Jan. 2025

 

10 Black Parenting Perspectives on ADHD

 

It might be difficult for parents with neurodiverse children to leap into homeschooling.

Many U.S. public schools aren’t equipped to handle children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which can lead to victimization, emotional distress, and academic failure.

However, homeschooling has many downsides, including social isolation. The question then becomes how families decide between homeschooling and institutional education.

Schools Are Not Equipped To Teach Kids With ADHD

Users in the community, including special education support workers with children who have autism and ADHD, agree that most schools are not equipped to teach children with the disorder.

With absolute certainty, many people agree that our educational system is not set up to provide these kids with the help, information, and socializing they require. 

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Bullying Is A Big Problem In Schools

Some older adults reflect on their own school days and are shocked to recall the extent to which students who were different from them were victimized by bullies. “I recall how other students handled youngsters like him while I was in school. That crushes my heart to think of it happening to my son,” says one anxious parent.

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When Kids Need Extra Help, They’re Left Behind In Schools

One person who was homeschooled from fifth grade through graduation from high school said that it was beneficial to their development.

They say things like, “When I was in a regular school, I was either really excellent at a topic or horrible at it,” and that this led to them being left behind in subjects they didn’t care for.

They explain, “That was a problem for me, but homeschooling helped since I was able to move at my own speed.”

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Homeschooling Helps Kids With ADHD Go At Their Own Pace

Traditional schools are quite organized, requiring students to shift from topic to subject at the school’s speed rather than the child’s.

A sixth-grader whose parents decided to homeschool them shares their experience here. “I could choose my own schedule and speed,” she said. She went on to explain how her instructors at conventional schools mistook her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder for being “lazy and too busy thinking.”

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Schools Punish Kids Instead Of Helping Them

One angry dad revealed his experience sending their ADHD son to first grade, and the school treated him terribly. Their youngster was “punished” by having to eat alone at lunch and losing recess because the instructor was a bully.

They were always punishing him for stuff he couldn’t help. At age fourteen, he finally confesses that the scars from his first two years of school are still present.

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Homeschooling Isn’t Just School At Home

When deciding to homeschool your child, it might be helpful to use methods that are different from those used in a conventional classroom. Do not confuse homeschooling with “school at home.” Don’t try to push them into your idea of what a school should be like.

That includes letting kids play with LEGOs during story time, giving them plenty of pauses, and changing tactics if they are having trouble grasping the material.

3 Everyday Microaggressions That Could Be Harming Your Health

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The words “calm down” are worse than unhelpful—they can actually increase blood pressure among new mothers of color, a study has found.

Gender-based racism, expressed through microaggressions, significantly increased blood pressure in new mothers compared to women not subjected to such comments, researchers reported in a study published January 9 in the journal Hypertension. These effects were even more pronounced among women living in areas with high levels of structural racism.

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“It is well-known that Black, Hispanic, and South Asian women experience microaggressions during health care. It is not as well known whether these microaggressions may have an association with higher blood pressure,” said lead researcher Teresa Janevic, an associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York, in a news release.

For the study, researchers asked nearly 400 women of color who gave birth at four hospitals in Philadelphia and New York City about the microaggressions they faced during their care. The women ranged in age from 16 to 46, with about 43 percent between 20 and 29.

Types of Microaggressions Reported
Microaggressions took various forms, including:

Invalidation: Comments like “Calm down” or “You’re overreacting,” dismissing the woman’s feelings or concerns.
Stereotyping: Accusations such as “You’re angry” when speaking assertively or confidently.
Disrespect: Instances where women felt dismissed, ignored, or treated rudely by medical staff.
Nearly two in five women (38 percent) reported at least one instance of microaggression during their pregnancy care. Those who experienced one or more microaggressions had average systolic blood pressure readings 2.12 points higher and diastolic readings 1.43 points higher. Systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in arteries during a heartbeat, while diastolic measures the pressure between heartbeats.

Women living in areas with more structural racism had even greater differences in blood pressure: systolic readings were 7.55 points higher and diastolic readings were 6.03 points higher.

“For many people, this can make the difference between needing blood pressure-lowering medications or not,” said Dr. Natalie Cameron, an instructor in preventive medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study.

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Tips for Facing Microaggressions
While structural and systemic changes are needed to address the root causes of racism and sexism in healthcare, you can adopt strategies to protect your well-being in the face of microaggressions:

Document Experiences: Keep a record of incidents, noting dates, times, and details. This documentation can be valuable if the need arises to address concerns with healthcare providers or institutions.
Seek Support: Share experiences with trusted friends, family, or support groups. Connecting with others who have faced similar challenges can offer emotional relief and practical advice.
Advocate for Yourself: Use clear, assertive communication to express concerns and ensure that your needs are met. Phrases like, “I need you to listen to my concerns” can help redirect dismissive behavior.
Choose Allies in Care: Whenever possible, work with healthcare providers or patient advocates who are culturally sensitive and understand the unique challenges faced by women of color.
Prioritize Self-Care: Engage in activities that reduce stress and promote relaxation, such as mindfulness, yoga, or other forms of exercise.

Looking Ahead
Future research is needed to better explore how racism influences blood pressure, as well as its effects on the health of mothers and their infants. Researchers stress the long-term impact that racism and microaggressions can have on overall health.

“This work serves as a reminder of the long-term impact that racism can have on one’s overall health,” said senior researcher Dr. Lisa Levine, director of the Pregnancy and Heart Disease Program at the University of Pennsylvania. “The magnitude of these types of physiologic changes may become cumulative over time and lead to the inequities we see in many health outcomes.”

By highlighting the prevalence and impact of microaggressions, the study underscores the urgency of creating equitable healthcare environments where all women feel respected and supported.

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Six Foods to Help Reduce Anxiety

*A nutritional psychiatrist emphasizes the strong connection between gut health and anxiety, highlighting how a healthy diet can reduce stress and inflammation. 

Chronic anxiety, unlike short-term stress, can harm overall well-being. Foods rich in fiber, nutrients, and healthy fats—such as berries, spices, and whole foods—support a balanced gut microbiome, reducing inflammation linked to stress. 

Avoiding processed snacks and sugary drinks further helps maintain calmness and focus, demonstrating the power of nutrition in easing anxiety over time.

Below are six foods to help reduce anxiety via Prevention.com:

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1. Prebiotic fiber

Veggies are rich in prebiotic fibers that feed and help maintain an abundance of healthy bacteria in the gut; that’s associated with reduced neuroinflammation and stress. Prebiotic foods include asparagus, garlic, onions, leafy greens, artichokes, legumes, mushrooms, and apples. 

• Berries

Loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins, berries support a healthy microbiome and can reduce inflammation. Blueberries specifically contain one of the highest concentrations of anxiety-reducing anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant that supports brain health by fighting off oxidative stress. 

• Omega-3 fatty acids

These are an incredibly powerful tool in reducing inflammation in the gut and brain. They can be found abundantly in wild caught fish like salmon, anchovies, tuna, mackerel, and sardines, as well as in nuts and seeds like walnuts and chia seeds. Omega-3 consumption is associated with reduced anxiety, brain fog and cognitive decline, as well as improved mood.

• Spices

Spices like turmeric (with black pepper to make it more available to your brain and body), cinnamon, saffron, rosemary, and ginger not only boost the flavor and color of our meals, but are also rich in antioxidants, micronutrients and anti-inflammatory compounds for improved mental fitness. 

• Fermented foods

A healthy microbiome is dependent on a healthy presence of good bacteria in the gut and an effective way to replenish these populations of good bacteria is through eating fermented foods. Naturally rich in live cultures, foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, miso, and plain yogurts are excellent for mental fitness. Consuming fermented foods in conjunction with the above-mentioned fiber rich veggies is key for maintaining a healthy microbiome and resisting chronic inflammation.

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Trump’s Policy Plans Signal Major Shifts for Black Communities

With the Trump administration preparing to take office in January, plans across numerous policy areas are likely to significantly affect Black Americans. From proposed changes to education funding to civil rights enforcement, early indicators suggest a series of shifts that could reshape access to resources, legal protections, and economic stability within Black communities. Here’s a look at the critical policies and potential outcomes that many might want to monitor under the new administration.

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Health Care Policy

The Trump administration has expressed an interest in reducing the scope of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and scaling back Medicaid. Any cuts to these programs stand to have a significant negative impact on Black Americans, who suffer disproportionately from chronic health conditions and high rates of uninsurance. A report by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that Black adults are twice as likely as white adults to rely on Medicaid. Reduced access to affordable health care could increase existing health disparities, particularly in states where Medicaid expansion under the ACA was instrumental in improving Black health outcomes.

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DOJ Targets Elder Fraud and Nursing Home Abuse in Sweeping Nationwide Actions

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has released its annual report to Congress on efforts to combat elder fraud, abuse, and neglect. The report details over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants accused of targeting older adults. The department recovered nearly $700 million, disrupted major transnational schemes, and prosecuted cases involving substandard care at nursing homes and serious rights violations in veterans’ facilities.

One high-profile case included the convictions of two Pittsburgh-area nursing homes, Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center and Mount Lebanon Rehabilitation and Wellness Center. A federal jury found both facilities guilty of falsifying records submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to avoid penalties for inadequate care. Evidence presented at trial revealed that both facilities manipulated staffing records to appear compliant with Medicare and Medicaid standards. Sentencing is scheduled for December following a comprehensive investigation by the FBI, Health and Human Services, IRS, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

In its report, the DOJ noted an investigation into New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes at Menlo Park and Paramus found conditions that violated residents’ constitutional rights under the 14th Amendment. According to DOJ findings, inadequate infection control and medical care at these facilities exposed veterans to life-threatening conditions. The report noted that poor management compounded these deficiencies, contributing to high death rates among residents.

The DOJ’s report highlighted a broad initiative against elder fraud schemes affecting over 225,000 seniors. Fraud cases ranged from romance scams to government impersonation schemes, with DOJ efforts stopping $27 million in fraudulent transfers before they reached perpetrators. With assistance from financial institutions, the DOJ returned millions of dollars to victims and provided resources through its National Elder Fraud Hotline, which handled more than 50,000 calls from older adults seeking support and guidance.

Beyond prosecution, the DOJ emphasized prevention and awareness, hosting nearly 1,000 elder justice events, including the first Elder Justice Law Enforcement Summit. The summit gathered law enforcement from all 50 states to share best practices in addressing elder abuse and fraud. Public campaigns also raised awareness of common scams, providing seniors with valuable tools to protect themselves from fraud.

“By working together with federal, Tribal, state, and local law enforcement, we can make meaningful progress toward curbing and preventing elder abuse,” Attorney General Merrick Garland stated. “Because millions of older Americans suffer some form of elder mistreatment each year—and because many more abuses go unreported or unseen—everyone has a role to play in this work.”

The report additionally covered DOJ’s enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Four Texas counties agreed to improve the accessibility of their election websites, addressing barriers faced by older adults with disabilities. Officials said the commitment to accessibility was part of the DOJ’s broader mission to ensure that elderly Americans can fully participate in their communities.

“The Office for Victims of Crime recently funded the first National Center for State and Tribal Elder Justice Coalitions, promoting statewide coordination to address and prevent elder abuse more effectively,” Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer remarked.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco added, “Given the financial, emotional, and physical toll suffered by older victims regardless of how they are victimized, the Department aggressively pursues all forms of fraud and abuse wherever they may arise.”