Coach Carey ADHD Sports

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Coach Carey ADHD Sports Helping kids with ADHD thrive on and off the field. Welcome to Coach Carey!

I’m Dr. Carey Heller (aka Coach Carey) and I share actionable tips for parents and coaches to help kids master executive functioning through sports and life. As a clinical psychologist and sports enthusiast, I help student-athletes, parents, coaches, and sports leagues overcome the unique executive function and attention hurdles that impact game-day performance, school life, and team/league organization. I provide strategic frameworks, sport-board blueprints, and parent/coach-facing tips that build real-world confidence.

10/10/2026

Should young athletes specialize early, or play multiple sports? 🏀⚽️⚾️While early specialization is common in youth sports, playing multiple sports actually builds better all-around athleticism—and for athletes with ADHD, the benefits go even further!

Exposing kids to different sports helps:
🧠 Keep novelty and engagement high (key for the ADHD brain)
⚡️ Develop diverse motor skills and agility that translate back to their primary sport
💪 Prevent burnout and maintain a healthy, lifelong love for physical activity

As a licensed psychologist specializing in ADHD, I'll be sharing more actionable insights on how coaches and parents can help neurodivergent athletes reach their full potential at the upcoming Youth Sports Success Summit!

🎤 My Session: Coaching the ADHD Athlete: What Every Youth Coach Needs to Understand

📅 Dates: October 19–22

🎟️ Cost: 100% FREE Virtual Event

COMMENT:
📲 Tap the link in my bio to register for free or comment "Summit"! (Affiliate link)
"Guide" for a free ADHD Sports Toolkit.
"Checklist" for a free game day checklist for you and your child.

10/09/2026

We all want to motivate our athletes, but telling them to “imagine winning” is actually a massive psychological trap. 🛑🧠

When we tell young athletes to focus strictly on the outcome—like winning the race or being the best—it ties their self-worth directly to perfection. The moment the pressure spikes, focusing on that massive end goal can send threat signals straight to their nervous system, which tightens their muscles and ruins their technical ex*****on.
For an athlete with ADHD, this outcome-based pressure floods their working memory, causing them to freeze or hesitate when it matters most.

The Clinical Fix: Shift to Process Visualization 🔄💭 Instead of telling them to imagine the gold medal, trade the emotional outcome for clear, mechanical instructions. Give their mind a concrete task:

❌ “Imagine touching the wall first!”
✅ “Visualize your breathing rhythm and a strong, steady stroke.”

Replacing the fear of the outcome with a simple physical instruction keeps their working memory focused purely on ex*****on rather than anxiety.

💬 Comment “GUIDE” below to get My Parent or Coach playbook sent directly to your DMs!

MentalToughness

10/09/2026

Stop mistaking ADHD for a lack of effort! 🧠⚾ 
When a young athlete struggles with focus or seems distracted on the field, it’s easy for coaches or parents to assume they’re lazy, messing around, or simply don’t care. But that false perception can create a negative cycle—leading coaches to give up on a player who actually loves the game and wants to be there. 
ADHD isn’t a lack of interest; it’s a challenge with focus. Let’s change the narrative and give our young athletes the understanding and tools they need to succeed both on and off the field! 
👇 Ready to support your neurodivergent athlete?
💬 Comment “GUIDE” to get my free ADHD Sports Toolkit!
💬 Comment “CHECKLIST” to grab a free Game Day Checklist for you and your child!

🎙️ This is a clip from The Coaching Dad’s podcast. Check out the full episode for much more.
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How do you unleash the full potential of an athlete with ADHD? 🧠⚡️Hint: It takes more than just telling them to “focus” ...
10/09/2026

How do you unleash the full potential of an athlete with ADHD? 🧠⚡️

Hint: It takes more than just telling them to “focus” or “try harder.”

Traditional coaching strategies often fall short for neurodivergent athletes. Focus, impulse control, executive functioning, and emotional regulation work differently on the field, on the court, and in the gym. But with the right approach, athletes with ADHD can turn their unique traits into powerful strengths.

I’m Dr. Carey Heller, Licensed Psychologist, and I’m speaking at this year’s Youth Sports Success Summit: Redefining Success in Youth Sports!

In my session, "Coaching the ADHD Athlete: What Every Youth Coach Needs to Understand," I’m sharing actionable, evidence-based strategies to help coaches and parents support neurodivergent players, build their confidence, and help them thrive in sports and life.

Here’s what you need to know about the summit:
🎤 My Session: Coaching the ADHD Athlete: What Every Youth Coach Needs to Understand
📅 When: October 19–22
👥 For: Youth Coaches + Sports Parents
🎟️ Cost: 100% FREE & Virtual

If you coach or raise a youth athlete, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. 📲 Tap the link in my bio to grab your free ticket! (affiliate link)

“That player is so much better than me...” 💭 If you coach or raise a young athlete with ADHD, you’ve likely heard a va...
10/08/2026

“That player is so much better than me...” 💭

If you coach or raise a young athlete with ADHD, you’ve likely heard a variation of this phrase before. It’s called the External Comparison Bias — comparing internal self-doubt against another player’s external highlights.

This creates a psychological illusion that other players don’t struggle, feel game-day fear, or have to put in maximum effort. Over time, this leads to a steep confidence crash.

To break this cycle, help them shift to a “Personal Baseline.”

❌ Instead of: “Why can’t you pass as fast as he does?”

✅ Try asking: “How does your passing feel today compared to last month?”

Measuring progress against their past self uproots envy and builds real, antifragile resilience.

💬 Comment “GUIDE” below and I’ll send my Parent or Coach Playbook straight to your DMs!
💻 Or tap the link in bio to access the ADHD Sports Playbook or book a 1-1 strategy session.

10/08/2026

Turn Fidgeting into Power! ⚡
This , let’s talk about turning extra energy into balance, focus, and core strength!
Whether you’re a kid looking for a fun way to practice for sports right at home or an adult standing at a desk all day, harnessing the fidget is a game-changer.
🛹 Level 1: The Desk Fidget – Ideal for staying active while watching TV or working.
🛹 Level 2: Core Engagement – Elevate your balance and lock in that focus.
🛹 Level 3: Pro Balance – Challenge yourself and build serious stability for sports practice.
Perfect for:
* Standing desks
* Homework sessions
* Watching TV
* Indoor sports training at home
Give kids (and adults!) a healthy, active outlet to stay engaged and move better.
👇 Follow Coach Carey, Psy.D|ADHD Sports Psych for more ADHD sports tips!
ADHDMovement BalanceBoard SportsTrainingAtHome ADHDSupport FocusThroughMovement ActiveLearning Whirly Board Balance Boards

10/06/2026

Youth sports isn’t a sprint—it’s a war of attrition. 🏆⚽ 
Too many young athletes push too hard too early and burn out by 13. The kids who stay in the game long-term are the ones playing for longevity, not just immediate playtime. 
Key takeaways for sports parents:
Play the long game: Focus on keeping your child engaged over the next 5–10 years, rather than maxing out single-season playtime. 
Listen to your athlete: Pay attention to what they actually want out of their sports journey. 
Trust your intuition: Don’t feel pressured to follow what everyone else is doing if it’s not right for your kid. 
🎧 Catch the full conversation! Watch the complete episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify.
Shoutout to Dr. Alli for this insightful discussion! 🧠

Is your athlete refusing to take risks just to avoid making a mistake? 🎾🛑In the mind of a perfectionist athlete, a simpl...
10/05/2026

Is your athlete refusing to take risks just to avoid making a mistake? 🎾🛑

In the mind of a perfectionist athlete, a simple technical error is perceived as a personal failure. This “100% or nothing” mindset triggers severe self-doubt and completely saturates their working memory before they even take a shot or make a pass. As a result, they start playing overly safe, freeze under pressure, and lose their natural athletic creativity.

To fix this task freeze on the court, you need to introduce the “80% margin of error” rule.

•Shift the goal: Teach your athlete to grade their performance on making the aggressive, correct choice rather than demanding a flawless physical outcome.

•Reframe the play: If they made the right decision to attack the net but the ball went out, remind them that the play was still 80% successful.

•Remove the threat: Accepting this margin of error removes the neurological threat of “failing,” allowing their natural reaction speed and confidence to return.
Help your athlete play with freedom.

💬 Comment “GUIDE” below to get my Parent or Coach Playbook sent directly to your DMs!
💻 On-Demand Course: Tap the link in our bio to access the ADHD Sports Playbook or book a 1-1 strategy session!

10/03/2026

Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner, but before you start adding every flashy gadget to your cart, let’s make a game plan! 🛒⚡️
Training at home is HUGE for young athletes—especially for kids with ADHD who thrive on interactive, structured movement. But buying the wrong gear (or overbuying) won’t help them reach their goals. 
Here are my top tips for sports parents shopping Prime Day: 
🎯 Target specific goals: Match the tool directly to what your child wants to improve.
🔍 Be selective: There are a million flashy gadgets out there, but you can’t (and shouldn’t) buy everything.
🏷️ Quality over quick savings: While costs vary, paying a bit more for a reliable brand name often beats a cheap knock-off that breaks in a week.
📝 Make your game plan early: Draft your list BEFORE the sale starts to set a clear budget and avoid impulse purchases.
⚡️ Pounce on Lightning Deals: Do your review research now so you’re ready to check out the second a price drops.
🗓️ Think multi-season: Don’t just shop for today’s sport—plan ahead for upcoming winter and spring seasons, too! 
What’s on your athlete’s wishlist this year? Drop it in the comments below! 👇

10/02/2026

Did you know October is ADHD Awareness Month? 🧡 As a psychologist, I see how traditional “practice” at home can turn into a daily battle and be boring. But simple environment tweaks can completely change the game!
Leaving a visual tool—like the ThrowMo —right in the living room creates an immediate visual cue. Kids can jump on and refine their footwork naturally while hanging out or during those crucial morning routines before school. 
⚡️ Why morning movement works:
Stimulates Dopamine & Focus: A quick burst of physical activity early in the day resets energy levels and sharpens attention for school.
Instant Tactile Feedback: Visual markers and tactile edges give instant feedback without feeling like a forced chore or rigid drill. 
Low-Pressure Practice: Keeps rep counts up and stress levels down, turning practice into an engaging daily habit without even leaving your living room.
Small adjustments at home lead to big confidence on the field. 🏆
👇 How do you help your young athlete foster motivation and follow through to keep practicing? Let’s share ideas below!
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