Applied Behavioral Health Practice

09/04/2026

💊 ADHD medication was the right choice for me.

🚫 But it may not be the right choice for everyone.

Medication doesn't make me less ADHD. It doesn't suddenly give me perfect executive function. And it definitely doesn't eliminate the need for strategies, accommodations, or supports.

It did make those things easier for me to access and use, though.

It's like wearing glasses. They didn't teach me how to read or make me smarter.

They did make it easier to see what's right there in front of me, though.

09/03/2026

A show was recently aired in the UK that started up this debate again:

Is ADHD real?

Yup.

We could debate this again. But here's what I've learned:

The people who genuinely want to understand ADHD will ask questions, listen, and learn.

The people who have already decided it isn't a real problem won't be convinced.

I’d rather spend that energy helping people with ADHD understand themselves and help parents understand their kids.

07/15/2026

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the advice out there? 🏠

Real change isn’t about adding more interventions—it’s about matching strategies to your unique family and values.

Embrace what works for you and let go of the rest. Your family's journey is one-of-a-kind, and it deserves a tailored approach.

Let’s share our experiences and support each other in this journey!

07/15/2026

07/15/2026

Hey !

Find us at the All-Inclusive Day of Play on Friday July 17th at the
Miramar Hourglass Recreation Center. Our wonderful affiliates are giving you a change to enter and win timers and planners!

Thanks to Order Out of Chaos Planners and Time Timer - Make Every Moment Count for making this possible!

I hope to see you there, San Diego!

07/03/2026

Before you hire an ADHD coach — read this!

A 2026 study surveyed 481 ADHD coaches across the US. What they found should concern every person with ADHD who's ever searched for help:

90% had no clinical oversight.

89% had no mental health background.

42% were addressing su***de and self-harm with zero clinical training.

Anyone can call themselves an ADHD coach. There's no license. No standards. No one checking.

And if you've ever tried coaching that didn't work — this might be why.

Here's what to look for instead:

→ A recognized credential (BCBA, LCSW, licensed psychologist)

→ A structured assessment process before any advice is given

→ Someone who can explain why — not just what to do

→ Lived ADHD experience that's integrated into the clinical approach, not just a marketing lineYou've already spent years trying things that didn't work.

Hi, I'm Ryan Baker-Barrett, and I'm a BCBA of more than 10 years and an ADHD-CCSP. You deserve support that's actually built for your brain.

Book your clarity call today and learn why I'm different.

vergent

06/30/2026

Stepping back with intention, not fear, means your kid can step forward with independence.

Stepping back can feel scary. What happens if I'm not there to jump in? How bad will it turn out?

When you step back with intention and a plan, you feel confident, and it empowers your child to grow.

Build the scaffolding, align routines with values, and create a system that fosters self-direction. You’re not abandoning them—you’re giving them space to step into independence.

If you're ready to shift from managing everything to guiding with purpose, drop a 💡 or book a clarity call today.

Let’s build a roadmap for your family’s success!

06/29/2026

Before you hire an ADHD coach — read this!

A 2026 study surveyed 481 ADHD coaches across the US. What they found should concern every person with ADHD who's ever searched for help:

90% had no clinical oversight.

89% had no mental health background.

42% were addressing su***de and self-harm with zero clinical training.

Anyone can call themselves an ADHD coach. There's no license. No standards. No one checking.

And if you've ever tried coaching that didn't work — this might be why.

Here's what to look for instead:

→ A recognized credential (BCBA, LCSW, licensed psychologist)

→ A structured assessment process before any advice is given

→ Someone who can explain why — not just what to do

→ Lived ADHD experience that's integrated into the clinical approach, not just a marketing lineYou've already spent years trying things that didn't work.

Hi, I'm Ryan Baker-Barrett, and I'm a BCBA of more than 10 years and an ADHD-CCSP. You deserve support that's actually built for your brain.

Book your clarity call today and learn why I'm different.

vergent

06/23/2026

Most parents walk into their child's IEP meeting feeling like a guest. Here's what you actually need to know. 👇

1. You're a member of the team — not an observer.
The IEP meeting isn't a presentation the school puts on for you. You have an equal seat at the table. Your knowledge of your child — how they learn, what shuts them down, what lights them up — is information no teacher or specialist has. Come prepared. Speak up. Your voice belongs in that room.

2. Your child is a member of the team too.

Research tells us that students with ADHD who develop self-advocacy skills have better long-term outcomes — in school and beyond. The law even requires students 14 and older to participate in their IEP meetings. But it starts earlier than that. Help your child understand their own brain. Teach them to name what helps. That skill will follow them for life.

3. You have the right to disagree — and nothing moves forward without your signature.

You are not required to sign an IEP you don't agree with. You can ask for changes. You can request more time. You can bring your own evaluations and documentation. The IEP is a legal agreement — not a school decision handed down to you. Knowing that changes everything about how you show up.

The IEP process works best when parents know their rights and use them.

If you're navigating this and want a community of parents who've been in that same room, feeling that same uncertainty — Kids Like Mine is for you. Free. Online. No judgment.

06/23/2026

Parenting a kid with ADHD isn't just "regular parenting turned up a notch." It's a completely different experience — and the research backs that up.

Here are 5 reasons why:

1. Your stress is measurably higher 🧠

Studies consistently show that parents of kids with ADHD experience significantly higher parenting stress than parents of neurotypical kids. This isn't a mindset problem. It's a real, documented physiological and emotional load.

2. The parent-child dynamic gets pulled into a cycle 🔄

ADHD behaviors can trigger more reactive parenting — which can worsen behavioral difficulties — which increases stress — which affects parenting again. It's not a failure. It's a documented negative feedback loop that happens in families navigating ADHD.

3. The whole family feels it 🏠

Family conflict, disrupted routines, and strained relationships are common in households with ADHD. Your other kids notice. Your marriage feels it. You feel it even in the quiet moments.

4. You might be dealing with your own ADHD too 🧩

ADHD is highly heritable — which means many parents raising a kid with ADHD share some of those same traits. Trying to build structure and consistency for your child when your own brain resists it? That's a layer most people never see.
5. Society gives you very little grace 😔

A meltdown at the grocery store. A note from the teacher. Another missed assignment. The world sees a behavior problem. You see your kid struggling, and you're exhausted from fighting that narrative every single day.

You don't need more judgment. You need a community that gets it.

That's exactly why Kids Like Mine exists — a free online community for parents raising kids with ADHD and neurodevelopmental differences. A place to ask real questions, share the hard days, and connect with parents who understand without explanation.

👇 Join us — because you shouldn't have to figure this out alone.