Meet Ryan Wexelblatt, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP
ADHD Dude Founder & Director

ADHD programs for boys

I am originally from Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, where I raised my son, Austin. I attended Temple University for my undergraduate degree and Bryn Mawr College School of Social Work for my master’s. I immediately went into the special education field as a school counselor for students with behavior challenges at a special education school.

In 2006, I embarked on a challenging journey when I adopted my son through the foster care system at the age of eight. Diagnosed with ADHD and a learning difference, he faced significant behavior and social challenges that tested my resolve.

Given my extensive experience working with students with ADHD and behavior challenges, I thought I was prepared, but I soon realized I needed support. This struggle ignited a fierce determination to find help, as I was not finding what I knew he needed in the area. In my search for resources to help my son develop social skills, all I found in the area were “one size fits all” social skills groups that did not meet his needs. These groups, comprised of kids with a wide variety of needs, taught skills that didn’t align with how boys communicate with each other or build friendships.

Determined to make a difference, I took matters into my own hands. I traveled across the country to learn how to help my son and the kids I was working with build executive function and social skills and support parents in cultivating positive behavior at home.

In 2016, my colleague (a male special education teacher) and I created ‘How To Hang Out,’ a program designed to teach boys with ADHD to initiate friendships and navigate social situations. The response was extraordinary, especially from mothers who valued having men facilitate the program, a rarity in this field. I proudly presented ‘How To Hang Out’ at the International Conference on ADHD alongside our other impactful programs: Guy’s Group for hygiene and puberty education, a program for boys with ADHD and social anxiety, and “How To Do Recess,” which teaches elementary students to navigate during unstructured playtime.

In 2018, I founded ADHD Dude, a social media platform that has become an international brand. Through the ADHD Dude Membership Site, we provide parent training to over 5,550 families. Additionally, the ADHD Dude curriculum is used in Trip Camp (held in Margate, NJ, and Columbus, OH), which I founded in 2017.

Our ADHD Dude Philadelphia-area office represents a return to my true passion: creating engaging, in-person programs that inspire growth and connection. If you’re local to Philadelphia, join our mailing list to stay informed about our upcoming programs.

I look forward to connecting with your family.

– Ryan

ADHD programs for boys
Ryan with his son, Austin
Thanks for teaching me to “read the room” and how to understand when I was doing things that give other kids “cringey thoughts.” Even though I didn’t want to hear it then, I know what you taught me made a big difference in my ability to socialize and make friends.
Brett, 20, former Guy’s Group participant
Your program was the first time my son felt like he was in a group of boys who “got him’ and vice versa. Hearing he felt understood and accepted by a group of boys his age brought a tear to my eye. Thank you, Ryan, for creating such a fantastic program for my son and these boys to learn about themselves and feel accepted for who they are.
Parent of a 14-year-old

Credentials

Ryan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified School Social Worker, ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider, and father to an adult son diagnosed with ADHD and learning differences. With over 20 years of experience working with children and adolescents with ADHD, Ryan has developed and implemented numerous successful programs that have been presented at the International Conference on ADHD. As a regular contributor to ADDitude Magazine and presenter at the International Conference on ADHD, Ryan is recognized as an expert in ADHD and social skills for males.

The ADHD Dude Membership Site provides Parent Training (the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended treatment for ADHD) and serves more than 5,500 families worldwide. The ADHD Dude YouTube channel reaches over 100,000 viewers monthly. Ryan combines his professional expertise with his lived experience as a father to a son with ADHD, bringing unique insight and practical solutions to his work with families, providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate the challenges of ADHD.

A Partial List of Ryan’s Training:

  • Nonviolent Resistance (Behavior)
  • Nurtured Heart Approach® (Behavior)
  • Training through Cognitive Connections, LLC (Executive Functioning)
  • Parents as Friendship Coaches for Children with ADHD (Social Skills)
  • TEAM-CBT
  • Social Thinking® (Social Skills)
  • SPACE treatment (Anxiety)
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Youth
  • Treating Gaming Disorder Certificate
  • Tech Addiction & Digital Health Certificate

The ADHD Dude Approach

Parents often share the feedback, “You’re the only person who gives us specific instructions on what to do rather than just discussing ADHD as a concept.”

This practical approach to ADHD treatment, which emphasizes the vital role of parents, has earned ADHD Dude international recognition from parents, pediatricians, and educators. In a field with a shortage of male practitioners, we distinguish ourselves by equipping boys and young men with the tools they need to succeed socially and build self-confidence.

Learn More

ADHD Dude Philadelphia Newsletter

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