“Family Ties: Managing and Advocating for Your Child with ADHD in the Extended Family” [Video Replay & Podcast #365]

Episode Description

As parents we want to help our children become well functioning and socially successful people, but our own anxieties are sometimes triggered when they act out and get into trouble. We are often unaware of our own feelings of ADHD-related shame, embarrassment, and fear when we are faced with our child’s dysfunctional behavior in settings outside of our home. We desperately want our children to behave appropriately and to be accepted at school, in the neighborhood, and by our extended family. So how do we help grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins understand — and respond helpfully — when ADHD symptoms flare during holiday gatherings or family celebrations?

You may feel embarrassed when grandma reprimands your child for grabbing a cookie out of a cousin’s hand. You may become defensive when your brother judges your parenting skills and calls your child “spoiled.” That is understandable. There are many heartbreaking stories of family ostracization for disruptive or inappropriate behaviors related to ADHD. Such occurrences can leave us feeling misunderstood and our children mistreated, which is why parents need strategies to support and advocate for children with ADHD in social settings, as to engage extended family members in more constructive ways.

In this webinar, you will learn how to:

• Identify misconceptions and misinterpretations of ADHD behavior within your extended family
• Explore strategies for improving interaction patterns within your family
• Learn effective advocacy skills for family situations
• Establish a toolkit of coping strategies for family functions, such as reunions, Thanksgiving, and other holidays

Watch the Video Replay

Enter your email address in the box above labeled “Video Replay + Slide Access” to watch the video replay (closed captions available) and download the slide presentation.

Download or Stream the Podcast Audio

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Read More on Motivation for School

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It Takes A Village: Help Other People Understand ADHD

Obtain a Certificate of Attendance

If you attended the live webinar on July 29, 2021, watched the video replay, or listened to the podcast, you may purchase a certificate of attendance option (cost: $10). Note: ADDitude does not offer CEU credits. Click here to purchase the certificate of attendance option »

Meet the Expert Speaker:

Janette Patterson, MSW, LMFT, has been practicing for the past 30 years, offering individual, couple, and family therapy in non-profit agencies and private practice. As a marriage and family therapist she specializes in LD/ED and ADHD issues, as well as mood and behavior disorders in adolescents and adults. She is a consultant to private schools and other educational facilities and lectures and presents regularly. In addition to her work as a therapist, Janette has worked for the past 20 years in a variety of school settings, as administrator, teacher, mentor to other teachers, and consultant to other schools. Currently, Janette works in private practice in West Chester, Pennsylvania, offering marriage and family therapy and DBT therapy and skills training. | See expert’s full bio »

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Listener Testimonials

“The information she shared was super helpful with dealing with my own family and the families I work with.”

“Very interesting. I’m a grandma and I hope I can remember some of the family dynamic coping strategies.”

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