ADHD Life Skills 101

By:   Lcsw-C Jamaal M Simmons
Foreword by:   Lcsw-C Terri E Johnson
Imprint:   Jamaal S. Publishing
Edition:   Large type / large print edition
Dimensions:   Height: 279mm,  Width: 216mm,  Spine: 8mm
Weight:   404g
ISBN:   9798349327056
Pages:   120
Publication Date:   05 May 2025
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

I became passionate about mental health when I worked as a PRP specialist after graduating with my undergraduate degree in music from Salisbury University and completing my associate's work at Worwic Community College. One of my favorite writing professors, even though I didn't get the best grades in his class, was Professor Adam Tavel. He encouraged me to be a writer and let the creative juices flow. After spending time in PRP for a year, I realized I liked my work. Then, I started working at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and went to Morgan State University. I took the part-time track all while being married, having a child, and having another child on the way, and working full-time at Sinai Hospital. It was exhausting! I don't know how I did it, but I had some help, which I appreciate. During that time, I started working with the infamous and very kind Dr. Fred Berlin. The reason he's infamous is because of his work with sexual addiction, and some of his infamous clients include Jeffrey Dahmer and other high-profile clients that I can't talk about. I still work with him as I write this now, and it's been about 10 years since I've worked with him. When I entered private practice in 2021, I became frustrated with the current American healthcare system. Feel free to read any publications where I talk about my frustration on my website for more information. I wanted mental health to be more accessible, especially since it is so difficult to work with insurance companies, especially when you have ADHD. Their tactic is bureaucracy, thus ""death by a thousand cuts,"" to pay providers less so they can keep more money. I currently work with one insurance company, and generally, I would name them. However, I'm not in the mood since I had to fight them recently for partial payments. Yeah, I'm petty. It's my way of fighting back. Then, I decided to channel some of my energy toward writing books to share some of this knowledge with everyone in a cheaper way. Plus, by having another income stream, I'm more emboldened to talk about the woes of the American healthcare system. They say don't bite the hand that feeds you; however, if there are multiple hands, then bite the bad ones. I learned that from my cats. That's why this book is more than just a book about the basic life skills of ADHD; it's a way to speak out against injustices, to help solve the issue with the American healthcare system my own way, and as a way to use my voice. That's why I believe mental health is revolutionary. Paradigm shifts individually lead to paradigm shifts globally. Experienced Clinical Social Worker with a demonstrated history of working in the medical practice industry, public(urban) educational, correctional, and managed care settings for over 25 years. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Crisis Intervention, Debriefing, Group Therapy, and Psychotherapy. Strong integrated behavioral healthcare services professional with a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and a Bachelor's of Social Work from Morgan State University. Ms. Johnson is a children's book author of a storybook and coloring/activities books sold on Etsy (part of the proceeds are used to gift books to children in Homeless/Domestic Violence Shelters) persistenceistheway/etsy.com. Ms. Johnson's greatest joy is serving others, especially children. She has worked since childhood to protect children from abuse/exploitation, and trafficking. Her books are a tool to teach children about consent, internet safety, body safety zones, and self-advocacy to protect them from potential predators. She has spread her ""message and ministry"" to children in the United States, Ghana, and Colombia!She has partnered with Apam Orphanage to create a ""Library Lounge"" for the 90-plus children, a little sanctuary where they can enjoy learning new things. She has not received any outside funding for this work and calls it her ""heart work.""