ADHD Awareness & Coping Skills -
Building Awareness, Reducing Stigma, and Sharing Tools
By Robin Palmissano, Psy.D.
October is ADHD Awareness MonthWhether you're living with ADHD or supporting someone who is, understanding what ADHD is and learning effective coping strategies can make life feel more manageable — and a lot more hopeful.
💡 What Is ADHD?ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting focus, impulse control, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. It presents differently in everyone and includes three main types:
- Inattentive (trouble focusing, forgetfulness)- Hyperactive-Impulsive (restlessness, impulsivity)- Combined (a mix of both) ADHD is not about laziness or a lack of intelligence — it’s about how the brain processes and prioritizes information.
🚫 Busting the MythsThere are several myths involving ADHD, some of which include:
- ADHD only affects children.- It’s “just” a behavior problem.- People with ADHD are lazy. None of these are true. While some children do experience a reduction in symptoms as they get older, ADHD often persists into adulthood. Individuals with ADHD have differences in the brain structures responsible for attention, concentration, planning, etc. They are not lazy, and it is not “just” a behavior problem. Increasing awareness means reducing stigma and increasing support, both for the individuals with ADHD and their caregiving system.
🛠️ Coping Skills That HelpManaging ADHD is often about finding what works for each individual. Here are some strategies many people find helpful:
✅ Use visual tools (planners, sticky notes, alarms)✅ Break tasks into small, clear steps✅ Create structured routines✅ Practice mindfulness or short movement breaks✅ Try time-management tools (e.g., Pomodoro timers)✅ Consider therapy and/or medication✅ Minimize distractions in your environment
Small changes can lead to big improvements in focus, motivation, and stress levels.
👥 Don’t Go It AloneCommunity and support matter. Whether through support groups (please see resources section for help in locating one), therapy, or simply educating loved ones, connection and learning skills makes a difference.
Advocate for workplace or school accommodations — things like quiet workspaces or flexible deadlines aren’t “special treatment,” they’re fair support.
Parenting a child with ADHD or being a parent with ADHD can present unique challenges. Specifically, it can be difficult to parent a child that has difficulties with impulsive actions, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties with following directions. While present in most children at some point, children with ADHD may experience these more intensely or pervasively. If you have ADHD, you may also struggle with emotional regulation, engagement in family activities, executive functioning, organizing family life, child safety, maintaining calm, effective communication, and sensory sensitivities. All of these can make parenting more challenging, and finding a support network is crucial for both the child and the parent.
💬 Final Thoughts and ResourcesRaising awareness not only helps reduce stigma, but it also aids in creating a supportive environment. It increases compassion for those that have ADHD, which ultimately empowers these individuals. Some resources include:
Support groups:CHADD Chapters (located nationwide)- https://chadd.org/affiliate-locator/Liv Family Services (accepts insurance and private pay)- https://livfamilyservices.com/ADHDsupportgroups
Therapy:Personal Growth Associates-https://personalgrowthassoc.com/BZA Behavioral Health-https://www.bzabehavioral.com
Other Resources:A website full of information about ADHD and support: https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/Northwest Special Recreation Association-A place filled with opportunities for individuals with special needs-https://www.nwsra.org/
💡 What Is ADHD?ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting focus, impulse control, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. It presents differently in everyone and includes three main types:
- Inattentive (trouble focusing, forgetfulness)- Hyperactive-Impulsive (restlessness, impulsivity)- Combined (a mix of both) ADHD is not about laziness or a lack of intelligence — it’s about how the brain processes and prioritizes information.
🚫 Busting the MythsThere are several myths involving ADHD, some of which include:
- ADHD only affects children.- It’s “just” a behavior problem.- People with ADHD are lazy. None of these are true. While some children do experience a reduction in symptoms as they get older, ADHD often persists into adulthood. Individuals with ADHD have differences in the brain structures responsible for attention, concentration, planning, etc. They are not lazy, and it is not “just” a behavior problem. Increasing awareness means reducing stigma and increasing support, both for the individuals with ADHD and their caregiving system.
🛠️ Coping Skills That HelpManaging ADHD is often about finding what works for each individual. Here are some strategies many people find helpful:
✅ Use visual tools (planners, sticky notes, alarms)✅ Break tasks into small, clear steps✅ Create structured routines✅ Practice mindfulness or short movement breaks✅ Try time-management tools (e.g., Pomodoro timers)✅ Consider therapy and/or medication✅ Minimize distractions in your environment
Small changes can lead to big improvements in focus, motivation, and stress levels.
👥 Don’t Go It AloneCommunity and support matter. Whether through support groups (please see resources section for help in locating one), therapy, or simply educating loved ones, connection and learning skills makes a difference.
Advocate for workplace or school accommodations — things like quiet workspaces or flexible deadlines aren’t “special treatment,” they’re fair support.
Parenting a child with ADHD or being a parent with ADHD can present unique challenges. Specifically, it can be difficult to parent a child that has difficulties with impulsive actions, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties with following directions. While present in most children at some point, children with ADHD may experience these more intensely or pervasively. If you have ADHD, you may also struggle with emotional regulation, engagement in family activities, executive functioning, organizing family life, child safety, maintaining calm, effective communication, and sensory sensitivities. All of these can make parenting more challenging, and finding a support network is crucial for both the child and the parent.
💬 Final Thoughts and ResourcesRaising awareness not only helps reduce stigma, but it also aids in creating a supportive environment. It increases compassion for those that have ADHD, which ultimately empowers these individuals. Some resources include:
Support groups:CHADD Chapters (located nationwide)- https://chadd.org/affiliate-locator/Liv Family Services (accepts insurance and private pay)- https://livfamilyservices.com/ADHDsupportgroups
Therapy:Personal Growth Associates-https://personalgrowthassoc.com/BZA Behavioral Health-https://www.bzabehavioral.com
Other Resources:A website full of information about ADHD and support: https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/Northwest Special Recreation Association-A place filled with opportunities for individuals with special needs-https://www.nwsra.org/