Category Archives: ADHD

Can disabilities be disabling in some places, but not others?

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Dr. G

What do we do when folks need accommodations in order to consistently attend church and participate in activities that facilitate spiritual growth but function relatively well at home, at work or in school? Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

High Risk, High Reward…Disabilities and Leadership

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Dr. G

I’m not so sure about the impact of visible disabilities upon ability to perform effectively in leadership positions, but there’s interesting evidence to suggest that traits associated with hidden disabilities may be very adaptive for some leaders.
Continue reading →

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Approaching your child’s physician about medication for church activities

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Dr. G

In a nutshell, it should be possible to find a solution for church for kids who benefit from medication at school. Continue reading →

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Risky Rise of the Good Grade Pill…or New York Times Hatchet Job?

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Dr. G

In addition to smearing the reputations of kids attending elite private high schools and casting doubts upon the legitimacy of their academic accomplishments, the author of the story relies completely upon anecdote in using the platform offered by one of our “newspapers of record” in propagating misinformation that leads parents to unnecessarily fear seeking help for teens who are struggling academically…and often emotionally. Continue reading →

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Ritalin Gone Wrong? What’s a Parent to Believe?

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Dr. G

Kids with ADHD continue to struggle relative to their peers without ADHD over time. They need lots of ongoing help and support. They need access to cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy from competent and effective clinicians. They need schools with the flexibility to provide accommodations to help all kids maximize their potential. They need stable environments and supportive families. They don’t need stories in the news media unnecessarily fueling the fears of parents about the safety or effectiveness of medication they give to their kids struggling with a significant disability. You can’t use a study that wasn’t designed to demonstrate the long-term effectiveness of stimulant medication to claim that such medication is ineffective.
Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Controversies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

New Tool: ADHD Resource Page

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Dr. G

We found that our most-viewed teaching series of 2011 was our series from 2010 on ADHD and Spiritual Development.

In order to make it easy for new friends to find what appears to have been a useful resource for blog readers, we’ve created a page containing links to the entire blog series along with two very useful resources for ministry leaders and parents. Continue reading →

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How Many Kids (and Parents) are Taking Medication?

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Dr. G

More than one in five adult residents of the U.S. currently take medication for a mental health disorder, including more than one in four women. More boys than girls are on medication, but the rate of increase in the use of medication is greater in girls than boys. Continue reading →

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Be Not Anxious…What Causes Anxiety Disorders in Children?

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Dr. G

Welcome to our Summer Blog Series examining the impact of anxiety disorders on church participation and spiritual development in kids. Today, we’ll look at some of the causes of anxiety disorders in children and youth. Continue reading →

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Are Parents of Kids With ADHD Stigmatized at Church?

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Dr. G

Earlier this week, Shannon Dingle had a wonderful post on her blog The Works of God Displayed (I’d highly encourage readers of this blog to subscribe to Shannon’s blog) on perceptions of folks in the church about the diagnosis of ADHD. I’d encourage you to read her post, because I’m challenged to express my opinions as eloquently as she did on her blog. I very much appreciate as well the comments on her blog from a pastor (Perry) who was willing to give voice to some of the thoughts and feelings Shannon was seeking to describe in her post.
Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Controversies, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Depression and Comorbidity in Children and Adolescents

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Dr. G

Children and youth who meet criteria for a full-fledged episode of Major Depression are especially prone to comorbid mental health disorders. The slide below illustrates some of the most common comorbidities associated with depression in children and teens. Depending upon the practice setting, as many as 90% of kids with depression have at least one comorbid condition, while 50% experience two or more conditions. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment