Insights from our 2023 families!

As we approach the year's end, we feel very grateful for the hundreds of hours we've shared with our ADHD families. We have put together some of the learnings and insights that our parents and children have shared with us:

Child insights:

1. Somatic practises work like magic on my   My brain can respond to the feelings in my  body and clear the racing thoughts in my head. Rather than being dragged down a 100 different rabbit holes with my thoughts,  for the first time I  can focus on one thought at a time.
2. I can describe feelings in my body easily and much better then talking about thoughts in my head. My legs feel like lead, and I can’t move them (this was lack of motivation) I have  fiery fingers (embodying anger)
3. I can shift negative thoughts when I use somatic practises which has been helpful to get me ready to compete in sport.
4. I can use somatic practises on myself to reduce anxiety before exams.
5. I can feel a drop in stress in my body. I can close my eyes and relax, and it makes me yawn.
6. I have a better understanding of my emotions and how I can shift and reduce difficult emotions in a healthy way.
7. I can choose my emotions rather that them controlling me.

Parent insights:

1. If my child has ADHD then I am likely to have it too!
2. If I am emotionally dysregulated, then it is highly likely that my child will be that way too.
3. Connection cures! dropping expectation, judgement, cristism and controlling and instead connecting to my  child as they are not how I wish them to be.
4. Docking (our favourite phrase coined by a client to describe how to always stay connected to a child that struggles to stay connected) Continually finding ways to make physical contact (in a subtle, non-invasive way) to signal that I am there. Especially if I go into a tricky environment that might trigger my child.
5. Working on myself not my child! Once I understand how to hold my  triggers and not respond to my child’s  behaviour, everything changes.
6. Using better language, helps. Instead of ‘ why are you being so difficult’ saying  ‘ a part of you is having a hard time with this decision’  it’s an incredibly helpful way of giving my child hope that they are not difficult but just a part of them.
7. Learning to walk away and give space to big feelings.
8. Staying away from shame. Shaming my child  is a quick way to create resistance.
9. When I see the silly, demanding, rude behaviour it might just be a bid for connection. Focusing on the feeling behind the behaviour works!
10. Nothing is personal If I explain to close, trusted family and friends that my child has ADHD this can be helpful.
11. I can be excited and grateful of the ADHD brain (that I have) and my child has once I know how to manage it and work with it.

We shall be taking some time off to be with our own families over Christmas. Thank you for all your support. Wishing you all a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.