Folks, it’s that time of year again—back to school! The start of the school year is always filled with excitement, as students eagerly anticipate seeing friends, reconnecting with teachers, and diving into new learning adventures. For many parents, it’s a moment to breathe a sigh of relief, with the promise of a bit more peace at home. I’m right there with you, especially as I watch my 17-year-old prepare for her senior year. Oh my goodness, where did the time go?
While this season is thrilling for many, it can also be a source of anxiety, especially for students with ADHD who face unique challenges related to executive functioning. From managing assignments to keeping track of papers and struggling to hold back blurting out answers in class, these are daily battles for those with ADHD—unless they have the right support.
As a coach who specializes in working with individuals with ADHD, I understand these struggles on a personal and professional level. I work with clients to assess their challenges and create strategies that genuinely make a difference.
One of the biggest hurdles for students with ADHD is feeling like they’re stuck, believing that their behaviors are just an unchangeable part of who they are. But here’s the good news: with effort and the right tools, change is possible. By training your brain with spaced repetition, each new strategy helps build neural pathways that strengthen working memory—an essential component of executive functioning.
Take something as simple as opening a locker—sounds easy, right? But for someone with ADHD, it can be a real challenge. My husband and I, both undiagnosed ADHDers in grade school, struggled with lockers in different ways. My husband couldn’t even find his locker in 9th grade and was too ashamed to ask for help, so he lugged all his materials in his backpack for the entire year. As for me, I could never remember my combination, leading to a lot of frustration and many unprepared classes. You know that locker with stuff hanging out of it that just won’t quite close correctly? Yeah, that was mine. 🙋🏾
But here’s the thing—your story doesn’t have to be the same. My daughter’s experience is already vastly different from ours, thanks to the strategies we’ve implemented.
With tips and strategies to boost working memory and other executive functioning skills, you or your child can navigate these challenges more smoothly. Join me tomorrow for my back-to-school campaign, and let’s schedule a discovery session to help you or your child achieve your goals for the 2024-25 school year. Together, we can make this the best school year yet!