Hyperactivity, endless energy, incessant speaking, and impulsivity... These are some common signs of classic ADHD in little ones that many of us may recognise.

Today on the Spot Family Podcast we're speaking to Olwen Forker from Backchat Speech Pathology in Brisbane, who's bringing her extensive ADHD expertise to the conversation with a particular focus on awareness around inattentive ADHD markers.

Olwen's three children each have ADHD as part of their neurodevelopmental profile and today she shares her journey as a mother and Speech Pathologist who not only specialises but lives her work with neurodiverse little ones.

Hear all the ways that classic versus inattentive ADHD presents, the various challenges experienced in executive functioning, and how the Backchat clinic works as an invaluable resource for parents, paediatricians, OTs, and GPs.

This episode covers everything you need to know about ADHD, so if you're a parent whose gut instinct is telling you something's up, a therapist or teacher who wants to expand your knowledge, or you are just interested in this increasingly prevalent diagnosis, tune in now!

 

In this episode, we cover:

• Hear how early diagnosis changes lives
• Olwen shares the ways that inattentive type ADHD presents in kids
• About play-led education and how neurodivergent children have specific educational needs
• The difference between ADHD and the old term ADD
• The need for teachers to be educated about ADHD
• Some examples of exercise-driven routines at schools, for teens and littlies
• How schooling without sensory breaks is contributing to the mental health crisis
• What red flags therapists should look for; behavioral observations outweigh the CELF score
• Why paediatricians, OTs, psychiatrists, and even speechies bring their kids to the clinic!
• Who to go to first if you recognize the signs, and some great questions to ask a therapist
• And so much more!

 

Links mentioned in today’s episode:

Olwen Forker on LinkedIn

BackChat Speech Pathology

BackChat Speech Pathology on Facebook

BackChat Speech Pathology on Instagram

Maggie Dent

Martha Burns

Little Birdie Books

Lindamood-Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing Program

Pearson Assessments: CELF-5

SFP Episode 14: Talk, Read, Play, Succeed with Little Birdie Books

SFP Episode 2: What is Working Memory? With Dr Tracy Packiam Alloway

Spot Family