October is ADHD awareness month.

There is one ADHD-related statistic that really sticks with me. It is one that I hope all parents, teachers, tutors, and coaches will remember:

According to psychiatrist and author William W. Dodson, MD, by the age of 12, children who have ADHD receive 20,000 more negative messages from parents, teachers, and other adults than their friends and siblings who do not have ADHD.

The more a child / young adult and their families learn about ADHD, the more that self-esteem slide can be slowly reversed.

Everyone will come to recognize that the young person with ADHD is not lazy, stupid, or inconsiderate, but that they may struggle with focus, impulsivity, working memory, and challenges with time management, task initiation, organization, and in some cases, emotional dysregulation. These areas certainly affect their path in school and can be a challenge socially.

There are so many great organizations, books, podcasts, and webinars to help learn more. Here are a few to help you get started:

ADHD Awareness Month
LD OnLine
Awareness Month – CHADD

Please share these resources with friends and family who may benefit.