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Resources - Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Psychology Clinic Services

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by a pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity – impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. ADHD is first noticed in childhood and is a lifelong disorder which makes it difficult for a child to meet age-appropriate expectations. 

There are many places to learn more about ADHD and find resources for coping with some of the challenges that children with ADHD and their parents encounter.

ADHD Websites:

Videos about the Strengths of ADHD:

Self/Parent Guided Workbooks:

For Children:

  • The ADHD Workbook for Kids: Helping Children Gain Self-Confidence, Social Skills, and Self-Control
  • Mindfulness for Kids with ADHD: Skills to Help Children Focus, Succeed in School, and Make Friends 
  • I'm Not Bad, I'm Just Mad: A Workbook to Help Kids Control Their Anger
  • Thriving with ADHD Workbook for Kids: 60 Fun Activities to Help Children Self-Regulate, Focus, and Succeed
  • Raising Your Spirited Child, Third Edition: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic.

For Adolescents:

  • The Self-Compassion Workbook for Teens: Mindfulness and Compassion Skills to Overcome Self-Criticism and Embrace 
  • Mindfulness for Teens with ADHD: A Skill-Building Workbook to Help You Focus and Succeed
  • The Executive Functioning Workbook for Teens: Help for Unprepared, Late, and Scattered Teens
  • The ADHD Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Gain Motivation and Confidence

Behavioural Difficulties:

Many children who struggle with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity can struggle to meet the expectations in their environment. Their behaviour can appear oppositional, manipulative, or an overreaction; however, they are trying their best with the skills they have. We recommend the Collaborative and Proactive Solution approach created by Dr. Ross Greene. This approach is outlined in his books, Raising Human Beings, Lost At School, and The Explosive Child and on the Lives in the Balance website.

Occupational Therapy for ADHD:

An OT can help develop skills related to self-regulation, hyperactivity, attention, executive functioning, sensory sensitivities, fine-motor issues, or emotional regulation can impact a child’s learning. You can request an OT through the school or access services privately. Make Way for Me is a OT service in Kingston that has expertise in these areas.

ADHD Support Recommendations:

 Here are some recommendations to support students who display hyperactive, and/or inattentive behaviors. Some may apply to your child’s age and challenges, while others will not. These are also strategies that may be helpful to implement at home. 

  • Taking breaks at school, during homework, or doing learning tasks at home:
  • Clear expectation for behavior:
  • Gradually increase task difficulty to provide opportunities for success:
  • Headphones to limit distractions:
  • Limiting time spent on homework:
  • Breaking down instructions into smaller chunks:
  • Encouraging client’s active involvement in his care:
  • Praise success:
  • Quiet room for evaluations and homework:
  • Using frequent reminders at home and at school:
  • Reading for parents:
  • Use of a consistent routine and predictable schedule:
  • Social Skills training

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by a pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity – impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. ADHD is first noticed in childhood and is a lifelong disorder that can impact on a person’s social relationships, work, and mental health.

There are many places to learn more about ADHD and find resources for coping with some of the challenges that a person encounters.

Videos about the strengths of ADHD

Podcasts:

Books:

  • Taking Charge of Adult ADHD
  • Mastering Your Adult ADHD: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program, Client Workbook
  • Thriving with Adult ADHD: Skills to Strengthen Executive Functioning
  • Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD, 2nd Edition
  • A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD: Embracing Neurodiversity Live Boldly, and Break Through Barriers
  • Neurodiversity: Discovering the Extraordinary Gifts of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Brain Differences.

Mindfulness and Meditation for ADHD:

Shown to be effective in treating adults with ADHD by improving attentional abilities. There are different ways to learn and practice meditation.

  • Insight Timer
  • Headspace
  • Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Sounds True

Phone Apps for ADHD:

There are a number of apps created for organization, motivation, and time management. You will have to try them out to see which one works for you. Below are some common ones used by individuals with ADHD.

  • Due - Due can set you back on track with reminders to do the important things. Increase your productivity by taking the variability out of the must-dos, like taking medication
  • Remember the Milk - Sometimes even the simple tasks have multiple steps. Increase your chances of getting them done, and increase that motivating feeling of accomplishment, by creating task lists with their own subtasks. Assign due dates to each and add notes that lend helpful information, like locations, passwords, details, messages, or addresses that you need handy to complete the tasks. 
  • Brain Focus - Use it when you need to focus, and the app will count down your selected time while locking you out of the apps you’ve selected as distracting. Brain Focus also uses your countdowns to track how long you’ve spent working in self-selected categories, such as work, school, chores, reading, meditation… whatever suits your needs best.
  • 24me - 24me functions as a virtual personal assistant, providing all-in-on tool for managing notes, tasks, calendars, and to-do lists. For example, paying bills, providing event reminders, connecting your social networks, and even sending gifts to your friends

Occupational Therapy:

An Occupational Therapist can help develop skills related to self-regulation, hyperactivity, attention, executive functioning, sensory sensitivities, fine-motor issues, or emotional regulation can impact a child’s learning. You can request an OT through the school or access them through private services. Make Way for Me is a OT service in Kingston that has expertise in these areas.

ADHD Support Recommendations:

Here are some recommendations to support work and daily functioning.

  • Headphones to limit distractions:
  • Breaking down instructions into smaller chunks:
  • Quiet room for work:
  • Use of a consistent routine and predictable schedule:
  • Software
  • Study/Study Skills training