You’re standing at the edge of the playground.
Your child’s backpack hangs a little crooked, their eyes full of hope.
They wave, the group pauses, and then turns away.
Your child pretends not to notice. Your heart shatters.

If you’ve ever witnessed that moment, this episode will hit home.

In today’s episode, we unpack one of the hardest realities ADHD families face: why friendship can be so tough for neurodivergent kids and what parents and teachers can actually do to help.

💔 You’ll Learn:

• Why kids with ADHD are 2–3 times more likely to be rejected by peers — and how fast it happens
• The neuroscience behind social misfires: impulse control, working memory, timing, and social cue processing
• The link between chronic rejection, anxiety, and oppositional behavior — and how to break the cycle
• How to use “social coaching” and guided play to teach connection skills in real time
• When to seek out social skills training programs like UCLA’s PEERS® and why they work
• Simple ways to help your child find their people — clubs, hobbies, shared interests that become social scaffolding
• How teachers can change a child’s trajectory with one well-timed comment or pairing choice

💡 Key Takeaways

• ADHD kids want friends just as much as anyone else — they just process social information differently.
• Repeated rejection hurts more deeply for neurodivergent kids and can create a self-protective loop.
• Consistent coaching and immediate praise build connection and confidence.
• True social success isn’t about fitting in — it’s about belonging.

🧩 Resources Mentioned

• PEERS® Social Skills Program (UCLA) – research-backed training for kids & teens
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) – framework for real-time coaching without shame
• Cooperative Board Games & Lego Projects – tools for guided play dates

❤️ If You Take One Thing Away:

Social success for ADHD kids isn’t about fitting in — it’s about finding their tribe. Belonging heals the brain, restores confidence, and rewires hope.

If this episode spoke to you:
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