Ryan Wexelblatt's guest appearances

Ryan Wexelblatt

What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood

ON BOYS Podcast

The Kid Factory Podcast

Warren Farrell

Karen Anderson

Tara Westover

Sebastian Junger

James Clear

Susan Wise Bauer

Ron Lieber

Lisa Lewis

Michelle Harris

Jamie Metzl

Rachel Macy Stafford

Julie Lythcott-Haims

Heather Chauvin

Michael Ian Black

Alison Gopnik

OwlTail

Today’s topic is ADHD Boys and I am talking with the expert himself, The ADHD Dude, Ryan Wexelblatt. I decided to focus on ADHD boys separately from girls because this learning difference typically presents itself very differently between the sexes. What is unique about Ryan is his insightful content is all HIS. He was frustrated with the lack of realistic tools for parents, as well as the fact that none of the ADHD programs were focused on the children themselves. So he created his own! He is a breath of fresh air for frustrated parents who have read all the ADHD books and their child is still struggling to make friends or turn their homework in on time.

Today’s topic is ADHD Boys and I am talking with the expert himself, The ADHD Dude, Ryan Wexelblatt. I decided to focus on ADHD boys separately from girls because this learning difference typically presents itself very differently between the sexes. What is unique about Ryan is his insightful content is all HIS. He was frustrated with the lack of realistic tools for parents, as well as the fact that none of the ADHD programs were focused on the children themselves. So he created his own! He is a breath of fresh air for frustrated parents who have read all the ADHD books and their child is still struggling to make friends or turn their homework in on time.

ADHD Boys with The ADHD Dude (Ryan Wexelblatt)

Approximately 3-10% of children have ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Many of them -- the majority, in fact -- are boys.  Today's guest, Ryan Wexelblatt (aka ADHD Dude) describes ADHD as "an executive function developmental delay." What that means: In all humans, the brain's prefrontal cortex (or "frontal lobe") acts as the operating system for the brain. It controls impulses, understand time and helps us weigh the potential consequences of our actions. In kids who have ADHD, the prefrontal cortex is about 30% behind the rest of the brain, developmentally. So, a 12 year old with ADHD may well act and behave more like a typical 9 year old.  The frontal lobe is the home of our "brain coach," that internal voice that gives us feedback and suggestions throughout the day. When he explains ADHD to kids, Ryan tells them, "the volume on your brain coach is turned down a little."  Unfortunately for many boys (and their families), a lot of people still misunderstand ADHD. Making matter worse is the fact that "school is not designed with the male brain in mind," as Ryan says. On top of that, many people consider ADHD a mental health issue, not a learning disorder. That conceptualization makes things harder for our boys, who face social stigma and internal shame. Often, their parents are judged as well; too often, educators and others consider ADHD a "character flaw" or the result of poor parenting.  The answer, however, is not to ignore or deny any professional or educator who suggests your son might have ADHD. "We're talking about how your son's learning and social relationships may be impacted," Ryan says. If a professional sees signs of ADHD in your child, it's almost always a good idea to have your child evaluated holistically.   In this episode, Jen, Janet &amp; Ryan discuss:   	The 3 subtypes (different presentations) of ADHD  	The link between ADHD and executive function  	Why kids with ADHD struggle with time management -- &amp; giving attention to tasks that don't interest them  	How ADHD affects adults, children &amp; families  	Differentiating "typical boy behavior" from ADHD  	How ADHD affects learning  	ADHD's effect on emotional regulation  	Social learning challenges related to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder  	How to help children w ADHD develop perspective-taking skills  	Should intellectually advanced but socially immature boys start school, or wait a year?  	Misdiagnosis of ADHD  	Explaining ADHD to kids  	ADHD diagnosis  	Other conditions that cause ADHD-like symptoms  	Connections between ADHD &amp; depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder and more  	To medicate or not medicate?  	Making decisions about ADHD treatment  Sponsor Spotlight: Stryke Club  Skin care specifically made for boys! Created by a group of “boy moms,” including a pediatric dermatologist, Stryke Club products are simple, safe and non-drying. Use discount code ONBOYS to save 10%.   Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode: ADHD Dude — the online home of Ryan’s ADHD work. Includes a link to his ADHD Dude Facebook group    Dude Talk playlist — Ryan’s series of YouTube videos aimed directly at boys  Teaching Boys Social Skills -- Ryan's previous ON BOYS episode  Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) -- program recommended by Ryan at 26:42  Parent Management Training (PMT) -- program recommended by Ryan at 26:52  ADDitude magazine  -- be sure to check out Ryan's weekly columns ADHD Resources Recommended by Ryan: Taking Charge of ADHD by Russell Barkley No-Drama Discipline: The Whole Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel Siegel He's Not Lazy: Empowering Your Son to Believe in Himself by Dr. Adam Price Saving Our Sons: A New Path for Raising Healthy &amp; Resilient Boys by Michael Gurian The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups by Leonard Sax    LIKE THIS EPISODE?Our Sponsors:* Check out Factor: http://factor75.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy &amp; Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Approximately 3-10% of children have ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Many of them -- the majority, in fact -- are boys. Today's guest, Ryan Wexelblatt (aka ADHD Dude) describes ADHD as "an executive function developmental delay." What that means: In all humans, the brain's prefrontal cortex (or "frontal lobe") acts as the operating system for the brain. It controls impulses, understand time and helps us weigh the potential consequences of our actions. In kids who have ADHD, the prefrontal cortex is about 30% behind the rest of the brain, developmentally. So, a 12 year old with ADHD may well act and behave more like a typical 9 year old. The frontal lobe is the home of our "brain coach," that internal voice that gives us feedback and suggestions throughout the day. When he explains ADHD to kids, Ryan tells them, "the volume on your brain coach is turned down a little." Unfortunately for many boys (and their families), a lot of people still misunderstand ADHD. Making matter worse is the fact that "school is not designed with the male brain in mind," as Ryan says. On top of that, many people consider ADHD a mental health issue, not a learning disorder. That conceptualization makes things harder for our boys, who face social stigma and internal shame. Often, their parents are judged as well; too often, educators and others consider ADHD a "character flaw" or the result of poor parenting. The answer, however, is not to ignore or deny any professional or educator who suggests your son might have ADHD. "We're talking about how your son's learning and social relationships may be impacted," Ryan says. If a professional sees signs of ADHD in your child, it's almost always a good idea to have your child evaluated holistically. In this episode, Jen, Janet &amp; Ryan discuss: 	The 3 subtypes (different presentations) of ADHD 	The link between ADHD and executive function 	Why kids with ADHD struggle with time management -- &amp; giving attention to tasks that don't interest them 	How ADHD affects adults, children &amp; families 	Differentiating "typical boy behavior" from ADHD 	How ADHD affects learning 	ADHD's effect on emotional regulation 	Social learning challenges related to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder 	How to help children w ADHD develop perspective-taking skills 	Should intellectually advanced but socially immature boys start school, or wait a year? 	Misdiagnosis of ADHD 	Explaining ADHD to kids 	ADHD diagnosis 	Other conditions that cause ADHD-like symptoms 	Connections between ADHD &amp; depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder and more 	To medicate or not medicate? 	Making decisions about ADHD treatment Sponsor Spotlight: Stryke Club Skin care specifically made for boys! Created by a group of “boy moms,” including a pediatric dermatologist, Stryke Club products are simple, safe and non-drying. Use discount code ONBOYS to save 10%. Links we mentioned (or should have) in this episode: ADHD Dude — the online home of Ryan’s ADHD work. Includes a link to his ADHD Dude Facebook group  Dude Talk playlist — Ryan’s series of YouTube videos aimed directly at boys Teaching Boys Social Skills -- Ryan's previous ON BOYS episode Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) -- program recommended by Ryan at 26:42 Parent Management Training (PMT) -- program recommended by Ryan at 26:52 ADDitude magazine  -- be sure to check out Ryan's weekly columns ADHD Resources Recommended by Ryan: Taking Charge of ADHD by Russell Barkley No-Drama Discipline: The Whole Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel Siegel He's Not Lazy: Empowering Your Son to Believe in Himself by Dr. Adam Price Saving Our Sons: A New Path for Raising Healthy &amp; Resilient Boys by Michael Gurian The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups by Leonard Sax LIKE THIS EPISODE? Our Sponsors: * Check out Factor: <a href="http://factor75.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://factor75.com</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href="https://redcircle.com/brands" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy &amp; Opt-Out: <a href="https://redcircle.com/privacy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

ADHD with Ryan Wexelblatt the ADHD Dude