Dr. Kristin Carothers

What is happening with ADHD is your brain functions differently.

What is happening with ADHD is your brain functions differently.

And so the dopamine or the reward centers of the brain need a lot of input for reinforcements.

And so the dopamine or the reward centers of the brain need a lot of input for reinforcements.

Office brain people are reinforced by being in the office and getting their work done.

Office brain people are reinforced by being in the office and getting their work done.

Task oriented.

Task oriented.

No, they're probably more organized and have better sleep hygiene.

No, they're probably more organized and have better sleep hygiene.

They're routine and structured. So they go to bed. They have a routine.

They're routine and structured. So they go to bed. They have a routine.

They sleep while they're in bed.

They sleep while they're in bed.

Yeah, I don't know that it's giving them dopamine, but their brains and bodies are reinforced by having that eight hours of sleep. They know they need it to function. It really helps them to get through the day. It makes them feel comfortable and secure. And so they prioritize it. For a person with ADHD, sleep isn't necessarily a priority. Getting stuff done and having fun is a priority.

Yeah, I don't know that it's giving them dopamine, but their brains and bodies are reinforced by having that eight hours of sleep. They know they need it to function. It really helps them to get through the day. It makes them feel comfortable and secure. And so they prioritize it. For a person with ADHD, sleep isn't necessarily a priority. Getting stuff done and having fun is a priority.

Like doing as much as you can in a day is a priority. Like being able to multitask, even though you might not be good at it. That's the priority. That's what's reinforcing. Like usually I have to get up at 610 to wake my son up. But hey, got somebody waking him up because I'm not there.

Like doing as much as you can in a day is a priority. Like being able to multitask, even though you might not be good at it. That's the priority. That's what's reinforcing. Like usually I have to get up at 610 to wake my son up. But hey, got somebody waking him up because I'm not there.

So I switch my alarm back 30 minutes. And before I left... Atlanta, one day I decided like, oh, I'll just take him to school. Forget getting on the school bus. Right. That's me deciding I'm not going to engage in routine because I just decided I didn't want to. But I am training my child to respond to an alarm.

So I switch my alarm back 30 minutes. And before I left... Atlanta, one day I decided like, oh, I'll just take him to school. Forget getting on the school bus. Right. That's me deciding I'm not going to engage in routine because I just decided I didn't want to. But I am training my child to respond to an alarm.