Since its inception in 2006, the Edge Foundation has demonstrated the power of its coaching techniques in the home, school and workplace settings. The effectiveness of our approach has been verified both in practice and by an independent research study. We wanted to share some of the elements that make the Edge coaching experience so powerful.
ADHD Awareness Month is celebrated every October with events and activities happening all across the country and now, around the world. ADHD, as a disorder, only came to be recognized in the second half of the twentieth century. As ADHD Awareness Month kicks off, we thought it it would be appropriate to share a brief history of ADHD.
Over the past several decades, educators, policymakers and scientists have referred to ADHD, as a national crisis and have spent billions of dollars looking into its cause. They’ve looked at genetics, brain development, exposure to toxic substances like lead, the push for early academics, and many other factors. But new studies have a number of researchers asking whether the behavior and attention issues ascribed to ADHD are due to the fact that many kids today simply don’t get the sleep they need.
A gap year is an experiential year typically taken between high school and college in order to deepen practical, professional, and personal awareness. A gap year can be especially important and beneficial for students with ADHD. Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about a gap year for your ADHD teen.
Individuals with ADHD often report being very sensitive to all sorts of stimuli in the environment, especially noise. They can experience large swings of over-stimulation followed by periods of emotional and physical depletion. Research is now beginning to uncover the source of this phenomenon and suggest how it can be controlled and harnessed for positive effect.
Often, people with ADHD are also highly sensitive to environmental stimuli. They may have a disproportionate reaction to sounds, smells, tactile sensations or certain visual stimuli. There are many benefits to high sensitivity, but the extra sensory load that accompanies this trait can be overwhelming if it is not understood and managed.
We all need an Executive Function Coach, but not because we have a disorder. We need an Executive Function Coach because facing the challenges of life competently requires us to continue to develop our decision-making repertoire. Everyone is working on one or more executive functioning skills. But no tutor can teach them. Teaching is not the delivery system for these skills; coaching is.
Executive Function Coach and Trainer Erin Wilson recently related this story about one of her 17 year old students. He had called her on a Friday evening. It was late, she was tired, but took the call. He told her he was in despair, standing on Seattle’s Aurora Bridge, ready to jump.
Kids (and adults) with ADHD often need something to help them feel settled so they can sustain their attention and focus. So-called fidget toys are a way to accomplish this. These are gadgets that activate different sensory areas without being too disruptive to others. Fidget toys come in many types.
For many children with ADHD, sitting still is a near impossible task. Their constant physical activity can be frustrating for parents and difficult for teachers when a child’s hyperactivity disrupts a class. But there are a number of simple techniques parents can use to help their ADHD child harness their energy and accomplish their goals.