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ADHD & Joy
​
​can co-exist

As seen in...

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PARENTING A CHILD WITH ADHD...

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can be a confusing and isolating experience. You feel judged by family, friends and the school community.  You find yourself envious of friends with neuro-typical children.  And there may be days where your ​guilt as a parent is overwhelming and your exhaustion is unbearable.

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I’m a psychotherapist and mom of three kids who make up a fabulous cocktail of ADHD, Autism, Anxiety and Auditory processing. If there is one thing to know about me: I get it. The exhaustion. The confusion. The fear, the envy. The GUILT. Oh, and did I mention the exhaustion? I’ve been to that dark place where my children were so annoying, so defiant, that I didn’t even like them and wanted desperately to run off to a tropical island alone. This wasn’t what I signed up for! But, the other thing to know about me is: I found my way. With love, compassion and a bit of humor. My children are grown, successful and—I like them.
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I can help you find your way too.

​Enter your info for the 
​FREE e-book:

HOW TO PARENT ADHD:
4 SIMPLE STEPS

Audio version also available. Contact me for details.
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IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO PARENT YOUR ADHD CHILD


​MY ON-DEMAND PROGRAM CAN HELP
​FOR LESS

​​THAN THE COST OF ONE PRIVATE SESSION! ​

20 Quick, Effective Lessons for creating the relationship you want with your ADHD child--all while getting the behavior you need. 

​​"​The first-line treatment for young children with ADHD is Parent Behavior Therapy."   
- American Academy of Pediatrics 
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E-COURSE INFORMATION CLICK HERE

Testimonials

“"Yours was the best parenting advice I have ever received all wrapped up into one hour...thank you for what you are doing to help us as parents. I have often felt such loss of hope, you have made me realize how much of this journey is up to me as the parent. I can't give up now!” -K.P.

“Merriam was an interesting and accomplished speaker, and it meant so much to me that she shared stories from her own life.  I really loved her practical, step-by-step directions on how to address problem behavior. I will definitely be sharing the webinar with my husband and my colleagues.”

“You made me as a parent and professional so emotional, but in a good way! I was so engaged. Thank you for your time and expertise!”  - M.M.

"Literally crying right now, feeling so heard, understood & related to...being diagnosed w/ ADHD as an adult & now trying to raise my own ADHD kids, I'm just trying to do right by them & myself and this talk is SO AMAZING!" C.

"I want to thank you SO MUCH for your time and advice today.... this is the first concrete, specific and actionable advice we have gotten on how to handle our daughter.  Above all, everything you explained makes total sense and we have a much better idea what is going on in our little girl's brain.  For the first time in a long time I feel hopeful that we can change course and make things better." M.G.

ARE YOU A TEACHER OR LIBRARIAN? ​

Book me for a school visit, live or via Zoom! 
My author visits to your class are lively and informative.

Consider a staff in-service on
ADHD in the Classroom.

Contact me:
Merriam@focalpointfamily.com
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As a specialist in neurodevelopmental disorders...

...I help you with the complexities of diagnosing, understanding & parenting your child. Using an evidenced-base approach, I will help you change your child's difficult behaviors by adjusting parenting reactions.  This is an active, collaborative therapy and can be in consult with your family care physician and child's school.

Small adjustments in parenting can cause major differences in a child's social and physical environment, resulting in a better family dynamic.
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More importantly, I help you parent with joy, laughter & patience. It's the SECRET to keeping your sanity with ADHD. 


Individual Adult Therapy

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My Approach

​Research has shown that aside from medication, certain things positively impact ADHD symptoms: behavior therapy, a mindfulness practice, yoga, martial arts and a healthy diet and exercise. Where possible, we will devise a weekly plan that incorporates a blend of the above to create the most impact for you.
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Solution-Focused  Therapy

I am a licensed psychotherapist. I have specialized training in Mindfulness & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, specifically a type called Solution-Focused Therapy, which guides us to discover collaboratively what works for you, and enhance and generalize it, rather than to focus on where things go wrong.
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How does it work?

​We will create a concise, clear, immediate plan of action, and collaborate on solutions to meet your individual needs. We will meet virtually as frequently as you need- weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.

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 Podcasts-Webinars-Articles

Webinar: Discipline with a Twist: How to Manage Challenging Behavior Problems in Children & Teens with ADHD
Click to listen
NEW!! Merriam's Guest Appearance on the #1 iTunes Kids and Family Podcast “Reading With Your Kids!!!”
"The Parenting ADHD Podcast" with Penny Williams
"Greetings from Midlife" Podcast interview: ADHD & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Podcast for Learning Success with Phil Weaver on summer and ADHD tips for learning
Podcast on tips for summer learning and ADHD
Bookshop Interview with Author Merriam Saunders, Episode #074
Sarah Hamacher podcast "You've Got This!"
Podcast: Supporting and Understand Autistic Children and their families
podcast with Phil Weaver of Learning Success on tips for parenting a child with ADHD
Learning Success Podcast: Parenting the ADHD Child
Merriam Saunders Published Article in ADDitude Magazine
I Was Speaking Chinese — and Expecting My Child to Understand - ADDitude Magazine
Merriam Saunders Published Article in ADDitude Magazine
“You Are Wonderful!” How Praise Triggers Better Control in ​the ADHD Brain - ADDitude Magazine
Book Review
Children’s Book Gives Tips in Caring for Kids with AD/HD
Article in ADDitude Magazine
The Magical Thinking of ADHD Brains — and How It Drives Our Kids’ Lies
Article on positive parenting solutions for ADHD
ADHD Parents: You are the PROBLEM...and the SOLUTION
a helpful post on using books with a child struggling with a mental health issue
How to use books to help a struggling child
Thrive.com article on helping your special needs child when there is a divorce
Article on Divorce and Special Needs Parenting
What is an ADHD Prosthetic?
Will an ADHD Diagnosis Saddle My Child with Stigma?
It’s Not Bribery. It’s Brain Chemistry.
My Child’s Neurodivergence Is Not a Choice. My Empathy Is.
Is ADHD a Gift? No – But It Can Be Empowering.
How the Tooth Fairy Reminded Me To Celebrate My Son
Don’t Discount the Importance of Creativity: How Art Builds Confidence
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT; Interview with Merriam
Here comes Trouble! When reading isn't easy.
How to Help Kids with Back to School Anxiety
Esteem interview: On The Importance Of Praising Your Children
It's a starred review for Whirling, Twirling!!!
Mentioned in Article
What Is Your Purpose In Life (Actual Examples and Answers) ​- TrackingHappiness.com
Article in Business News Daily
Music and Its Effect on ​Productivity
Merriam reads Wandering, Dreaming aloud!
NEW CLIENT INTAKE FORMS HERE
EMAIL: MERRIAM@FOCALPOINTFAMILY.COM
merriam@FOCALPOINTFAMILY.com


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  • ADHD Services
  • ADHD PARENT PROGRAM
  • Parenting Plan Mediation
  • About/Contact
  • Books