Building accountability and motivation in kids with ADHD (with Mike McLeod)

When it comes to working with kids who have ADHD, it’s easy to mistake skill-based issues with behavioral issues.That’s why in this interview, I sit down with Mike McLeod, a speech-language pathologist who specializes in ADHD and executive functioning. During this conversation, Mike shares: ✅Red flags of executive dysfunction, how it relates to organization and time management, and why it’s so common in kids with ADHD.✅What the “argument vortex” is, and the reason kids would rather argue with parents than get their work completed (even with simple tasks).✅Why kids with ADHD have such a hard time getting motivated to start work, and what parents can do to support them when this happens.✅Common myths about time management, accountability, and intelligence as it relates to people who have ADHD or related conditions.If you’re supporting a child with ADHD, this is a must listen. Mike has a wealth of knowledge from his work with students and families, and shares a ton of great insights that will help you understand some of your kid’s most challenging habits and tendencies. The following resources are mentioned in this interview:For information on nonverbal working memory, check out Dr. Russell Barkley’s website here.For information on Sara Ward and her resources for supporting kids with Executive Functioning skills and time management, visit her website here.To learn more about Ryan Wexelblatt, the ADHD Dude who coined the term the “Argument Vortex” for kids with ADHD, visit his YouTube Channel here.To connect with Mike McLeod, you can visit his website here, follow him on Instagram at @grownowtherapy or visit his Facebook page here.If you’re a parent who wants to set your kids up for success as adults, then then you’re going to love this free parent guide, which I mentioned in this episode. In this guide, I share the set of skills that kids need in order to stay organized, focused, and motivated during their day-to-day tasks like chores and homework: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/parentguide The De Facto Leaders podcast was formerly the “Are they 18 yet?®” podcast. As of November 2022, the name of the show has changed, and we’ve shifted from a focus on parenting to a focus on supporting clinicians and educators to design effective services for kids (but parents are still welcome to listen). Episodes published before November 24, 2022 will still contain some of our old branding.  Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL and Renaissance:Learn more about Renaissance:As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.