The ADHD and Black Culture playlist will help raise awareness and educate African Americans about ADHD and other mental health challenges. It will also inform educators, healthcare providers, and other communities about the challenges and concerns Blacks face in America, whether or not they have ADHD. Research suggests, for example, that Black children are either underdiagnosed or overdiagnosed and are less likely to receive treatment, which may have severe consequences for their life expectancy. Research also shows a correlation between untreated and undiagnosed ADHD in African Americans and the school-to-prison pipeline. CHADD's National Resource Center on ADHD wants to help everyone, especially African Americans, learn the facts and warning signs about ADHD before the consequences are too high. Through the recordings in this playlist, you will learn from experts about ADHD symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, management strategies, and the challenges that result from stigma and shame. But most of all you will learn that hope and support are available. 

Check back often, as this playlist will be updated regularly. We would love to hear from you. Please send us feedback on how we are doing and what topics you would like us to address. Thanks for listening!

ADHD and Black Culture

Helping Your Child with ADHD to Thrive Academically

ADHD 365

Some students with ADHD and learning differences need additional academic support to reach their full potential. Some parents  choose to send their children to boarding school. Why? How do you know if boarding school is the right choice for your child and family? Meghan McNeill, director of the learning skills program at Christchurch School, shares insights into why some parents make the boarding school choice, discusses how the program is designed to enrich students with learning challenges and dispels myths about boarding schools. 

Bio: Meghan McNeill
Meghan McNeill is a heart-centered and trauma-informed educator with over a decade of experience in various settings ranging from high school, higher education, to experiential learning and international education. She brings a strong sense of curiosity and unique perspective cultivated from a mental health perspective, a deep understanding of the needs of students with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and learning differences, and the benefits of her own mindfulness practice to her work with young people. She currently serves as the director of the learning skills program at Christchurch School, where she supports and advocates for the social-emotional and academic needs of neurologically diverse students.

Is Boarding School Best for my Child with ADHD

It’s school time again, and as a parent, you want to make sure your child with ADHD has all the necessary tools to succeed in the classroom. Therefore, it’s crucial that you establish good communication with your child’s teacher at the beginning of the school year to ensure a smooth and successful term. If your child requires accommodations, how do you know if they are being provided or working? What is the best way to stay in contact with teachers? What if your child’s teacher isn’t familiar with ADHD—what should you do? This role-playing episode features Laci Culbreth, Head of School at Chatham Academy, and Jami Demuth, CHADD’s Midwest Regional Manager. You will learn the importance of establishing good communication with your child’s teachers, getting school support for your child’s learning challenges, asking for accommodations, creating a support network, and much more. 

Laci Culbreth
Head of School at Chatham Academy
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools have transitioned to remote learning or hybrid learning. For learners with ADHD, there are many changes that can make it difficult to succeed at home. Parents and teachers are discovering new ways to help students learn to the best of their abilities. Laci Culbreth discusses the difficulties of ADHD symptoms while learning from home and talks about her experience as a teacher. She provides suggestions for parents on how to help their children with ADHD at home. She also discusses strategies teachers can use to increase support for students with ADHD through remote learning.

Supporting My Child with ADHD at School

The Black community continues to have difficulty discussing and acknowledging ADHD and other mental health issues. On the flip side, it’s being reported that Black children are being over- and under-diagnosed, due to implicit racial bias and cultural incompetence among professionals. So, how do we change the mindset of Black Americans about mental health issues and culturally insensitive educators and healthcare providers? Dr. Brandi Walker provides insight into the Black community’s reluctance to discuss mental health matters, myths about diagnosis and treatment, the consequences of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD, and much more.

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Major Brandi Walker is an active-duty officer in the Army’s Medical Services Corps, serving as a clinical psychologist at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She is a recent graduate of Howard University's clinical psychology program, where she specialized in children, adolescents, and families. She obtained a master’s in rehabilitative counseling from the University of Maryland, College Park, and has held licensure as a graduate-level, licensed alcohol and drug counselor, and certified rehabilitation counselor. An advocate for research, Walker currently leads a nationwide community health study on ADHD and sleep in the pediatric population.

Living Black With Undiagnosed And Untreated ADHD ED

The national obesity rate continues to climb, and the minority communities in the US are being hit the hardest. Black women and Hispanic men and women all have obesity rates that are higher than the national average. Having ADHD increases the odds of developing dysregulated eating, leading to issues with body weight. Why does having ADHD increase the odds of developing dysregulated eating? Providing insight into the matter is psychologist Roberto Olivardia. He will discuss the challenges and explain why Black Americans are at greater risk of developing the coexisting conditions that result from obesity. Dr. Olivardia stresses the importance of a proper ADHD diagnosis from culturally knowledgeable healthcare providers, while also spotlighting the barriers encountered by Black individuals to receiving good healthcare and management and treatment options.

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Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a clinical psychologist and lecturer in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he specializes in the treatment of ADHD, executive functioning issues, and students with learning differences. He also specializes in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders in boys and men. He currently serves on the professional advisory boards for CHADD, ADDA, and the National Association for Males with Eating Disorders.

African Americans, ADHD, And Dysregulated Eating: What's Going On?

African American students are many times more likely to be diagnosed with subjective disabilities than their European American peers. Why does this happen? And what should schools do differently?

In this episode, Dr. Joy Banks speaks on the overrepresentation and disparities in treatment of African American students in special education specifically for students with ADHD. She also shares the steps that schools must take to create environments where all students can thrive.

How to Improve the Educational Experience of African American Students with ADHD

The message is clear. Treatment for ADHD, along with the related health risks it poses, has the possibility of adding an average of nine to 13 years to the lifespan of children and adults diagnosed with ADHD. This is the implication of a cutting-edge research study conducted by Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D., who evaluated the connection between ADHD and 14 critical health factors including nutrition, exercise, and tobacco and alcohol use.

Dr. Russell Barkley: Untreated ADHD Reduces Life Expectancy

Most people with ADHD struggle to manage their time. We will take a deeper look at the science of time awareness and time management through an ADHD lens. Uncovered the reasons why the ADHD brain estimates, uses and values time differently. This podcast will teach adults to “see” time by externalizing it and “feel” time by building motivation.

The Science of Time Management

For teens with ADHD, finishing high school and preparing for college can be exciting and daunting at the same time. How do parents and students seek a college in getting the appropriate accommodations to ensure success? Listen to CHADD's ADHD 365 podcast on Students with ADHD Transitioning from High School to College, featuring Certified Educational Planner Judith Bass, for tips and strategies that may help your child succeed in college.

Students with ADHD Transitioning from High School to College

In this podcast, Connor Patros, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow in the department of psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and CHADD's 2018 Young Scientist Research Awards post-doc winner, discusses his interest in looking at how neurocognitive factors (or executive functions) are related to symptoms of impulsivity in ADHD, and also the interventions that can strengthen executive function deficits.

Executive Functions and Impulsivity in Children with ADHD

The decision to medicate a child with ADHD is a difficult choice for many parents. The news and social media have accounts of people benefiting from medication, while there also are stories of grave dangers associated with these drugs. What are the benefits and risks of taking ADHD medication? How do you know what’s right for your child?

Understanding the ABCs of ADHD Medications with Max Wiznitzer, MD

If you’re struggling emotionally over the global pandemic, you are not alone. We talked with Craig B. Surman, MD, who offers calming tips and a guided meditation adapted for those with busy minds.

Guidance for Uncertain Times: Managing Anxiety

What Are My Child’s 504 and IEP Rights for Distance Learning?

Podcast Transcript: https://chadd.org/ask-the-expert/ask-the-expert-webinar-qa-is-my-high-school-student-ready-for-college/

Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA

Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA, is the author of Understand Your Brain, Get More Done, More Attention, Less Deficit, and Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD. He is a psychologist in private practice in West Chester, Pennsylvania, a former member of CHADD’s board of directors and co-chair of its conference committee.

Is My High School Student Ready for College? Q&A

Summary

The diagnosis and treatment of children with ADHD in the African American community can be affected by stigma and cultural challenges. African American and Black parents often struggle when seeking help for their child. Dr. Nekeshia Hammond discusses how ADHD symptoms affect daily functioning, how ADHD is perceived within different communities, why African Americans may not be receiving the recommended treatments, and the challenges that can cause ADHD-like symptoms and lead to incomplete treatment. She provides information on how parents can make sure their child receives proper care and how professionals can work together to provide more culturally competent care.



Nekeshia Hammond, PsyD

Nekeshia Hammond, PsyD, is the founder and owner of Hammond Psychology and Associates, PA. She is an author, speaker, and authority -on child psychology, with a specific mission to support parents of children coping with ADHD.



Objectives:

Learn about ADHD symptoms and how they affect daily functioning.
Identify barriers to receiving diagnosis and treatment within the African American community.
Learn about the challenges that can cause ADHD-like symptoms.
Gain suggestions on what parents can do to make sure their child is receiving proper care.
Learn how professionals and the community can work together to develop cultural competence.

Is it ADHD? Disparities in ADHD Care of Black Children

Summary

Children of color with ADHD often experience challenges and barriers to receiving mental health care. It is important for educators and healthcare professionals to be transcultural when providing care, and for parents to know how to advocate for their child. Stigma continues to exist in the conversation regarding mental health and ADHD. Dr. Roberto Olivardia discusses the barriers to mental health care in the Black community and offers ways in which mental health professionals and educators can provide services for different cultures. He also provides information for parents on how to help their children face these challenges.

Roberto Olivardia, PhD

Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a clinical psychologist and lecturer in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he specializes in the treatment of ADHD, executive functioning issues, and students with learning differences. He also specializes in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders in boys and men. He currently serves on the professional advisory boards for CHADD, ADDA, and the National Association for Males with Eating Disorders.

Objectives:

Learn about the barriers to treatment for children of color with ADHD.
Learn how professionals can develop cultural awareness.
Gain skills on how to change the conversation about mental health and people of color.
Learn how parents of color can advocate for their child.
Identify how treatment can be provided equitably throughout different communities.

Challenges in ADHD Care for Children of Color Pt. 2

Summary:  

African Americans face many barriers in getting a proper ADHD evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Practitioners need to be mindful of the historical mistreatment of African Americans by the medical community in order to better serve these patients. Dr. Roberto Olivardia, a clinical psychologist and a lecturer in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, describes specific barriers that African Americans face and how they are often misdiagnosed with behavioral problems or overdiagnosed without proper assessment. Dr. Olivardia talks about empowering African-American parents and families so they can advocate for their children, especially when facing a culturally insensitive school system or medical clinician. Additionally, he exhorts practitioners to understand the cultural context of where people of color are coming from and to help increase awareness of ADHD in the African-American community.



Roberto Olivardia, PhD

Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a clinical psychologist and lecturer in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he specializes in the treatment of ADHD, executive functioning issues, and students with learning differences. He also specializes in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders in boys and men. He currently serves on the professional advisory boards for CHADD, ADDA, and the National Association for Males with Eating Disorders.

 

Learning Objectives:  

Learn the barriers to evaluation and treatment that exist in healthcare and the school system for African-American children.
Understand the challenges for individuals who are not accurately diagnosed or treated.
Learn the factors that can increase disparities in diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.
Understand how African-American parents can advocate for their children with ADHD when dealing with a culturally insensitive school or medical clinician.

Challenges in ADHD Care for Children of Color Pt.1

CHADD is the nation's leading nonprofit organization serving people affected by ADHD. As home to the CDC-funded National Resource Center on ADHD, CHADD is the most trusted source for reliable, science-based information regarding current medical research and ADHD management. CHADD offers comprehensive programs and services at both the national and local levels.

 ADHD 365 podcast brings listeners into conversations about living with ADHD from every imaginable angle. The ADHD 365 podcast provides expert advice, tips, and strategies for families, adults, educators, and professionals. Each show is sponsored by companies, organizations, or individuals that support and provide a service to the ADHD community. 


 All Things ADHD podcast offers listeners access to educational content from leading experts who promote healthy living with ADHD. The All Things ADHD podcast is a learning resource program produced by CHADD's National Resource Center, funded by the CDC, to disseminate expert advice, guidance, and information to improve the lives of families and adults affected by ADHD. 




CHADD does not endorse products, services, publications, medications, or treatments, including those that sponsor or advertise in any CHADD publications, webinars, or podcasts.

This podcast is supported by Cooperative Agreement Number NU38DD000002-01-00 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.

How to Improve the Educational Experience of African American Students with ADHD

Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD)