👀 In this episode, Sharon Collon interviews Michael Shanahan, founder of Dyscastia, about:

✅ The real challenges behind reading, writing, and maths struggles (it’s not laziness!)

✅ How to support kids when school feels impossible

✅ What myths about learning difficulties we need to throw away—now

✅ Why parents don’t need to “know it all” immediately (and where to find expert help)

⏰ Timestamps ⏰

00:02:04 – Introducing Michael Shanahan’s background and expertise
00:03:25 – Michael explains his role as a specialist intervention tutor
00:04:36 – Beginning explanation of the “3Ds” (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia)
00:05:36 – In-depth explanation of dyslexia: what it is and its challenges
00:08:12 – What is dysgraphia? Michael’s own experience and discussion
00:11:24 – What is dyscalculia? Characteristics and how it differs from other learning challenges
00:14:28 – Michael’s personal journey growing up with undiagnosed learning difficulties
00:18:47 – How are the 3Ds linked to ADHD?
00:22:06 – Advice for parents feeling overwhelmed by new diagnoses
00:26:58 – Who can diagnose the 3Ds?
00:27:31 – Common myths and misconceptions about the 3Ds
00:30:49 – “Specific learning disability” (SLD) reports and what they mean
00:32:06 – Tech tools and accommodations for students with the 3Ds
00:37:02 – Practical accommodations to ask for at school after an SLD diagnosis
00:43:49 – How Michael’s children experienced school with learning differences
00:45:34 – How to find Michael, his podcast, and resources for parents and teachers
00:50:28 – Wrapping up and final thoughts

--------------

Michael is a specialist literacy and maths interventionist, working with students who live with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, ASD, and other learning difficulties. He is also a director of Word Cracking—software and resources designed specifically for students who find standard intervention too hard.

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://dyscastia.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr9MZukIRt8ZPplvj4b6BfQ

Facebook: hhttps://www.facebook.com/Dyscastia

---------------------------

ADHD and the “3Ds” are deeply connected.
Around 30–40% of kids with ADHD also live with dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia, making learning challenges much more common than many parents realize .

The struggles go beyond academics.
Difficulties with reading, writing, and maths can cause embarrassment, low confidence, and a negative self-image in kids—sometimes lasting well into adulthood .

Early expert support is key.
Parents don’t need to have all the answers right away. Reaching out to specialist tutors, educational psychologists, or organisations like Speld can provide clarity and practical next steps .

Common myths are harmful.
Many people—including teachers—still wrongly believe that conditions like dyslexia or dysgraphia don’t exist, or that kids “just need to try harder.” These misconceptions can damage children’s self-esteem .

Compassion and de-escalation help at home.
Reducing homework loads, allowing breaks, and using supportive tech tools (like voice-to-text or read-aloud features) can relieve pressure and make learning more manageable 

Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily

Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon

Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her:

ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/
🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com
🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog

In this episode, Sharon sits down with ultra-endurance cyclist Jack Thompson, who shares his powerful story of ADHD, addiction, recovery, and purpose.

Jack’s journey offers a raw look at what happens when ADHD goes misunderstood — and how deep self-understanding and compassion can rebuild a life. Together, they unpack Jack's story and uncover Jack's parent's important actions that we all need to know about when things get rocky.

👉 Subscribe to the ADHD Families Podcast for real stories, practical strategies, and support that actually makes life easier.

Jack’s story of ADHD, addiction, and finding purpose through cycling

The link between stimulation-seeking and addiction cycles

How sport, movement, and structure can support mental wellbeing

How Jack's parents navigated his addiction and recovery and what we need to learn from this

Sharon’s grounded advice for parents supporting ADHD children

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
03:20 – Jack’s early life and undiagnosed ADHD
07:45 – The path to addiction and what he was really seeking
14:10 – Finding clarity and healing through cycling
21:30 – The ADHD diagnosis that reframed everything
29:00 – How structure became Jack’s self-regulation tool
36:00 – Sharon’s insight: parenting from understanding, not control
44:15 – Reframing success for ADHD kids
51:00 – Final reflections: hope, humility, and healing

ADHD isn’t a deficit — it’s a brain difference that requires the right supports

Dysregulation is contagious

Real change happens when we stop fixing and start understanding

Connection always precedes correction

Routine, interest, and safety are the foundation of growth

🌍  jackultracyclist.com 
📸 Instagram: @jackultracyclist 
🎥 YouTube: Jack Ultra Cyclist 

Sharon Collon is a credentialed ADHD Coach & Parenting Consultant, founder of The Functional Family, and mum to three boys with ADHD. She’s helped over 40,000 families move from chaos to calm through her signature programs, coaching, and community.

📚 Learn more at thefunctionalfamily.com 
📧 [email protected] 
📸 Instagram: @thefunctionalfamily 

Join our free support group HERE.

Subscribe to The ADHD Family Newsletter for grounded guidance, parenting strategies, and stories that remind you — you’re not alone, and it can get easier.

How do you tell your child they have ADHD without making it feel scary, overwhelming or negative? In this episode, Sharon, ADHD coach and parent mentor, walks you through exactly how to approach this sensitive conversation with warmth and confidence. You’ll learn how to turn a diagnosis into empowerment — and how to nurture your child’s self-understanding from the start.

If your child has recently been diagnosed, Sharon’s free workshop “3 Steps to an Easier Family Life with ADHD” will help you feel equipped and confident. Grab your spot now at thefunctionalfamily.com/easier  💛

✅ Why telling your child they have ADHD early builds resilience and self-esteem
✅ The biggest mistake parents make when keeping it a “secret”
✅ How to frame ADHD as a unique brain wiring rather than a disorder
✅ Simple ways to weave ADHD into everyday chats, not “big sit-down talks”
✅ How to highlight your child’s strengths — not just their challenges
✅ Real-life language you can use to explain ADHD to different age groups
✅ How to stay curious and keep the conversation going as your child grows

00:00 – Finding the right words to tell your child about ADHD
02:15 – Why Sharon felt lost after her first diagnosis
04:00 – The importance of empowering children with the truth
06:30 – Why avoiding “the label” can cause more harm than good
09:45 – How to keep the conversation casual and positive
13:10 – Reframing ADHD as unique brain wiring
15:20 – Using relatable role models to inspire your child
18:00 – Sharing your own ADHD story (without assumptions)
21:15 – Highlighting strengths and self-understanding
25:00 – Encouraging ongoing questions and curiosity
28:00 – Teaching that “everything is figureoutable”
30:45 – Sharon’s free workshop for parents: 3 Steps to an Easier Family Life with ADHD

🎧 Subscribe to The Functional Family Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube

🎁 Join the free workshop: thefunctionalfamily.com/easier 

📘 Download Sharon’s ADHD resources via her website

💬 Follow Sharon on Instagram at @thefunctionalfamily 

Sharon helps parents of children with ADHD create calmer homes and confident families through coaching, workshops, and practical ADHD resources.

Start with her free workshop, “3 Steps to an Easier Family Life with ADHD,” or explore her signature Functional Family Membership for deeper support and community.

🌐 Visit thefunctionalfamily.com  to learn more.

👀 In this episode, Sharon Collon interviews Rebecca Torpie, founder of Sensory Smart Kids, about:

✅ What sensory profiles actually mean for children with ADHD

✅ The difference between sensory seeking and sensory avoiding (and why your child might flip between the two)

✅ How to spot common sensory challenges—and what to do about them

✅ The truth about all those sensory tools (where to invest, what to skip)

✅ Real-life strategies to make home life calmer, happier, and less…well, sticky!

⏰ Timestamps ⏰

00:00 Discovering Sensory Integration Passion

05:03 Understanding Sensory Sensitivities in Children

09:39 "Regulation and Sensory Processing Impact"

11:16 Managing Sensory Overwhelm

16:15 Self-Care Tips for Busy Parents

18:04 Managing Post-School Emotions

22:42 Family Dynamics and Emotional Regulation

25:05 Invest in OT; Encourage Active Play

30:43 "Morning Sensory Routines for Kids"

33:46 Evening Playtime and Activity Tips

36:39 "OTs: Embracing Deeper Problem Solving"

--------------

Rebecca Torpie is the founder of Sensory Smart Kids, an Occupational Therapy clinic in Belmont, and support children and families in the Greater Geelong area.

They see children in their clinic as well as offering home and community based intervention.

Connect with Rebecca:

Website: https://www.sensorysmartkidsot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensorysmartkidsot/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sensorysmartkidsot/

---------------------------

Sensory profiles help you understand your child’s unique likes, dislikes, and triggers.

Children with ADHD often have stronger sensory seeking or avoiding behaviours.

Sensory overload can lead to overwhelm or “meltdowns” for both kids and parents.

Heavy work activities (like pushing or pulling) help kids feel more regulated.

Not every sensory tool works for every child—find what fits your family!

Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily

Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon

Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her:

ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/
🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com
🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog

Ever feel like you need to clone yourself just to get through the week? Trust me, you’re not alone! If your to-do list is longer than your arm and you’re running on coffee and hope, I’ve got something that will make you feel seen (and maybe even make you laugh).

In this episode, I spill all my best-kept secrets for buying back your time, reducing stress, and creating a home that actually works for your beautiful, busy family. From clever outsourcing hacks (think: veggie-chopping superheroes and laundry angels) to the art of saying “no” without the guilt, this episode is packed with practical, strength-based strategies you can use right now.

What you’ll learn:

⏰ Timestamps ⏰

00:00 ADHD Families: Ease and Joy

06:29 Earn Extra Doing What You Love

08:33 "Finding Time-Value Balance"

11:17 Outsourcing Tips and Costs

15:05 Efficient Home Maintenance Strategies

16:52 Efficient Task Management and Meal Planning

21:54 Outsourcing Veggie Prep Benefits

23:26 Budget Shopping and Delivery Choices

28:00 AI Uncovers Hidden Subscriptions

30:44 Sunday Productivity Tips

36:30 Balancing Kids' Schedules & Downtime

37:19 Choose One Activity Per Child

41:05 Personal Styling Service Time Saver

45:55 Outsourcing for Family Well-being

50:04 Outsource and Barter for Efficiency

------------------

Don’t fill your freed-up time with more obligations!

Use Sharon’s go-to script: “Thank you for the offer, I’ll get back to you.” Then set a reminder and check if it actually fits your values and schedule.

Remember: Future you is just as busy as present you. Don’t overcommit on the hope that “it’ll calm down soon.”

Outsourcing is an investment in your family’s wellbeing—not a failure.

Start with your biggest pain point. Just pick one thing to try outsourcing and see how much lighter life feels.

Use tech and community to your advantage—reminders apps, shared notes, and even AI can help you manage admin and subscriptions.

Barter with friends! Swap the jobs you hate for the ones you love.

Time Audit Resource: Click HERE

Meal Planning Mini Course: Coming soon—my ADHD-friendly meal planning system.

Loved this episode?
Share it on your socials, leave a review, and help us start a conversation about ADHD. For more support, strategies, and a sprinkle of humour, check out thefunctionalfamily.com.

Remember, you don’t have to do it all. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask for help (or outsource the washing!).

This week’s challenge:
Pick just one task that drains your energy or always gets pushed to the bottom of your to-do list—and outsource it.

It could be as simple as hiring someone to fold your laundry, getting your groceries delivered, or asking a friend to swap chores with you.

Don’t overthink it! Choose the task you dread most or the one that would buy you the most breathing room.

Try it once—just as an experiment. Notice how it feels to have that space back in your day.

Bonus points: Share your outsourcing win (or fail!) in the ADHD Families Facebook group to inspire and support other families.

Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily

Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon

I help parents of children with ADHD through my:

ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/
🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com
🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog

👀 In this episode, Sharon Collon interviews Jane McFadden, founder of ADHD Mum Podcast, about:

✅ Why so many ADHD mums fall into the “all or nothing” trap, and how perfectionism can turn even simple tasks into overwhelming mountains

✅ The double-edged sword of to-do lists for neurodivergent mums, and how to create systems that work for you (not against you)

✅ The importance of recognising different types of burnout and why neurodivergent people often burn out harder and more often

✅ Energy accounting for families

⏰ Timestamps ⏰

00:16 The unique challenges of parenting children with ADHD

00:45 Identify and prioritise personal values

01:56 Jane's background

02:27 Perfectionism trap for women with ADHD

02:31 Actionable strategies for managing to-do lists and perfectionism

32:07 The concept of “energy accounting”

33:18 Burn-out wave

36:44 Acknowledging that everyone’s limits are different.

38:37 The value of honest, ongoing conversations about each family member’s needs and challenges

--------------

Jane McFadden is the Autistic and ADHD Aussie mum behind the podcast ADHD Mums. 

She believes motherhood is hard - really hard - especially when you're neurodivergent or raising kids who are. She believes in speaking honestly about the mental load, the guilt, the overwhelm, and the absolute chaos that comes with parenting while trying to function in a world that doesn't make space for us. She believes in sharing the struggles without sugarcoating them - but also finding the humour in it all because sometimes you just have to laugh or you'll cry (again). 

Connect with Jane:

Website: https://adhdmums.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhd_mums/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ADHD-Mums/100091850469503/

Tiktok: https://www.facebook.com/people/ADHD-Mums/100091850469503/

Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/adhdmums

---------------------------

Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily

Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon

Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her:

ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/
🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com
🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog

Are you constantly walking on eggshells around your child with ADHD? Feeling like you’re failing as a parent or just plain exhausted from the daily battles? You’re not alone—and there’s hope! In this episode, Sharon Collon shares the three simple but powerful skills that can transform your family dynamic and help you move from reactive to responsive parenting.

Sharon, award-winning ADHD coach and founder of The Functional Family, introduces her signature CRC method—Curious, Regulated, and Clear. With over 17 years supporting families and her own lived experience, she knows traditional parenting advice often misses the mark for children with ADHD. Instead, Sharon’s CRC approach is practical, research-backed, and designed to work with your child’s brain, not against it.

Why most parenting strategies fail families with ADHD—and what to do instead

The CRC Method:

Curious: Shift from frustration to curiosity. See your child’s behaviour as communication, not defiance. Ask, “I wonder what’s going on for them in this moment?” to get to the root of tricky behaviours.

Regulated: Manage your own emotional state first. Dysregulation is contagious! Learn simple ways to slow things down, model calm, and help your child regulate by leading by example.

Clear: Give specific, achievable instructions. Ditch the vague “be good” and go for concise, one-step directions your child can actually follow. Less is more—sometimes just two words and a kind face do the trick.

⏰ Timestamps ⏰

00:00 Transformative ADHD Parenting Skills

03:47 Curiosity Over Judgment

09:23 Concise Instructions Essential

10:42 ADHD Parenting: Key Skills Overview

------------------------------------------------------

Don’t stack instructions—one thing at a time!

Practice saying your instruction in your head before you say it out loud to keep it short and clear.

Remember: Your child’s dysregulation isn’t about you—it’s about their developing brain.

The CRC method isn’t just theory; it’s a game-changer for daily life.

Which CRC skill will you focus on first? Share your choice in our free support group and connect with other parents on the same journey!

Loved this episode?
Share it on your socials and leave a review on iTunes to make this mum do a happy dance! Want more resources, strategies, and support? Visit thefunctionalfamily.com.

Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily

Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon

Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her:

ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/
🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com
🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog

👀 In this episode, Sharon Collon interviews Dr Mary Barson, founder of Real Life Medicine, about:

✅ Real-life strategies for ADHD & weight management

✅ The truth about dopamine, eating, and shame

✅ Family-friendly, flexible health solutions

✅ Why traditional diets don’t work for ADHD

⏰ Timestamps ⏰

00:00 Struggling with Weight and Transformation

05:06 ADHD's Impact on Dieting Struggles

07:08 ADHD, Food Cravings, and Eating Habits

11:48 High-Protein Meal Prep Ideas

17:20 "Shame and People-Pleasing Origins"

20:08 Stress Response and Hyperarousal Explained

23:09 Break the Shame Spiral

25:22 Reconsidering ADHD Perceptions

30:36 High-Protein Diet Benefits

34:14 Emotional Aspect of Weight Loss

36:25 Make Healthy Choices Easier

38:45 "Real Health & Weight Loss Resources"

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Dr Mary Barson is a GP based on the Victorian Surf Coast. She is an absolute genius and has an honours degree in biochemistry, as well as a medical degree. Dr Mary understands all things “sciencey”. She is our go-to person for interpreting scientific research, and can separate out true science from popular “woo”.

Dr Mary marries this with her skills as a counsellor and hypnotherapist, and has a huge interest in lifestyle medicine. She practices compassion-based therapy.

Connect with Mary:

Website: https://www.rlmedicine.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_life_medicine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reallifemedicine

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU1XRiZ7sJ-thR6CobrH5Vg

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/real-health-and-weight-loss-podcast/id1539858012

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/real-life-medicine/

---------------------------

Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily

Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon

Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her:

ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/
🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com
🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog

👀 In this episode, Sharon Collon interviews Sam Taylor, founder of Go Beyond Therapy, about:

✅ Why parents are more burnt out than ever (and what to do about it)

✅ The “bucket” analogy that makes sense of your overwhelm

✅ Tiny, doable self-care moments that actually work

✅ How to spot the warning signs before you hit meltdown mode

⏰ Timestamps ⏰

00:00 Parental Emotional Regulation Challenges

04:49 Practical Self-Care for Parents

07:49 Managing Emotional Overflow in Parents

11:55 Parental Burnout Strains Relationships

15:52 Mindful Parenting for Emotional Regulation

20:07 Balancing Family Sensory Needs

22:22 "Strategies for Reducing Daily Stress"

26:56 Understanding Occupational Therapy's Role

31:23 Progressing Towards Big Goals Incrementally

32:29 Individualised Goal Strategies in OT

--------------

Sam is an occupational therapist with experience supporting children with a wide range of additional needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Intellectual Disabilities, Down Syndrome, and many more. She has been working and volunteering in the pediatric disability space for over 10 years. Her journey in this field is not just professional, but also personal. Having navigated challenges similar to dyslexia and auditory processing difficulties herself, she understands the hurdles that families face within the education system, therapeutic environments, and everyday life.

Her approach to therapy is holistic and family-centered. She recognises that enhancing a child’s well-being goes beyond traditional milestones like handwriting. She believes in nurturing self-confidence and resilience—qualities that form the cornerstone of building a fulfilling life. She sees each child’s belief in themselves as a crucial building block upon which all progress is built.

Connect with Sam:

Website: https://www.gobeyondtherapy.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/go.beyond.therapy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gobeyondtherapy/

 --------------------------- 

Every parent has a “coping bucket” with different capacities.

Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily

Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon

Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her:

ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfamily/
🔗 Website: https://thefunctionalfamily.com
🔗 Free Tools: https://thefunctionalfamily.com/blog

👀 In this episode, Sharon Collon interviews Natalia Aiza about:

✅ The real differences between OCD and anxiety (and why it matters)

✅ Surprising signs of OCD in kids with ADHD

✅ Common myths that hold families back from getting help

✅ Practical ways to support your child at home and school

⏰ Timestamps ⏰

00:00 Managing ADHD and OCD Anxieties

05:40 "OCD vs. Anxiety: Key Differences"

09:06 ADHD, OCD, & Time Management

10:20 OCD's Rule of Threes

15:29 Nighttime Routines and Child OCD

18:44 ADHD and OCD Dual Understanding

22:10 OCD Therapy Challenges and Success

25:38 Teaching Children to Handle Distress

27:05 "Do Less Parenting Approach"

31:50 Compassionate Approach to School Refusal

34:59 OCD: Hormonal Influence and Cycles

37:29 Overcoming Attachment to Number Rituals

42:06 Contact for OCD & Parental Coaching

43:37 "Parental Guidance and Insight"

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Natalia Aíza is a multicultural, multilingual counsellor with a modern approach.  Her therapeutic style is warm and welcoming, but also practical.  Natalia believes that therapy should be time-limited and goal-oriented.  She aims to empower her clients and encourages both children and adults to be active participants in their own therapy.  Natalia works alongside her small therapy dog, Miszu.

Natalia is a seasoned therapist, parent trainer, writer, and entrepreneur. Her core missions are to facilitate awareness and healing for those with OCD, and to amplify OCD competency among mental health practitioners. She is the co-founder of Kairos Wellness Collective, an innovative therapy center that specializes in OCD and Anxiety Disorders. In the last three years, Kairos has expanded to four locations in Colorado and has served over two thousand families and individual clients.

Connect with Natalia:

Website: https://www.kairoswellnesscollective.com/natalia-aiza

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalk.ocd/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/kairos-wellness-collective/

 --------------------------- 

OCD is often misunderstood and goes far beyond just cleaning or counting rituals.

The main difference between OCD and anxiety is that OCD involves repetitive actions to relieve specific fears.

OCD and ADHD frequently overlap, making both conditions harder to recognise and diagnose.

Signs of OCD in kids often include rigid routines, high need for reassurance, and distress if rituals aren’t followed exactly.

Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily

Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon

Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her:

ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increase functionality, and create more space for positive family interactions. As an award-winning, credentialed ADHD Coach and Parenting Expert, I've developed this program based on years of personal experience and professional expertise to help families like yours transform daily challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

Enrol Now: https://thefunctionalfamily.com

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