ADHD Be Like…
MJ looks you dead in your face, says “I forgot”… literally seconds after you told them. This is:
A) A personal attack
B) ADHD memory doing its thing
B) ADHD memory doing its thing
You say, “Clean this room,” and MJ just stands there like the WiFi disconnected. Best move?
A) Say it again with more attitude
B) Break it down like: “clothes, then bed, then trash”
B) Break it down like: “clothes, then bed, then trash”
You tell MJ to do something. They say “I got it”… and then proceed to not got it. You:
A) Assume they’re choosing to ignore you
B) Give a clear follow-up/check-in (“Show me when it’s done” or set a quick reminder)
B) Give a clear follow-up/check-in (“Show me when it’s done” or set a quick reminder)
note: Teens with ADHD still need follow-through support, not just verbal agreement
If MJ's brain struggles with starting tasks, what might look like ‘attitude’ but is actually a brain lag?
Procrastinating
Saying “I’ll do it later”
Avoiding or shutting down
*answers may vary
MJ gets up to do something Granny or Kesia asks… and somehow ends up watching something on their phone, drawing, and laying on their bed. This is:
A) Extra behavior
B) Distractibility + “ooo what’s that?” brain
B) Distractibility + “ooo what’s that?” brain
You promise something on Friday for good behavior all week… by Tuesday they’ve already forgotten. Why?
A) They don’t care
B) ADHD brain said “Friday who??”
B) ADHD brain said “Friday who??”
Your teen has a missing assignment… but can talk about everything except the assignment. You say:
A) “You just don’t care about school”
B) “Let’s pick ONE thing to start—what’s the easiest thing to knock out?”
B) “Let’s pick ONE thing to start—what’s the easiest thing to knock out?”
You’re mid-sentence and MJ jumps in like it’s a debate team tryout. This is:
A) Disrespect
B) Impulse control saying “speak NOW, think later”
B) Impulse control saying “speak NOW, think later”
They did 80% of what you asked… and you zoom in on the 20% they didn’t do. What happens next?
A) Motivation unlocked
B) Shutdown, attitude, or “forget it then” energy
B) Shutdown, attitude, or “forget it then” energy
You remind MJ to do something and immediately get attitude: eye roll, sigh, or “I said I’ll do it.” You:
A) Match the energy (“Don’t roll your eyes at me!”)
B) Stay calm and redirect: “I hear you—just make sure it gets done now”
B) Stay calm and redirect: “I hear you—just make sure it gets done now”
note: Don’t escalate—keep it task-focused