May We Introduce You To: 2024 Year In Review
by Lee Gehrls, R&D Coordinator (Volunteer)
editing & research by Adam Gehrls (Vice President)
Reading Time: 5 Minutes
It’s the end of another year, and it’s time to look back on a few of the Feature Articles we presented in 2024. I want to encourage you to review the information on these resources.
February | Cynthia Hammer, MSW & Inattentive ADHD Coalition
Cynthia Hammer, MSW, is the founder and executive director of the Inattentive ADHD Coalition, which was established in 2021 and founded ADD Resources in 1993. She was diagnosed with Inattentive type ADHD in 1992 (this type makes up 30% of those with ADHD), which motivated her to form the Inattentive ADHD Coalition. Her website provides over 15 categories of information on Inattentive ADHD for children and adults and explains what it is and why diagnosis matters. The website also has a free blog called Stay Informed, which you may subscribe to. To learn more about Cynthia and the Inattentive ADHD Coalition, check out our February 2024 Feature Article.
March | ADDitude Special Report | What Your Patients Aren’t Telling You About ADHD Treatment
Compiled from surveys conducted among 978,871 newsletter subscribers from July 30, 2023, to December 4, 2023, they received 11,013 responses, forming the basis of the special report published in February 2024. The report provides insight into ADHD treatment from the perspective of both caregivers and adults (those with ADHD and those who are parents of ADHD children). The survey topics ranged from treatment, comorbidities, medication, and lifestyle practices (i.e., exercise and diet). Through charts, graphs, statistics, and facts, the seven-page special report summarizes essential information regarding ADHD treatment. You can check out the March 2024 Feature Article to learn more and download the report.
June | 6 Books for Adults Living with ADHD
Summer was the perfect time to relax and catch up on your reading backlog, including some recommended books from our ADHD reading list. However, winter is here, and it can be an excellent time to finish reading the list or reviewing the books again. The Feature Article includes a link to the March 25, 2024, issue of the New York Times, which provided six books for adults with ADHD written by noted authorities. In addition, the Feature Article includes nine other books recommended by us, four books for general reading, and five books designed explicitly for ADHD children. Each book has a link to Goodreads for further information. To learn more about the 2024 Summer ADHD Reading list, you can check out the June 6 Feature Article.
July | 25 Great Mobile Apps for ADHD Minds
Smartphones are a crucial part of modern life. For those with ADHD, there are specific apps that will help with organization, improve focus, keep track of information, provide other resources, and complement your healthcare or mental healthcare provider. ADDitude compiled a list of 25 apps designed for those with ADHD (last updated April 8, 2024). Each article specifies the app name and a link, device information, price, a summary of its functions, and examples of its use. Three additional apps are also provided, along with two provided by ADDitude Magazine. Re-read our July 2024 Feature Article to learn more about these apps.
One More Reminder:
Last December, I recommended three resources to review, and yes, here they are again. I’m talking about accessiBe accessibility app, APSARD (American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders), and Speechify, Text-to-Speech Technology. Why?
APSARD
Let’s begin with APSARD, who developed the first adult ADHD guidelines for the United States and guided this project through the review process. This is important for several reasons:
- Many other countries have had adult ADHD guidelines for several years. Guidelines for the U.S. are long overdue.
- The new guidelines will provide training and direction on the standard treatment of adult ADHD, resulting in continuity of care across the U.S.
- As we learn what the guidelines cover in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, we will become better ADHD consumers when looking for care. For more information check out our December 2023 Feature Article.
accessiBe
accessiBe is a company that provides software to improve website accessibility and ADA compliance. It is used on hundreds of thousands of websites, including some well-known names such as Abbott, GE, Toshiba, and others. Our non-profit makes use of accessiBe on our website as well. Check out the Accessibility FAQ on our website to learn more about how to use it. You can read the January 2023 Feature Article to learn more about accessiBe, ADA compliance, and how it all relates to ADHD.
Speechify
Speechify, Text-to-Speech Technology. There are many different options if you are looking for text-to-speech apps. Speechify was developed by Cliff Weitzman, who has been challenged by severe dyslexia all his life, and designed to help those with neurodiversity issues. While it can help those with numerous needs (including Traumatic Brain Injury or vision impairment), it offers many features for those with ADHD, and there are articles on the website on how Speechify can help. You can check out our October 2023 Feature Article to learn more about Speechify.
I hope you have found these resources useful this year and that you might even find time during the winter to review them one more time or pass them onto others who are learning about ADHD.
In closing, I’d like to thank all of you who have subscribed to our monthly Positive Steps Newsletter. It’s been a bumper year for ADHD information. The archive now boasts 56 issues that are available for your review anytime. Our goal is always to provide you with evidence-based information and resources and to introduce you to new experts in the field of ADHD. Living successfully with ADHD involves life-long learning for the person who has it and for their families. ADHD is also an ongoing learning process for medical and mental health providers, educators, ADHD coaches, business owners, and HR departments, and for our communities. ADHD information will continue to increase, and we will continue to publish our monthly newsletter to expand our understanding of the many issues and complexities related to it. As always, we welcome your feedback, so please feel free to email us. From myself, our board of directors, and our small group of volunteers, we wish you and your families a Happy Holiday Season and the best in the New Year.
Disclaimer: This document is for information purposes only. A-D-A-M℠ does not receive compensation from the above stated apps or any other organization. If you are considering applications or other products be sure to do your research, as there are alternatives that could be better suited for your needs. Always consult your primary healthcare and/or mental healthcare provider on the treatment of ADHD and related conditions.
Disclaimer: A-D-A-M℠ provides information about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in the form of resources, including articles, books, videos, and websites, as well as links to directories to help you find health professionals, services and facilities that provide services for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This information and these directories are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by A-D-A-M℠; and to the best of A-D-A-M’s knowledge are true and accurate at the time of publication. A-D-A-M℠ makes no claim, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the contents found in this information and in these directories, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions. Although great care is given to the composition and contents provided, A-D-A-M℠ cannot guarantee the correctness of the nature and contents of the information. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained through these resources does so at his or her own risk.
ADHD Coaching Corner
Seth Perler