Inside ADHD Mind: Tools to Help Your Child Thrive, with Dr. Sasha Hamdani

Dr. Sasha Hamdani

The St. John Parent Association, in partnership with ParentMap, provided an opportunity to hear Sasha Hamdami speak on January 21, 2026.  

Link to previous ParentEd videos: https://vimeo.com/showcase/parentedtalks-25-26 

Access password: edTalks*2526

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Reality of the ADHD Brain
  • Prevalence vs. Perception: ADHD rates in the general population are stable, but diagnosis rates are rising. This is due to a better understanding of “masked” symptoms, particularly in girls and women who often present with internal restlessness rather than external disruption.
  • Neurobiological Roots: ADHD is an inheritable, neurological difference in how the brain is wired. It isn’t “developed” through bad habits; it manifests as the brain’s executive centers mature at a different rate than neurotypical peers.
  • A “Regulation” Disorder: The name “Attention Deficit” is a misnomer. It is actually a dysregulation of executive function. This impacts:
    • Attention: Either too little or “hyperfocus.”
    • Emotional Control: Frequent “flooding” or rejection sensitivity.
    • Biological Rhythms: Difficulty with sleep onset and hunger cues (interoception).
  1. The Management Framework

It can be treated with medication or behavioral, and behavioral can be both internal and external facing. While medication is a powerful tool (focused on dopamine levels), Dr. Hamdani notes that medication is very individual and need to be done in consultation with a medical provider. For behavioral treatment, Dr. Hamdani emphasizes a Biopsychosocial Approach—specifically the interplay between the child and their surroundings.

Internal Strategies (The Child’s Mindset)

  • Lead with Curiosity: Start with a curious and non-judgmental approach. Move away from “Why won’t you do this?” to “What is making this hard right now?”
  • Collaborative Problem Solving: Instead of imposing a system, ask the child for input. Once you understand the problem, you can work on a solution. They are more likely to follow a plan they helped build.
  • Process over Product: Shift the “reward center” of the brain by praising the effort and strategy used rather than the final grade or result.
  • Removing Toxic Shame: Focus on the effort your child is doing and the resilience. Do not focus on comparisons to neurotypical siblings or peers. Shame is “dopamine-depleting,” which makes ADHD symptoms worse.

External Strategies (The Environment)

  • Consider both school environment and home environment; set them up to be designed for success
  • Proactive School Planning: Don’t wait for a crisis. Optimize the classroom environment (seating, distraction triggers, set breaks) before the term begins by collaborating with teachers.
  • The Power of Boredom: Unstructured downtime is vital. While “task-directed” activity is draining, boredom allows the ADHD brain to wander and develop internal motivation.
  1. Screen Time Management.

Dr. Hamdani is firm on Screen Time Management for two specific reasons:

  • The Stimulation Gap: Modern fast-paced media (like TikTok or high-octane gaming) provides a “dopamine flood” that makes real-life tasks (like homework) feel physically painful by comparison.
  • Constant Availability: Because these stimuli are available 24/7, the ADHD brain—which already struggles with “off-switches”—never gets the chance to reset its baseline.
  1. Emotional Dysregulation.
  • Provide a safe place for your children to experience periods of emotional dysregulation so that they can understand what triggers it and how to manage it when they are young.
  • Do not try to shut down the emotional dysregulation right away; instead allow them to understand that their feelings are okay and helping them to learn to manage their feelings

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