Help! 13-year-old girl with ADHD. Suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Hi all, my stepdaughter has ADHD and we are desperately in need of help. She has trouble keeping up with her schoolwork even though she's perfectly capable. She's hyperactive and is prone to behavioral outbursts of anger and defiance. She has very few friends. Does anyone have suggestions for 1/an ADHD specialist who does organizational coaching for teens? 2/workshops for teens on how to do well in school, how to feel motivated and how to modulate behaviors (non-stop talking, hyperactivity, spaciness) that drive potential friends away? and 3/workshops for parents on how to deal with ADHD teens? We live in northern Virginia but can obviously travel to DC or MD. Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

Not sure if you are close to this practice but it was founded by a former colleague of mine. Look through the staff and find the profile of one of the providers you think would be most suitable for your daughter.

http://www.mindwellpsychology.com/

Good Luck

[Anonymous]

I actually enrolled my child in a summer program that specializes in organizational skills. It is an organizational skills workshop. The company also does writing workshops as well as private tutoring. They are called Tools for Success Tutors. Their website is www.toolsforsuccesstutoring.com. The number is 301 576-3762. They came highly recommended by one of my friends and are located in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

A friend suggested a book which I believe it entitled ADDitude or something like that ... most ADHD resources seem more geared to boys and I believe that this is one of the few books addressing ADHD in girls.

[Anonymous]

Not an answer to your specific question, but if you have a chance you might pick up the book Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv and read chapter 8. It talks about kids diagnosed with ADHD and how studies show a reduction in symptoms when kids have more chance to get out in nature and a little less emphasis on organized activities. So for summertime you might consider a nature camp as opposed to soccer camp, for example and see how she responds.