The Secret to Being an ADHD Whisperer

Loosening up and ceding control are some of the most important strategies for making life easier for a neurodiverse loved one

- PENN and KIM HOLDERNESS

Penn and Kim Holderness are widely celebrated for their entertaining viral parody videos (singing included!) on topics ranging from parenting and helping kids with homework and masking up for the pandemic (to the tune of the Hamilton soundtrack) to "stupid" healthy habits and everything in between. Now, Penn and Kim are tackling a serious subject close to their hearts in their new book, ADHD IS AWESOME. It's a lively but informative dive into what the ADHD brain is and systems and strategies that neurodiverse people and their loved ones can use to make the most of their unique brain chemistry. In addition to so many practical tips, the book is as humorous as the Holderness Family videos are and reads like a love letter between Penn and Kim, modeling a relationship in which the partners value one another and work hard to strengthen those bonds. This excerpt from their book highlights things anyone can do to support a loved one with ADHD.

ON A RECENT EPISODE OF OUR PODCAST, musician and inspirational speaker Carlos Whittaker shared a story that his dad used to tell him: if a ship sets out on a thousand-mile journey and it steers true, it will arrive at its destination. But if the navigation is off by as little as one degree, the ship will miss its mark by miles. Why am I talking about ships (aside from the fact that they seem to defy the laws of physics-a fully loaded aircraft carrier can hold 75 aircraft and 4,500 crew and weigh more than 100,000 tons...and still float!)? Life in an ADHD household is similar to navigating a long distance. A series of small miscalculations can lead you to a place far, far from where you'd hoped to be. If this is the case in your life, take heart, friends, because even if your relationship with your ADHDer is wildly off course, you can course-correct with small but effective changes.