I was introduced to the idea of a pause button and loved it.  Initially it was introduced as something students could imagine, especially those that may be impulsively lying. It is a great tool in  asking  students to pause, and reflect on their given answer. Students with ADHD often impulsively lie. This tool can be a non judgmental technique that parents can utilize when  their child has impulsively given them an answer, that is an obvious lie.  I've also used this idea for students to use when they need to slow things down, reflect on what they need to do, and chunk the task into steps. "Pause" is a wonderful tool for all of us to incorporate into our lives. As I've mentioned before, I love incorporating art, but not all students enjoy it for a variety of reasons. I have found though, that even the students that do not like some of the more artistic projects, like this one. Model magic and foam letters, create the perfect Pause button. 

I really enjoy doing this activity. It can be done at many stages in the coaching relationship. In the beginning, it is a great project to break the ice and get to know the student. It can also be used later as a self esteem project when we are trying to focus on the positive traits in the coaching process. 

I love incorporating art into my coaching if it is right for the student. It allows for a relaxed, calm, and open communication, which always enhances learning. Loved these morning and  bedtime routines for some of my students.

More and more research is  speaking to the benefit of mindfulness for everyone. It is particularly good for those that are challenged in the areas of anxiety and focus. I think it is important to do fun things with kids, especially when introducing them to new ideas. Today I made a calming bottle with a student that I coach. When shaken, the glitter and confetti floats, allowing the child to focus on what is happening in the bottle. What fun!
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When working with teens, it sometimes still shocks me the look they get on their face when discussing their phones. It's a combination of fear and anger combined into one look. As someone who can still remember the bag cell phone, it is quite amazing how technology has changed over the years. Wow, now I really feel old! For parents trying to balance the progression of technology with their child, it can be like a mine field. It can be so difficult because phones are not just used for texting , they are also using it for school purposes (research, teacher websites, etc.).  Jodi Gold, a psychiatrist writes in her book "Screen-Smart Parenting" that at ages 11-14, children increase their screen time by 3 hours. If you consider multitasking, this increases by 4 hours. This means with this age group, they are using screens 8 hours and 40 minutes a day, with 12 hours of exposure! More importantly for teens, this is their primary communication with their peers. The phone has replaced the mall. This is why often you will be shocked as a parent their response to having phone privileges lost. I highly recommend reading Dr. Gold's book along with this article: http://www.childmind.org/en/posts/articles/2014-8-19-when-come-between-teens-and-phones

Often I meet with families, and their children are struggling through high school. These students often are very intelligent but are challenged by executive function deficits. They do their homework, but do not submit it. Finish their exams, but make "silly" mistakes as they often tell me, or do not have time to double check their work. Students with ADHD are eligible for 504 plans, and sometimes if they have other learning challenges, can be  eligible for an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Please do not think your child is not eligible because of their intelligence level being too high, this is not true! I really like this site, especially in providing information for high school students. I think their interpretation of high school being like 6 or 7 part time jobs with 6/7 different bosses is a great metaphor for what our students are experiencing. I have several students that go to multiple teacher sites daily, just to get their teacher assignments or announcements. This is not multiple clicks off the school website, but actually different websites with different logins. This can be a nightmare! Extended test times, modified homework or extended submission time, are just a few examples of accommodations. Take a look and see if any of these accommodations would benefit for your child.
http://www.addvance.com/help/teens/high_school.html

Special mini-conference event co-sponsored by
NoVaDC CHADD & the ADHD Resource Group of Northern Va

Date:  Saturday, October 17th, 8:00am – 1:30 pm

Location: ARGOSY University in Rosslyn (1550 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209- 7th floor)

Conference Highlights:  Discover the latest in treatment and valuable information for adults, children, and families living with ADHD and related disorders. This conference includes access to ADHD interventions and local resources.  Topics include family, community, co-occurring conditions, outreach to underserved populations and adults with ADHD. Topics will be of interest to mental health professionals, educators, coaches, ADHD advocates, parents of children with ADHD and adults with ADHD.

For Conference Registration click on https://adhdconnections2015.busyconf.com

For Conference Schedule and Topics see

http://adhdconnections2015.busyconf.com/schedule