ADHD Connect Podcast

Children with ADHD often say, "It's boring," "This takes too long," or "I don't want to do it." But what if the challenge isn't the task itself—it's learning how to persevere through it? In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor uses the classic fable The Tortoise and the Hare to teach a powerful lesson about persistence. She shares practical strategies that help children shift from wanting...

Following directions seems simple - until it isn't. Many children with ADHD struggle when asked to stop what they're doing, transition to something new, or follow through on a request. What can look like arguing, ignoring, negotiating, or even defiance is often connected to challenges with transitions, emotional regulation, and the need for predictability. In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish...

Children with ADHD often get stuck in a judgment, a feeling, or a belief that something is unfair. When thinking becomes rigid, it can impact emotional regulation, relationships, problem-solving, and everyday success. In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores three common areas where inflexible thinking shows up: labeling people ("They're mean"), rejecting situations ("I hate it"),...

Big emotions can feel overwhelming for children with ADHD and for the adults supporting them. In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores the deeper reasons behind meltdowns, classroom disruptions, impulsive behaviors, and emotional outbursts.  Rather than viewing these moments as simply “bad behavior,” Dr. Taylor encourages parents and educators to look at the whole child and ask an...

When the class clown takes center stage, it’s easy to focus on stopping the behavior, but what if the behavior is telling us something important? In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores why some students with ADHD become disruptive in the classroom and how parents, teachers, and school professionals can better understand the behavior’s underlying causes. Is it attention-seeking?...

In this episode, Dr. Tish Taylor introduces season 2 and the deeper focus on the social, emotional, and relational aspects of ADHD. These are areas that are often talked about, but rarely explored in a comprehensive, practical way. From emotional regulation to peer relationships to a child’s internal experience of themselves, this season is about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface....

In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores one of the most common challenges for children and teens with ADHD: impulsivity. Impulsive behaviors can show up in many ways, including: Blurting out or interrupting Struggling with personal space Attention-seeking behaviors Acting without thinking through consequences While these moments can be frustrating, they’re also opportunities to t...

How we talk about ADHD shapes how children understand themselves. In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores a question many parents and educators don’t often stop to ask: How are we thinking about ADHD, and is that way of thinking actually helping our kids? Some children hear messages like “I can’t help it, it’s my ADHD.” Others hear “You’re just making excuses.” Neither approach g...

When your child has more energy than the situation seems to allow, it can feel exhausting — at home, in the classroom, at sports practices, or even during family outings. In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor talks about hyperactivity in children and teens and offers practical, realistic strategies you can begin using right away. You’ll learn: Why predictable routines help reduce behavi...

Why is it so hard for kids with ADHD to get started on even simple tasks? In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores one of the most common and frustrating ADHD challenges - task initiation. From brushing teeth to starting homework, Dr. Taylor shares practical, real-world strategies you can use right away to help your child move from stuck to started.  In this episode, you'll learn...

In this episode, we're diving into a common struggle: when kids with ADHD avoid, ignore, or flat-out refuse to do something they’re asked to do - like brushing their teeth, doing homework, or helping around the house.  You’ll learn: The real reasons behind refusal (hint: it's not just defiance) How overwhelm, transitions, and motivation play a role Common adult responses that accidentally escalate...

Sleep struggles are one of the most common—and frustrating—challenges for kids and teens with ADHD. In this episode, Dr. Tish Taylor explains why sleep is such a complicated issue in ADHD and what families can do to support better rest. You'll learn: • How much sleep kids and teens really need • Why screens, naps, and late-night routines can backfire • Tips for calming anxious minds at bedtime • W...

In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores a common but frustrating challenge for parents and caregivers—persistent resistance. Whether it’s homework avoidance, rigid eating habits, or social reluctance, some kids with ADHD dig in their heels and simply won’t budge. So what do we do when logic, encouragement, and even consequences aren’t enough? Dr. Taylor shares practical, compassi...

Looking for holiday gift ideas that go beyond the usual screens and gadgets? In this timely episode, Dr. Tish Taylor shares a thoughtful list of ADHD-friendly gifts for children and teens. These ideas are grounded in what actually engages kids with ADHD—from hands-on building toys and sensory tools to logic games and journals that promote focus and emotional growth. Whether you're shopping for a s...

In this November episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor dives into a timely and powerful topic: gratitude. While it’s often seen as a feel-good practice, gratitude can actually serve as a practical tool for helping kids with ADHD manage disappointment, regulate emotions, and shift their mindset from “It’s not fair!” to “I’m thankful for…” Drawing from positive psychology and real-life clinical e...

You've just received (or maybe are still processing) an ADHD diagnosis for your child—and now you're wondering, Am I doing everything I should be doing? In this episode, Dr. Tish Taylor walks you through the key areas of intervention to consider so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. We’ll explore: The importance of parent education and training—and where to start When therapy may be...

Struggling to tell if it’s ADHD or a learning disability? In this episode, Dr. Tish breaks down the differences, what to watch for in reading, writing, and math, and when to consider a formal evaluation. Get clarity—and practical next steps to support your child at home and school. Whether you’re noticing persistent academic struggles or just want to better understand how ADHD shows up in school,...

Is getting your child with ADHD to complete a task—any task—an everyday struggle? Whether it’s brushing teeth, finishing homework, or just getting out the door on time, task completion challenges are one of the most common (and exhausting) concerns for families. In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor breaks down the different ways task resistance shows up—distraction, emotional overwhelm...

When emotions run high and behavior escalates, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — and even easier to react in ways we later regret. In this episode, Dr. Tish Taylor offers a grounded, practical approach to those emotionally intense, behaviorally challenging moments so common in parenting children with ADHD. Using three key questions, Dr. Taylor helps parents pause, reflect, and respond in a way that...

Reward systems can be incredibly effective for kids with ADHD—but only if they're used well. In this episode, Dr. Tish Taylor breaks down the nuts and bolts of motivation systems: when to use them, how to design them, and how to keep them working over time. You’ll learn how to define target behaviors, choose meaningful reinforcers, and avoid common mistakes that can derail progress. Whether you're...

In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor helps you hit the ground running with a back-to-school plan that supports your child’s executive functioning from day one. Whether your child struggles with staying on top of assignments, getting started, or just keeping track of what’s due, this episode offers practical strategies to build systems that actually work. Dr. Taylor walks you through ho...

In this episode of the ADHD Connect Podcast, Dr. Tish Taylor dives into one of the most common (and often frustrating) challenges for families of kids with ADHD: transitions. From big shifts like heading back to school, to daily transitions like turning off a video game or getting out the door in the morning, Dr. Tish explains why these moments are so tough—and what you can do to make them smoothe...

In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores the importance of flexible thinking in children and teens with ADHD. Many kids with ADHD struggle with black-and-white thinking—seeing things as either all good or all bad, fair or unfair, right or wrong. This kind of rigid thinking often fuels emotional outbursts, frustration, and conflict, even as kids get older. Dr. Taylor shares three c...

In this heartfelt episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor speaks directly to parents and caregivers who may be feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or uncertain about their child’s future with ADHD. With warmth and clarity, she explores what it means to hold on to hope—even when things feel tough. Dr. Tish shares four empowering strategies to help you shift your mindset, focus on short-term progress...

Sibling conflict is a part of growing up—but when ADHD is involved, those moments can escalate quickly. In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores why sibling dynamics can be especially challenging in families with ADHD and how to handle them with calm, confidence, and clarity. You'll learn: Why children with ADHD may react more intensely to their siblings How to coach and model bet...