** This class covers many executive function areas and can be taken by students with or without an ADHD diagnosis. **

I am nearly finished with my child psychology degree specializing in mental health and brain development. My own son was diagnosed with ADHD and we have been riding the waves ever since :) 

What might ADHD look like? 

-Excessive energy
-Impulsiveness (acting without thinking)
-Being easily distracted
-Difficulties multitasking
-Frequent mood swings
-Disorganization
-Restlessness
-Problems prioritizing
-Poor time management
-Difficulty finishing tasks
-Irritability and angry outbursts
-Difficulty managing stress

Even without an ADHD diagnosis, many students struggle with some of the same symptoms! This class is short, supportive, multi-sensory, and highly interactive; designed to work with students' needs! *Notes are provided after each class for an opportunity to review material covered that week. 

Class syllabus can be personalized or modified to fit the needs and goals of each student! While having fun, our classroom goals are the following:

-Improve core areas of activity, attention, and impulsivity.
-Identify and change thoughts and behaviors so that students can manage daily activities with fewer difficulties.
-Manage stress and impulse control. 
-Improve study skills, organization, and task completion rates.


Class 1: Intro: What is ADHD; what parts of the brain are affected? - We'll watch a short animation that breaks the science down into bite-sized pieces that make it easy to understand. We will also cover reward pathways, brain chemicals, and much more!
Class 2: Getting organized: School, goals, and keeping a clean environment. This week also talks about nutrition and vitamins that help with brain function such as Omega-3,  Vit B and C!
Class 3:  Time management: Skills covered this week are the Pomodoro timer, eat the frog, time blocking, and the Eisenhower Matrix. With ADHD it can be hard to keep track of time unless we learn to externalize time! 
Class 4: Impulse control - What is the reward center and how can we use it to our advantage?

Class 5: Spongebob episode day! Season 2 episode 17 will be played in class. This episode perfectly depicts "task paralysis" which is what we will be covering this week with tips and tricks on how to embrace the struggle and overcome! 
Class 6: Emotional regulation: Covering anger management and stress reduction.
Class 7: Making big tasks smaller: List making, minimizing distractions, and identifying limits. 
Class 8: The importance of sleep and exercise for ADHD. Ideas such as flexible seating options, movement breaks, and fidget toys.

Class 9: Keeping a routine - planning a routine. 
Class 10: Hyperfixtation, what is it and how can we control it?
Class 11: Creativity and intuition! There are upsides to being neuro-spicy! Let's talk about all the wonderful bonuses that pair with ADHD!
Class 12: Social anxiety - how to cope in a world that throws off confusing social cues! ADHD can make it hard to pick up on non-verbal social cues, like facial expressions, body language, and posture. Impulsivity can lead to interrupting others, while hyperactivity can cause people to talk over others.

... more lessons will be added each month! 


**This class is intended to be educational in nature and is not a substitute for therapy or medical treatment.