Make sure you watch this video to see how one person truly can make a difference (and do so by standing out from the crowd and strumming to a different beat)….

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL0aDXekfyM

I don’t know about you, but it is stories like this that make me want to jump up and take on the world.  Too many times we see people who are different as odd or strange.  And I can honestly tell you, being a kid in grade school -- I might have found this to be strange.

But then again, I am not a singer and I don’t have confidence in my singing ability.

Lessons From A Music Teacher

1. You can stand out from the crowd and be accepted and successful in a system that has very specific (and often unreal expectations).
2. It takes a certain type of person / student to be comfortable enough to get on stage and sing solos (or stand in front of a crowd and give a presentation at the office)
3. Encourage your differences or a child’s unique talents, because you just never know when they might blossom and inspire someone else.

There are plenty of lessons we can all learn about supporting a loved one who is different.  For me, this isn’t just about the work I do with families affected by ADHD.  This video is all about inspiring life and inspiring success -- taking changes…

I really hope you will inspire someone to be themselves and give them hope that they might someday change the world.

After all, one person changing one life is far more dramatic than anything else I know.

I wanted to make sure that people were getting the right information from the right people.

It had been my experience through graduate school and while training to become a psychologist (which I stepped away from*) that most people did NOT understand ADHD or what it took to parent a child with ADHD.  Like most people, there are a good number of professionals who only understand ADHD as it is characterized by it’s major symptoms:

• Hyperactivity
• Impulsivity
• Inattention

Unfortunately however, these “major symptoms” are only the tip of the iceberg.  To really understand ADHD, you have to dig down so much deeper and understand a lot more about ADHD – as a condition and as a way of life.

It also helps if you have an understanding of human dynamics, child development, biology, relationships, and more…  This is NOT an area where just anyone with an opinion should be walking in and giving advice — at least not to parents of children with ADHD.

Who Do You Believe?

During my training (and even today as a coach), I hear from lots of families that they won’t go back to a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist because of how they were treated.  It’s very unfortunate!

But — it happens.  And I need you to know that it happens.  While people have good intentions, that is NOT enough.  You deserve better, and you deserve to know exactly how to find a competent individual to support you, your family, your child, or loved one affected by ADHD.

I am here today to hopefully empower you to want more and to expect more from the people who will support you! There are a lot of people with opinions out there about ADHD and how to manage it and support someone who might be struggling with ADHD.

Friends / family / loved ones / strangers / parents / parents of children with ADHD…  You name it — someone has an agenda.  Even me!  I’ll be the first to admit that.  But hopefully you know that my agenda is to get the right information out to the people who need it the most.  It’s NOT to bash people or hold people back.

Be Cautious As Your Proceed

Each and every day, I come across people sharing information about ADHD who truly don’t get it.  Oh believe me, they think they get it…and they’ll do their best to convince you that they get it.  Please be careful!!

It’s a struggle, and it really hurts when I see good families and good people following advice that is completely inaccurate or unfounded!

This is the problem with the Internet and people being able to share information to anyone who is willing to listen.

Follow These Few Steps, And You’ll Do Ok!

1. What is the person’s background?
2. How long have they been involved in the ADHD community?
3. What do they believe about ADHD?
4. How do they help people with ADHD?
5. Do they have any formal training?

**Most of all – do the answers to these questions match your needs, interests, and expectations.  If they don’t, then you’ve got to keep looking.  I won’t proclaim to be the right person for everyone, and if I’m not, let me help you find someone who will match what you are looking for.

There are absolutely good people out there to help you, but there are also people out there who try and try and try….and they do mean well….but I have found they are lacking some fundamental basics that can mean the difference between short-term relief and long-lasting relief.

If I’m Your Guy:

Because I want you to get the right information, I need to share two very important upcoming events.

#1 – ADHD Family Teleseminar

We start a free weekly teleseminar this coming Sunday, February 8th 2009 at 8 PM EST.  You can get the details here.

#2 – Ask Dr. Cerulli

Join me as I interview psychiatrist (and my friend and colleague), Dr. Theresa Cerulli.  Each month we get on the phone and answer your most pressing questions.  Details here.

Why the warning?  I am really FIRED UP this morning about this news and am quite appalled at the information and far reaching implications that one can abstract here.

Let’s Dig In!

A good friend of mine, who is an advocate in the Autism community,w share an article with me about mercury being present in high fructose corn syrup.

I don’t know all the details — but suffice it to say — eating mercury and being exposed to mercury is very bad for us!!!

So what has me so FIRED UP?

Not only do these corporations know what they are doing, but the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) also knew what was going on, and according to this report, “They sat on it….”

Forget The Conspiracies

Please know I am not about to support any conspiracies here.  I take information at face value, and question everything.  I hope you know that about me by now.

In this particular instance, I am disgusted by the illusion and deception we are exposed to every single day about:

• Who is looking out for us
• Who is taking care of our children
• What is right and what is wrong…

Listen, I’ll get down to it.  You are your child’s expert!!! You KNOW your child better than anyone else.  In my humble opinion — parenting takes solid information, followed up with a strong gut-instinct and following up on what you believe.

I could tell you (until I’m blue in the face) what I think about ADHD — and if you don’t believe me — it DOES NO ONE any good.  But if you have information and I can share that information with you…then I am doing my job.

The Connection With This Article

I suppose I am not going on the rant I had intended when I started reading this article, and writing this blog post.  All in all, there are many implications (that are very far reaching) from the information in this article:

• Are big corporations really looking out for us?
• Do “governing” agencies withhold information?
• Who controls what the public finds out?

Now I said earlier that I am not going to get in depth (either for or against) any conspiracy theories.  But what I am going to say is that we must watch out for our children. We must be RESPONSIBLE for the choices we make — and be informed and educated about everything we do.

The fact that the US FDA knew about Mercury and allegedly sat on this information makes me wonder what else is being hidden?

The Bottom Line?

This is the perfect moment to realize why we should be focusing on behaviors and NOT symptoms or diagnoses (especially in parenting children with ADHD).

Focus on behaviors!!  Focus on getting solid information!!  Focus on making informed choices that look out for you and your child!!

Tell Us What You Think!

Have a different perspective? We love to hear from our readers. Let us know what you think about this post by leaving a comment below.

PS – Have you gotten your ADHD Essentials Audio Kit yet? Sign Up Today, it’s FREE

I have no magical powers…and there is no miraculous cure for children with ADHD.  All I do is try to understand their struggle…  their frustration…  and their unique challenges.

That’s my secret!

I help people understand how differences impact an individual, a “system,” a family, and overall how these differences affect the way people around us view people with differences.

The squeaky wheel gets grease!

Now let’s talk advocacy for a moment.  As the parent of a child with ADHD, you know your child better than anyone else.  I might understand ADHD.  I might understand children with ADHD, but every child is different.  Every child is different!

Just because I have credentials and a graduate degree – it does not make me an expert at what I do.  I hope I demonstrate that to my clients, but it’s something I have to earn and work towards every day.

You have to do the same as a parent!

Now–when I say “you” — I am NOT blaming or pointing the finger.  I’ve just consulted on too many cases where parents have felt intimated by another professional or some figure in a position of power or authority.

No matter what happens – don’t ever forget you know your child better than anyone!

My Advice:

1. Stand up for what you believe
2. Work with collaborators (who listen)
3. Advocate and make sure you are heard
4. Don’t take no for an answer

This last one is the key.  You have to fight hard to get things these days!  I wish it were different, but I’ve said before “parenting a child with ADHD is a contact sport.”  You have to be involved, and you have to know that a lot of people will tell you no.

In one form or another, you will be told “No” or that’s just not possible.

And because you will be told no — you’ll have to be quick on your feet and be ready to try new things and go after what you want!

Tell Us What You Think!

Have a different perspective? We love to hear from our readers. Let us know what you think about this post by leaving a comment below.

PS – Have you gotten your ADHD Essentials Audio Kit yet? Sign Up Today, it’s FREE