Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

#1228 - Being an ADHD Mum With Jane McFadden (R)


Listen Later

What happens when a high-achieving mum, running two businesses and parenting three kids, discovers that the chaos in her life isn’t just “normal”—it’s undiagnosed ADHD? In this powerful and relatable conversation, Justin chats with former psychologist and ADHD advocate Jane McFadden about her late diagnosis, parenting in a neurodiverse family, and why understanding is the first step towards connection.

KEY POINTS:

  • Jane McFadden was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood—after years of burnout, high-functioning chaos, and parenting struggles.

  • ADHD can often be masked by achievement, especially in women.

  • Many children and adults use “scaffolding,” or complex routines, to hide difficulties with executive function.

  • Diagnosis isn’t about labels—it’s about understanding and unlocking connection.

  • Neurodiverse families can thrive when support and insight replace shame and confusion.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“If you don’t want to label your child, they’ll label themselves—and it’ll be far worse than any diagnosis.”

RESOURCES:

  • ADHD Mums podcast by Jane McFadden

  • Happy Families Membership – happyfamilies.com.au

  • Help For the ADHD Parent [Article]
  • Parenting ADHD [The Course]
  • Parenting an ADHD Child [Article]

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

  1. If you suspect neurodiversity in yourself or your child, seek a qualified assessment—it can offer clarity and hope.

  2. Explore resources and communities like ADHD Mums to connect with others on a similar journey.

  3. Approach parenting with empathy—ask your child why something is hard instead of assuming they’re being defiant.

  4. Recognise the signs of burnout in yourself and prioritise support.

  5. Focus on connection first—diagnosis is a tool to deepen relationships, not define them.

Find us on Facebook

Subscribe to the Happy Families newsletter

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy FamiliesBy Dr Justin Coulson

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

137 ratings


More shows like Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

View all
Mamamia Out Loud by Mamamia Podcasts

Mamamia Out Loud

579 Listeners

This Glorious Mess by Mamamia Podcasts

This Glorious Mess

44 Listeners

No Filter by Mamamia Podcasts

No Filter

627 Listeners

Crappy to Happy by Cass Dunn

Crappy to Happy

54 Listeners

Ladies, We Need To Talk by ABC listen

Ladies, We Need To Talk

335 Listeners

The Quicky by Mamamia Podcasts

The Quicky

111 Listeners

Parental As Anything by ABC listen

Parental As Anything

51 Listeners

The Imperfects by Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg

The Imperfects

527 Listeners

Lise and Sarah by Those Two Girls

Lise and Sarah

44 Listeners

Something To Talk About by Stellar

Something To Talk About

99 Listeners

Pop Culture Parenting by Dr Billy Garvey, Nick McCormack

Pop Culture Parenting

52 Listeners

But Are You Happy? by Mamamia Podcasts

But Are You Happy?

27 Listeners

ADHD Mums by Jane McFadden

ADHD Mums

14 Listeners

MID by Mamamia Podcasts

MID

82 Listeners

You're A Good Kid by James & Nick van Cuylenburg

You're A Good Kid

3 Listeners