What the current research tells us (or doesn’t)
Why are some people with ADHD so sensitive? We’re extra.
There are a number of possible reasons for people with ADHD experiencing emotions more intensely than others. People with ADHD often experience emotional lability (Sobanski et al., 2010), emotional impulsivity (Barkley, 2015), and negative intent attribution (Andrade et al., 2011).
There has been a lot of discussion about Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria in the ADHD community over the past few years. The detailed descriptions of what RSD feels and looks like resonates with so many people who also have ADHD. …
And everything to do with self-worth, daily functioning, quality of life, and mental health.
Many children with ADHD are identified as struggling with focus, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and other symptoms when they start school. This is because the demands of our traditional school system are often unrealistic even for typically developing children, let alone children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Sit still, stay in your seat, pay attention, stop wiggling, did you hear what I said? Follow instructions, don’t talk out, raise your hand, and keep your hands to yourself please!
Oftentimes it is teachers who approach parents with concerns about a student, citing these difficulties, and encouraging caregivers to speak to their child’s paediatrician, or asking…
I never thought I would tell this story publicly.
I was ashamed, embarassed. I am now 38 years old and still reluctant to share.
The reason I am doing so is because now I have a child who is 8 years old and was mistreated at his former school.
The other reason I am sharing my story is because I work with children who have been, or are being, bullied and I want them to know they are not alone.
Students with ADHD are twice as likely to be bullied at school when compared to their neurotypical peers (Unnever &…
Thank you to our wonderful clients and staff 💛
Celebrating our Eleventh Anniversary!
Pawsitive Pet Care has been providing professional pet care services including dog training, dog walking, and pet sitting in Winnipeg and Headingley for 11 years.
Our pet care business was founded June 18, 2010, originally named Sturgeon Park Dog Care, a dog walking service in the Crestview and St. James neighbourhoods of Winnipeg.
We very quickly grew into a full-time operation, and when Jillian went on maternity leave in 2012, we began hiring staff to continue providing excellent care to our clientele.
When Jillian returned from mat leave in Fall 2013, we expanded our service area and our service offerings…
Our expert advice for avoiding power struggles, particularly with neurodiverse kids
Our son is the Prince of Power Struggles. Seriously.
But you know what? In my day, I was the Queen.
As a child, I was what we might now politely call spirited, but back then I was simply called stubborn. I was also told I would probably be a lawyer one day because I am so good at argumentation. Spoiler alert: I did not become a lawyer, but I do still love a good debate.
My mother is thrilled to know that my son is exactly like me.
Activities for your pets that are fun and enriching while keeping them out of trouble
Update in the Time of Covid-19
If you find yourself ordering online more often, you may also find your recycling bins overflowing with cardboard boxes and other packaging. These cardboard boxes can be re-purposed for cheap and easy enrichment games for your pets! Just hide toys, treats, and food inside and let them tear them apart. It may be a bit messy, but better the cardboard box than your favourite pair of shoes!
Boredom Busters for Pets
Originally posted October 21, 2015
And Why This Frequently Happens to Women
In January of 2010, I was labelled “Borderline”.
After two years of battling serious health issues, I had finally received a diagnosis of Celiac disease. This was good news. After many specialist appointments, we finally had an answer, and the treatment was strict adherence to a gluten-free diet. Maybe not super easy at first, but certainly not the worst of the possibilities we had been exploring.
Once I was no longer able to focus all my attention and mental energy on various medical appointments and diagnostic tests, the anxiety and emotional weight of the previous two years finally came crashing down on me. …
Or maybe I never really figured out who I was
“She doesn’t have her own personality, she just acts like whoever she’s with.”
An observant, but cruel bully said this about me, I think I was about 12 years old at the time. As mean as this classmate was to me, this statement was actually spot on, but it was people like her that contributed to my attempts at blending in that she was now criticizing.
Who wouldn’t want to blend in with the crowd in an attempt to escape relentless bullying and try to fit in for a change?
Not to mention, having undiagnosed ADHD and being not-yet-identified as…
Accepting Your Own or a Loved One’s Neurodiversity
“Do you think you’ve fully accepted all of who he is?”
My friend gently asked me this question one day while we were commiserating about our respective parenting struggles. We both have neurodiverse children close in age and have each experienced a myriad of emotions on this rollercoaster ride that is mothering boys with ADHD.
I was venting about something or other when she asked me that question and truly made me think. I paused, considered carefully, and answered. I think I’ve accepted about 80% of who he is and I’m working on the other 20%. …
“AM I DOING THIS RIGHT?” MODERN PARENT CONTEST
Yes. The answer is yes.
Dear Fellow Parent,
This parenting thing is hard. Parenting during a pandemic is, obviously, harder.
In March 2020, after a number of awful and painful experiences, we made the decision to move our son from his former school to his current one. Our Spring break is at the end of March, so we thought that would be a good transition time and would give us all an opportunity to prepare and adjust.
Then the shut-downs happened.
Just as we were about to start at our brand new, independent, forest-inspired, relationship-based, unicorn school less than 20 minutes from our home… we…
Jillian ADHD 2e MB
CYW, BA Psych. Worked in Social Services since 2003. Founded ADHD 2e MB in 2017 in oreder to support & advocate for neurodiverse children in Manitoba.
