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Tag: adhd

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July 15, 2026

Thriving Kids Podcast Discusses How Caregivers Should Keep Up With Children’s Online Activity

In our present age, children are growing up online – with such channels as YouTube, Roblox, group chats, and TikTok – and it can be stressful trying to keep up with what they are watching or playing.

But, the latest Thriving Kids podcast argues, the caregivers who navigate this landscape the best aren’t the ones with the strictest rules – they’re the ones who engage with children about what they are doing online.

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In the podcast, Dave Anderson, PhD, senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement for the Child Mind Institute, joins actor Busy Philipps for a conversation about what modern parenting entails.

The discussion focuses on why staying connected to children on social media takes active participation, not just passive monitoring, and why watching what they watch (even if it drives you a bit crazy) is important.

Philipps also talks about her own ADHD diagnosis in her late 30s and how that has shaped how she parents. The discussion also takes on more challenging topics – such as the “manosphere,” mental-health misinformation on TikTok, and how to keep children thinking critically about what they are consuming while keeping communication open.

Some expert-supported strategies for staying engaged with children’s media use include:

  • Watch and play together – and talk it through. The best way to counter negative messages that children pick up online is to experience it alongside them and point out when something isn’t right.
  • Model the tech habits you want to see. Experts agree the single most effective thing a parent can do is to curtail their own screen use first. Children should be used to seeing your face, not the top of your head bent over a phone. Establish tech-free zones and hours that apply to everyone, caregivers included.
  • Start from trust, monitor thoughtfully. If a child is on social media, it’s reasonable to follow their accounts and keep an eye on their page, but experts caution against going through texts without a real reason.
  • Help children build confidence offline. A sense of self that doesn’t depend on likes or followers is a good protection against the pressures of growing up online.

To learn more, listen to the latest Thriving Kids podcast episode.

News

July 8, 2026

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Children’s Summer Anxieties

For many children, summer is a relaxing time during which they can take a break from homework or getting up early in the morning – but the season can also bring its own stressors.

The Child Mind Institute has released some resources on some of the things that stress children during the summer, whether it’s summer camp, unpredictable schedules, or travel.

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Changes in routine can cause worry about the unknown, especially for children who struggle with mental health challenges such as ADHD or anxiety.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include a discussion on how to support children who might be feeling anxious about summer activities. They feature some suggestions for children who are nervous about camp, whether it’s apprehension about meeting new people or fear of being separated from their caregivers for longer than they’re used to.

The resources also include a piece in which experts weigh in on how to make travel easier for children with mental health challenges and how to support children who are easily upset by sensor surprises, such as hot sand or loud firecrackers.

Lastly, the resources include an article on how to manage boredom and use it to help children develop independence.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include:

News

July 7, 2026

Resources Provide Tips on Monitoring Children’s Summer Screen Time

While some might consider summer fun to be swimming, barbecuing, or taking part in an adventure outdoors, many children would prefer the extra time to play their favorite video game or spend time on TikTok.

In a new set of resources, the Child Mind Institute notes that loosening the rules for screen time might seem fair when school’s out – however, a lack of rules will not work.

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The institute’s strategies for summer screen time rules include information on how to offer children more freedom to play games or connect with friends online without encroaching on what they need to do to stay healthy during the summer months.

The beginning of the season is a good opportunity to assess a child’s tech use, identify the risks you want to avoid, and make a practical plan.

The resources also include an article on screens and neurodivergent children, including those with autism, ADHD, or a learning disorder. It focuses on how these children might be able to get an additional benefit from online engagement, but also be more vulnerable to addictive or unsafe behaviors.

One article addresses the issue of when children are ready for social media use, while another discusses how to create a structure for the summer that makes children feel comfortable. There are also pieces on how to get children to spend more time outdoors and how building chores into their lives helps to teach them responsibility and feel the value of contributing to the family.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include:

News

June 8, 2026

Child Mind Institute Provides Resources on How to De-Escalate with Autistic Children

Allowing a child’s temper tantrum to run its course is often a method employed by many caregivers, but tantrums from children with autism might need a different approach.

In a new set of resources, The Child Mind Institute discusses how to de-escalate when children with autism are having a meltdown.

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Meltdowns, the institute writes, are similar to tantrums in that they share such traits as crying, screaming, door slamming, and harsh words. But they differ in that they are an intense involuntary response to outside stimuli, such as stress, powerful emotions, or sudden changes.

Meltdowns can go on for hours and have the potential to become dangerous to the child and others if not effectively defused.

Among the Child Mind Institute’s resources are an article that covers the different stages of an autistic meltdown as well as the dos and don’ts on how to de-escalate.

There is also an article on the sensory processing issues that can trigger extreme behavioral responses from children with autism or other developmental disorders. There are also some tips on how to help autistic children to build communication skills and manage responsibility.

Another resource discusses common causes of behavior problems in children – such as anxiety and ADHD – and how to help them regulate strong emotions or impulsive urges.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include:

News

June 2, 2026

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Medicating Children with Tics or Tourette’s

Tics can upset children and disorders such as Tourette’s, ADHD, or OCD can interfere with their lives. 

Medication can be a helpful part of treatment for such disorders, but clinicians who are prescribing should take into consideration that many children with one condition often have another, the Child Mind Institute notes.

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Clinicians will want to prioritize treating what is causing the child the most difficulty, the Child Mind Institute writes in a new set of resources – which is often not the tics, but the disorder.

The institute’s resources examine the two main types of medication that are effective in reducing tics as well as the pros and cons of each and the steps leading to an effective treatment plan.

The first recommended step in treatment is a specialized therapy known as comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT), rather than medication, which may be prescribed if therapy alone doesn’t alleviate tics.

If a child also has ADHD, it is important to ensure that their ADHD medication isn’t making the tics worse. Occasionally, when a second disorder causes a child a lot of stress, treating that can alleviate tics as well. 

Below are the Child Mind Institute’s resources on how to treat tics and disorders such as Tourette’s in children.

News

May 19, 2026

Resources Cover Scenarios In Which Parents Share Diagnoses with Children

When a child gets diagnosed with ADHD or a learning disability, parents should consider looking at the list of symptoms and getting assessed as well.

Similar to many disorders, ADHD has a genetic component and can run in families. In previous decades, many cases of ADHD were missed if a child didn’t show hyperactivity and, as a result, more adults have been diagnosed later in life.

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The Child Mind Institute has shared resources about parents who share a diagnosis with their child – such as ADHD or a learning disability. Talking to children about one’s own experience with a disorder lets them know they are not alone and can encourage them to speak up with their teachers to get the help they need.

The resources also discuss how mental health – such as depression or anxiety – can affect parenting, and include advice on how to talk to children based on their age. 

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include:

News

May 11, 2026

Orlando Bloom Featured on Thriving Kids Podcast on ADHD and Learning Disabilities

The latest Thriving Kids podcast explores how caregivers might view the future for children struggling with a learning disorder or ADHD. It includes the insight of a well-known actor who once struggled with such a situation.

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Dave Anderson, a senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education for the Child Mind Institute, joins actor Orlando Bloom on this week’s podcast to discuss the topic.

On the podcast, Bloom discusses growing up with dyslexia, including the challenges he faced paying attention and concentrating in school. He also talks about how he developed workarounds before many of today’s evidence-based supports existed.

The podcast discussion also focuses on how movement, mindfulness, good nutrition, and sleep can help children and adults manage attention and learning challenges.

To accompany the podcast, the Child Mind Institute provided several tips on how to support children with ADHD or learning disorders:

  • Get them moving – Research shows that even 30 minutes of physical activity a day can help children with ADHD focus better, whether it’s a run before school or a game of tag during recess.
  • Find their area of excellence – Every child has something they are good at and finding an activity that gives them a sense of mastery can improve their confidence and self-esteem.
  • Cover the basics first – Emphasize sleep, nutrition, and movement. If children aren’t sleeping well, getting regular exercise, or eating properly, it’s harder for them to focus and regulate emotions at school.
  • Try mindfulness – Mindfulness practices can help children become less reactive and more focused; even a few minutes a day of paying attention to breathing helps to build a skill they can use for the rest of their lives.
  • Help them understand their diagnosis – Children do better when they know that a learning difference isn’t a reflection of their intelligence. Help them to understand how their brain works and give them language to talk about their strengths and challenges.

To learn more, listen to the Thriving Kids podcast.

News

April 21, 2026

Child Mind Institute Provides Resources for Children with Autism and ADHD

Recently, the term auDHD has been coined to describe people who have both autism and ADHD, a combination that is common, according to The Child Mind Institute.

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While auDHD is not an official diagnosis, it is meant to draw attention to the effect of having both disorders because some symptoms overlap in challenging ways.

Both ADHD and autism can result in children having trouble paying attention to things they don’t find interesting, struggling in social situations, and being prone to emotional outbursts. Occasionally, having both disorders can compound the issues, while at other times children might feel as if they are being pulled in two different directions.

The Child Mind Institute has provided resources for caregivers of children who have both disorders. One article on auDHD explores the experiences of children with dual diagnoses and how treatment is affected by them. Another explains what a careful evaluation for autism should look like and how noticing ADHD first can delay an autism diagnosis.

The institute examines the challenges that can arise for autistic children during puberty in one article, while another focuses on the case for making a separate diagnosis for profound autism. There are also resources on how children who are not hyperactive might still have ADHD and on neurodiversity, which discusses how children with autism, ADHD, or auDHD each have strengths as well as challenges.

Below are The Child Mind Institute’s resources.

News

April 13, 2026

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Executive Function Issues in Children

Executive functions are mental skills such as organization, problem-solving, and planning that we use daily. 

However, some children struggle with them, which can result in their having trouble keeping track of their schoolwork or items (such as bags or jackets), remembering assignments, or following directions.

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In a series of new resources, the Child Mind Institute notes that it is important to investigate the root cause of why some children can become distracted or disorganized. 

Executive function issues are most common in children with ADHD, the Child Mind Institute notes, but children without that diagnosis can have them as well. 

The institute offers support for children who struggle with staying organized in school and those who need help with working memory – or, keeping track of the information they need to finish a project or solve problems.

The institute’s resources explore whether a child’s disorganized behavior could indicate other underlying issues, such as anxiety, depression, or a learning disorder. 

Strategies for staying organized can’t address an undiagnosed learning disorder or help children who have experienced trauma. These children may appear forgetful or distracted, but may need different types of support, such as a neuropsychological examination.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources include:

News

March 24, 2026

Resources to Help Children with ADHD or Sleep Issues

Despite caregivers’ best efforts, most children do not get enough sleep, whether it’s because they are energized and do not want to go to sleep or they’re overwhelmed by homework.

But for children with ADHD, the Child Mind Institute notes, these struggles can be compounded with the fact that difficulty falling or staying asleep or waking up early are all common issues, and sleep problems can be a side effect of taking ADHD stimulant medication.

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The Child Mind Institute has shared resources regarding sleep issues for children with ADHD and what can be done to help them.

One article discusses how being able to wind down at night is a form of self-regulation and that children with ADHD have trouble stopping an activity they find stimulating – whether it’s reading or doing something online.

Another piece focuses on how caregivers can help children develop better routines to get to bed on time, such as providing support to help them set limits for themselves. If a child feels anxious about being able to fall asleep, the institute has provided tips on how to help them relax.

Occasionally, lack of sleep can cause children to have trouble focusing at school, according to one Child Mind Institute resource, and even lead to an ADHD misdiagnosis. 

Below are the resources shared by the Child Mind Institute.