You are your child’s best advocate at school — and in life. Embrace that role by taking a strategic and proactive approach to the back-to-school season. Here are three things you can do in August to ensure a successful school year ahead for your child.

A successful school year begins in July. An unsuccessful one begins the first day of classes. Set up your child for success by reviewing his IEP or 504 Plan, developing organization systems with him, communicating with teachers, and more during the summer months.

The ADHD brain responds aggressively to stimulation. If it triggers our neurotransmitters, we will follow it — and often that means starting tasks but never finishing them, losing track of time, and working on what interests us — not what is most important.

Write these on post-its, make them your phone background, soak up all the motivation you can!

We pride ourselves on building awareness around ADHD and providing resources of professionals who "get it".

People tell me all the time, “I think I have ADHD too.” Maybe you do. Maybe you don’t. Do you feel that you could be accomplishing more, working more efficiently and contentedly? As a coach specializing in executive function skills, I can help you with that. And yet, some people still want to know.

My personal struggles as a parent started way before the official ADHD diagnosis. Even in daycare, my son was “hard to handle”. He had emotional ups and downs. He had no control over his behavior.

We have nine positive affirmations for you to tell yourself for self-love, motivation and continual progress.

1. You make it happen.

It was hard for us to narrow down to just seven of our favorite motivation quotes so here are all the rest we think can serve a purpose!

Set your alarm to go off in another room. This forces you to get out of bed to turn it off. If it’s a motivational song, you may even dance or sing along. You can turn it off but do not look at your phone! Do not look at social media, news, or email until you are dressed and out the door.

Everyone can use a little motivation - here are our favorite quotes for just that!

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!”

-Audrey Hepburn

Many entrepreneurs are Turbo Thinkers! As innovators, they produce ingenious ideas and fearlessly run with them. They are creative risk takers that see opportunities where others can’t. However, it takes executive function skills to take The Big Idea and turn it into reality.

We all have things to do and limited time in which to do them. So you have the choice to run around like a chicken with your head cut off or to stay calm and carry on. The difference lies in planning and preparation.

In fact, I seek motivation around me. I don’t think it’s only in one particular place or person. I think it’s fluid and the ability to find it anywhere any place, from both within and from external sources, is one of the key executive function skills necessary for peace and success.

Adela Baker is the force behind Mind Coach NOLA. Big things are on the horizon for 2019 & we can’t wait to share them with you! In the meantime see what 5 Life Lessons Adela finds most valuable…

Shanice Webb is our latest coach in the Mind Coach NOLA community. As a transplant from Ohio she enjoys long-boarding in the French Quarter & stopping for an iced vanilla coffee with soy milk.

Happy Mardi Gras, from Mind Coach NOLA! Mardi Gras presents us with every opportunity for impulsive behavior. ADHD or not, the whole city is throwing caution to the wind, so I can too! Right? 

Nine ways to be a #GoalCrusher this year and stay on track!

1. ENERGY

If you are not motivated, you always run out of energy. Going to bed is the best part of your day.

If you are motivated, you move quickly all day long and never stop. You are a source of power.

10 tips to be more productive, empowered, positive and driven for 2019.