About GrowNOW
GrowNOW is a small team of ADHD & Executive Function Specialists.
Using our model of Internal Skills, we coach kids, teens, and young adults, with parent training as the foundation.
Not talk therapy, not counseling, not what you have already tried.
Real skills, built internally, so your child does more and you do less.
Founded in 2016 by Michael McLeod.
2,000+ families coached since then, always with a waiting list.
Our own method, the GrowNOW Internal Skills Model, now a published Wiley book.
Virtual worldwide, with absolutely no difference in progress or engagement whether the sessions are virtual or in-person.
The founder's story
Mike spent years working with the language kids use, and noticed the thing most ADHD support skips entirely: the language kids use with themselves. The self-talk that starts homework, keeps a morning on track, and knows when something is actually done.
Most support builds better external reminders. Charts, apps, a parent prompting every step. Mike built the opposite: a way to coach the internal skills, so the prompting fades and the independence stays. That became the GrowNOW Internal Skills Model in 2016, and it has been the engine of every session since.
Direct, practical, zero fluff. That's how GrowNOW talks to families, because Mike knows exactly how exhausting the alternative is.
"What you say starts to control what you do."
Dr. Russell Barkley
Founder
20+ years with kids and families
Author of The Executive Function Playbook and its companion workbook (Wiley)
Co-host of The ADHD Parenting Podcast, keynote speaker, school PD trainer
Best Executive Function Coaching Service Award and Developmental Service Hero Award, Main Line Parent
About Mike
In 2016, Michael created the Internal Skills Executive Function Strengthening Model, and GrowNOW ADHD was born. His mission: improve quality of life for youth and families facing ADHD and executive function challenges.
Mike has presented this model to audiences nationwide and internationally, providing specialized support in ADHD, Executive Functioning, Social Executive Functioning, and Parent Coaching.
With more than 20 years of experience, a Master's degree from Lehman College, and collaborations with leading doctors, neuropsychologists, and nonprofits, Mike blends deep expertise with a practical, strength-based model that gets results.
What we believe
"Can GrowNOW help everyone? Absolutely not."
And that honesty matters. If we believe we are not the best fit, we say so immediately and point you toward other quality options.
"Our job is not to keep you as a customer."
It's to help your child graduate from these services as soon as possible. Week by week, no contracts, no long packages.
"We coach your child and coach you."
Parent training is the foundation, the number one recommendation for ADHD by the American Academy of Pediatrics. We will hold you kindly accountable.
"We have no desire to sell these services or convince anyone we're the right fit."
There are many excellent options and we're just one of them. If you're aligned with our approach, reach out. If not, we'll be here when you're ready.
It's why over 2,000 families have trusted us since 2016, and why your questions are always answered by Mike, not an admin, not AI.
How GrowNOW works
Charts, alarms, and a parent prompting every step work only while the reminder is standing there. That is prompt dependence, and it is exhausting for everyone. The GrowNOW Internal Skills Model coaches your child to build their own internal language, the self-talk that runs the next step from the inside.
The reminder lives outside your child. The moment it is gone, so is the follow-through, and you are back to being the system.
Your child builds the self-talk that prompts the next step from within. It travels with them, to school, to homework, to friendships, whether or not you are in the room.
That shift is the whole method, and it is why the goal is graduating, not staying.
The method
Four internal skills, powered by working memory, carried by your child's own self-talk. We coach the internal sequence: stop, think, aim, do.
Understanding how you think, feel, and work best.
Managing emotions, focus, and behavior.
Starting and finishing non-preferred tasks.
Learning from experiences to make better choices.
the four internal skills, powered by working memory
The three zones where those skills show up
Zone 1
Getting work done and earning the grades they're capable of.
Zone 2
The most common one. Regulation with family, and finishing non-preferred tasks.
Zone 3
Perspective-taking and reading the room, not just taking turns.
Grounded in the executive function research of Dr. Russell Barkley and Dr. George McCloskey. Your child does not need to struggle in all three zones to benefit.
Your role
Skills only count when they show up at home and school without us in the room. That transfer runs through you, which is why parent training is the foundation here, not an add-on. It is honest, direct, and fast-acting, and we will hold you kindly accountable.
American Academy of Pediatrics
Parent training is the #1 recommendation for ADHD by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Talk therapy and counseling are not. Parent-training-only is also available, with no child involvement at all, and depending on your child's needs the program often begins with a few parent-only sessions.
Your child is capable of achieving every single one of their dreams and goals. We have to RAISE the bar, not lower it.”
Mike McLeod · founder of GrowNOW
The team
You're only ever matched with a coach who specializes in your child's age and need. Directors lead each program area.
Founder
Clinical Director
Director, EF-Camp and Social Outpost
Director, GrowNOW New York, Social-EF Groups
Director, GrowNOW Lancaster & Homeschool Hope Program
Director, GrowNOW Los Angeles
Director, GrowNOW North Carolina
Director, College Success Program
Director, Young Adult Independence, Dad Coaching
Director, Job Coaching and Healthy Interests
Director, Reading Confidence Project
How coaches are trained
Every coach is trained personally by Mike and the clinical leadership through a multi-month onboarding, with weekly oversight after that. Most hold a master’s degree in a related field, and your family benefits from the whole team of specialists, not just one coach.
If you get matched with a “Best Fit” coach and feel it is not a great fit, you can absolutely get matched with a new one!
Beyond the coaching
the method, published The same model we coach with is now a published playbook for parents and professionals, with a companion workbook. GrowNOW also trains schools and educators worldwide, and Mike speaks at conferences across the country.
A much-needed departure from the generic strategies. This isn't theory; it's real-world help.
Ryan Wexelblatt, LCSW, on The Executive Function Playbook
ADDitude contributor · CHADD speaker · The ADHD Parenting Podcast · School PD trainings nationwide
"Michael definitely knows his stuff! As a mom of a neurodivergent child and a speech pathologist myself, I highly recommend learning from him."
Velia G · parent
"We were incredibly impressed with the depth of his knowledge. Everyone left feeling empowered!"
School leadership · parent & teacher night
The next step
Tell us about your child, get matched with your best-fit coach, and meet them on a free call before any paid session.
