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We received an email from a listener who asked, “How effective is the T.O.V.A. (Test of Variables of Attention) as a diagnostic tool for ADHD?” The listener was administered this test by a therapist but the results did not indicate she had ADHD. Years later, the listener is being treated for ADHD and said it “helped immensely” but is second guessing her ADHD diagnosis because of her T.O.V.A. results.  Ned shares that tests like the T.O.V.A. should not solely be used to diagnose ADHD, and talks about the method he's found to be a much more reliable and accurate diagnostic tool.  If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode please reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo on your phone and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Check out our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness, creators of the #1 Omega-3 supplements for the past twenty years. Ned and his wife, Sue, take them every day! Distraction listeners can SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Students who learn differently love Landmark College and so does Ned! Sign up now for one of their summer programs! Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE. Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

School has never been easy for 22-year old Katie LaBombard. Even though she was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and found a treatment plan that worked, she still struggled. Now Katie is set to graduate from Landmark College this spring, despite never imagining she'd even make it through high school.  We found Katie through our sponsor Landmark College, and she graciously and openly shares her story in this episode. We can't say enough good things about Katie, and we're confident you'll feel the same after listening!  If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Learn more about the programs being offered this summer at Landmark College! There's a summer program for high school students, a summer bridge experience, and a college readiness program. Go HERE to learn more. Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Learn more about our sponsor OmegaBrite Wellness, creators of the #1 Omega-3 supplements for the past twenty years. Ned and his wife, Sue, take them every day. Distraction listeners will SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media and produced by Sarah Guertin. 

Today's question is from a listener named Cynthia who wrote in part, "I often read that girls, who more commonly have the inattentive type, don't get diagnosed because they aren’t disruptive but dreamy. It concerns me to read that the boys are diagnosed two to three times more often than girls. If we knew to look for the dreamy, flaky children, would we find those with Inattentive ADHD and get them help, or is it still too difficult to tell?" Dr. H responds by sharing some of the ways ADHD presents itself in girls and what to look for. He also shares the story of how he didn't recognize ADHD in his own daughter! If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in a future Q&A episode just like this reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Learn more about our sponsor, Forman School, a coed college prep school dedicated to empowering bright students who learn differently in grades 9-PG. Forman School provides the individual attention these students need. Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE.  Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Don't pack your bags just yet, but there's an ADHD theme park in the works that's set to open in 2022! Ned shares the details in this mini episode.  If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode please reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo on your phone and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Students who learn differently love Landmark College and so does Ned! Sign up now for one of their summer programs! Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Check out our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness, creators of the #1 Omega-3 supplements for the past twenty years. Ned and his wife, Sue, take them every day! Distraction listeners can SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE. Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

iFocus is a program that uses eye-tracking technology and a proprietary artificial-intelligence algorithm to enable doctors to create the ultimate treatment plans for their patients.  Adi Diner, CEO and co-founder of iFocus, realized when her son was diagnosed with ADHD that there was no way to measure how well his treatments were working. So, in typical ADHD style, she invented something that could!  Learn more about iFocus at iFocusTest.com.  If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Learn more about the programs being offered this summer at Landmark College! There's a summer program for high school students, a summer bridge experience, and a college readiness program. Go HERE to learn more. Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Learn more about our sponsor OmegaBrite Wellness, creators of the #1 Omega-3 supplements for the past twenty years. Ned and his wife, Sue, take them every day. Distraction listeners will SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Today's question comes from Cindy, a concerned parent. She emailed Distraction and wrote in part, "Our 31 year old son has the most incredible "race car brain with bicycle brakes" that are in desperate need of maintenance... As parents of an adult with ADHD we struggle with how to help our son. How do we help him help himself?" Dr. Hallowell responds by offering up a few ideas and encourages Cindy to jump in and help. "Sink or swim? In our world you sink," he says in this episode. "So you need to jump in there with life jackets..." he continues. If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in a future Q&A episode just like this reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Learn more about our sponsor, Forman School, a coed college prep school dedicated to empowering bright students who learn differently in grades 9-PG. Forman School provides the individual attention these students need. Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE.  Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Jessica McCabe of How to ADHD explains how dogs can be trained to help manage ADHD symptoms, alleviate anxiety, help regulate emotions and so much more!  "Dogs can help us put on the brakes," Jessica tells Dr. Hallowell in this episode. "It's a wonderful thing." Dogs can be trained to sense when you're going to have a panic attack, notice when your heart rate increases and detect spikes in cortisol and blood sugar. Jessica also shares how she's training her own dog, Chloe, as a psychiatric service dog in this special episode sponsored by Landmark College in Putney, Vermont. Check out Jessica's ADHD videos at HowtoADHD. Do you have a psychiatric service dog or have you trained your dog to help you? Share your thoughts with us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com. Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our producer is Sarah Guertin and our audio engineer/editor is Scott Persson. Do you know a student with ADHD or other learning difference looking for a higher education experience? Tell them about our amazing sponsor, Landmark College, in Putney, Vermont. Learn more about their summer programs HERE.

Simone Biles is not ashamed of her ADHD. Howie Mandel can't remember a time when he didn't have ADHD and OCD. And Lisa Ling learned how to manage her ADHD before she even knew she had it.  In this mini Ned shares some of the tweets and thoughts these three highly successful individuals have expressed about their own ADHD.  Plus you'll hear what Lisa Ling recommends for anyone who thinks they might have ADHD, in a clip from her conversation with Dr. H back in 2017!   CLICK HERE to listen to Lisa Ling talk about having ADHD in this Distraction episode from Season Two!  If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode please reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo on your phone and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Students who learn differently love Landmark College and so does Ned! Sign up now for one of their summer programs! Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Check out our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness, creators of the #1 Omega-3 supplements for the past twenty years. Ned and his wife, Sue, take them every day! Distraction listeners can SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE. Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Negative thoughts and feelings of rejection, anger, resentment and bitterness can be particularly difficult for those with ADHD. The good news is that these feelings and emotions can be managed by practicing positive beneficial emotions. And it's something everyone can learn to do! Listen and follow along as Dr. Carol Locke of OmegaBrite Wellness (one of our sponsors) takes Ned through a Metta meditation. Practicing this meditation regularly has been shown to decrease stress and make you feel less depressed. It actually changes your brain!  Learn more about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria in this Distraction episode with Dr. William Dodson. Center for Healthy Minds (University of Wisconsin website Dr. Locke mentions in this conversation) If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Learn more about the programs being offered this summer at Landmark College! There's a summer program for high school students, a summer bridge experience, and a college readiness program. Go HERE to learn more. Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Learn more about Dr. Locke's company (and our sponsor) OmegaBrite Wellness, creators of the #1 Omega-3 supplements for the past twenty years. Ned and his wife, Sue, take them every day. Distraction listeners will SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Ned responds to a 20-year old college student who writes, "I started a new job at a science lab about two months ago and I’m not doing very well... I really related to the passage in your book about how one client felt like he had to “answer” to the preacher of self loathing and would get trapped in a hyperfixation around negative self-talk. How can I build up my self esteem and deconstruct the critic?" If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in a future Q & A episode just like this, reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Learn more about our sponsor, Forman School, a coed college prep school dedicated to empowering bright students who learn differently in grades 9-PG. Forman School provides the individual attention these students need. Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE.  Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

In honor of National Awkward Moments Day, Ned shares a personal story about an awkward moment he recently experienced while on the phone with a friend. We're confident many will be able to relate to Dr. H's "foot in mouth" moment!   Take a listen and then share your awkward moments with us in the comments!  If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode please reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo on your phone and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Students who learn differently love Landmark College and so does Ned! Learn what it's like to attend Landmark during their Virtual Open House on March 19th! Register HERE. Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Check out our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness, creators of the #1 Omega-3 supplements for the past twenty years. Ned and his wife, Sue, take them every day! Distraction listeners can SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE. Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.  

A traditional college setting isn't always the ideal learning environment for those who learn differently. That's why Tom Bergeron and his co-founder Rick Fiery created Inventive Labs in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Ned talks to Tom about how their "career incubator" works for those who have struggled in traditional education settings.  Learn more at Inventive Labs. Note: Dr. Hallowell is on the Advisory Board of Inventive Labs.  If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Students who learn differently love Landmark College and so does Ned! Learn what it's like to attend Landmark during their Virtual Open House on March 19th! Register HERE. Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Check out our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness, creators of the #1 Omega-3 supplements for the past twenty years. Ned and his wife, Sue, take them every day! Distraction listeners can SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE. Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Dr. H offers advice on how to improve your writing skills in response to a listener named Jake who is struggling as a copywriter. Jake is 34 years old, a new dad and a dual business owner with ADHD.  Ned is a prolific author who just released his 21st book in January. In this episode he shares several practical strategies everyone can use to become better writers. If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in a future Q & A episode just like this, reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Learn more about our sponsor, Forman School, a coed college prep school dedicated to empowering bright students who learn differently in grades 9-PG. Forman School provides the individual attention these students need. Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE.  Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Finding happiness (or just being happy) while living through a pandemic can be challenging, even on a good day. Fortunately, Dr. H has some thoughts on how to find happy moments regardless of your situation. He shares one of his favorite stories about the philosopher Epictetus that just might be what you need to hear to change your mindset. It's a story he's shared on the podcast before, but as Dr. H reminds us in this episode it's important to, "find ways to direct your mind toward satisfying thoughts, ideas and activities, and away from the places of misery and complaint."  Get a copy of Dr. H's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE. You can also find it wherever books are sold!   If you have a question or comment you'd like us to address in a future episode reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Check out our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness! Distraction listeners SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Learn what it's like to be a student at Landmark College during their Virtual Open House on March 19th! Register HERE. Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Angel Gambino is a serial entrepreneur with an insanely organized refrigerator who recently realized she might have ADHD. Angel shares her story with Dr. H in a conversation that illustrates the kinds of questions a practitioner would ask as part of the process to determine if someone has ADHD.   Angel's good friend, Freda, joins the conversation to share additional insights about Angel, as Ned always recommends including a close friend or relative in this kind of discussion.  The purpose of this conversation is to demonstrate the kinds of questions a practitioner would ask as part of a lengthier process to diagnose a person with ADHD. Therefore, Dr. Hallowell does not diagnose Angel with ADHD in this episode. He just strongly suspects she has it!  Keep listening at the end of this episode for a special feature from Dr. Carol Locke of OmegaBrite Wellness. Dr. Locke shares some of the latest information about the Covid vaccine, and herd immunity in particular.  Get a copy of Ned and John Ratey's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com, JohnRatey.com, or by clicking HERE. You can also find it wherever books are sold!   If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Check out our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness! Distraction listeners SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Learn what it's like to be a student at Landmark College during their Virtual Open House on March 19th! Register HERE. Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Pamela was recently diagnosed with combined-type ADHD at the age of 43. She's thrilled to finally have a name for what she's experienced all of her life, but reaches out to ask why she feels shame and guilt when talking about her diagnosis with friends and family. Ned offers advice to help Pamela move past her feelings and embrace the positive qualities she possesses. Which includes being an excellent cake baker!  If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in a future Q & A episode just like this, reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Learn more about our sponsor, Forman School, a coed college prep school dedicated to empowering bright students who learn differently in grades 9-PG. Forman School provides the individual attention these students need. Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE. You can also find it wherever books are sold!   Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Ned talks about how waiting in line and waiting his turn get him riled up and feels like torture. He proposes a few ways we can pass the time without getting angry and irritated, and pledges to try and turn his impatient moments into something other than purely painful.  Get a copy of Dr. H's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE. You can also find it wherever books are sold!   If you have a question or comment you'd like us to address in a future episode reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Check out our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness! Distraction listeners SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Learn what it's like to be a student at Landmark College during their Virtual Open House on March 19th! Register HERE. Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Ned and his longtime writing partner, Dr. John Ratey, talk about some of the best ways to treat ADHD and minimize the damage. They touch on a variety of topics like finding a creative outlet, how exercise helps the brain, addiction, and of course Ned's favorite, the power of connection!  This conversation highlights what you'll find in Ned and John's newest book, ADHD 2.0. At the end of this episode, keep listening for a special feature from Dr. Carol Locke of OmegaBrite Wellness, who shares some of the science behind the development of the Covid vaccines.  Get a copy of Ned and John Ratey's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com, JohnRatey.com, or by clicking HERE. You can also find it wherever books are sold!   If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Check out our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness! Distraction listeners SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Learn what it's like to be a student at Landmark College during their Virtual Open House on March 19th! Register HERE. Landmark College in Putney, Vermont is the college of choice for students who learn differently.  Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

Saying 'no' is a skill that requires practice. In this Q&A Ned addresses a question from a high school student about guarding your time. He talks about how to learn to be okay with not accepting every request that comes your way. This is a common issue for many with ADHD! We hope you're enjoying our new series of Q&A episodes! We'll be releasing a new Q&A episode every Monday, thanks to our new sponsor, Forman School in Litchfield, Connecticut! If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode just like this, reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Learn more about our sponsor, Forman School, a coed college prep school dedicated to empowering bright students who learn differently in grades 9-PG. Forman School provides the individual attention these students need. Ned loves Forman!   Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE. You can also find it wherever books are sold!   Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.

When you have ADHD, it can feel like you need to be someone else to get along in the world. Dr. H shares some advice about appreciating who you are and why you should just be yourself. Ned says we should get out of the habit of trying to please everyone because we can't, and besides life is too short!  Bottom line... don't read someone else's script! Don't rob yourself of your individuality.  If you have a question or comment you'd like Dr. Hallowell to address in an episode reach out to us! Write an email or record a voice memo and send it to connect@distractionpodcast.com.   Learn more about our sponsor, OmegaBrite Wellness! Distraction listeners SAVE 20% on their first order with the code: Distraction at OmegaBriteWellness.com. Get a copy of Ned's newest book, ADHD 2.0 at DrHallowell.com or by clicking HERE. You can also find it wherever books are sold!   Distraction is created by Sounds Great Media. Our recording engineer/editor is Scott Persson and our producer is Sarah Guertin.