ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions for American youth. Addressing the diagnosis is no easy feat, and there is no one size fits all solution. But an ADHD diagnosis for Black children can be compounded with unique challenges, such as stigmatization, which can negatively impact how others at school and within their communities treat them. In the 2nd part of this 2-part series, host, Howard alum, and developmental psychologist Dr. Kweli Zukeri continues his conversation on ADHD with guest Dr. Mercedes Ebanks. Dr. Ebanks is a double Howard alum and Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at the Howard School of Education. She is also a Behavioral Therapist and the Co-Founder and Parent Coordinator of the Mecca Group, LLC. This episode will delve into the complexities of an ADHD diagnosis in Black American children. We’ll hear about the importance of understanding the cultural and environmental factors that contribute to ADHD symptoms and the potential misinterpretations of these behaviors in educational settings, and the broader societal issues contributing to ADHD symptoms, such as excessive screen time and the lack of representation among Black medical professionals. The conversation also emphasizes the role of parents, teachers, and mental health professionals in recognizing ADHD's potential and developing strength-based approaches to support children. From HU2U is a production of Howard University and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How can parents of children with ADHD help them overcome challenges, leverage strengths, and reach their full potential?29:16: [Kweli Zukeri] What advice do you have for parents whose children have ADHD? How can they help their children mitigate the challenges and limitations while simultaneously enhancing the strengths and potential that accompany it?29:31: [Dr. Mercedes Ebanks] It's helping your children to be self-reflective and to identify their feelings, being either overwhelmed or overstimulated. Helping them to monitor that. Also, it's really basic communication. I think helping children communicate how they're feeling is important. I think that's the first. Talking to them about their feelings or what their experience is like with the inattention—is it affecting them in the classroom, or are they using it for good, “good.” So I think it's very important to help their children understand what is going on. Awareness is key.41:03: What is considered a disorder doesn't have to stop you. We can excel at anything.ADHD has no switch off and switch on button05:10: A child with ADHD has it at school and at home. So, their behaviors are very different at home than in school. It may not be ADHD, but you also need to ask the questions: what is being asked at home and what is being asked at school? There's more to it to truly understand because, are they being asked to focus at home, or is it quiet at home? Perhaps the child is needing to watch TV because the mother or father has to work or has other, you know, responsibilities, and can't give the child the individual attention that is needed.The power of words for people with ADHD22:48: Helping children understand and be very aware of their body, their senses, and their abilities, I think, are very important. And to teach children how to communicate that. If that's communicating through motion and physical activity, through dance, or through sports, however, they need to communicate. It could be through art. It certainly is a way to communicate their talent. And this is all it is. It is a gift that was given to them that needs to just be honed.Show Links:Dr. Edward HallowellScattered Minds - Dr. Gabor MatéBeing Black with ADHD | Howard MagazineMedical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present by Harriet A. WashingtonDr. Keisha MackThe Journal of Negro Education | JSTORHancock (2008) - IMDbBlack Panther (2018) - IMDbCHADDADHD Black Professionals Alliance - IngerShaye'55th NAACP Image Awards' Honors Poet Amanda Gorman With The Chairman’s Award Presented by Unilever | News | BETGuest Profile:Mercedes Ebanks | Howard ProfilesMercedes E. Ebanks, PhD - The MECCA Group, LLCLinkedIn | Dr. Mercedes EbanksThe MECCA GroupInstagram | The MECCA GroupThe MECCA Group, LLC | LinkedInFacebook | The MECCA GroupThe Mecca Group - YouTube

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