Posts by Sammy Sae Oh
Gifted ADHD in British Columbia: When a Bright Child Is Still Struggling
“I know my child is bright. Why is so much still so difficult?” At Breakthrough ADHD Center, I work with many bright children. Some have been formally identified as gifted or twice-exceptional, often called 2e. Others have not been assessed, but their intellectual strengths are clear to teachers, family members, and peers. Their parents describe…
Read MoreNeurofeedback for ADHD What Parents in Vancouver and Langley Ask Me First
“What does neurofeedback actually do?” That is usually one of the first questions parents ask me about neurofeedback for ADHD. Most are not looking for another broad promise. They want to know what happens during training, whether it is appropriate for their child, and how anyone will know whether it is helping. For over 20…
Read MoreGifted ADHD: Why Do I Have to Remind Him Ten Times Every Day?
“My child is gifted. Why do I have to remind him ten times every day?” At Breakthrough ADHD Center, many parents describe the same confusing contrast. Their child may explain a complex idea, notice connections others miss, or remember remarkable details about a favourite subject. Yet an ordinary assignment can still require reminder after reminder…
Read MoreWhy Gifted Children with ADHD Can Seem Both Advanced and Struggling at the Same Time
One of the most confusing things parents tell me is this: “My child is so smart… so why are they struggling so much?” They might read above grade level, ask deep questions, or solve complex problems quickly.But at the same time, they may: This combination can feel contradictory. It isn’t. The Core Issue: Intelligence and…
Read MoreWhy Gifted ADHD Children Can Focus Deeply on Some Things — and Not at All on Others
One of the most common things parents say to me is: “They can focus when they want to.” You might see your child spend hours on something they love — building, gaming, reading, or talking about a topic in incredible detail. But then when it comes to: they can’t seem to focus at all. It’s…
Read MoreWhy Progress Feels So Inconsistent in Gifted ADHD Children — Even When They’re Improving
One of the hardest things for parents to understand is this: “Some days my child is doing great… and other days it feels like everything has fallen apart.” You might see: It can feel like progress isn’t real.Or worse, like things are going backwards. But in most cases, this inconsistency is not a lack of…
Read MoreWhy Kids with ADHD Shut Down — and How Parents Can Support Them
You ask a simple question. They don’t respond. You offer help. They turn away. Then the tears come quietly. Or the blank stare. Or the “I don’t care” that clearly isn’t true. This is an emotional shutdown — a nervous system freeze response that’s common in gifted ADHD children. Why ADHD Kids Shut Down 1. Emotional Flooding…
Read MoreWhy Kids with ADHD Say “I Know What to Do, I Just Can’t Do It”
Parents often feel frustrated when their child insists, “I know what to do,” yet fails to follow through. This gap between knowing and doing is one of the hallmarks of ADHD. It isn’t laziness or defiance. It’s a brain-based challenge — and it has solutions. Why Knowing Doesn’t Equal Doing in ADHD 1. Executive Function Weakness ADHD…
Read MoreWhy Kids with ADHD Hold It Together at School — Then Fall Apart at Home
Many parents notice a puzzling pattern: their child seems fine at school but melts down at home. Teachers may even say, “I don’t see the ADHD you describe.” This doesn’t mean your child is “faking it.” It means they’re working extra hard to hold it together — and the crash comes once they’re safe. Why ADHD…
Read MoreWhy ADHD Kids Say “It’s Too Loud!” — Understanding Sensory Sensitivities
For many gifted ADHD children, the world feels too loud, too bright, or too overwhelming. Parents may notice meltdowns in busy stores, loud classrooms, or even during family gatherings. This isn’t “overreacting.” It’s sensory sensitivity — a brain-based difference that makes everyday environments feel intense. Why Sensory Sensitivities Happen in ADHD 1. Differences in Sensory…
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