This Fall TEACH Me ADHD is excited to offer TWO classes for 8–12-year-olds and an ALL-NEW class just for TEENS with a theater theme!

The new series, TEACH Me ADHD Director’s Cut, is designed for all teens, even those without a diagnosis of ADHD or anxiety, as adolescence is often filled with a lot of "drama."

What is TEACH Me ADHD?

WHAT IS TEACH ME ADHD?

Teach Me ADHD classes are interactive and a FUN way to learn about ADHD, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and more!

• Detective themed classes for 8–12-year-olds are 75 minutes in length and designed for the kids (“Jr Detectives”) to do with parent(s). After each class, families will work on Deeds and Missions to practice the skills learned in class. Families upload "evidence" of completion to earn points toward a raffle. Classes meet weekly over 8 weeks. There usually is a break week during the session to allow families to catch up on Deeds and Missions.

• Director themed classes for 13–18-year-olds are 90 minutes in length and can be done with or without parents - parents will get information about the class by email before class. After each class teens will work on skills independently - habits won't change if this part doesn't happen, so parents are considered Stage Managers to help keep the Director on track! Teens will learn to become more independent as the director of their own lives. It will be a series of 10 workshops that ideally will be done each week, but since we know teens are busy, you will have to option to sign up for the weeks you can attend. Classes will be offered on a rotating basis, with each class offered once during the Fall and again in the Spring semester of the school year. Teens do not have to have a diagnosis to benefit from these classes.

All NEW theater-themed classes

I've been busy behind the scenes creating engaging new content for teens. Using the same fun, engaging, and interactive format TEACH Me ADHD is known for, we've developed a THEATER-THEMED curriculum. Teens will become the "director" of their biggest production yet—LIFE.

There are 10 workshops for teens to learn how brains work, to build executive functioning skills, and to develop better emotional regulation.

By participating in the online interactive classes and working on projects given after our meetings, students will be prepared to feel confident starring as the lead character in their life story. (In other words, they’ll learn how to better manage life as it throws things their way.)

Teens are the Directors, but they may need a Stage Manager to keep them on track.

As our teens progress through this "stage" of life, parents act as "stage managers." This role is crucial, as parents stay in the wings, ready to step in as needed but allowing our teens to take the spotlight and shine on stage. In other words, parents will have a supporting role but are not expected to attend meetings. They should ensure their teen makes the classes and does the individual work following each class to help them reinforce skills learned.

Parents will get an email each week detailing what will be covered in class and how they can support their teen as they’re learning new skills.

Topics for TEACH Me ADHD - Director’s Cut

Classes will cover a variety of topics, including:

• “Scaffolding for Success” will help students learn about Executive Functioning problems and tools to use for better time management and organization.

• ADHD causes, types, diagnostic criteria, and how to self-advocate are covered in “What's the show about?”

• Boost communication and social skills and build self-esteem in “Stage presence.”

• ADHD is the most treatable mental-behavioral health condition, but the medications often have side effects. Learn to manage the most common side effects in “Managing Medication Side Effects.”

• “Turn down the volume” will focus on why we have anxiety, when it is helpful, and how we can manage when it keeps us from doing what we need or want to do using healthy coping skills.

• “Anger on the set” is all about emotional regulation. Students will learn how to recognize triggers and use self-calming techniques to control emotions. We’ll talk about bullying too.

• Rejection sensitivity and negativity can be challenged for a better outlook. Let’s re-write our script for a positive outlook and growth mindset in “Reworking the script.”

• People with ADHD are often labeled as lazy, but it’s not laziness that gets in the way. Learn some proven techniques to boost motivation when motivating is hard in “Get Inspired and Go!”

• Learn about the neuroscience of ADHD and anxiety and discover natural ways to boost your neurotransmitters. Yes, “Setting the Stage for Success” is where we talk about nutrition, exercise, sleep, and self-cares.

• Mindfulness and meditation are not magic, but you’ll learn about the science backing them up and practice a few mindfulness techniques to boost your mindfulness practice in “Magic on Stage.”

It’s hard to find time… but so worth it!

We know teens are busy, so they can come when they can.

Classes will be offered weekly on Saturdays or Sundays during the Fall semester, then repeated in the Spring - so if you can't make a class this time, you can catch it next time it's offered.

If you miss both sessions during the year, you can watch a recorded version on your own time over the summer.

Skill building takes practice

After each class, students will be encouraged to do self-reflection and practice exercises. The class workbook will be purchased separately and can be used for ALL the classes. Purchase of the book will allow students access to a pdf to print extra copies of pages that they may want to do more than once. (Note: the pdf is an abridged version, not the entire book. If additional books are needed, please order as many copies as you need.)

We recommend purchasing the book at least 2 weeks prior to the date of your first class to allow for shipping and handling.

Interested in either TEACH Me ADHD course?

If you’re interested in the TEACH Me ADHD class for kids or teens, send an email to [email protected] to be among the first to know when class registration opens. We’re still getting the final touches ready for course registration, but it should be ready soon! If you have questions, feel free to reach out to me directly at [email protected].

Classes will start in September with “Scaffolding for Success” - the time management and organization class to help get the school year off to a great start!

UPDATE:

Now available! TEACH Me ADHD for TEENS Series: A New Way to Grow with HQ (letstalkkidshealth.org)