Understanding ADHD in Youth Sports: A Practical Guide for Parents and Coaches
Helping young athletes thrive through better understanding, communication, and support.
Every young athlete deserves to feel understood, supported, and confident in their sports experience. For children with ADHD, the demands of practices, competitions, team dynamics, and managing emotions can present unique challenges. With greater understanding and the right strategies, parents and coaches can make a meaningful difference.
Join us for an engaging and practical conversation with Dr. Carey Heller, a licensed psychologist specializing in ADHD and executive functioning and a longtime volunteer youth sports coach. Drawing on his experience both as a psychologist and as "Coach Carey," Dr. Heller will share insights and actionable strategies to help adults better support young athletes with ADHD across all sports.
During this webinar, we'll explore:
- Understanding ADHD in Youth Sports: How ADHD can impact attention, decision-making, organization, and an athlete's overall sports experience.
- Supporting Focus and Engagement: Practical approaches to helping athletes follow instructions, stay engaged, and navigate the demands of practices and competitions.
- Managing Big Emotions: Strategies for helping athletes cope with frustration, mistakes, disappointment, and emotionally challenging moments.
- Communicating and Coaching Effectively: How parents and coaches can adapt their communication, feedback, and expectations to better support athletes with ADHD.
- Building Confidence and Independence: Helping young athletes develop resilience, self-awareness, and executive functioning skills through their sports experiences.
- Creating Supportive Team Environments: How parents and coaches can work together to foster understanding, inclusion, and positive experiences for every athlete.
Bring Your Questions!
We'll conclude with a live Q&A, giving parents and coaches an opportunity to ask Dr. Heller questions and gain practical insights into the challenges they encounter in youth sports.
Whether you're supporting a child with ADHD or simply want to better understand and meet the diverse needs of young athletes, this webinar will provide valuable tools to help make sports a more positive and rewarding experience for everyone.
Wednesday, December 2
12:00 noon
Online — Free Registration
More about Dr. Carey Heller
Dr. Carey Heller (known on the field as “Coach Carey”) is a licensed psychologist specializing in ADHD and executive functioning, as well as a longtime volunteer multisport youth coach. In his practice, Dr. Heller helps kids and teens thrive in school, sports, and life.
Dr. Heller understands firsthand how ADHD can impact athletic performance from struggles with focus and time management (on and off the field) to difficulty following complex practice drills and understanding the more nuanced aspects of a sport. He also specializes in helping kids and teens navigate the intense emotional demands of the game, such as managing frustration after a mistake or an unfair referee call.
A passionate advocate for neurodivergent athletes, Dr. Heller provides talks and trainings for schools, sports leagues, and organizations, equipping coaches and parents with practical strategies to support kids with ADHD in team sports. Based in Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. Heller is also able to see clients in 44 states through PSYPACT.