy Snacks for Picky Eaters
  When appetite suffers from medication, choosing food carefully is essential. These tasty choices pack plenty... Foods for thought »
• Wearable Therapy
  Attention deficit keeps kids on the move — so these devices to help manage symptoms... Gadgets to go »
• How Books Can Work Magic for Our Kids
  Three new picture books can help parents improve their kids' friendship skills. Here's how... more »
• Your IEP Toolbox: 3 Resources for Better ADHD Accommodations
  Fine-tuning an IEP for your child can get overwhelming. Here are three of my favorite... more »
• Homework Helpers: Testing Learning Tools
  Some ADHD kids — and their parents! — need all the homework help they can... Do these tools make the grade? »
• Not What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children
  Not What I Expected, by Rita Eichenstein, is an in-depth and moving look at how... more »
• The Survival Guide for School Success
  ADDitude reviews "The Survival Guide for School Success: Use Your Brain's Built-In Apps to Sharpen... more »
• Parenting in the Age of Attention Snatchers: A Step-by-Step Guide to Balancing Your Child’s Use of Technology
  Parenting in the Age of Attention Snatchers offers strategies and advice for for parents competing... more »
• Driven to Distraction at Work: How to Focus and Be More Productive
  The latest in Ned Hallowell's Driven to Distraction series, Driven to Distraction at Work tackles... more »
• The Smart but Scattered Guide to Success
  In the latest installment of the Smart but Scattered series, authors Peg Dawson and Richard... more »
• Mindful Parenting for ADHD
  Mark Bertin, mindfulness experts, explores mindful parenting of children with ADHD in a new book... more »
• Summer Reading Roundup for ADHD Kids
  Great books that keep learning alive once school's out, selected by a school librarian and... more »
• The Web's Best ADHD Blogs
  Eight great ADHD blogs brimming with daily inspiration, insight, and laughs from ADD adults and... more »
• Reasons You're a Great Mom
  Parenting a child with ADHD presents challenges, and it’s only fair that these difficulties be... more »
• "I Need to Talk the Talk"
  Honesty at the doctor’s office leads to the best treatment for any child with symptoms... more »
• Children's Books That May Inspire a Clutter Clean-Up
  Organizing and cleaning don't come easily to ADHD kids. But these three children's books --... more »
• Summer Reading Program to Boost Comprehension Skills
  Help your ADD/ADHD child or LD student retain what she's learned during the school year... Build Reading Comprehension Over the Summer
• An ADHD Special Ed Teacher's Best Advice
  How this educator helps students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), while inspiring their parents... more »
• MotivAider: ADHD Product Review
  Can this gadget help those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) stay focused and motivated?... ADD-friendly gadget review»
• Holiday Gifts for the Whole ADHD Family
  Our holiday gift picks for the ADHD child, tween, teen, or adult in your life... more »
• Yummy! Mom-Approved Snacks for ADHD Kids
  ADHD-friendly foods and snacks that contain the nutrients children with attention deficit benefit from and... ADD/ADHD Foods and Snacks»
• b-Calm: An MP3 Player for ADHD and Autism Symptoms?
  b-Calm, an ADHD-friendly product, claims to help reduce outbursts and distraction, while improving focus, writing,... b-Calm for ADHD and autism»
• What Makes a Good Fidget?
  Small objects that keep hands busy can help kids focus on what’s important in school... Classroom fidgets help focus»

• How to Start an ADHD Blog
  Are you an adult living with ADD or the parent of an ADHD child? Are... more »

• If You Could "Return" Your Challenging ADHD Child, Would You?
  News of adoptive mother Torry Hansen's decision to send Artyem Saviliev, the boy she adopted... more »

• More Fidgets for ADHD Children
  My attention deficit daughter tires of ADHD coping mechanisms quickly, so when it comes to... more »
• My ADD/ADHD Daughter's Distraction Is Contagious
  Parents of ADD/ADHD children, do you sometimes feel as distracted, disorganized, and even as anxious... more »
• Can My ADHD Daughter Focus While Doing Gymnastics?
  When my attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) child Natalie announced that she wanted to take... more »
• Comic Books ADHD Children Will Love to Read (and Learn from, Too)
  The "Out of This World" comics tackle ADD/ADHD children's top challenges: inattention, motivation, bullying, and... more »
• ADHD Parenting Without Guilt
  ...mine or any others would like to heap on me... Don't Judge My ADHD Parenting Style!
• All My ADHD Daughter Wanted Was a "Normal" Friend
  Do our children's special needs -- attention deficit, learning disabilities, and/or comorbidities -- prevent them... Getting "dumped" as a friend because of ADHD»
• Your Cure for Overdue Books, Library Late Fees, and ADHD (OK, 2 Out of 3)
  Has paying fees for lost and overdue books become your ADD/ADHD family's library tradition? Take... ADHD-proof your library loans»
• MP3 Player Parents of ADHD and Autistic Kids Will Love: b-Calm Giveaway!
  b-Calm, billed as an ADHD-friendly product, uses audio tracks with white noise and nature sounds... ADHD gadget giveaway»
• When Adults Bully ADHD Children
  As schools work to address the bullying epidemic, I've found myself wondering how adult treatment... Is your ADD/ADHD child bullied by adults?»
• ADHD Positives: Helping Children Embrace Their Differences
  How my daughter, Natalie, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD),... ADHD positives»
• Neurofeedback Review
  Could neurofeedback training help my daughter who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), anxiety, sleep... ADHD and neurofeedback»
• Weighted Blankets as Therapy?
  My daughter, who has ADHD and anxiety, has difficulty controlling her anger. Could a weighted... Weighted blankets for children»
• Easy to Love. Hard to Raise. Yours to Win.
  Worry, guilt, and ultimately joy -- do you recognize yourself in Kay Marner's portrait of... An ADHD Everyparent »
• Wanted: A Happy Ending
  "I think of my 14-year-old son, Aaron, as a shadow child -- out-moved, out-shouted, and... more »
• "What Kind of Special Needs Does Your Daughter Have?"
  When another parent instantly recognized Natalie's differences, it hit me hard that no matter how... It felt like a slap in the face »
• A Really Big Blog-iversary Giveaway!
  You've given me so much support in my years of blogging at ADDitude. Now it's... Your chance to get happy »
• A Lightbulb Moment
  For this ADHD mom, realizing her son was wired differently came with the flip of... "Now go flush." »
• Chills! Thrills! And ADHD Social Whiplash
  The ADHD roller coaster is a nerve-wracking, gut-wrenching series of social victories and defeats that... Friendship highs and lows
• The Clarinet Diaries: Who Says ADHD Kids Won't Practice?
  Nat's passionate appeal for a clarinet was matched in voracity only by her unwillingness --... Music to my ears
• Forgetful Sixth Grader Syndrome
  Have you noticed that kids with ADHD enter sixth grade, and suddenly hit a brick... No more 'I forgot' »
• Mommy, It Hurts
  After years of bullies, social-skill meltdowns, and accommodation tweaks, school-related anxiety is literally making Natalie... Feeling sick about school »
• Don't All of Our Kids Deserve Teachers Like This?
  School-related anxiety was making both Natalie and me sick - literally. Until a meeting with... Our new plan of action »
• ADHD TXT SNAFUs
  Letting my preteen daughter text has helped her join the in-crowd, but her ADHD makes... Teaching good texting manners »
• Washed, Dressed, Fed, Brushed...and Late for School Again!
  "Put on your socks. Put on your socks. Put on your socks. Did you put... Now go find your shoes »
• Meet Natalie
  We adopted our 7-year-old, Natalie, from a Russian orphanage 5 years ago. She had ADHD,... more »
• Meet Me
  I have a child with ADHD. Her chaos is my chaos. Her distraction is my... more »
• The Big Sleepover
  Parents of "normal" kids don't seem to want to deal with, or don't understand, children... more »
• Extreme Coping
  Desperate times call for desperate measures, so I've resorted to Extreme Coping... more »
• Me? A Stressed-Out Mother?
  What kind of mother admits to being stressed out by her child? One like me... more »
• The Quest for Unbreakable Glasses
  Natalie is supposed to wear glasses. The problem is, both Pair A and Pair B... more »
• Success! And Cookies
  It is a major triumph to make a plan AND successfully execute it... more »
• Leave It to Beaver
  I've discovered that I've got more in common with June Cleaver than I ever expected... more »
• School's Out
  School's out for the summer, the kids are sleeping in, and my new morning routine... more »
• Meet Harry
  Nataline and Harry both have ADHD and I wouldn't discourage their friendship for all the... more »
• Must Be Nice...
  Yes, I get my house cleaned every two weeks, OK?! Do I feel guilty? Who... more »
• Can I Get a Little Respite?
  Carving out special time for Aaron - the non-ADHD 'other' kid - is supposed to... more »
• Take Me Out to The T-Ball Game
  Natalie behaved like a perfect child and I'm happy. I'm proud! And I'm embarrassed! ... more »
• Pick & Rip
  Left to her own devices, Natalie would happily rip the shirt right off her back,... more »
• Pool Days
  I’d be proud to have a child who is immature and needs lots of supervision,... more »
• Respite
  Nat spent the weekend with her aunt and we got to focus some attention on... more »
• From Snuggle to Struggle
  If you take your medicine I'll give you ice cream!... more »
• Outing My ADHD Child
  I hope that my decision to be upfront about Natalie’s differing abilities helps her grow... more »
• Tales of ADHD Destruction
  What’s the most expensive item your ADHD child has destroyed within 24 hours? ... more »
• When the Punishment Is Too Harsh
  Has someone ever disciplined your ADHD child in a way you believed to be inappropriate?... more »
• When the Punishment Is Too Harsh, Part II
  More tales of poor ADHD child care: There’s nothing wrong with her that a little... more »
• Demon Child? Seriously?
  Today’s post is the third in a series about adults who misunderstand and react horribly... more »
• Ritalin Roundup
  Now remember, I don’t have ADHD. My child does. But I sure do act like... more »
• Daycare Daze
  I hate having to choose between Nat's safety and her happiness... more »
• Super Aunt to the ADHD Rescue
  Mom used to claim that the things you worry about the most never happen. She... more »
• The Juggling Act
  Sometimes it feels like managing all of Natalie’s special services for her ADHD and learning... more »
• ADHD Damage Control
  If Nat believes an adult is going to hurt her, and she can’t stop it... more »
• Talking to Strangers
  I learned something from my impulsive, loving, ADHD child. Sometimes it pays to talk to... more »
• A Vacation for ME!
  It’s important for me to take a vacation from my ADHD child and spend some... more »
• ADHD Sleepy-time Secrets
  Like many kids with ADHD, Natalie sometimes has problems getting to sleep, and right now,... more »
• Praise for an ADHD Babysitter's Guide
  ADDitude's Babysitter's Guide is a helpful tool for all caregivers of ADHD children... more »
• First Day of Summer School
  I have the honor of being known forever as that psycho-mom who runs bawling to... more »
• TGFR: Thank Goodness for Ritalin
  There is a distinct difference between Natalie ON ADHD medication and Natalie OFF ADHD medication... more »
• Is Summer School Right for My ADHD Child?
  I’m leaning toward pulling Natalie out of summer school. Even if Nat’s special education needs... more »
• Summer School Lessons
  Make sure everyone knows that, when it comes to the education of your ADHD child:... more »
• Super Natalie vs. the Bendy Glasses
  One week down... and Natalie's new memory-metal glasses are neither broken nor lost. It's a... more »
• Scouting for ADHD Milestones
  Natalie, we thought, was maturing to the point that we could leave her unsupervised in... more »
• This Bites! Painful ADHD Overstimulation
  Summer-event crowds, noise, smells, and heat are a killer combination for Natalie, who has major... more »
• My ADHD Support Network Grows
  This morning, I met another ADDitude subscriber and mom to an ADHD kid - one... more »
• Operation Mean Man Patrol
  Not everyone understands my sweet, charming, perfectly acceptable though not-quite-typical ADHD kid... more »
• Fun With ADHD Transition Time
  Expecting a hungry kid with ADHD to transition from daycare to car ride, right before... more »
• On the ADHD Brink
  Endless ADHD-generated chaos doesn’t do it for me. I'm teetering dangerously close to the brink... more »
• Back to School Jitters
  I have mixed feelings about the start of school. I welcome the peace and quiet,... more »
• That Little ADHD Rascal
  Sometimes my ADHD daughter likes to turn up the drama just for my benefit--she almost... more »
• You’re The Parent of an ADHD Child When . . .
  Sharing ADHD stories with friends is a great outlet for venting my parenting frustrations... more »
• School Picture Day
  Getting ready for school picture day added some stress to our already ADHD-troubled night time... more »
• The Burn of ADHD Impulsiveness
  We do the best we can to protect our ADHD children, but sometimes they endanger... more »
• No ADHD Respite for Me
  My plans for a long weekend alone have been dashed--time to flip the switch back... more »
• ADHD Age-Appropriate Behavior
  I’ll take age-appropriateness in my ADHD kid—and celebrate it—whenever I can get it... more »
• What is Normal Anyway?
  Are we a “normal” family, or aren’t we?... more »
• The Icing on the Cake
  Balancing the needs of my non-ADHD son with my ADHD daughter's demands is heartbreakingly difficult... more »
• A Major ADHD Meltdown
  I’m not as bad at parenting as all the witnesses to Natalie's ADHD meltdowns must... more »
• The ADHD Paper Chain
  I've discovered a very useful creative tool for helping ADHD children better understand the passage... more »
• A Gripping ADHD Tip
  I guess I’m in a tip-giving mood, because here’s another ADHD parenting tip!... more »
• Decide What Really Matters
  Here is a tip for tired moms of kids with special needs... more »
• Off The ADHD Hook-Again!
  It’s not as satisfying to get an ADHD respite if my husband is off the... more »
• Natalie's Supercharged ADHD Brain
  Stepping inside my child's revved-up, high-speed, never-resting ADHD brain can be an exhausting and clarifying... more »
• Therapeutic Listening
  We've decided to try therapeutic listening to help my ADD/ADHD daughter, Natalie, with her sleep... more »
• Addressing Differences in Our ADHD Children
  Should we work to normalize the differences in our ADHD children, or should we expect... more »
• The ADHD / Anxiety Connection
  Sometimes, treating a child's anxiety can trickle down to fewer ADHD symptoms that impair social... more »
• Talking About ADHD with Your Child
  Have you talked with your child about ADHD? What did you say?... more »
• My ADDitude Life
  The winner of "Tales of Destruction": What is the most expensive item your ADHD child... more »
• Navigating the ADHD Provider System
  Do you employ an ADHD Coach, or another service provider to help your ADHD child... more »
• Hooked on Mary
  I have a secret. A shameful, embarrassing secret... more »
• I Want My Mommy
  Forget the professional organizer, what I really need is a Mom. ... more »
• A Happy ADHD Family
  Thanks to Natalie's special service providers, I maintain my sanity two nights a week... more »
• My ADHD Kid's School Social Life
  I hate thinking about the negative effects ADHD has on my daughter's ability to make... more »
• Safe Haven for Kids
  It doesn't stretch my imagination to understand why the safe haven law may be effective... more »
• Catering to an ADHD Appetite
  ADHD medications can suppress appetite, but good nutrition is so important to treating attention deficit... more »
• The ADHD Club
  My daughter doesn't completely understand her ADHD diagnosis. But, thanks to her friends, she knows... more »
• Getting the Big ADHD Picture at School
  Am I guilty of the very thing I suspected the school of — judging Natalie’s... more »
• Spreading the ADHD Word
  As a mother of an ADHD child, I've feel a sense of responsibility to spread... more »
• ADHD Medication Dilemma
  I'm a firm believer in the need to treat biochemical brain diseases with medication, so... more »
• My Non-ADHD Kid
  My ADHD daughter sucks up 99% of our parenting time and energy, and my independent... more »
• Indecision and Inaction
  I need some advice: When you feel overwhelmed do you completely shut down? How do... more »
• ADHD and a Winter Prison
  Winter in Iowa must feel like a prison to my ADHD daughter -- our house... more »
• Focalin for ADHD
  Does your ADHD child take Focalin? How does it stack up compared to other ADHD... more »
• The Great Focalin Experiment
  Thanks to those of you who shared your children’s experiences with Focalin and Focalin XR... more »
• Does Daytrana Help Your ADHD Kid?
  Switching Natalie's ADHD meds was a frightening - though necessary - recent step. We're feeling... more »
• Truly Thankful
  On Thursday, the whole family gave heartfelt thanks for Natalie's new medication - Focalin XR... more »
• The ADHD Guilt Stops Here!
  ADHD is real. And as the parent of a child who lives with it each... more »
• ADHD Childcare: Taking Turns
  We’ve created a wonderful arrangement with another family of trading off caring for each other's... more »
• ADHD Water Park Magic
  Nat's weekend away with her ADHD friend and his parents worked wonders for her behavior... more »
• Blame It on the ADHD
  I tend to cope with my daughter's negative behavior and temper tantrums by blaming it... more »
• Waiting for Christmas: ADHD Torture
  For a child with ADHD, waiting for Christmas is challenge beyond her capabilities. When Natalie... more »
• Christmas Craziness: Not Just for ADHD Kids
  Holiday stress isn't just for families with ADHD children. The excitement of Christmas and the... more »
• ADHD Stole Your Holiday Card
  How is it that Natalie's ADHD permeates our whole household? And where the heck is... more »
• Advice for ADHD Wigglebottoms
  ADHD preschoolers don't have to sit still to enjoy Howard B. Wigglebottom's basic listening lessons... more »
• Losing Our ADHD Respite Services
  Stricter state requirements mean that our family will lose all ADHD respite services in 2009... more »
• When Mom Neglects Her Own Health
  Keeping my ADHD kid healthy, happy, and calm consumes so much brain- and body-power that... more »
• Bearing the Brunt of Her ADHD
  Why is it that Natalie is able to hold it together so well for everyone... more »
• You Try Parenting an ADHD Kid
  I’ve been struggling more than usual with the issue of how those closest to me... more »
• Recharging my ADHD Parenting Batteries
  As the mom of a kid with ADHD, I have to put just as much... more »
• Swapping ADHD Stress Stories
  It helps, so much, to know I’m not the only mom that lets the stress... more »
• Adjusting My Daughter's ADHD Medication
  We've tried Ritalin and Focalin to treat Nat's ADHD. Now we are moving on to... more »
• Superparenting an ADHD Child
  My ADHD daughter is easy to love, but hard to raise. ... more »
• Snuggle at Your Own Risk
  ADHD kids should come with a warning. Caution: Snuggle at Your Own Risk. I might... more »
• Helping Moms Feed Their ADHD Kids
  I recently discovered a nutritional rating system that is going to make it a whole... more »
• SuperBowl of No Impulse Control
  This week's Top 5 ADHD-powered plays by my impulsive MVP, Natalie... more »
• An ADHD Kid's Best Friend
  Natalie's love fests with our family cat often end in nips and yowls. Yet, still,... more »
• Why Can't I 'Fix' Her ADHD?
  I know my daughter's not actually broken. But some days I just want a magic... more »
• Medication Mix Up
  Instead of treating my daughter's ADHD with Ritalin, I added a dose of stupidity... more »
• The Smell of ADHD Impulsiveness
  Like many children with attention deficit, my ADHD daughter lets her impulsiveness get the better... more »
• The ADHD Fever Effect
  As my daughter's temperature went up, her ADHD symptoms subsided--the fever effect made the ADD... more »
• A Day in the Life of an ADHD Advocate
  Between working with doctors on my ADHD daughter's medication adjustments and advocating for her special... more »
• Acting Out and ADHD Anxiety
  Was Natalie's crime an incident of ADHD impulsivity? Or is her anxiety meter registering in... more »
• Reacting to ADHD Rage
  I've never wanted to hurt my child. But I understand how easy it would be... more »
• ADHD Formula for Trouble
  Does (ADHD + delayed gratification) x (impulsivity + hyperfocus) formula for trouble in your... more »
• Meet the Winners of My Blog-iversary Goal Setting Challenge!
  These five goal-setting winners will receive either a one year subscription to ADDitude magazine, a... more »
• Update! ADDitude’s Back-to-School IEP Challenge: IEP Accommodations That Really Work
  I’m going for a world record here -- let’s create the longest list of IEP... more »
• ADHD Treatments: Searching for the Magic Bullet
  So far, I haven’t found a magic bullet for treating Natalie’s ADHD and other special... more »
• Meet the Winners of ADDitude's Back-to-School IEP Challenge!
  Although we thank everyone who shared their most effective classroom accommodations for ADHD kids, these... more »
• ADHD and Pet Therapy
  I hereby bestow upon Benjamin “Benny” Wegner the title of Honorary Therapy Dog, in recognition... more »
• ADHD, Benefits, and Some Tough Questions
  Were you aware that ADHD can be considered a disability under Social Security guidelines? But... more »
• Trying to Keep Up with My ADHD Daughter
  Are ADHD parents, who think fast, at an advantage over a slow-thinker like me when... more »
• Fidgets to Help ADHD Kids Focus at School
  I began a quest for new fidgets — small objects with sensory appeal that Natalie... more »
• An Online Event Explaining ADHD and Public Benefits
  CHADD is hosting an “Ask the Expert” online chat on the topic of Social Security... more »
• A Big Reality Check on My Daughter's ADHD
  Hearing the truth about the severity of Natalie’s attention deficit disorder and co-existing conditions hit... more »
• The ADHD Medication Bias
  I sensed that this doctor has an underlying bias: a belief that bad families and... more »
• Family Movie Night: An ADHD First
  For most families, watching a movie together is routine. For my ADHD daughter and my... more »
• My ADHD Daughter and Constant Messiness
  There is one explanation for a Lego infiltration of this magnitude: Maybe Natalie, with her... more »
• Happy ADHD New Year! From Risperdal
  The best gift the holiday season brought to our family came in a prescription bottle,... more »
• Treating ADHD with Wii
  Unlike traditional video games, a Wii provides a good indoor outlet for my daughter's extra... more »
• ADHD Versus Government Bureaucracy
  Unfortunately, in the world of waivers, skilled ADHD pediatricians don’t trump mental-health professionals... more »
• ADHD and Snow Days
  It was a really hard week, for Natalie, with her ADHD, and for me, her... more »
• ADHD and Artificial Sweeteners
  Do you believe artificial sweeteners cause hyperactivity in your child with ADHD? ... more »
• My ADHD Daughter and Her Non-ADHD Friend
  I was both apprehensive and trilled when my ADHD daughter was invited on a girls-only... more »
• ADHD Impulsiveness, Cold Metal, and Wet Tongues
  A certain percentage of impulsive ADHD kids are going to try it — touching tongue... more »
• Howard B. Wigglebottom Books: Bedtime Stories Active ADHD Kids Can Relate to
  The "Howard B. Wigglebottom" books teach our ADHD children that it’s okay to be different... more »
• Getting ADHD Children to Entertain Themselves
  Will my ADHD child ever learn to entertain herself?... more »
• A Reading List for Parents of ADHD Kids
  Parenting blogger Kay Marner shares her reading list for anyone seeking extra advice for parenting... more »
• Howie Mandel's Impulsive ADHD Pranks
  Howie Mandel opens up about his experience with ADHD and OCD — special extras from... more »
• What Are Realistic Expectations for ADD/ADHD Children's Progress at School?
  With goals designed for the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) student, an individualized education program... more »
• Flying with ADHD Children: Is Good Behavior Possible?
  Traveling with an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) child could spell disaster. But instead of... more »
• In Sports, and Life, Can Determination Help ADHD Kids Overcome the Challenges of Inattention?
  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) interferes with my daughter Natalie's ability to focus, but, what... more »
• Did You Hear the One About the ADHD Child Who Talks Too Much?
  more »
• Hammocks: At-Home Occupational Therapy for ADHD Fidgets
  Like therapeutic swings or rocking chairs, our new hammock has helped calm my ADD/ADHD and... more »
• Entertain ADHD Children to Teach Better Behavior?
  Struggling to help your child with ADD/ADHD and other special needs manage a particular symptom... more »
• Microphones: Classroom Solution for ADHD, APD, LD, and "Typical" Students?
  An Iowa public school is testing out voice amplification systems, or microphones, for teachers and... more »
• ADD Kids and Miscommunication: ADD Joke of the Week
  Finding the humor in daily life is one of the greatest sources of comfort in... more »
• My Friend Has ADHD and All Dogs Have ADHD: Children's Books Giveaway!
  "Intro to ADD/ADHD" Contest: Take the challenge out of explaining attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD)... more »
• Rosie O'Donnell and "The Sound of Hope" Have Me Wondering, What if My Child Has Auditory Processing Disorder?
  It took years for Rosie O'Donnell to get both an accurate diagnosis and an effective... more »
• ADHD Children: Angels...Or Devils?
  As a parent of a a child living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), I... more »
• Letting ADHD Children Ride Shotgun
  Do you allow your children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) to ride in... more »
• An ADHD Diagnosis Made Easy
  Take the pain out of diagnosing childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) with this humorous... more »
• Help for Parents of Special Needs Children
  Do we think we’re the only ones who can help our kids with special needs,... Share the Burden of Special Needs Parenting
• My ADHD Kid's Got Gusto...Does Yours?
  My ADHD daughter, Natalie, does everything with gusto... ADHD Kids Have Gusto!
• The Sound of Hope: A Book Review from the Mom of an ADHD (and Potentially APD) Child
  I've been wondering whether my daughter has auditory processing disorder (APD, in addition to ADHD... Is it ADHD... And APD?
• I'm Having an ADHD Laundry Kind of Day...
  White means surrender. Next time, I won't! I'm kicking myself for surrendering to... My Daughter's Clothes Are the Dirtiest!
• A Game Designed to Treat Poor Impulse Control
  Tired of punishing your child for acting out on impulses they can't curb? Enter "Remote... Remote Control Impulse Control: The Game
• Do They Understand (the Complexity of ADHD Kids)?
  As parents, we must be honest about our children's struggles with attention deficit and hyperactivity,... The Truth About ADD Children»
• Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid...Book Giveaway!
  Our kids are different -- and that's okay. Here's a must-read book that celebrates their... Win a free copy of the book!
• How Do You Measure Whether a Child's ADHD Has Improved?
  My ADHD daughter, Natalie, has made progress in the last couple of years, but she... Is a drop in aggression enough?»
• Does Your ADHD Child Have Tact?
  Our children with attention deficit may have issues with impulsive speech and social skills, but... ADHD impulsive speech in public»
• MotivAider Helps ADHD Students Stay Focused...And You Can Win One!
  Can this gadget help students with attention deficit improve their focus and ability to stay... ADHD-gadget giveaway»
• The ADHD Back-to-School Challenge: Trying Not to Lose (So Many) Things
  With attention deficit-related difficulty with memory and organization, my daughter, Natalie, needs GPS to keep... Keeping Track of My Daughter's Clutter»
• Is Your ADHD Child Unable to Focus in Class? How to Help Teachers Understand
  Back in school, it's hard for my daughter, Natalie, to focus, but that doesn't mean... Introducing your child's special needs to the teacher»
• When the Back-to-School Honeymoon Ends and ADHD Reality Kicks In
  The first weeks back to school can be blissful for parents, teachers, and ADHD students,... Addressing challenging classroom behavior»
• Try Shopping with an ADHD Child...You Might Learn a Valuable Parenting Lesson!
  You'd think I might look forward to some quality mother-daughter bonding time during the back-to-school... Unexpected mother-daughter bonding»
• Helping ADHD and LD Children See the Positive Side of Getting Special Treatment
  My daughter, Natalie, who has ADHD and LD, may need extra attention and accommodations at... Extra attention isn't always a bad thing»
• How ADHD Makes a Good Night's Sleep Seem Like a Dream
  Even with ADHD medication, some (long) nights my daughter, Natalie, has sleep problems... Helping ADHD children fall asleep»
• Am I Enabling My ADHD Daughter's Mess and Disorganization?
  Help! My ADHD daughter's constant need for stimulation and ability to quickly forget what she... How to handle a disorganized ADHD child»
• How to Seek Assistive Technologies for Your ADHD Child in the Classroom
  Your ADD/ADHD child may have a right to educational assistive technology. Here's one idea for... Get assistive technology for your child's school»
• Tell Us How Fidgeting Has Helped Your ADD/ADHD Child and Win a Set of Classroom-Friendly Fidgets
  Natalie's innate desire to wiggle and fiddle has helped her improve focus, classroom behavior, and... Leave a comment and you could win free ADHD fidgets»
• I'm Still Looking for a Magic Bullet Treatment for ADHD -- Are You?
  I get excited about every new ADHD alternative therapy discovery. Some natural remedies are great,... Which alternative treatments really help ADD/ADHD?»
• Help for ADHD Children with an Oral Fixation
  With her teacher's approval, my daughter, Natalie, chews gum to stay focused. How do you... Classroom-appropriate objects your child can put in her mouth»
• Does Your ADHD Child's Teacher Understand Fidgeting to Focus?
  Though it seems counterintuitive, fidgeting can help ADHD students focus. How has your child's teacher... Using fidgets to focus in school»
• Is an Accurate ADHD Diagnosis Really Possible?
  The difference between an ADHD diagnosis and a related condition can be negligible. How do... Conditions that overlap with ADHD»
• ADHD-Friendly Toys
  Sure, there are plenty of toys designed with our kids in mind, but have you... Toys that help ADHD symtpoms»
• An Anxious, Hyperactive Countdown to the Holidays
  Merry hyperactive Christmas from my impulsive, anxious child to yours! Here's how we're coping with... How holidays affect ADHD and anxiety in children»
• How ADHD Kids Can Bring Parents Together
  There's a silver lining to my daughter Natalie's ADHD: the moms of other children with... Support for ADHD parents»
• What Are Your Funniest ADHD Time-Saving Shortcuts?
  To my neurotypical eye, my daughter, Natalie, goes to amusing, unusual lengths to avoid wasting... Tales of ADHDers who hate to waste time»
• Could You Survive an Unplanned Unmedicated Day?
  We braved icy roads to pick up my daughter's ADHD stimulant medication prescriptions -- I... Going unmedicated is risky in our house»
• ADHD Growing Pains: When Bodies Change Faster Than Emotions Develop
  My ADHD daughter, Natalie, is hitting puberty, and her body is maturing faster than her... How has puberty affected your ADHD child?»
• To Stressing Less as Parents of ADHD Children in 2011
  As parents of “hard to raise” kids, we aren’t perfect but we are competent, able... Coping as parents of children with attention deficit»
• Celebrating 8 Years With My ADHD Child
  Eight years ago, we brought our adopted, ADHD daughter, Natalie, home from Russia. For the... Eight years of parenting my ADHD child»
• When Sensory Processing Disorder Symptoms Get in the Way of Good Hygiene
  Are sensory processing symptoms keeping your ADHD child from optimal personal hygiene? While we're still... Personal hygiene and sensory processing issues»
• Impulsive Behavior: What Random Acts of ADHD Impulsivity Can You Share?
  My ADHD daughter, Natalie, has poor impulse control -- with sometimes hilarious, sometimes frustrating results... Impulsive behavior in children»
• Independent Play: Activities to Keep Your ADHD Child Stimulated -- and out of Trouble!
  My ADHD daughter, Natalie, needs constant stimulation, which often means I'm her playmate and source... Creative activities for ADHD kids»
• Can You Detect When Someone Else Has ADHD?
  My daughter, Natalie, thinks she can spot others who, like her, have ADD/ADHD. Is there... Signs of ADHD»
• b-Calm Giveaway, Back by Popular Demand!
  b-Calm, billed as an ADHD-friendly product, uses audio tracks with white noise and nature sounds... Enter to win»
• Skin Picking: What Causes It, How Can We Prevent It?
  My daughter, Natalie, picks at her skin until it bleeds and becomes infected. Could anxiety,... Compuslive skin picking»
• Does Your ADHD Child Lose Everything?
  My daughter, Natalie, loses everything because of her ADD/ADHD. This week, even after she begged... ADHD kids misplacing and losing things»
• Help for Children With Social Problems, No Friends
  My daughter, Natalie, who has ADD/ADHD, has trouble making neurotypical friends her own age. Her... What can you do for a child with no friends?»
• Can't Stop Skin Picking?
  My daughter, Natalie, who has ADHD and anxiety, compulsively picks her skin to cope with... ADHD, anxiety, and skin picking»
• Medicating ADHD Children and Parenting Guilt
  My ADD/ADHD daughter has been having recurring emotional outbursts. Increasing her medication seems like the... ADHD medication for children»
• Omega-3s: An Effective Treatment for ADHD Kids?
  My daughter, Natalie, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), doesn't mind taking omega-3 supplements... Omega-3s for ADHD kids»
• Is Your Child Punished for ADHD Behavior at School?
  My ADD/ADHD daughter, Natalie, recently faced the possibility of in-school suspension and losing recess because... Behavior problems at school»
• ADHD Medication Effects: Do You Ever Wonder If and How Meds Are Working?
  My daughter, Natalie, takes several medications for her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) and other... ADHD medication effects»
• The Best Hair Detangler for Kids and Adults With Sensory Issues?
  For help for hair tangles and the sensitive heads of the adults and kids who... Hair detangler»
• ADD Travel: Is It Possible to Relax on Vacation With ADHD Children?
  Summer travel and vacation plans have been put on hold since my attention deficit hyperactivity... ADD travel with ADHD children»
• Biofeedback for ADHD
  Using biofeedback (also called neurofeedback or neurotherapy) to treat my daughter Natalie's attention deficit hyperactivity... Biofeedback for ADHD»
• Taking a Break From ADHD Parenting
  Does parenting a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) cause extra stress for your... ADHD parenting»
• Can Neurofeedback Training Help ADHD Symptoms?
  My daughter, Natalie, has been attending neurofeedback training sessions to treat her ADD/ADHD symptoms and... Neurofeedback training and ADHD»
• Had Enough of ADHD Fighting?
  Does parenting a child with ADHD ever leave you wanting to just run away? Last... ADHD fighting»
• Therapy Cushion Giveaway...Just in Time for Back to School!
  Could a therapy cushion help your fidgety, distracted child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD)?... Therapy cushions for ADHD»
• How Do You Make Time for Your Kids Who Don't Have ADHD?
  During a respite weekend when my ADD/ADHD daughter, Natalie, was away, I focused on cleaning... Making time for non-ADHD siblings»
• The Side Effects of Parenting ADD/ADHD Children
  Parenting my daughter, Natalie, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) and other comorbid conditions,... more »
• Introducing Easy to Love but Hard to Raise
  Easy to Love but Hard to Raise is a new ADD/ADHD parenting book that I... About the book »
• What to Expect When You Didn't Expect to Raise a Special Needs Child
  Did becoming the parent of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) and/or other... ADHD parenting guide»
• ADHD Victory In a Brown Paper Sack
  Preparing Natalie's school lunch was the straw that broke this mom's back – that one... Our lunchbox triumph
• Politically Incorrect and Liking It
  Let's fight the trend of forced inclusion, and offer self-contained classrooms as one option for... Proud to Be Behind the Times »
• What's So Nice About Normal?
  One mom's rant: Maybe those darn neurotypical kids should meet our ADHD kids halfway when... Social Graces and ADHD »
• Should We Retain More Third Graders?
  Under Iowa's new education reform plan, my ADHD daughter Natalie almost certainly would have repeated... ADHD and grade retention »
• A Love Letter to You, Moms and Dads
  "Does this ever get any easier?" I've asked this question too many times to count... Hitting our stride »
• You Call That Organized?!?
  Natalie and her ADHD friends were so proud of their efforts at cleaning, organizing, and... "Organize," translated into ADHD »
• The Reasons for Respite
  A new study shows a direct correlation between respite services and lower hospitalization rates for... Changing the system »
• Disability Bullying: Has Your Child Been a Target?
  A new report and campaign from AbilityPath.org sheds new light on the rate of bullying... Bullies who target kids with special needs»

• A Parent’s Guide to Developmental Delays
  A guide to identifying and coping with children's developmental delays... more »
• Houdini's Gift
  The latest picture book in a collection of books for children with ADHD or learning... more »
• ADHD Book Review: Buzz
  Diagnosed with adult attention deficit hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD)? Parent to a child diagnosed with ADD/ADHD? You'll... Book about parenting ADHD children»
• Many Ways to Learn: A Kid's Guide to LD
  School tips, tools, and techniques for teen and tween students who have learning disabilities... more »
• Applying to College: Two Guides for ADHD Teens
  Two new books guide high school juniors and seniors with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD)... College application help for ADHD teens and parents»
• Books for ADHD Kids: Catch Up With Wigglebottom!
  Two fun additions to a popular children's book series teach children with attention deficit hyperactivity... Books for ADHD children»
• The Family ADHD Solution
  A guide to helping parents learn about ADHD and parenting strategies... more »
• Book Review: Boy Without Instructions
  Penny Williams, the "ADHD Momma," writes about parenting a kid with ADHD, LD, and sensory... more »
• Book Review: The Couple's Guide to Thriving with ADHD
  Is ADHD making it tough to keep your marriage afloat? A new book offers straightforward... more »
• Book Review — Armond Goes to a Party: A Book About Asperger's and Friendship
  This fun illustrated book will help any child with Asperger's (or any special need) feel... more »
• Book Review: The Queen of Distraction
  Terry Matlen's new book offers practical advice to help ADHD women get organized, focused, and... more »
• Book Review: Hyper
  In this personal history, Timothy Denevi tackles both growing up with ADHD and raising a... more »
• Book Review: The Adventures of Stretch More
  In this fun "choose your own adventure" book, parents of ADHD children can learn new... more »