All Things ADHD

Receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life can bring both relief and a new understanding of years of unexplained challenges. In this episode of All Things ADHD, Mary V. Solanto, PhD, shares why ADHD often goes unrecognized until adulthood, how symptoms can present differently in children and adults, and the impact a late diagnosis can have on relationships, careers, and self-esteem. Dr. Solanto also explores the emotional process of coming to terms with a diagnosis, the importance of seeking a qualified evaluation, and treatment options, including medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. She offers practical strategies and encouragement for adults navigating a new diagnosis, emphasizing that it is never too late to seek support and improve quality of life.   Mary V. Solanto, PhD, was most recently a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra-Northwell in Long Island, New York. Prior to that, she was an associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. A Fulbright US Scholar in the Netherlands in 2017-18, she has received numerous grants from NIMH to support her research examining pivotal issues in ADHD. She developed a new cognitive-behavioral intervention to address executive dysfunction in adults with ADHD, which was the focus of an NIMH-sponsored efficacy study (American Journal of Psychiatry, 2010), and which was designated CHADD’s Innovative Program of the Year in 2011. Most recently, Dr. Solanto and her co-investigators revised, refined, and tested the CBT intervention for the needs of college students with ADHD. She is the author of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Adult ADHD: Targeting Executive Dysfunction (Guilford Press) and many scientific papers and book chapters. She is one of the editors of Stimulant Drugs and ADHD: Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (Oxford University Press). Dr. Solanto serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Attention Disorders and on CHADD’s professional advisory board and advocacy and public policy committee.

Clinical psychologist Jeffrey Katz chats with Michelle Norman and Taryn Neary of Partners in PROMISE about the challenges military families face when raising children with ADHD, especially when frequent moves disrupt diagnosis, treatment, and school supports. They discuss delays in getting evaluations, difficulties transferring 504 plans and IEP services between schools, and the added stress families may experience during deployments and relocations. They also describe resources available to military families, including the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), parent mentoring, special education advocacy, and the free Mission Ready toolkit. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the importance of consistent support, informed advocacy, and helping military families understand their children’s educational rights and available resources.   Jeffrey S. Katz, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Virginia Beach, Virginia. His practice includes the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD. He frequently helps parents as an advocate for their children regarding issues related to special education and accommodations under Section 504. Dr. Katz served for many years on CHADD’s board of directors and as co-chair of  the  advocacy and public policy committee. He currently serves as senior clinical policy advisor for the APPC and as a member of CHADD’s professional advisory board. He also serves on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Attention Disorders.  Dr. Katz is a member of the American Professional Society for Attention and Related Disorders. the Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychology, and the American Psychological Association. Michelle Norman is the founder and chief executive officer of Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit organization focused on educating, advising, and advocating for exceptional military families and their education. She is a Navy spouse of over thirty years and mother of a 21-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy and many other medical diagnoses.  After years of navigating the complexities of the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) and the special education system, she became a passionate advocate for all military children with special needs and their families, leading to her testifying before Congress. Taryn Neary is the social media manager at Partners in PROMISE. She is a Navy spouse of sixteen years and a mother of three children, one who requires special education services. As a member of both the special education and military community, she is passionate about helping military families thrive. She has a master’s degree in digital marketing and several years of experience in social media marketing, content creation, and strategic planning and has worked with nonprofits, military-affiliated organizations, and small businesses. She loves crafting stories that connect, building strategies that make an impact, and helping provide military families with the resources that they need to navigate the challenges that come their way.

En este episodio, escuchamos a dos madres, Margarita y Emiliana, quienes comparten sus experiencias al obtener un diagnóstico de TDAH para sus hijos y encontrar el apoyo adecuado.   Margarita, quien es originalmente de México, comparte cómo se involucró más después de conocer el diagnóstico de TDAH de su hijo. Ella quería entender mejor el TDAH y aprender cómo apoyar a su hijo, así que buscó información y completó un programa de capacitación para padres.   Emiliana, también de México, habla sobre los desafíos que enfrentó al buscar ayuda para su hijo. Se encontró con estigma y falta de comprensión por parte de algunos familiares, pero continuó defendiendo las necesidades de su hijo y buscando el apoyo que necesitaban.   Ambas madres comparten sus experiencias personales, los desafíos que enfrentaron y lo que aprendieron durante este proceso. Sus historias muestran lo importante que es que los padres tengan información, apoyo y la confianza para defender y apoyar a sus hijos.   ENGLISH VERSION In this episode, we hear from two mothers, Margarita and Emiliana, about their experiences getting their children diagnosed with ADHD and finding the right support.   Margarita, who is originally from Mexico, shares how she became more involved after learning about her child’s ADHD diagnosis. She wanted to better understand ADHD and learn how to support her child, so she sought out information and completed parent training.   Emiliana, also from Mexico, talks about the challenges she faced when seeking help for her child. She experienced stigma and misunderstanding from family members but continued to advocate for her child and look for the support they needed.   Both mothers share their personal experiences, the challenges they faced, and what they learned along the way. Their stories show how important it is for parents to have information, support, and the confidence to advocate for their children.

Financial therapist and licensed marriage and family therapist Christine Hargrove explores the complex relationship between ADHD, money, emotions, and relationships. She discusses why managing money is often more challenging for people with ADHD, the role of executive functioning in financial decision-making, and how emotional factors such as shame, avoidance, impulsivity, and financial trauma can affect financial well-being. The conversation also examines the impact of childhood messages about money, common challenges faced by couples when ADHD and finances intersect, and practical strategies for building healthier financial habits. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes that financial success is not simply about knowing what to do, but about creating systems, supports, and self-awareness that help turn good intentions into sustainable action.   Christine Hargrove, PhD, LMFT, is clinical assistant professor and assistant director of the Love and Money Center in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a certified financial therapist. Her expertise has been featured in the Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, the Journal of Financial Service Professionals, Family Relations, Attention magazine, USA Today, NerdWallet, Fidelity.com, the Globe and Mail, the XY Planning Network, and many more, and she regularly presents at national, international, and virtual conferences. Dr. Hargrove currently serves as president-elect of the Financial Therapy Association.

In this episode of All Things ADHD, Anil Chacko, PhD, associate professor of psychology at NYU Steinhardt, discusses the ways ADHD affects fatherhood and family life. He explores the prevalence of ADHD in adult men, the strong genetic link between parent and child ADHD, and how ADHD symptoms can affect parenting, relationships, work, and overall wellbeing. He also examines common co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, and substance use, and explains how untreated ADHD can contribute to longterm health risks. The conversation highlights evidence-based approaches for assessment and treatment, practical strategies for managing ADHD as a parent, and how important it is for fathers to take care of their own mental health in order to better support their children and families. Anil Chacko, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, associate professor of counseling psychology, and chair of the department of applied psychology at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. His research focuses on the development of engaging, effective, and sustainable prevention, intervention, and service delivery models for youth at risk for or affected by disruptive behavior disorders. Much of his work centers on improving the efficacy of evidence-based psychosocial interventions, largely influenced by his ongoing clinical work with families and active collaboration with service providers in the community. Dr. Marks is a clinical associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry and the director of educational outreach for the Neuropsychology and Learning Service at the NYU Child Study Center–Long Island Campus. His research activities have focused on the roles of neurocognitive and familial factors in the expression and course of ADHD as well as the development of therapeutic interventions for individuals with the disorder. Dr. Marks has authored or co-authored approximately fifty articles and book chapters and has served as a reviewer for scientific journals in the areas of child psychopathology and pediatric neuropsychology. A highly respected clinician, Dr. Marks also conducts and supervises comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, consults with teachers and school-based support teams, and assists with the identification and implementation of educational and therapeutic interventions.    

What if succeeding at work with ADHD isn’t about trying harder or becoming more organized, but about understanding how your brain actually works? In this episode of All Things ADHD, workplace strategist and author Larry Worth explores why adults with ADHD may experience burnout, overwhelm, rejection sensitivity, and communication challenges at their jobs—even when they are intelligent, capable, and working incredibly hard. He shares advice on the importance of aligning careers with personal strengths and interests, and describes how self-awareness, structure, and a supportive environment will help you thrive at work. Through practical strategies and honest conversation, Worth encourages you to “lean in” to your strengths and build workplace systems that support the way you are wired. Long-term success is not about becoming someone else—it’s about understanding yourself so you can create a work life that fits.     Larry Worth is a transformational executive leader, speaker, and author specializing in neurodiversity hiring and disability inclusion. As a proud "ADHDer," Worth provides strategies for workplace success, advocating for understanding ADHD brain wiring rather than relying on increased effort. He helps professionals align their careers, manage burnout, and hack dopamine systems. Worth is a dynamic, charismatic, and accomplished executive with a proven track record of success spanning over two decades across diverse industries. He is the executive vice president and head of global solutions and marketing at Rangam Consultants. He leads their global marketing efforts as well as strategic engagement of workforce programs and partner relationships with their global clients. He is instrumental in leading the design and implementation of the SourceAbled and RangamWorks programs, the industry’s leading best practice framework for hiring marginalized talent, including autistic, neurodivergent, and disabled individuals. His passion, energy, and insightful direction have led to many qualified, yet overlooked, people breaking through the traditional systemic barriers and gaining meaningful employment within a multitude of industries. Worth is a subject matter expert in the field of disability employment and has also served as the board president of DisabilityIN Ohio. He has led disability hiring program strategic development and implementation in many Fortune 500 companies within global industries, including pharma, life sciences, financial, professional services, and others. A native of Columbus, Ohio, he is a #girldad who is blessed with two college-aged daughters, both of whom are also neurodivergent.  

In this episode, we are joined by developmental pediatrician Mark Bertin and meditation teacher Mark Coleman to explore how time in nature can support focus, calm, and emotional regulation for people with ADHD. They discuss why outdoor environments naturally engage the ADHD brain, how sensory experiences like sound, movement, and light help regulate attention, and what research tells us about the mental health benefits of spending time outside. The conversation also highlights simple ways to bring nature into daily life, even for those living in cities or with limited access to green space. From mindful meandering and vigorous walks to gardening and small daily rituals, this episode offers practical ideas for reconnecting with the outdoors. As both guests emphasize throughout the conversation, the most powerful step is simply to go outside. Mark Bertin, MD, is a developmental pediatrician in private practice in Pleasantville, New York. He is the author of books that integrate mindfulness into the rest of evidence-based pediatric care, including How Children Thrive, The Family ADHD Solution, Mindful Parenting for ADHD, and Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Teen ADHD, and a contributing author for Teaching Mindfulness Skills to Kids and Teens. He is on faculty at New York Medical College and The Windward Institute and on advisory boards for Common Sense Media and Reach Out and Read. He has also served on the board of directors for the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD). His blog covering topics in child development, mindfulness, and family is available through PsychologyToday.com, Mindful.org, and elsewhere. For information about his online mindfulness classes and other resources, visit developmentaldoctor.com. Mark Coleman is an insight meditation teacher who has been teaching meditation retreats worldwide since 1997. He is passionate about integrating meditation and nature and regularly leads wilderness retreats through his organization, Awake in the Wild, where he also offers nature-based meditation teacher trainings. He is also the co-founder of the Mindfulness Training Institute, where he co-leads yearlong mindfulness teacher trainings in Europe and the United States. The author of four books—Awake in the Wild; Make Peace With Your Mind; From Suffering to Peace; and A Field Guide to Nature Meditation: 52 Mindfulness Practices for Joy, Wisdom, and Wonder—he is currently working on a new book on mindfulness and ADHD, written from the perspective of a meditation teacher who also has ADHD. He lives in Sausalito, in Marin County, California, and likes nothing more than to spend his time hiking, biking, and kayaking outdoors. Learn more about Mark and his work at markcoleman.org and awakeinthewild.com.

In this episode, Jane Indergaard, DNP, RN, explores the growing recognition and understanding of ADHD in women. Historically, ADHD has gone unrecognized in girls and women, many of whom were misdiagnosed with other conditions, often leading to years of confusion, self-doubt, and unnecessary struggle. This conversation highlights how increased awareness is helping women finally connect the dots later in life and how diagnosis can transform self-understanding. Dr. Indergaard discusses what we’re learning from recent research on hormone fluctuations, medications, treatments, and other factors. Science is finally catching up to what women have been saying for years. Dr. Indergaard describes how women with ADHD can benefit from this information throughout their lives. Yet although our knowledge has advanced in remarkable ways, too many girls and women still don’t receive the care and support they need. How can we do better? Ultimately, her message is one of hope: Late diagnosis doesn’t define you, it explains you. Understanding how the ADHD brain works can help women rewrite their stories and move forward with greater self-compassion and possibility. Jane Indergaard, DNP, RN, is a retired associate professor of nursing and scholar in residence at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She has more than four decades of clinical nursing practice and thirty-seven years in higher education. Her expertise spans behavioral health nursing and critical care/emergency trauma nursing, as well as research review, evidence-based practice, psychoeducation, and translating research into practical clinical and educational applications. A nationally and internationally recognized speaker, Dr. Indergaard has more than twenty-two years of experience in education, advocacy, and outreach for individuals and families affected by ADHD and is a frequent contributor to Attention magazine. She serves on CHADD’s board of directors, the editorial advisory board for Attention, and as co-chair of the advocacy and public policy committee. She is a co-founder of the award-winning Red River Valley CHADD chapter. Her advocacy and policy work is grounded in nursing, education, governance, and community leadership and informed by global health and education initiatives, with a focus on human-centered, evidence-informed outcomes across the lifespan. Dr. Indergaard’s work is further shaped by her lived experience as a woman diagnosed later in life with ADHD and as a parent, along with her husband, of three children who have ADHD, strengthening her commitment to bridging research, clinical care, and public policy to drive meaningful, sustainable change for individuals and families.

In this episode of All Things ADHD, Jeremy Didier, an ADHD coach and past CHADD president, discusses ADHD in the workplace, exploring early signs of its effects on productivity, the importance of diagnosis and treatment, and the potential challenges to job performance and career advancement. She describes the benefits of structure and support, the concept of masking, and the nuances of disclosing ADHD in professional settings.  She also highlights the strengths adults with ADHD bring to the workplace, the importance of supportive management, and practical strategies for requesting accommodations. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the need for workplaces to become more aware, inclusive, and understanding of neurodiversity. Jeremy Didier, LSCSW, LMAC, ADHD-CCSP, is the immediate past president of CHADD’s board of directors and has more than fifteen years of experience supporting individuals and families affected by ADHD. Grounded in CHADD’s mission of evidence-based information, support, and advocacy, she is the founder and co-coordinator of Kansas City’s CHADD chapter, ADHDKC, twice named CHADD Chapter of the Year. Didier provides assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic services for adults with ADHD through her private practice, TreehouseADHD, in the Kansas City, Missouri, area. A nationally recognized speaker and contributor to the Washington Post and NBC Nightly News, her professional focus includes the underdiagnosis of ADHD in girls and women, the intersection of ADHD and addiction, and improving outcomes for justice-involved individuals. Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, she holds a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas. Didier is most proud to be the mother of five children, four of whom are also neurodivergent.

In this episode of All Things ADHD, Larry A. Jones, a retired pediatrician, ADHD coach, and parent of children with ADHD, explores who protects students with ADHD when federal education policy feels uncertain. He explains that key disability protections remain enforceable including IDEA, ADA, and 504 plans—while noting that staffing shifts within federal oversight offices may slow complaint resolution. He then unpacks what this means for families and educators at the state and district level, how to escalate concerns when services are reduced, how to strengthen IEP meetings, and why true collaboration between parents, schools, and support professionals is essential for protecting vulnerable students.    Larry A. Jones, MD, MBA, AACC—known as Dr. Larry—is a pediatrician, father of three sons with ADHD, author, ADHD life coach and international speaker dedicated to helping individuals and professionals move from overwhelm to clarity and confidence. Drawing from clinical expertise and lived experience with ADHD, imposter syndrome, and anxiety, he has a special passion for supporting families and young adults to address generational trauma. In addition he brings his lived experience to medical students, physicians, and other healthcare professionals navigating stress, burnout, and identity challenges. Dr. Jones is the coauthor of Falling Through the Ceiling and the founder of TASTE of Success Coaching, where his mission is “turning ADHD from stigma to stability.”