It’s My Birthday. Will You Do Me a Favor?
By
It’s February 3rd, 2012 and that means I’m one year older today.
41 years old, to be specific.
It may be weird to ask for a birthday present… but I’m going to do it anyway (heck, it’s my birthday – there’s no harm in asking…)
Will you share one thing that I’ve been able to help you with in the past year with ADD/ADHD?
It could be that I helped you change your perspective and inspired you. Or maybe you learned about a new strategy, medication or alternative treatment that could help. Whatever it is – however small or big, I’d love to hear it.
This blog, my emails and all of the information that I share is meant to help you (and our society at large) to understand ADD/ADHD better, and to get the right perspective on ADD/ADHD. I focus on differences rather than deficits, encourage a strength based approach and I believe that knowledge is power – i.e. when you have the right information, you can make the best health choices.
Nothing could be better than hearing how my material has helped you.
Just leave a comment on this post.
It would make my day.
Thanks in advance 
You keep ADHD issues in front of me. You give me concepts, products, notions to look up and find out more about me. I am always interested in the research and findings about my issues. I am 64, have two daughters with ADHD and 1 possibly 2 grandchildren with it. I have embraces my turbo brain, but my granddaughter is struggling…. so you and Dr. Ned give me places to find out more.
Happy Birthday.
Creating the Insiders group. Providing a more understanding (less clinical) way of approaching ADD. It is more than taking meds. Understanding and changing the way I do things is another part.
Happy Birthday!
One simple but important thing: I just didn’t forget about my ADD.
Happy B-day.
I think the thing that has had the most impact on our lives is a feeling of hopefulness and continued education into this disorder. Learning how to read each situation. There are so many factors that effect things besides ADHD, like sleep, exercise, healthy nutrition, food allergies and of course the type of medication. Thanks for all your work. Take time for yourself today – it’s your birthday (only once a year) Enjoy!
Happy Birthday Dr. Handelman,
I’m amazed that you are only 41, I turned 40 this year and its the 10th anniversary of my ADD diagnosis.
I feel that if not for your ADHD work and your ADHD message getting out to the masses, I would not have been lucky enough to be as aware of ADHD and learn what I need to help understand my differences.
Keep up the great work!
The concept of differences has been useful to my clients. When you were born I had been practising 3 years! Happy Birthday!
I receive email from you everyday! Sometimes I find it easy to forget WHY my daughter is freaking out right now, why she is upset – to every day have your reminders of what the issues are, and some advice on how to deal – it’s a necessary, welcome reminder in my life to have more patience. Your book, Attention Difference Disorder taught me SO much, and forever changed how I look at ADD/ADHD. THANK YOU! Happy birthday!
I am new to your information, but it has given me a place to go if I’m in need of information to help my 13 yr old son. I wish I’d known about you years ago, but better late than never! Thanks for being available to everyone!
Happy Birthday!
Your approach is so helpful to me both as a clinician working with families with children newly diagnosed with AD/HD as well as as a parent of two young boys, one with an AD/HD diagnosis and another who is awaiting diagnosis. I love the difference- rather than deficit-based approach.
I know quite a few teens with ADHD (with two living in my home). What I appreciate most is your appraoch that says there really isn’t a big problem here. These guys are gong to make it, in fact they are going to excell. Often kids with troubled (even horrific) pasts who have ADD never learn to cope. The possitive attitude and good advice you put forth is changing lives.
You were supportive when I needed to try alternative remedies for my son (i.e. gluten-free diet, that sort of thing) before trying medication. That was a big deal… it helped me to feel comfortable in the end that I had exhausted all other possible treatments before accepting the side effects that come with medication.
Happy Birthday, and thx for all your help!
Happy Birthday Dr.Handleman!
I have given your website and information to many of my clients and they found it very useful to understand and manage ADHD better. Keep up the good work! And Thank you..
I’m the mother of 2 wonderful adult boys (21 & 22) with ADHD and the information you send me gives me the patience and understanding to deal with them everyday. Thank-you for helping us have a more hamonious family.
Happy Birthday!
I had just recently stumbled across your website and signed up for your information. So happy I did because being both the mother of a 10 year old with ADHD, and a nurse for 24 years working with patients adult and children with ADD who have been misdiagnosed, mislead, and misunderstood I am REFRESHED that you offer excellent information to people needing support. It is so very sad that I find weekly families with their own providers (doctors, counseling) still with very poor understanding of the neurologic and psychologic mosaic of how ADD works. I say works because I firmly believe this is not a disorder, but just a special gift we have as humans so see more, feel more, notice more, in our restlessness of a society that is molded to sit behind desks or at computers. We were meant to be active and hunters, and adventurers etc! We are GIFTED. Thank you and Happy B’day from a past Canadian nurse trying to help sort it out down here in the USA. Long way to go…
You have answered questions personally regarding our concerns about our college age son. It is a tough age for him, and for us to watch. The CHADD conference in the fall repeated many times what a difficult transition this age young person was making moving out of structure at home to re-structure on his own eventually. No wonder we are all struggling to redefine our relationship.
I have also appreciated the adult coaching calls. They are always packed full of info and help me shift perspective on things I may be struggling with myself as an ADDer.
Thanks and have a very good day!
I’m not sure it was this year, but you have given me a new perspective on ADHD, looking at the positive side (gifts) rather than just focusing on the negative. I do think we are overly dependent on medication, but that is largely due to staffing shortage, just like mental health needs. Also, lack of support from most parents we work with who just want a quick fix. I am a school psychologist, not a parent so have different needs than most of your subscribers. I have not purchased any of your products but do follow your blog when I have time. Happy Birthday young one! Hope you do something fun to celebrate.
This may seem like a small thing, but it is important to me. I see your name in my emails and it reminds me that someone else cares about those with ADHD. Keep up the good work and have a Happy Birthday!
Dr. Kenny,
thank you for explaining… and helping me UNDERSTAND… that I’m not crazy, stupid… hopeless… thank you for understanding that I am complex…have deficits now called DIFFERENCES… and that it’s ok… we all have something…
more importantly…that I have STRENGTHS… but honestly, I don’t really know what they are… thank you for caring … giving us strategies, ways out of being stuck… thank you for how you make me feel about myself… good… and OK..
congratulations on your birthday… February is the best month… I am a pisces… February 21st…
thank you for educating me and the world about ADD
giving us information…
that this is REAL… that my brain is wired differently…
thank you for the resources to other experts like Bonnie Mincu
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Hi Dr. Handelman,
Happy Birthday! I can’t even begin to thank you for the ways you have helped our family understand (and cope with) ADHD. I think one of your best characteristics is that you use “layman’s” language – you are approachable and you speak so that everyone can understand… without all the medical jargon that just gets confusing!
Because of the knowledge that you have so freely shared with everyone, my outlook on my son’s struggles with ADHD has changed…. sure I still get frustrated but I can see now the positives that come along with the challenges of ADHD. It is not an easy road, but I have learned more from my son than any of my other 5 children. He is a blessing and you have helped me to recognize that!
Thank you for the great work that you do and the passion that you have to ensure that everyone understands what ADHD is all about!!
If it had not been for Dr. Handelman and this site I would be in so much confusion with being dx’s with ADHD. I feel some of the tx’s my physician was asking me to try was my Dr. taking my best interest and health as the top priority. With the help from you and this site I was able to see he was helping a drug rep, and several of the medications were contrindicated with a few of my other medications. You may have very well saved my life. God Bless You. STR
Happy Birthday!
You have been their from the beginning with our struggles with our child with ADD. We found your site shortly after his official diagnosis about 5 yrs ago. You and your community have been of great help. As our child gets older, the focus on differences rather than deficits and encouraging a strength based approach has helped him understand and work with his differences (making them his strengths). We enjoy your book for the references and information. It is something that I pick up on a regular basis to refer back to.
Thanks for everything that you do for this community!
Happy Birthday Dr. Kenny!
You validated my belief that my son’s ADHD is a difference (not some tragic deficit), that it’s a condition with some very positive attributes, even some gifts. I’ve learned so much by being a subscriber, I now feel knowledgeable and confident when I meet with teachers, school administrators and doctors. We are now participating in developing my son’s educational plan and medical care, not just accepting whatever we are told!
I believe it is the wide variety of ways that you offer us to participate that has been so valuable to my family.
You are doing an awesome job Dr. Kenny. Please keep it up!
Bridget,
St. Charles, IL
happy birthday,i have used you and you book to learn about adhd,my grandson has been diagnosed with this my wife and i are his legal gardians.sure wish i knew about this when i was raising my children.one book that i read that i would not have found was scream free parenting,this has change my whole outlook on dealing with everyone.
Happy Birthday!
You are a constant reminder to look to my strengths; exchanging different for deficit.
Thank you.
You have helped me not feel alone. Having Adult ADD has been a lonely journey for myself. Even my mom does not believe in the symptoms since she is a neat and organized person. My kids have add also and I find it so hard to make their life routine when I cant routine my own life. Thank you for being here and giving me idea’s to help cope with my daily life.
Happy Birthday !
Happy Birthday! I so appreciate your efforts to keep us updated on new developments and to keep this condition at the forefront!
Cheers!
You are always sending me timely, current, information on ADHD and allowing me to gain the knowledge to help me with my quest to be my best. Thanks, Happy Birthday.
Tom
Hi Dr. Handleman,
Happy Birthday! You have provided my son and I with so much insight into how our lives have been affected by ADHD and this knowledge and awareness along with the treatment has made a tremendous difference in how we look at ourselves.
Your positive approach to ADHD and other issues is a true blessing to those who are struggling. Thank- you so much for your help.
Happy birthday!
I have yet to fully explore your site and services (I’ll get to it one day!), so, for me what you’ve given is hope and encouragement that there is always more to learn, try, and do to manage ADHD.
You help me to realise that I can reach higher and demand more of myself, that with the right support and systems in place I really can achieve anything I want.
I have therefore done more and challenged myself more, as a result my confidence is growing exponentially and I am achieving my dreams!
Thank you Dr Kenny
Hope you have a lovely birthday.
I appreciate your updates on the latest ADHD news, and in particular your flexible and consistently thoughtful, rather than dogmatic, approach to ADHD, as well as the fact that you are a Canadian ADHD specialist.
BTW, wouldn’t mind hearing your views on the article “Ritalin Gone Wrong” in last Sunday’s NYT, and in particular, why is it that people (especially professors from top American universities who ought to know better) are still able to publish garbage contending that ADHD is not a genetically inherited disorder and parents are to blame.
Best,
Sarah
Happy Birthday, the idea of “attention difference” has been very useful. I also have your book in our lending library for families and educators: it is a very helpful resource. Thank you!
Dr Kenny, A very ‘Happy Birthday” and many more. Your “Insiders” Program has provided me with a unique opportunity to shed light on me & my ADHD brain. After 69 years, its like the darkness has begun to be lifted. Whatever was, was yesterday, and now I can let me really be master of my future. With the recent diagnosis of my ADHD and changes in medication, it is easiere to implement the suggestions and tools you & the Program Coaches like Lynne Edris have shown me. So again, Happy Birthday may our successes be our present to you in celebration.
Happy Birthday! I just turned 40 and far from being as accompished as you are…congratulations! I have only been follwoing your blog for a few weeks and I have learned alot and been reminded of alot. From how to change my own self control to how to deal with his lack of self control. I look forward to following you and the many people that are in the same boat. I dont feel alone anymore!!!
V/r,
Isabel Fierro
You have so helped me understand my daughter better. She is ADHD and the thing that helps the most for us is Diane, your ADHD coach for kids. If one, really listens to her messages and puts them into action, they work magic.
The other thing that helps is the Candida diet but that is not easy to do when kids in school give her sweets.
Happy Birthday and thank you so much for helping us figure it out.
You are the best.
Lucie
Happy Birthday Dr. Kenny,
With your articles, You’ve ADHD & ADD more approachable. Earlier it felt like a dreadful disease you had to be afraid off catching. With your approach & technique it feels like something you can easily deal with. Thank.
Happy Birthday Dr. Kenny! Your “generosity” in sharing ADHD information is greatly appreciated and very much needed. Reminders about the differences that one should focus upon rather than the defects is wonderful.
“Patience” is a VIRTUE and so is “generosity” and “understanding.” Along with your up to date ADHD information and The Virtues Project, I have been able to cope much better with the ADHD diagnosis of my two children much better. Your positive approach is directly in line with The Virtues Project, which seeks to bring out the best in each and every person worldwide. (www.virtuesproject.com) Thank you and Happy Birthday again!
You have helped me with the most amazing thing of all! You helped me to realize I AM NOT ALONE! I am not the only adult woman with ADHD struggling to make sense out of the constant chorus in my brain while parenting, working, socializing and just…being. Above all else it helps to know that others are going through the same things, that ADHD is NOT a bad word, and that I am not “broken” or otherwise somehow deficient. You give me the confidence to just be me! Keep up the good work and…Happy Birthday!!!!
Thanks!
Bringing quality information, insight and results from your continuous research, as well as opinions from experts that work with you … not to mention the frequent reminders to go and take advantage of this information and resources available (… who said ADD’ers need reminders to complete our multiple daily tasks? … lol …)
Thanks and Happy Birthday!!
Happy birthday, Dr. Handelman!
This past year or really these past two months I have finally taken the time to answer your e-mails. ie News years resolutions and today’s. Do I think there so personal??
Found the first New Year insider coaching session very helpful, related to speaker and continue to follow her guidelines.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Kathy
You helped me see that it is not always me that is broken, sometimes I am just different to some people. This helped me start my own business.
Happy Birthday
For me, ADHD education is a life long task . By being on your email list, I get ongoing information, which I trust, having attended one of your seminars and read your book. I greatly appreciate the strengths based approach which you use.
Many thanks for helping to make sense of this topic. I particularly like your medications outline in your book and bought 2 copies, one for me and a second to share with my clients and colleagues …spreading the good news !
Regards and have a great day !
Elaine
Happy Birthday! My daughter has ADHD/ODD and it has helped so much to have the information you provide, know that we are not alone in going through this. It has helped me to realize that ADHD isn’t only a bad thing, that she can flourish and continue to learn and grow along with her ADHD. Thanks for everything you do and have a great birthday!
Happy Birthday.
You and your website opened my eyes to the idea that perhaps there was more to ADHD treatment than just medication. And also that there was more to ADHD coaching than simply learning how to make a proper list. Instead, people with ADHD (especially adults I suspect) have to learn how to stop blaming themselves and re-examine their beliefs about themselves and the world before they start loading up on strategies.
Happy B’day Doc! Wishing you many more. Your website has been a source of comfort, definitely kept up-to-date in areas of education, treatment options and where to go to and how to deal with characteristics of ADD. I was diagnosed with ADD several years ago, in my mid 40′s. Your website has really gave me confidence and the encouragement to look at myself in the right way! Thank You!
Happy Birthday!!!! you have helped me in many dimensions of my life. I believe God put u in my path and im so glad he did. i am an adult with ad/hd, i have an adopted 19 year old with ad/hd, and fae, so i have learned so many things about myself, why i do the things that i do, why i think the way i do. what is “ok” about ad/hd and that we r ppl too and we need some direction in our lives. u have provided that for me. every topic u pick to talk on, has something in it for me!!! so, have to choose any one thing. but i will say for my 19 year old, i wish i had known u 10 years ago, and the research was available to help someone like jamie. u have taught me how jamie’s brain works, that it has different wiring, and u r sooo correct. the getting overwhelmed, school work being lost, not done, gets behind, gets overwhelmed, doesnt understand it anyway, and i had an extremely frustrated child…..nobody could help her. i think that might have to do with the fae…..part…..idk. her thinking is soooo different than mine, i struggle everytime i talk with her to try to stay on the same wave length, but it just doesnt work. i still have lots to learn. now as she has gotten older, anger issues have surfaced…..drugs, alcohol were in the ofting, then she became pregnant, and didnt like being pregnant at all. her mind, her being cld not tolerate a pregnancy,. but she made it thru it, her and DJ have a beautiful lil babe, harley, it has given jamie purpose in life, jamie has calmed down, cuz harley takes some of the wind out of her sails. BUT THE HARDEST DARN THING FOR ME IS TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE IS TRYING TO TELL ME, AND IF I DONT COMPREHEND IT RIGHT AWAY, SHE GETS FRUSTRATED, ANGRY, AND UPSET. SO MY NEW RULE OF THUMB IS: I TAKE A DEEP BREATH AFTER SHE IS DONE TALKING TO ME AND TELLING ME WHAT IS ON HERMIND, AND REMIND MYSELF NOT TO YELL, CUZ THAT IS MY FIRST RESPONSE, CUZ I GET FRUSTRATED ALSO…..JAMIE HAS COME A LONG WAY IN THE LAST 1.5 YRS. I WILL NEVER GIV UP ON HER, BECUZ I LV HER AND SHE DESERVES A GOOD LIFE, WE NEED TOOLS AND SKILLS TO WORK WITH….U R GIVING ME THE TOOLS, AND I AM TRYING TO USE THE SKILLS WITH JAMIE, BECUZ HEAVEN FORBID SHE WOULD EVER TRY TO FIND VERY MANY TOOLS HERSELF, OR MAYBE SHE IS UNABLE, IDK. SHE ALWAYS TOOK RITILON, VYVANSE, AND ONE OTHER KIND SINCE SHE WAS VERY LITTLE, SHE DECIDED TO STOP TAKING HER MEDS, I COULD NOT TOLERATE, I TOLD HER EITHER U TAKE UR MEDS, OR U NEED TO FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO LIVE. THE MEDS SLOWED HER DOWN, OR WHAT DO THEY DO????? BUT WE CLD REASON WITH HER, TALK TO HER, HAVE A CONVERSATION, SHE NEVER NOTICED A DIFFERENCE IN TAKING HER MEDS, BUT THOSE AROUND HER DID. THAT WAS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT FOR ME, BUT THEN I LEARNED TO KIND OF ACCEPT THE NO MED THING. THEIR PHILOSOPHY IS TO SELF-MEDICATE, SIT DOWN HAVE A BEER AND EVERYTHING WILL B ALRIGHT, THAT IS WHAT DJ SAYS…….SO TY VERY MUCH, HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY, KEEP THINGS COMING MY WAY, AND I AM VERY HAPPY TO LISTEN!!! JANINE
Simply put, everyone who has any contact with ADD/ADHD should wear out a copy of Attention Difference Disorder. It SHOULD be require reading for all school personnel
who interact with children who are “different”.
Thanks for your efforts!
AMEN TO THAT ONE!!!!!
Hey Kenny!
Happy Birthday!
I love your blog. I have been struggling with my A.D.D. my whole life. I am now a young man and have just started to get on a good program. I always look to you for advice. I am currently seeking an a.d.d. specialist right now (let me know if you start taking adults!) It is hard to find people who understand A.D.D. especially in adults. Anyways keep it up and we’ll keep reading!
Thanks again and Happy Birthday!,
Josh
Helped with so many things, especially in regard to medications/dosing, the differences between medications, and simplifying all the data out there on the different strategies including alternative approaches. You are the perfect balance between a scientific yet simplified approach. Thanks! I love your blog and it is the only one I have ever read regularly as I generally avoid internet blogs as sources of information (I’m a physician and am skeptical about all the misinformation out there). Thanks again and Happy Birthday (I hit 41 in December so I’ve got you by a month:).
Well Kenny, i guess it happens to the best of us, happy birthday. the one thing i can say about you and what you have done for me is “believe in ones self” a simple thing but sometimes hard to grasp. Being able to embrace ADD has been a life altering transformation, and understanding the up side is incredibly invigorating. Your favorite phrase for me has been in the last year “the genius of ADD” i have a son with it as well as my self, and another son with asperger’s syndrome, and i think when you stop the bad cometary and look at the positive, you start to embrace what you have with a brilliant outlook in life. keep doing what your doing, always appreciated.