Newsletter

In honor of ADHD Awareness Month

“Not enough people realize that ADHD is not a disorder about loss of focus. It is a disorder of loss of emotional control, which is triggered by outside influences, self-esteem and our interpretation of events. Whether this is positive or negative, it triggers us to hyper-focus on hat consumes our thoughts. Staying positive is critical and distancing oneself from hurtful people is essential, in order to live a life with purpose.” -Shannon L. Alder

The month of October provides a platform for sharing accurate information about prevalence, symptoms, and accommodations for helping people find the support they need in coping with ADHD.  MMHS describes its delivery of services for this neurodevelopmental condition and offers recommendations for treatment options.  

ADHD stands for “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.”  According to a National Survey of Children’s Health, “A higher percentage of boys than girls had a current ADHD diagnosis (14.5% vs. 8.8%).”  The gender gap may exist because girls show inattentive symptoms that are overlooked and the boys are hyperactive which is more noticeable

 Shelby Devericks, LMHP-R, is an outpatient therapist who works with children to help them with one of the symptoms which is coping with fidgeting.  Shelby writes, “children with ADHD are capable of accomplishing so many things, they just need patience, and help understanding how their brain works and the best ways their bodies respond. Fidgeting is a common symptom experienced by children with ADHD. It is not as simple as telling them to ‘sit still,’ but rather providing children with tools on how to harness that energy and minimize distractions. Sometimes having a fidget (which I love and support fully) isn’t accessible. A quick coping strategy is touching each fingertip to the thumb one at a time, slowly moving from the index finger to the pinky and back. Remember the goal is not to eliminate movement, it is to find movement that helps the child stay connected to the task.” 

Adults also have the ADHD diagnosis with an estimated 15.5 million or 6.0%  in U.S. according to the CDC 2023 Rapid Survey. Shelby Devericks, LMHP-R, is able to assist patients with the ADHD diagnosis with keeping a schedule.   Shelby explains, “time-Blindness” is a very common symptom experienced by those with ADHD. This makes it difficult to accurately estimate how much time has passed, how long a task may take, or to recognize that something needs to be started before it becomes urgent. This is not simply just ‘bad at time management.’ It is related to the way the ADHD brain processes time, which can make managing it more difficult. Externalizing time and tasks can help make it more visible. To minimize frustration, give yourself a 10, 20, or 30-minute warning before transitions. So instead of drastically jumping into a task by thinking, ‘I need to be at work at 8:00AM,’ try breaking it down: ‘At 7:20AM I need to stop what I am doing and begin getting ready.’  A small step is better than a mile of intentions. Setting an alarm to signal transition times can provide an external cue to help with task follow through and make transitions feel more manageable.” 

Accommodations for ADHD are helpful no matter what age.  Personalizing a treatment plan can prove effective, especially if breaking a task into smaller steps will improve results.  Shelby says, “ADHD does not look the same for everyone, which means the strategies we use should not look the same either. One simple way to personalize support is by breaking larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Instead of looking at the whole task and thinking, ‘I have to get all of this done,’ identify the smallest possible place to start. For a child, ‘clean your room’ might become ‘pick up the clothes on the floor.’ For an adult, ‘finish this work project’ might become ‘open the document and write the first sentence.’  Breaking a task down can reduce that feeling of being overwhelmed and make it easier to get started. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t doing the task, it’s getting past the starting line. The goal isn’t to make the task smaller forever. It is to create a starting point that feels manageable enough for the brain to engage.”

Thus, a way to cope with fidgeting is to touch each fingertip to the thumb.  Time-blindness is a symptom where signals of transition times can provide an external cue.  An accommodation is personalized support such as breaking larger tasks into manageable tasks. 

National Center for Health Statistics. (2023). CDC 2023 Rapid Survey. https://data.cdc.gov/National-Center-for-Health-Statistics/NCHS-Rapid-Surveys-System/p89x-xx88/data_preview

National Survey of Children’s Health. (2026, July). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Prevalence and Health Care Access, 2024. https://mchb.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/mchb/data-research/ADHD-NSCH-Data-Brief.pdf

Twiss, C. (2024, September 24). How To Focus With ADHD: 14 Tips from a Therapist. ChoosingTherapy. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/how-to-focus-with-adhd/

     

---

💡NRV SPOTLIGHT 💡

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to domestic violence, support survivors and encourage communities to recognize the signs of abuse. It is also an opportunity to remind those experiencing abuse that they are not alone and that help is available.

Domestic violence is not limited to physical violence. It can include emotional, psychological, sexual and financial abuse, as well as threats, intimidation, stalking and controlling behaviors. These experiences can have a lasting impact on a person’s mental and emotional health. Survivors may experience anxiety, depression, fear, low self-esteem or symptoms related to trauma.

For someone experiencing abuse, asking for help can be difficult. Fear, financial concerns, children, isolation and concerns about personal safety may all make it harder to leave or speak about what is happening. It is important to remember that the responsibility for abuse belongs to the person choosing to abuse—not the survivor.

Friends, family members, coworkers and healthcare professionals can make a difference by listening without judgment, believing survivors and offering support. Rather than telling someone what they should do, ask how you can help and respect their decisions. Providing a safe and supportive environment can be an important first step toward healing.

In Virginia, the Virginia Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-838-8238. Text support is available at 804-793-9999. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

This Domestic Violence Awareness Month take time to learn the signs, listen to those who may be struggling and help create a community where survivors feel safe seeking support. Everyone deserves to live free from abuse and fear.

---

Birthdays

Service Awards

---

For a printable copy of this newsletter, click here.