ADHD in Military Families

Clinical psychologist Jeffrey Katz chats with Michelle Norman and Taryn Neary of Partners in PROMISE about the challenges military families face when raising children with ADHD, especially when frequent moves disrupt diagnosis, treatment, and school supports. They discuss delays in getting evaluations, difficulties transferring 504 plans and IEP services between schools, and the added stress families may experience during deployments and relocations. They also describe resources available to military families, including the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), parent mentoring, special education advocacy, and the free Mission Ready toolkit. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the importance of consistent support, informed advocacy, and helping military families understand their children’s educational rights and available resources.

Jeffrey S. Katz, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Virginia Beach, Virginia. His practice includes the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD. He frequently helps parents as an advocate for their children regarding issues related to special education and accommodations under Section 504. Dr. Katz served for many years on CHADD’s board of directors and as co-chair of  the  advocacy and public policy committee. He currently serves as senior clinical policy advisor for the APPC and as a member of CHADD’s professional advisory board. He also serves on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Attention Disorders.  Dr. Katz is a member of the American Professional Society for Attention and Related Disorders. the Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychology, and the American Psychological Association.

Michelle Norman is the founder and chief executive officer of Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit organization focused on educating, advising, and advocating for exceptional military families and their education. She is a Navy spouse of over thirty years and mother of a 21-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy and many other medical diagnoses.  After years of navigating the complexities of the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) and the special education system, she became a passionate advocate for all military children with special needs and their families, leading to her testifying before Congress.

Taryn Neary is the social media manager at Partners in PROMISE. She is a Navy spouse of sixteen years and a mother of three children, one who requires special education services. As a member of both the special education and military community, she is passionate about helping military families thrive. She has a master’s degree in digital marketing and several years of experience in social media marketing, content creation, and strategic planning and has worked with nonprofits, military-affiliated organizations, and small businesses. She loves crafting stories that connect, building strategies that make an impact, and helping provide military families with the resources that they need to navigate the challenges that come their way.