Non-compliance is the family therapist's big word for your child not obeying you when you have asked him or her to do something. The child may be rebellious, scream "no" to your face, and slam the door. Or the child may say "yes, I'd be glad to help," smile, and go play the X-box. But either way the child does not do what you asked him to do. The word is helpful because it is descriptive, and because it may also motivate us as parents to move our kids from being non-compliant to being compliant.

Here's how we are going to define the term "non-compliance" in children: Read more of the article...

1. The child fails to begin doing what he was clearly asked to do within a reasonable amount of time, which would easily be 15 seconds.
2. The child fails to keep doing what he was asked to do until the job is finished.
3. The child fails to follow previously taught rules of conduct in a specific situation, such as at church, at school, at the store, or with friends.

Michael Phelps and his mother have been open about his ADHD for quite some time, and have been an encouragement to many children and teenagers. Now that he has won a record eight gold medals in swimming in the 2008 Olympics, Michael is a true inspiration.

What are the lessons that this incredible athletic achievement teaches, not just those with ADHD, but all of us?

1. That focus, determination, and hard work do pay off.
2. That ADHD is a problem, yes, but it does not have to be a disaster. ADHD can be over-come, worked around, used as a strength.
3. Individual sports may be better for an athlete with ADHD than team sports.
4. That a supportive family and supportive coaches are priceless. Read more of the article...

Top Qualities for Your ADHD Child’s Classroom Teacher?

What would be the “ideal” qualities that you would want for your child’s next classroom teacher? As we are preparing for this next school year many parents are making their “lists” and checking them twice, hoping that the Principal will deliver the “perfect” teacher for their child with ADHD.

David, a parent from New York City, wrote us with this question, “Do you know of a good "finding the right teacher" type of checklist? We would like to give my son's (first grade) school some direction on the type of teaching style that may work best for him, and in this way assist their placement process. Thank you very much.” Read more of the article...

ADD ADHD Diet:
Natural Alternative for Kids, Teens, Adults with ADHD

ADD Diet and Eating Program for Attention Deficit Disorder

With somewhere between 5% and 9% of children meeting the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, it is becoming very important that we as parents make whatever changes we need in order to help our children. Many of you reading this are parents of children or teens with ADHD, and you are looking for ways to help your child. This ADHD Diet is a great place to begin.

You may already be trying interventions such as medications, Attend, or EEG neurofeedback, which are all good treatment interventions for ADHD. But none of them will work well if you (or your child) is just eating junk. No ADHD treatment intervention is strong enough to over-come a diet of junk foods and junk drinks. And every treatment intervention will work better if the person is eating foods that help the brain to work better, and drinking drinks that help the body to perform better.

Eating foods that help to optimize brain performance is one of the most important things that you can do to help your child, your teen, or yourself. This ADD ADHD diet will help!

This ADD diet is recommended for every member of the family, so in that sense it's not just an "ADHD diet". It's the same program that we put professional athletes and business executives on for optimized performance, with only minor changes. Read more of the article...

My 5-year-old son has no interest in helping with jobs around the house, either inside or outside. Often, he will drop to the floor, whining/screaming for something such as being asked to help set the table.

Recently I asked him to drive his ride-on dump truck around my garden and collect the weeds in exchange for some bubble gum. "No thanks" was his answer. He is not interested in pleasing me. We are doing a m&m's reward program for "flush and wash without being told" (this has been going on for 6-8 months). Should I be requiring him to assist with chores? I don't want him to be totally self-centered. . what can help this process? Read more of the article...

Dear Dr. Cowan,

It seams to me that my son has many reason to have some anger issues - that we have not dealt with - some kids seems to move in life easily, however, he still remembers how his grade 2 teacher was very unfair to him when he is the one who was hurt by some else and even gave him a whole week suspension. I find that once you have the label you might as well work with it and make the best of it. Read more of the article...