What Are Social Emotional Skills and How Do You Nurture Them?

Children with ADHD may struggle with social skills, but thankfully, social emotional skills can be developed. This means that there are many ways to continue to nurture these skills at home.

What Are Social Emotional Skills?

Social emotional skills help us connect to others. Social emotional development begins at birth; babies start learning how to connect to others from the very beginning. As babies and children continue to develop these skills, they’ll eventually use this skill set to:

• Manage emotions
• Build healthy relationships
• Feel empathy

Here are three examples of social emotional skills:

• A child recognizes that his friend is sad, and then he asks if they’re ok
• A child learns to express himself differently depending on his audience: friends, teachers, or parents, etc.
• You understand your own thoughts and feelings, and you can use this information to relate to others

Developing social emotional growth takes time. Even though social emotional development starts in infancy, it continues into and throughout adulthood. Early interactions with family, caregivers, and friends have the biggest impacts on development, but every new interaction (whether that’s meeting a new co-worker or raising a child) continues to shape our social emotional growth.

Why Social Emotional Skills Matter

Children with well-developed social-emotional skills are more likely to excel in school — and later in their career. Social-emotional skills help kids in many ways.

ADHD and Social Emotional Skills

Children (and adults for that matter) with ADHD may struggle with social emotional skills. According to a study published in the journal Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, children with poor social emotional skills are more likely to miss school days.

Social emotional skills are developed when children witness the social world – and that includes both online or in person – but how can these skills be further shaped? Here are a few strategies for sharpening your child’s skill set at home:

1. Model the Language

Sometimes talking through things out loud can help model the language that supports social emotional skill growth. Here are a few examples:

• Validate any struggles that your child has and express empathy (e.g., “That must be hard” or “I hear you.”)
• Use reflective listening when your child expresses any social or emotional difficulties (this helps them feel heard)
• Repeat or reiterate what your child says to demonstrate that you understand their feelings accurately (e.g. “I am sad that you feel lonely.”)

You can learn more phrases to use here in this post about growth mindset.

2. Reflect on Social Settings

You can engage your child in conversations about social settings. This includes social settings in TV shows or social settings in online environments too. Your child can continue to grow and develop social skills in online classes and multi-player collaborative video games.

The following questions can promote social emotional growth:

• What’s going on in the class/game/group?
• What are the unspoken rules? How do you know that these are the rules?
• What do you find interesting about this class/game/group?
• What do you know about these people (classmates/other players)?
• Who is in this group/game/class?
• How do you step into other player’s shoes?
• How do you react to other players’ messages and/or behaviors?
• How is everyone else behaving, and how do you compare?

If you’re watching a TV show together, you can ask similar questions and use the show as an opportunity to talk about interpersonal relationships with others.

3. Practice Building Friendships

Making friends is not passive, and the process can be made even more difficult when schools are virtual and social outings aren’t as frequent as they used to be. Making friends requires:

• Meeting someone
• Learning about them (their likes, dislikes, etc.)
• Engaging in small talk
• Engaging in one-on-one activities like playdates

Social distancing has made this process much more difficult. You can help your child practice building friendships through:

Practicing Small Talk

Your child can engage in small talk at the dinner table with family. Small talk is one of the key building blocks of starting a friendship, and it also helps strengthen active listening. In addition to practicing small talk at dinner, you may suggest that your child engages in small talk with other classmates (when appropriate; some virtual classes make use of breakaway groups, which is a good opportunity to practice small talk). You might also suggest that your child calls a cousin or other family member to practice small talk over the phone.

Playing with Puppets

For younger children, playing with puppets can be a great way to work on social emotional skills. Puppet play can introduce your child to emotional words (e.g., happy, angry, sad) while allowing your child a way to talk about and work through problems.

4. Try Thinking Out Loud

Parents can model problem solving and emotional regulation skills by talking through their own problems out loud. For example, you might say out loud: “Oh no! My favorite shoes have a hole in them. I’d better wear a different pair today so my feet don’t get wet from the rain.” This helps to model appropriate ways to deal with frustration.

5. Make Time for Bedtime Stories

Bedtime stories aren’t just for relaxing your child and helping them fall asleep. Reading to your child can enhance his or her vocabulary, improve language skills, and boost emotional regulation. You can help your child develop social emotional skills by talking about the story. Ask:

• What should the character do?
• How do you think this character feels?
• What would you do if you were in this character’s position?

6. Plan a Game Night

Game nights are fun, but they also help support social emotional skills too. Games — including both board games and outdoor play games — teach children how to take turns, how to cooperate with others to reach a common goal, how to cope with frustrations, and how to enjoy playing even if you’re not winning.

Social Emotional Development and ADHD: Take Your Next Steps

Are you searching for more strategies to help your child? In addition to nurturing social emotional skills at home, your child may benefit from professional care.

We’re proud to offer a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to you and your child’s mental health needs. Our team of providers are experts when it comes to effective medication management, parent coaching, and positive parenting strategies to motivate and encourage children with ADHD.

To make an appointment, call us at 502-907-5908. You can also request an appointment here.

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6 Virtual Gym Class Ideas for Kids with ADHD

Health experts from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children get at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. How your child gets that exercise — dancing, swimming, bike riding, playing soccer, playing catch with a ball in the yard — doesn’t really matter.

There is also evidence that spending time outside in nature can calm some kids with ADHD. Even bundling up and playing in the snow or going for a winter hike counts as good exercise. However, between the cold winter months and busy schedules, getting outside to play isn’t always easy.

Below are six online workouts that allow your child to let out some pent-up energy. Bonus: some of them may feature your child’s favorite characters!

1. Minecraft Yoga with Cosmic Kids

2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar with Cosmic Kids

3. Mario Gym Class with Sweat Kids

4. Indoor Workout: Exercise in the Jungle

5. PopSugar Family Fitness Cardio

6. Frozen Dance with Sam Cam’s Dance Studio

Even with adequate exercise, unmanaged ADHD can impact your child’s home and school life. As a multidisciplinary practice, we can help children with ADHD (and their parents) take their next steps. Our holistic approach looks at all aspects of treatment from therapy, lifestyle modifications, medication management, and parent coaching.

If you would like to book an appointment with one of our professionals, give us a call at 502-907-5908 or fill out this form. 

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Planning a Winter Getaway? Here Are 4 Packing Tips for Adults with ADHD

Planning a winter getaway? Whether you’re headed for a skiing trip up north or you’re headed south to soak up the sun on a warm beach, you’ll need to pack. Yet, packing can be a source of frustration for adults with ADHD.

Our multidisciplinary team knows that skills that require planning — one of the executive function skills — can be tricky, but we also know that like all skills, your planning skills can be strengthened.

In this blog, we take a look at the reasons why packing is so troublesome and what strategies can make packing for a vacation so much easier.

3 Reasons Packing is Hard for Adults with ADHD

1. Packing Requires Planning

Planning is essential when it comes to packing, yet planning can be difficult for this with ADHD. Planning requires you to:

• Think about where you’re going and what specific activities you’ll be doing
• Consider any dress code requirements you’ll encounter
• Consider the weather at your destination

Even if you don’t enjoy planning, there are some steps you can take to make this part of vacationing more tolerable.

2. Packing Requires Decision-Making

Making decisions is hard for ADHD adults, and packing for a vacation is nothing more than making one decision after another.

• Should you bring one sweater or two?
• How many back-up pairs of socks do you need? Do I need specialize socks to ski or snowboard?
• Will the hotel have shampoo? Will that be enough?
• What if rains? Do you really need a rain coat?
• Did I pack enough?
• What if my good blouse gets stained?
• Do I need to bring a swimsuit?
• If I bring these pants, I need to pack my other shoes, right?

Not only is this overwhelming, but too many decisions all at once can lead to decision fatigue.

3. Packing Requires Organization

It’s no secret that organization is one of the biggest struggles for adults and teens with ADHD. Lack of organization can lead to many problems, including wrinkles clothes, misplaced train tickets, and so.much.stress.

4 Travel Packing Tips for Adults with ADHD

The good news is that these four tips can address all of the things you find so overwhelming with packing.

1. Make a list.

Before you even open your suitcase, make a list of everything you want to pack. Include a category for:

• Clothes
• Shoes
• Toiletries, such as contacts, contact solution, soap, sunscreen, etc.
• Electronic gear, including cameras, phones, tablets, and their chargers
• Snacks
• Tickets, reservation information, etc.

2. Plan outfits by the day.

Clothing can be an overwhelming part of the packing process. Did you pack too much? Not enough? The wrong attire all together?

Once you print out your packing list, plan your outfits by day. It might look something like this:

Saturday

• Travel day
• Joggers, sweatshirt, sneakers

Sunday

• Brunch in the morning: black wrap dress, wedge heels, white sweater
• Scuba tour in afternoon: swimsuit, sarong, flip flops

Monday

• Hiking in the morning: green hiking shorts, REI shirt, wool socks, hiking boots, sweatband, hiking backpack, water bottle, first aid kit
• Evening wine tasting: pink sun dress, wedge heels, white sweater

Once you start organizing your list this way, you’ll quickly identify if you’ve packed the right clothes for your itinerary — and if you can repeat any outfits or shoes.

3. Organize Your Suitcase

Once you’ve identified what clothes you need, pack your clothes in your suitcase. For some, using packing cubes helps organize your suitcase. Using packing cubes (or any other small pouch that holds only one day’s worth of clothes) makes it easier to search for what you need in your suitcase.

Winter clothes can be bulky. Consider using vacuum seals to help fit bulky items better.

4. Pack Light

More stuff means more to keep track of, and that can be overwhelming. Within reason, packing as light as possible can reduce some of those overwhelming feelings. For example, choose a pair of shoes to pack that matches the majority of your outfits. This can help you reduce the number of shoes you bring.

Other tips to pack light:

• Bring e-books instead of physical books
• Use paperless tickets when possible

Need More Help with Planning and Organizing?

Planning and organizing are essential when you’re packing for a vacation, but that’s not the only scenario where you rely on these skills. You also need planning and organization to:

• Plan projects at work
• Organize household events, chores, and family schedules
• Organize your workload in college
• Determine order of priority for your to-do list

Comprehensive ADHD treatment, including therapy and coaching, helps you strengthen this skillset. Our multidisciplinary team can help your child learn to THRIVE.

You can also request an appointment here.

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How to Prepare for an ADHD Assessment

Are you getting ready for your child’s ADHD assessment? Are you wondering how to prepare for your child’s psychological evaluation/testing? Maybe you are getting ready for your own assessment? In either case, you may have questions about the best ways to prepare for an ADHD assessment.

Below, we take a look at the top tips to prepare for your child’s ADHD assessment as well as how to prepare for an adult assessment.

Tips to Prepare for Your Child for an ADHD Assessment

You can help your child prepare for his or her ADHD assessment by:

• Providing a good meal beforehand (protein and fiber can help little tummies feel full)
• Help your child get to bed early and get plenty of rest in the days leading up to the assessment (Refer to this article for good bedtime routine ideas)
• Dressing your child in comfortable clothes
• Bring a water and snack for the break (your child can bring their water into the testing room)
• Schedule testing period during time of day when your child is most attentive, if possible 
• Help create a low-stress/low-anxiety environment before testing that day, if possible 
• Plan a small reward afterward, if possible 

What to expect

Know that testing may be broken up into two days depending on your child’s needs. Kayla Sheeran, our licensed psychological associate, explains more about the psychological testing process:

“Psych testing will consist of an interview with parent(s) at the beginning of the session [to cover background/overview of presenting issues]. This is followed by a testing period with administrator and child.

Not all testing looks the same…

Sometimes take-home testing materials are sent home for child, parents, and a teacher to complete and return; sometimes another day of in-person testing will need to be scheduled in order to complete all required testing sections. This will depend on the needs, attention span, and the testing purpose.

~Kayla Sheeran

While the evaluation is ongoing, feel free to bring something to do while you wait. A book, phone, or tablet is great, but bring a charger if you use a device since testing will take multiple hours.

Tips to Prepare for an Adult ADHD Assessment

Many of the same preparation tips apply to adults as well! Here at NextStep4ADHD, Kayla Sheeran performs ADHDH assessments for adults as part of the ADHD clinic and programs. Kayla shares these tips for preparing for your assessment:

• Eat a good nutrient-dense meal beforehand
• Ensure you have plenty of rest before your assessment
• Don’t schedule your assessment on a busy day where you will feel rushed or hurried between appointments
• Bring a water bottle

ADHD Assessment at NextStep4ADHD

Monica Clark does the ADHD assessments for children, and Kayla Sheeran conducts the ADHD assessments for adults as a part of the ADHD clinic/program.

Why Get Tested

Psychological testing is usually to rule out or confirm the presence of ADHD or a Learning Disorder to determine whether the child can benefit from accommodations at school (or meet the requirements to receive school accommodations) and/or for standardized testing. 

Here at Next Step 4 ADHD, we are a multidisciplinary practice, and our team of experts excels at diagnosing and treating ADHD in children. If you have questions about your ADHD assessment, we can help. Book your appointment here and get started with your next steps today.

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Three Tips to Make Halloween 2022 Easier for Kids with ADHD

Halloween 2022 is here, and it is definitely one of the most exciting days of the years for kids, but unfortunately, Halloween can be a bit stimulating, especially for kids with ADHD. The excitement, the disruption to the normal schedule, and the candy overload can make the evening a little more challenging than most.

These three safety tips can help make Halloween easier for parents and kids alike!

1. Review All Safety Rules with Your Child

Halloween, despite all of the fun, is one of the most dangerous days of the year for children. US News reports highlight that the list of dangers including:

• Tripping over ill-fitting costumes
• Visual impairments due to masks or wigs
• Dangers when crossing the street

Children with ADHD may run from house to house and pay little attention to the cars driving in the road. The combination of excitement and inattention can lead to children getting separated from their trick-or-treating group.

What You Can Do

There are many things you can do to help promote safety on Halloween. Here are just a few ideas:

• Discuss all safety rules with your child before even leaving the house (your child may be too excited to fully take in your message if you start this conversation once you’ve started trick-or-treating.)
• Talk about stranger safety.
• Ensure that your child can see through his/her mask and that the costume won’t pose a tripping hazard.
• Review the trick-or-treating map with your child.
• Create a safety plan in the event that your child is separated from you.
• Give your child glow sticks or reflective arm band for increased safety when crossing the streets at night.
• Review proper street crossing rules.

2. Eating Too Much Candy

While candy doesn’t cause ADHD, consuming high levels of sugar (and generally following poor dietary habits) can exacerbate symptoms of ADHD. For children who struggle with impulse control, it can be even harder to resist the temptation of candy.

What You Can Do

Many parents have adopted creative solutions for dealing with all.of.the.candy on Halloween. Here are a few ideas:

• Allow your child to trick-or-treat and enjoy the fun tradition, but when they return home, allow them to trade in their bag of candy for non-candy treats, such as race cars, books, dolls, bouncy balls, or some other goodie they’ve had their eye on. You can then donate the candy.
• Create a candy calendar, marking out how many pieces your child can have each day.
• Limit the number of houses you visit to reduce the amount of candy you bring home.

Regardless of how many pieces of candy your child enjoys, be sure to focus on other healthy foods throughout the rest of the day.

3. Focus on Bedtime Routines

Winding down for bedtime after a fun-filled Halloween can be tricky. Because children with ADHD may struggle to regulate their emotions, you may see an uptick in temper tantrums, especially if your child is upset that Halloween is over.

What You Can Do

Thankfully, there are many ways you can make bedtime calmer on Halloween. Here are a few ideas.

• Be sure that you’re implementing good sleep hygiene practices
• Create a special bedtime routine just for Halloween e.g., reading a special Halloween book or wearing themed pajamas
• Allow extra time for your bedtime routine on Halloween
• Let your child know their schedule for the day so they have time to prepare mentally
• Give more frequent reminders when shifting activities
• Follow these tips for making Halloween more ADHD-friendly

Need Help Managing Your Child’s ADHD?

Here at Next Step 4 ADHD, we are a multidisciplinary practice, and our team of experts excels at diagnosing and treating ADHD in children. If your child is struggling with ADHD, we can help. Book your appointment here and get started with your next steps today.

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It’s Time for College Applications: Tips for Teens with ADHD

Applying to college is stressful for all teens, but ADHD can make the application process even more stressful.

Here at Next Step 4 ADHD, we’re committed to helping manage your teen’s ADHD so s/he can thrive in all of his/her endeavors — including applying for college. In this article, we’ll cover practical strategies for making the most of your college application process.

1. Start the College Application Process Early

Some universities had early deadlines that quickly approaching (November), but there are still plenty of colleges still accepting applications. Another wave of deadlines isn’t until January, which means now is one of the busiest college application seasons for your teen.

Most colleges’ deadlines fall between November and February. The deadline for incoming freshmen at the University of Louisville is as late as February 15. If your teen is interested in a particular school, be sure to write down all deadlines on a family calendar.

You can find a list of deadlines for the top 50 colleges and universities here. Be sure to confirm dates on the college website too.

2. Create a Top List of Colleges

Even though it’s college application season, you don’t need to apply to every school. Instead of randomly applying, create a well-curated list of six to 12 universities or colleges. Organize your list in terms of which ones have the earliest deadlines to make sure those are taken care of first.

Things to consider when placing a college or university on your college application list.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Tip: You may find that talking with your teen and his/her IEP team to determine which of your child’s accommodations were most helpful throughout high school. While there are no IEPs or 504 plans in college, your child is still protected under Section 504 Of The Rehabilitation Act. The Attention Deficient Disorder Association suggests that college students with ADHD advocate for their own accommodations such as extended time for tests, permission to record lectures, or written instructions. (You can read more examples here.)

To see what kind of ADHD support is at each school, contact the school’s office of disability to learn more about what support (including ADHD support groups) might be on campus.

Take all of this into account when creating your list of schools.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Each school will have their own requirements:

• Minimum GPA
• ACT scores
• SAT scores

If your child’s grades or scores don’t meet any of the admission requirements, don’t put the school on the list — as tempting as it may be.

MAJORS AND OTHER AREAS OF STUDY

Another important element of choosing the right school: finding a school that caters to your child’s interests. Consider your teen’s academic strengths and weaknesses. Teens with ADHD tend to excel more in courses where the subject matter interests them. To pinpoint a potential major or find a school that offers this major, ask the following questions:

• What subjects do I love the most?
• What are my strengths?
• What are my weaknesses?
• Are sports an important part of my experience on campus?
• What other extracurriculars do I want to particulate in? (Drama club, etc)
• Do I want to stay closer to home? Is distance an issue?
• Do I prefer to commute to school?
• What role do my finances play in this decision? (In-state tuition, scholarships, etc)
• Do I already have a post-grad career in mind?

All of these answers can help shape your teen’s list of schools.

3. Time to Apply!

Once you’ve got your list, your teen needs to gather any and all necessary items. Depending on the school the list may vary, but most schools want to see:

• High school transcripts
• SAT and/or ACT scores
• College essay
• Letters of recommendation
• List of extracurricular activities, sports, music, or other talents
• Evidence of community service

Over 900 colleges accept the Common Application (you can find it here), which can save time in the college application process. However, not all schools accept the Common App.

When your teen sits down to apply, keep these tips in mind:

• Work in an uncluttered, distraction-free space
• Work on a full belly
• Get a good night of sleep before working on applications
• Avoid rushing; make time to go back and proofread everything before submitting
• Following the writing process for the essay: brainstorm, free write, outline, draft, edit, revise, proofread

While a college application must be 100% original and completely written by the applicant, you can boost your odds of delivering a top-notch essay by getting (the right kind of ) help. Consider brainstorming ideas with an English teacher at your school and getting feedback from your teacher. And as always, check your work with grammar and spelling checking tools. You can also get help via books. College Essay Essentials is a stress-free roadmap for crafting college essays, and it’s written by a college counselor. (You can find it on Amazon or your local library.)

Once an application is finally submitted, cross it off on the first list that you and your teen made.

Getting Your Teen’s ADHD Under Control

Even with these tips and strategies, unmanaged ADHD can make the process challenging. If your teen is struggling to control his or her ADHD symptoms, we can help. Our multidisciplinary team is experienced in diagnosing and treating ADHD. Whether your teen needs therapy, medication management, or a combination of both, we can help your teen thrive.

To make an appointment or to learn more, call us at 502-907-5908. You can also request an appointment here.

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6 Tips to Help Children with ADHD Head Back to School

In many counties in Kentucky, school has been in session since about the middle of August. That means we’re about 2-3 weeks into the new school year. Adjusting to new routines — such as a brand-new school year — can be difficult for children with ADHD.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 9.8% of school-aged children in the United States have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD can make it more difficult for your child to stay on task and pay attention in school, but it’s not just the school work that can be hard. Back-to-school time also contributes to increased stress and even anxiety due to the sudden changes in routine and new situations.

These strategies can help your child adjust back to the school-time routines.

1. Re-establish Bedtime Routines

Many kids stay up later in the summer, so it can be harder to adjust back to the earlier bedtimes during the school year. If your child is still struggling to get back into a bedtime routine, keep these tips in mind:

• Practice good sleep hygiene
• Avoid TVs, tablets, and screens for 1-2 hours before bed
• If using e-readers, make sure the amber/night mode light is on (learn more about warm-lights here)
• Use a white noise machine
• Sleep in a cool, dark room

Certain cues, such as putting on pajamas or taking a warm bath, can help signal to your child and help them prepare mentally for bed. Engage in calming activities before bed and avoid any activities that are too stimulating or exciting right before bed.

2. Prepare Your Child’s Homework Area

Part of a successful school year includes good study habits at home. If your child is old enough to have homework or require study time, prepare a study place so your child has a designated place at home to work. For example, it can be distracting for a child with ADHD to try and work in a busy area of the home. Instead, create a study place in a quiet area of the house free from major distractions (such as a busy entryway with people coming and going.)

Include place to store books and other school supplies, paper, pencils, a trash can, comfortable seating, and proper lighting.

3. Create a Calendar for Extracurricular Activities

Children with ADHD often thrive on predictability, but with many after-school activities, it can be harder to predict the schedule on any given day. Creating a regular school schedule can help your child find the predictiabily he or she craves.

Create a family calendar and post it in a central location ahead of time. Include school drop off and pick up times, after-school activities, sports practices and games, appointments, and other family obligations.

4. Talk with Your Child’s Teacher

If you have concerns about your child’s behavior or academic performance, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher. Your teacher may provide valuable information to you and vice versa!

Not sure what to say? Read this article for tips on talking to your child’s teacher about ADHD.

5. Practice Calming Exercises

A new school year — and all of the new activities and environments, and challenges — can be stressful. Teaching your child calming exercises can help give them tools to use during the school day if they become overwhelmed or stressed. Good examples include:

• Breathing exercises
• The 5-4-3-2-1 ground method
• Stretching (a good idea for recess)

At home, you can listen to calming music or try Calming apps.

6. Be Gentle and Encouraging

Remember to use positive reinforcement to remind your child that you believe in them, you are proud of them, and you appreciate good behavior (when you spot it).

• Check out this article for 16 Positive Parenting Phrases to use.

Get Help with ADHD This School Year

Preparation and sticking to a routine can go a long way in helping your child ease back into school routines. That being said, if you suspect your child needs more help managing his or her ADHD, don’t hesitate to reach out. Untreated ADHD can make it hard to focus on school, but with the right treatment, school doesn’t have to be so hard.

If you have concerns about your child — whether they have been diagnosed with ADHD or not — please feel free to reach out to our multidisciplinary team. Our team excels at treating ADHD with therapy, lifestyle modifications, and when needed, medication.

Click here to schedule an appointment.

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Holistic ADHD Treatment: What Does That Mean?

Around 6.4 million American children and teens live with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ^[1] Adults can also have ADHD, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that about 4.4% of adults living with ADHD.

Kentucky in particular has the highest rate of ADHD in the country with 19% of children diagnosed with ADHD. ^[2] At NextStep 4 ADHD, our team of psychiatrists, pediatricians, psychologists, therapists, coaches, and healthcare professionals offers treatments to help you not just manage ADHD — but thrive.

As an understanding of ADHD continued to grow over the last decade, the demand for treatment has also grown. The options for treating ADHD are more diversified than ever. There is certainly a lot of misinformation about ADHD that can often leave you uncertain and confused.

Don’t worry — you have come to the right place. We offer a wide range of comprehensive ADHD treatment options for you and your family.

NextStep 4 ADHD Serving Louisville, Kentucky

We proudly serve the Louisville, Kentucky area. This includes general psychiatry and ADHD treatment. Located on Park Plaza Avenue, our providers are happy to offer coaching, support, education, and in-clinic services to both adults and children. To request an appointment, click here.

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health condition that impacts concentration, decision-making skills, and impulse control.

How Is ADHD Treated Holistically?

Untreated ADHD can affect your home, work, and even your relationships, but ADHD is treatable, and you can thrive with it! Medication is a hot topic when it comes to ADHD treatment, but it’s not the only option for treating ADHD. In fact, it can be just one aspect of a treatment plan.

There’s where holistic ADHD treatment comes into play. A holistic approach to mental health puts you as the patient — not your diagnosis — at the center of your treatment plan. By addressing their emotional, mental, and physical needs, a holistic approach to mental health means that we look at the whole person.

The team at NextStep 4 ADHD focuses on 5 core areas when approaching ADHD treatment: assessment, education, coaching, support, and medication.

Assessment

An accurate diagnosis is the key to managing your ADHD symptoms. An accurate assessment begins with a consultation with clinicians who are trained to diagnose and treat ADHD.

ADHD affects every part of your life — from getting organized to completing work projects — and working with an experienced ADHD specialist ensures that you get the treatment and tools you need to thrive.

We are experts in ADHD and know what to look for during the assessment.

Education

We don’t just diagnose you; we help provide education to you through discussions, resources, coaching, etc.  General education about ADHD is essential for improving your life skills. We’ll help you learn how ADHD affects you individually, as well as how it impacts your family, loved ones, and even your co-workers.

Coaching

ADHD coaching helps you better manage your symptoms by teaching you how to practically apply the right tools and strategies to your life. ADHD coaching also provides accountability, so you can build successful behaviors and routines — and achieve your goals.

Support

Interacting with others who are experiencing similar challenges reduces any stigma or shame associated with ADHD. Maybe you’re a parent of a child with ADHD. Maybe you’re an adult with ADHD trying to build more organizational skills. Building a support system is essential.

At Next Step 4 ADHD, we support you as you make progress on your journey.

Medication

There’s no denying that medication can be effective, and it can be life-changing. Even though it is often the first line of treatment for ADHD, medication alone is not the answer.

As we say, pills don’t create skills.

Let us show you the benefits of a holistic and personalized ADHD treatment plan.

Spotlight on Our ADHD Care Team

Learn more about our compassionate and expert team here. 

Your ADHD Center in Louisville, Kentucky

At NextStep 4 ADHD, we’re happy to provide comprehensive ADHD care. Whether you’re interested in in-clinic therapies or ADHD coaching, we are here to guide you with your next steps.

If you or a loved one needs to schedule a visit in our Louisville, Kentucky clinic, send us a message to request more information.

References:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
2. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/wellness/health/2014/05/02/kentucky-tops-us-adhd/8564911/

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5 Summer Vacation Packing Tips for Teens and Adults with ADHD

Whether you’re a parent with ADHD in charge of packing for a family vacation, or you’re a teen packing for a camping trip with friends, there’s one undeniable truth: packing can be a struggle for individuals with ADHD.

Our multidisciplinary team knows that skills that require planning — one of the executive function skills — can be tricky, but we also know that like all skills, your planning skills can be strengthened.

In this blog, we take a look at the reasons why packing is so troublesome and what tips can make packing with ADHD so much easier.

3 Reasons Packing is Hard for Teens and Adults with ADHD

1. Packing Requires Planning

Planning is essential when it comes to packing, yet planning can be difficult for this with ADHD. Planning requires you to:

• Think about where you’re going and what specific activities you’ll be doing
• Consider any dress code requirements you’ll encounter
• Consider the weather at your destination

Even if you don’t enjoy planning, there are some steps you can take to make this part of vacationing more tolerable.

2. Packing Requires Decision-Making

Making decisions is hard for ADHD adults, and packing for a vacation is nothing more than making one decision after another.

• Should you bring one sweater or two?
• How many back-up pairs of socks do you need?
• Will the hotel have shampoo? Will that be enough?
• What if it rains? Do you really need a raincoat?
• Did I pack enough?
• What if my good blouse gets stained?
• If I bring these pants, I need to pack my other shoes, right?

Not only is this overwhelming, but too many decisions all at once can lead to decision fatigue.

3. Packing Requires Organization

It’s no secret that organization is one of the biggest struggles for adults and teens with ADHD. Lack of organization can lead to many problems, including wrinkled clothes, misplaced train tickets, and so.much.stress.

4 Travel Packing Tips to Make Packing with ADHD Easier

The good news is that these four tips can address all of the things you find so overwhelming with packing.

1. Make a list.

Before you even open your suitcase, make a list of everything you want to pack. Include a category for:

• Clothes
• Shoes
• Toiletries, such as contacts, contact solution, soap, sunscreen, etc.
• Electronic gear, including cameras, phones, tablets, and their chargers
• Snacks
• Tickets, reservation information, etc.

Need help starting a packing list? Download a Free Packing List here Download

2. Plan outfits by the day.

Clothing can be an overwhelming part of the packing process. Did you pack too much? Not enough? The wrong attire all together?

Once you print out your packing list, plan your outfits by day. It might look something like this:

Saturday

• Travel day
• Joggers, sweatshirt, sneakers

Sunday

• Brunch in the morning: black wrap dress, wedge heels, white sweater
• Scuba tour in afternoon: swimsuit, sarong, flip flops

Monday

• Hiking in the morning: green hiking shorts, REI shirt, wool socks, hiking boots, sweatband, hiking backpack, water bottle, first aid kit
• Evening wine tasting: pink sundress, wedge heels, white sweater

Once you start organizing your list this way, you’ll quickly identify if you’ve packed the right clothes for your itinerary — and if you can repeat any outfits or shoes.

3. Organize Your Suitcase

Once you’ve identified what clothes you need, pack your clothes in your suitcase. For some, using packing cubes helps organize your suitcase. Using packing cubes (or any other small pouch that holds only one day’s worth of clothes) makes it easier to search for what you need in your suitcase.

4. Pack Light

More stuff means more to keep track of, and that can be overwhelming. Within reason, packing as light as possible can reduce some of those overwhelming feelings. For example, choose a pair of shoes to pack that matches the majority of your outfits. This can help you reduce the number of shoes you bring.

Other tips to pack light:

• Bring e-books instead of physical books
• Use paperless tickets when possible

5. Start Early

Nothing adds to packing stress like waiting until the last minute. Start packing with plenty of time to spare. Write your list at least a week in advance so you have plenty of time to make sure everything you need to clean and ready. Or, if not, this gives you plenty of time to run out for last-minute supplies.

If you’re packing for something bigger than a vacation — such as a big move to college — start a few weeks in advance.

Need More Help with Planning and Organizing?

Planning and organizing are essential when you’re packing for a vacation, but that’s not the only scenario where you rely on these skills. You also need planning and organization to:

• Plan projects at work
• Organize household events, chores, and family schedules
• Organize your workload in college
• Determine order of priority for your to-do list

Comprehensive ADHD treatment, including therapy and coaching, helps you strengthen this skillset. Our multidisciplinary team can help you learn to THRIVE with tips just like this — packing tips for ADHD is just the start!

You can also request an appointment here.

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Creating a Summer Schedule for Your Child with ADHD + Free Printable Schedule

We’re still in the early days of Spring, but Summer will be here before we know it. And that means a big change in schedule and routines for kids.

The structure of the school year tends to fade into lazy summer days. And while some kids participate in programs, it’s important to still create a sense of structure and routine, especially for kids with ADHD. That’s become daily routine and structure are oh-so-important for helping kids with ADHD.

Below, our team of ADHD experts help shed light on creative ways to add structure to summer days.

Daily Schedules Matter … Even in Summer

During the school year, your child has a lot of routines. This includes:

• Regular bedtime routines
• Wake-up routines to get ready for school on time
• Meal times (set schedules for eating at school, snack time, etc.)

As we shift closer to summer, it’s important to not forgo all sense of schedules. Days tend to operate more smoothly when there is a schedule (even a flexible one) in place. Schedules are important because they help provide a sense of predictability for your child.

10 Ideas for Your Child’s Summer Schedule

Schedules don’t have to be rigid. Even just having a general sense of what’s happening is helpful for children. Here are 10 ideas to keep your summer schedule filled with fun and educational activities.

1. Add lots of physical activities into your summer plans. Exercise is also beneficial for children (and adults) with ADHD. Examples include outdoor play (e.g, tag or catch in the backyard counts too!), trips to the pool (for fun or for swim lessons), bike riding, or even walking the dog around the block.
2. Add plenty of arts and crafts time. (You can get some ideas here.)
3. Talk with your child about what sports she or he’s interested in and explore options in your town. YMCAs have plenty of options, but you can also explore the Youth Leagues on the LouisvilleKY.gov site.
4. Create a bucket list and try to fit in as many list items as possible. Examples include learning to skateboard or visiting the beach.
5. Schedule in unstructured, imaginative play. Younger kids may like to play pretend, while older kids may read, listen to music, or simply enjoy the quiet downtime.
6. To keep academic skills sharp over the summer, schedule in daily reading times and or study skills activities. Examples include summer bridge work, or review workbooks that cover the material your child studied throughout the year. This type of bridge work doesn’t have to be intense. You can also find interest-based classes on Outschool. For instance, if your child loves Mario or super heroes, you can find writing courses that sharpen writing skills while focusing on your child’s favorite interests. This is especially great for kids with ADHD who focus best on topics that interest them.
7. Plan regular weekly trips to the library. Not only can you stock up on books, but many libraries also host weekly arts and crafts too. This is a no-pressure fun bonding activity.
8. Use a large calendar to keep track of the family’s activities. This can be great for kids who need to see a visual calendar to help manage their time. Keep the calendar in a visual place, such as the kitchen. Include any vacations, appointments, work schedules (for older teens), and any sports activities.
9. Review your family’s schedule the night before.
10. Stay consistent with bedtime. Maybe summer bedtime isn’t as early as during the school year, but it’s still important to stay on a consistent sleep schedule.

Download Your Own Schedule for Summer

Need a blank calendar or schedule? We’ve got you covered! Download this FREE RESOURCE and use it to keep some structure in your summer.

Tip: You don’t have to schedule every second of the day. Try to create a summer routine that is predictable, yet still has plenty of flexibility when needed.

Talk to Us about ADHD Treatment

Even if you have the perfect summer schedule, your child can still benefit from other ADHD treatments, including therapy, coaching, and, in some cases, medication. Our multidisciplinary team can help your child learn to THRIVE.

To make an appointment, call us at 502-907-5908. You can also request an appointment here.

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