Feeling Burned Out? Find ADHD Parenting Support Online
By Dr. Mary Rooney, Ph.D.
Parenting a child with ADHD can be overwhelming and isolating during the best of times. During the pandemic, it can lead to levels of parenting stress, burnout, and isolation that seem unmanageable. If the thought of coping with your child’s ADHD this winter fills you with dread, then it may be time to connect virtually with other parents of kids with ADHD – parents who will understand exactly what you are going through and can offer advice and an understanding ear.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are more support groups available online than ever before. This includes virtual support groups moderated by professionals, parent training courses taught by coaches or therapists, and moderated social networking groups. Finding the group that is the right fit for your needs might take a little legwork, but the list of resources below will give you a jumpstart and should help make the process relatively quick and painless.
Virtual Support Groups
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) Virtual Support Groups: ADDA offers a collection of fantastic virtual support groups, one of which is focused specifically on parenting children with ADHD. The parenting support group includes practical strategies along with encouragement and support from other parents coping with the challenges that come with raising a child with ADHD. ADDA membership (which costs about $50 per year) is required.
- Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD) Parenting Support Groups: CHADD offers parenting support groups through their affiliates throughout the country. Typically, these support groups are held in-person, but most are currently being held online. To locate support groups near you, use the affiliate search tool on the CHADD website.
- Telehealth Parent Training and Support Groups at Academic Medical Centers: Many of the most highly qualified ADHD experts throughout the country provide services though ADHD centers that are part of a hospital or university. Many of these centers offer ADHD parent support groups or ADHD parent training groups regularly, and historically, these groups have been held in-person. However, since the start of the pandemic, the majority of these groups have moved online. CHADD offers an ADHD Center Directory search tool on their website that can help you locate the ADHD centers in your state. While you could technically attend an online support group anywhere in the country, clinician-led groups might be limited to participants who reside in-state due to professional licensing restrictions. After locating your nearest ADHD center, call the center’s intake line to learn about their telehealth services. (Tip: don’t rely solely on their website for information.)
Facebook and other Social Networking Groups
- CHADD’s ADHD Parents Together: CHADD uses an independent social networking platform (called HealthUnlocked) to provide moderated group support to parents of children with ADHD. The ADHD Parents Together provides a Facebook-like experience and currently has over 12,000 members. The platform gives parents a space to discuss the impact of ADHD on their child and their family and receive valuable advice and support.
- ADHD Parent Support Facebook Group: ADHD Parent Support – Inspiring Understanding, is a private, moderated Facebook group with over 22,000 members. The group encourages sharing parenting successes and challenges, as well as courteous, respectful, non-judgmental responses from group members. Since this is a private group, a direct link is not available. However, the group can be found via the search function within Facebook.
Online ADHD parenting support groups are a fantastic resource, but they are not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you or your child are in need of mental health services, your child’s pediatrician or your primary care provider can be a great resource for referrals. If you are experiencing an immediate crisis, text the Crisis Line (text NAMI to 741-741) to be connected with a trained crisis counselor.
ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY
Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers.
ABOUT HUNTINGTON
Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.
This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.