Creating a Blueprint for a Successful Semester to Support Students

We’re excited to share the latest ADHDKC Parent Group recording, featuring Sean McCormick, a former special education teacher whose passion for supporting students with ADHD truly shines through.

From the very beginning, you can hear Sean’s deep commitment to helping students succeed. His background in special education gives him a grounded, real-world perspective that parents and teens alike can benefit from.

What Sean Covered

A Framework for Supporting Students with ADHD – CHASE

Sean introduced his CHASE framework, designed to address the unique challenges students with ADHD face and to offer practical, realistic supports. He emphasized the critical role of executive function skills in student success and shared ways parents and educators can help students manage schoolwork more effectively.

Understanding the “CHASE Cycle”

Sean described how many students begin a semester motivated and hopeful, only to become overwhelmed as missing assignments pile up and stress increases.

Helping Students Engage Teachers Effectively

One highlight was Sean’s “Managing Your Bosses” strategy, which helps students proactively work with teachers instead of avoiding them.

He shared:

• A goal-setting template for early-in-the-semester conversations

• The PING email framework (Pleasant Introduction, Inform/Inquire, Negotiate a Plan, End with Gratitude)

• Why email templates can reduce anxiety and improve follow-through—for students and adults

Academic Management & Family Support

Sean walked through tools and strategies to help students:

• Organize assignments across multiple platforms using a student dashboard

• Prioritize tasks when everything feels urgent

• Benefit from family team meetings that build collective efficacy when simple organization isn’t enough

He also outlined what support looks like at different stages of academic struggle—from the alert phase to the exhaustion phase—and how parents can respond without escalating burnout.

Executive Function Strategies That Actually Help

Sean shared practical advice on:

• Negotiating plans with teachers

• Using visual organizers

• Reducing burnout

• Acknowledging ADHD openly

• Shifting toward process praise rather than outcome-only praise

Resources Shared

Sean generously shared a document packed with resources that parents can explore on their own or together with their teen:

Get the Packet of Resources

He also shared some pages of his website that covers some of the questions raised:  

• How to advocate for executive function coaching services (as part of the IEP) 

• How to Help Students With ADHD Keep Their Backpack C.L.E.A.N.

• Search for articles by subject

• Student Dashboard / Digital Planner

• Printables

He mentioned Jessica McCabe as an influencer with data-based strategies. Find her on How to ADHD.

If you’re supporting a student who is overwhelmed, burned out, or struggling to keep up despite “trying hard,” this recording offers concrete tools and a compassionate roadmap forward.