Beautifully Complex

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with documentary filmmaker, Ana Joanes, about the journey to becoming the parent you want to be. We discuss how our childhood experiences shape the parent we become, how those experiences change our neurological physiology, parent stress, the importance of self-compassion and self-care, and the fact that you are not alone. This episode wil...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm tackling developmental age. ADHD is a development disorder. Very few people talk about it in that way but it's 100 percent a developmental disorder. Your child with ADHD is two to three years behind their same-age peers in a lot of ways. If you're child's functioning and skills are at a 7-year-old level, but he or she is actually 10, what is going...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with coaches Natalie Borrell and Alison Grant of Life Success for Teens. We discuss how to help kids with ADHD address and overcome challenges and obstacles. Learn how to help your kids build grit and resistance — the core aspects of being able to overcome challenges without falling apart or avoiding obstacles. "Sometimes it's easier to ju...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm tackling a questions I get from parents all the time... how to stay calm when your child is having an outburst or a meltdown. There are a couple tricks that helped me gain control of how I stay calm and respond in these moments. I've shared both these fundamental pieces, as well the real transformational power remaining calm has for your child, fo...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with occupational therapist, Susan Schenk, about learning challenges. Susan shares her story of growing up and finding success with learning challenges. Then we dig into how to help our own kids who are struggling with learning disabilities through tools, strategies and technology. Listen in for inspiration from Susan's story as well as re...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I have a very important message for you. You're not alone. You're not alone in this special brand of parenthood. There are millions of parents raising challenging kids. The fact that your parenthood is different isn't your fault, and you're not the only one with these challenges. You must find your tribe. Having a tribe around you who "gets it" is eve...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking IEPs and 504 Plans with former teacher and educational advocate, Amanda Morin. We're defining IEPs and 504 plans, and the differences between them. In addition, learn how to determine what services and accommodations your child may need in school, and how to go about securing them. We also answer questions like, should my child come to sch...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, teacher and education advocate, Meg Flanagan, and I discuss taking a collaborative approach to working with teachers and advocating for your child at school. To achieve an effective working relationship with the school, parents need to approach teachers and school staff with the attitude of working together, as allies instead of adversaries. Sometimes...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I outline different behavior triggers that are common with ADHD and/or "high-functioning" autism. Within this list are developmentally lagging skills, but also differences in how a child's brain functions when they have ADHD. Recognizing these and other triggers in your child will help you improve behavior and reduce the instances of outbursts and mel...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Maureen Healy, author of The Emotionally Healthy Child, about cultivating emotional health, which creates happier children. Emotional balance is key, and it's more challenging for kids with ADHD and/or autism. Maureen outlines strategies to help your child recognize, work through constructively, and control their own emotions. "It's l...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm honored to have talked with Ana and Curt Warner about the challenges and isolation of raising kids with autism. They've shared their experiences raising twin boys with "low-functioning" autism in their new book, The Warner Boys: Our Family’s Story of Autism and Hope, and they've graciously shared a glimpse of their parenting experiences here with...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking about how to finally stop battling with your child. Day in and day out, the challenging behaviors, the impulsivity, the seeming argumentativeness feel like we are battling with our kids. Sure, most of the triggers are symptoms of their ADHD and/or autism, but that doesn't make it any easier or any less painful to accept these battles. But,...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with licensed child therapist, Angela Pruess, about emotional intelligence. Building emotional intelligence skills is an important part of raising kids with ADHD, kids who are often dysregulated emotionally and struggle with interactions with others. We discuss emotional awareness, emotional regulation, and how emotional intelligence plays...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I was inspired this week to talk to you about saying yes more often. As parents, we are programmed to say no automatically, but we need to find ways to say yes. Our kids already get messages that they “can’t” more than anything else, so they need more yeses, more positives in their day-to-day lives. There are other good reasons to start saying yes mor...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I was inspired this week to talk to you about the language you use to describe your child's behavior. I see parents day in and day out use language that sounds as though they're describing a character flaw. Language that sets a tone of "can't" and "won't," instead of describing things for what they really are — which is most often your child having a...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Dr. Sharon Saline about what your child with ADHD wishes you knew, in conjunction with the release of her new book. We're talking about how most kids feel like parents aren't hearing what they're saying, and vice versa. Dr. Saline offers many strategies to communicate better, for a more successful and joyful family life. "Stop. Take a...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with divorce and family attorney, Morghan Leia Richardson, about how to navigate co-parenting a child with ADHD when the parents don't agree on ADHD treatment and parenting. There are ways to pre-plan for these parenting disagreements during the divorce process, as well as resources and recourse for resolution after. Court proceedings aren...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm giving you a pep talk for parenting kids with special needs. Use this pep talk when you're feeling low, lacking confidence in your parenting, apprehensive about starting another day, or just having a bad day. If you're feeling yourself slip, use this pep talk as your reminder that you've got this! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.sp...

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex--6137613/support . You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com.  It's not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm sharing tips and strategies to help your child overcome social struggles and make and keep friends. ADHD makes social interactions challenging for kids for a variety of reasons. I outline the different reasons kids with ADHD struggle with friendships, offer strategies to help your child build social skills, and share how to create opportunities fo...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with Heather Chauvin about defining our job as a parent. Heather talks about her journey to discover her authentic role as a mom and how to parent in a way that serves the true goal and purpose of parenting — that serves her sons but also serves herself, too. Listen in to find out what is your real responsibility as a parent? Heather share...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with therapist, Kimberly Beaman, about the importance of therapy, how to find the right therapist for your child and your family, and the power of creative arts in the lives of kids with ADHD and other challenges. Listen in as Kim offers a wealth of resources and guidance on therapy for kids with ADHD. Become a supporter of this podcast: h...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with nutrition and wellness practitioner, Jennifer Scribner, about creating a non-toxic lifestyle. Many kids with ADHD have genetic polymorphisms like MTHFR that reduce the body's ability to detoxify effectively. A non-toxic lifestyle is important for all of us, but especially kids with ADHD and sensitivities. Listen in for what items shou...

In this episode of the Parenting ADHD Podcast, I'm talking with speech-language pathologist and author of "My Second Year of Kindergarten," Becca Eisenberg, about repeating a grade in school. Listen in as we discuss the signs that a child might need to repeat a grade, the aspects of school to think about when making the decision, and how to walk your child through acceptance and the transition. *N...

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people call a meltdown a tantrum. A tantrum is a fit a child throws to get their way. A meltdown is when your child is stuck and their brain has been sort-of hijacked. A child in a meltdown does not have control of their actions. Listen in to this episode as I discuss the full differences between a tantrum and meltdown and provide insights and strategies to beg...