ADHDKC Parent Group Recording: To Do or Not To Do. Decision Science of Motivation with Mike Leggett

At our May 2026 ADHDKC Parent Group meeting, executive function coach Mike Leggett delivered an insightful and compassionate deep dive into the neuroscience of motivation, helping parents better understand why ADHD brains often struggle with task initiation, follow-through, and resistance—even when the person truly wants to succeed.Mike combined brain science, relatable real-world examples, and actionable strategies to explain how motivation is not simply about “trying harder” or “knowing better.” Instead, motivation is the brain’s internal cost-benefit system, heavily influenced by:* Emotional significance* Anticipated reward* Effort required* Working memory demands* Fear, discomfort, or uncertainty* Interest level* Social supportKey Takeaways from Mike’s PresentationADHD brains are not lazy.Children (and adults) with ADHD often fully understand what they should do—but their brains may calculate that the emotional, cognitive, or physical cost feels too high.Motivation is based on feelings, not just logic.Parents often rely on explanations, reminders, or consequences, but Mike emphasized that intellectual understanding alone rarely drives action.Dopamine plays a major role.ADHD brains often struggle to properly anticipate reward, making future benefits feel too distant or emotionally unimportant compared to immediate discomfort.Resistance often comes from hidden “No” factors:Examples include:* Ambiguity (“I don’t know where to start”)* Overwhelm* Working memory overload* Boredom intolerance* Emotional pain or fear of failure* Opportunity cost (“I’d rather do literally anything else”)Parents can help by reducing barriers—not just increasing pressure.Effective strategies include:* Breaking tasks into smaller, clearer steps* Supporting working memory with lists, templates, or visuals* Reducing uncertainty* Providing body doubling or emotional support* Increasing novelty or interest* Helping children identify why a task feels hardPractical ADHD-Friendly Strategies Mike RecommendedBuild clarity:* Ask: “What feels hard about this?”* Help identify unknowns* Make tasks concrete and specificReduce working memory load:* Checklists* Visual examples* Written steps* External remindersLower emotional discomfort:* Body doubling* Encouragement* Social support* Collaborative problem-solvingIncrease motivation:* Music* Challenges/gamification* Immediate rewards* Interest-based approachesWatch the RecordingMissed the live event or want to revisit Mike’s powerful explanation?Watch it above or find it on your favorite podcast player.Download Mike’s Slides + ResourcesMike generously provided her slides, neuroscience references, and additional resources for families who want to continue learning.Slides + Resource Packet: Connect with Mike LeggettMike Leggett is an executive functioning coach with a passion for translating dense neuroscience into practical ADHD-friendly strategies.Website: Center for Living Well with ADHDEmail/Contact: [email protected] ThoughtsMike’s presentation offered an important reminder for families:When kids struggle with motivation, it is rarely about defiance or laziness. More often, their brains are calculating that the task feels too costly in that moment.Understanding the science behind this process allows parents to move from frustration toward collaboration, compassion, and more effective support.By helping reduce the “No” and strengthen the “Yes,” we can better support our children in bridging the gap between intention and action.Upcoming ADHDKC Parent Group EventsStay connected for future ADHDKC Parent Group discussions, including:* Anxiety and avoidance* Executive functioning strategies for teens* Academic and emotional support tools* Neurodivergent parenting insightsVisit ADHDKC.org to learn about upcoming events and registration details. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this outstanding session, and a special thank you to Mike Leggett for sharing her expertise, humor, and compassionate understanding of ADHD brains.Chapters00:01 Introduction and Setup01:08 Understanding ADHD and Motivation11:30 Neuroscience of Decision Making19:35 Brain Structures and Their Functions20:05 Understanding the Brain’s Emotional Processing27:03 The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex in Decision Making31:28 Motivation: The Brain’s Driving Force37:45 The Action Intention Gap in ADHD45:23 Challenges Faced by ADHD Brains55:34 Understanding the Problem Before Solutions55:48 Motivation and Task Engagement Strategies57:58 Removing Barriers to Action01:00:07 Supporting Working Memory for Task Completion01:02:51 Managing Overwhelm and Ambiguity01:04:15 Making Tasks More Tolerable01:05:51 The Role of Emotional Support in Motivation01:07:48 Understanding Motivation and Emotional Responses01:10:42 Identifying Patterns in Task Avoidance01:12:51 Applying Insights to Parenting and Practice01:17:20 Visual and Immediate Reinforcement Strategies01:22:12 Navigating Rewards vs. Bribery in Parenting This is a public episode. 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