ADHD Families Podcast

We’re delving into the complex world of anxiety, especially how it affects children and adolescents with ADHD. Our special guest is Karen Young, a psychologist and speaker who specialises in anxiety and mental health for young people.

In this episode, Karen helps us unravel the role of the amygdala in triggering anxiety through sensory experiences, often linked to past traumas. We’ll also address school-related anxiety—a common hurdle for many in the ADHD community—offering practical strategies for creating a safe and supportive school environment.

Karen shares why parental confidence is crucial, how understanding the neuroscience behind anxiety can empower children, and tackles common misconceptions about anxiety. We'll also discuss the importance of relational safety within schools to help turn anxious moments into manageable experiences.

With a rich professional background and personal anecdotes, Karen provides a comforting reminder that anxiety can be navigated with understanding and the right tools. Get ready to take notes and feel encouraged—this episode promises valuable advice for every ADHD family. Let's dive in!

Timestamps:
00:00 Discussing anxiety, school refusal, with expert Karen Young.
04:11 Personal experience with daughter's anxiety spurred action.
07:11 Brain interprets potential threats as actual danger.
11:41 ADHD causes obsessive thought loops and anxiety.
16:04 Anxiety's impact is deeply personal and variable.
16:46 Anxiety's roots are often unknown and complex.
21:01 Ensuring kids' safety and fostering parental confidence.
23:51 Balancing support and independence for child's safety.
27:08 Avoidance reinforces anxiety by associating safety elsewhere.
31:53 Schools gating ADHD children reinforces exclusion and anxiety.
36:13 Move beyond outdated methods; promote proactive safety strategies.
40:01 How to ensure schoolchildren feel welcome, cared.
41:27 Empowering teachers to support ADHD impacts significantly.
44:31 Supporting parents and teachers creates incredible changes.

About Karen:
Karen began her career as a psychologist working extensively with children, teens and families. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant and works with schools, government bodies, and child and adolescent focused organisations both in Australia and overseas to build resources, implement procedures, and support the professional development of staff. Karen is the founder of ‘Hey Sigmund’, an internationally popular online resource that provides contemporary, research-driven information on anxiety. She is the author of five books, including the bestselling ‘Hey Warrior’, which creatively assist children to understand and manage anxiety. 

Connect with Karen:
Instagram: @karenyoung_heysigmund
Website: www.heysigmund.com

When people chat about ADHD it is often includes a long list of the challenges they are experiencing with ADHD but this is ignoring an important part of the puzzle.  The strengths!  We need to celebrate the strengths and scream them from the rooftops because our kids are listening, and we need to show them that it isn't all challenges.

In this episode, we chat with Elly Both, a sustainability consultant, author, and dedicated mom, who shares her unique journey with ADHD. Diagnosed in her early forties, Elly has turned her personal experiences into a source of empowerment through her new book, "A Kids Book About ADHD."

Join us as Elly discusses the challenges and strengths associated with ADHD, emphasising the importance of recognising and fostering the unique talents of children with ADHD. We'll explore her late diagnosis, the process of understanding her own brain, and the vital strategies she recommends for parents. Additionally, we'll dive into the content of her insightful book and how it aims to reshape the narrative around ADHD for young readers. Let's jump in!

Timestamps: 
00:00 Elly’s book empowers kids to understand ADHD.
03:52 ADHD made childhood both challenging and unique.
08:56 Social anxiety, ADHD, verbal communication struggles, introversion.
12:45 Writing book on ADHD: Challenges and creativity.
14:03 Kids book on ADHD for understanding and learning.
18:48 ADHD: Multifaceted, includes inattentiveness, nervousness, and anxiety.
22:36 Discover your superpower and nurture your passions.
24:16 Accept, identify strengths, and foster self-confidence.

About Elly:
Elly Both is a newly published author having recently released her first book, “A Kids Book about ADHD” through A Kids Co.

Diagnosed with ADHD in her early 40’s, Elly has transformed her personal journey into a source of empowerment, not only for herself but for young minds grappling with similar experiences. The book aims to redefine ADHD for young readers, encouraging them to see ADHD not as a hindrance, but as a superpower that provides them with a unique way of seeing the world and existing in it.

Elly is also a self-professed green geek, and the Founder of Bright Green – a sustainability consultancy based in Singapore.

Connect with Elly:
Instagram:@todaywewrite
Website: www.ellyboth.com

Buy Elly's book https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQ6Y1JXJ?dealEvent=1&peakEvent=4&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_3WZYY4AJ0AKB6PSJVAZB

Today we're diving into a topic that's close to the hearts of many families navigating ADHD: oppositional behaviours in children. Joining us is Jacquie Ward, a psychologist specialising in challenging behaviours.

In this episode, Jacquie shares her personal experiences as a mother to a child with ADHD. We explore the world of oppositionality and defiance, from swearing and verbal aggression to physical altercations and public meltdowns. Why do these behaviours happen, and how can parents navigate them?

We also discuss society’s perception of these behaviours, often met with judgment rather than compassion, and the long-term strategies families can use to support their children. Jacquie brings a wealth of knowledge on emotion regulation and offers practical advice, including grounding techniques, co-regulation approaches, and meaningful ways to connect with your child after a dysregulation episode.

Timestamps:

00:00 Discussing oppositional behaviors with psychologist Jackie Ward.
04:43 Parents seek help for children's emotion regulation.
08:17 Some kids get more compassion than others.
10:01 Shame in ADHD children causes significant pain.
14:30 Children's defiance or aggression signifies underlying fear.
16:50 Discuss calmly with your child when appropriate.
22:26 Discuss Dr. Mona Delahooke's work on challenging behaviors.
23:13 Challenging behaviors stem from nervous system dysregulation.
27:53 Parents need strategies to model emotional regulation.
30:19 Stay grounded; handle it with love.
36:08 Long-term skills are better than short-term consequences.
36:58 Support child regulation, not just correcting behavior.
40:21 Share, review, and enjoy ADHD Families podcast.

About Jacquie:
Jacquie Ward is a Psychologist who works with children, adolescents and their families. She works with a range of presentations, including Autism, Anxiety, Depression, challenging and disruptive behaviours, but has a particular interest in ADHD, as she's Mama to one very adorable ADHD'er herself.

Outside of the therapy room Jacquie can be found chasing her three young children at the beach, daydreaming about buying a hobby farm, or escaping to yoga class for a hit of peace amongst the happy chaos.

Link to buy Jacquie's book: https://www.jacquieward.com.au/billys-brilliant-butterflies-childrens-book

Connect with Jacquie:
Instagram: @jacquie_ward_
Facebook: Jacquie Ward
Website: www.jacquieward.com.au

Let's chat about love and relationships and ADHD. In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast we chat with Jamie Blume, an expert ADHD coach, to dive deep into the intricacies of maintaining healthy relationships within couples when there is ADHD in the mix. Jamie shares advice on fostering appreciation and understanding between partners, managing resentment, and improving communication. They discuss the challenges of balancing household responsibilities, especially when children are involved, and provides practical strategies for reclaiming fun and intimacy. Jamie also highlights the significance of addressing Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) and offers insights into her unique coaching approach that tailors support to the specific needs of ADHD individuals. Tune in to support your relationship foster a loving, collaborative environment.

Timestamps:
00:00 Support for ADHD-affected relationships from Jamie Blume.
03:44 Family diagnosed with ADHD led to extensive learning.
06:26 Understanding ADHD changed all my relationships dramatically.
12:16 Exploring recurring couple dynamics and emotional responses.
13:52 Understand strengths, share tasks in relationships evenly.
17:18 Support couple, organize home, prioritize fun time.
20:26 Focus on repairing relationships before dividing labor.
25:16 Collaborative, strength-based, unique coaching for ADHD clients.
26:23 Therapists' neurotypical lenses fail to help ADHD clients.
29:24 Parent clarified room cleaning expectations with a checklist.
32:41 Healing vulnerabilities and improving couple communication strategies.
35:43 Don't assume or take things personally.

About Jamie:
Jamie Blume is a certified ADHD and Life Coach, an Internal Family Systems coach, an Intimacy From the Inside Out couples coach, an educator of ADHD coaches for the acclaimed ADD Coach Academy, a mentor of aspiring ADHD coaches, and the Chair of the Education Committee for ADDA. Jamie founded Along Their Way, an ADHD-focused coaching business that supports adults and families as they navigate the complexities and rewards of ADHD and the challenges of neurodiversity. She is passionate about knowledge, awareness, growth, and transformation for herself and her clients.

Connect with Jamie:
Instagram: @alongtheirway
Facebook: @alongtheirway
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/alongtheirway/
Website: https://alongtheirway.com/

In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, we are chatting with the incredible Lael Stone about how to support our kids emotionally and help them process their big feelings. How do we support our beautiful kids with the emotional rollercoaster of ADHD?

Timestamps:
6:54 How do you help people develop emotional intelligence?
9:03 How to handle their own feelings by observing how we manage ours.
9:48 Instead of reacting with anger, model healthy ways to manage emotions
10:14 How to support your child’s emotional development 
15.13 About Woodline Primary what led you to create that school?
17:12 Develop learning environments that prioritise safety and emotional well-being.
23:03 What sort of accommodations have been made to really support people with ADHD at the school?
32:10 How to manage aggression while maintaining safety.
39:03 How to address underlying triggers of anger and adjust their environment or routines.
42:15 Outward anger and emotional withdrawal are both impactful.
43:23 Encourage them to share and move past their repression.
45:49 To build trust and support your child effectively, focus on listening without fixing, and let them choose whether they want advice or simply your presence.
49:20 Support through the emotional extremes and demonstrate unconditional regard.
50:22 Balancing these demands while managing work and family life
52:00 Imperfection is normal and that repairing connections is a vital.

About Lael: 
Lael Stone is an educator, TEDx speaker, author, mother, and parenting counsellor who has worked with families for over 20 years. Her work as a birth educator, post-natal trauma counsellor, and parenting educator has seen her work with thousands of families consulting about newborns all the way to the teen years. She spent over 5 yrs in secondary schools working with teens around sexuality, well-being, and relationships, and her great aim is to empower parents to create connections and stronger relationships with their children.

She is the co-creator of Woodline Primary School, an innovative new school based on emotional well-being and connection. Lael was the co-host of The Aware Parenting Podcast and a sought-after public speaker who talks candidly about her experiences and her great passion for creating wellness in adults through connection and communication.

Connect with Lael: 
Instagram: @laelstone @woodlineprimary
Facebook: @laelstone @woodlineprimary
Website: www.laelstone.com.au

In today's episode, our host Sharon Collon sits down with Vivian Dunstan, founder of ADHD Support Australia, to tackle some of the most pressing social challenges faced by individuals with ADHD. We'll explore why people often rush to offer solutions instead of listening, delve into effective strategies for developing social skills, and uncover the critical role parents play in nurturing these abilities both online and in person.

Vivian shares her profound insights on building confidence, navigating friendships, and the broader impacts of social skills on education, work, and romance. We'll also touch on the importance of understanding and patience in social interactions, and how programs like the Peers program can make a real difference. Whether you're a parent trying to support your child or an adult looking to enhance your social prowess, this episode is packed with invaluable advice and resources to help you thrive. Stay tuned, you're not going to want to miss this!

TIMESTAMPS:
07:52 Talk on substance abuse and addictions in ADHD.
11:37 Evolving role in ADHD coaching over 11 years.
14:06 Started ADHD support Australia, making information accessible.
20:04 Assessing interest and participation in conversations.
23:50 Seeking acceptance in social interactions can be disheartening.
26:54 Discussing client social skills: monologuing and problem-solving.
28:19 Balanced conversation involves asking and answering questions.
33:22 Empathy in conversation: understanding before offering solutions.
34:59 Practical approach to problem-solving in relationships.
37:52 Online social skills group provides safe space.
43:25 Course helps parents create social opportunities for kids.
45:39 Engage by asking questions, show interest genuinely.
48:50 Encourage finding and enjoying activities, building friendships.
52:52 Social skills need explicit, step-by-step guidance.
55:25 Confidence leads to connections and wider impact.

About Vivian:
Vivian is the Founder & CEO of ADHD Support Australia - an organisation she set up as a local support group back in 2013 when her daughter was diagnosed with ADHD.   She is now an ADDCA trained ADHD Coach, Parenting Coach, Certified Tech Addiction & Digital Health Educator, Certified PEERS Social Skills for Teens & Young Adults coach, a non-practicing teacher, parent of a young adult with ADHD and has ADHD herself.   She hosts monthly expert talks at ADHD Support Australia on a variety of ADHD-related topics and facilitates ADHD parenting and digital parenting programs as well as PEERS social skills programs.

Connect with Vivian:
Instagram: @gutfulofadhd
Facebook: ADHDSupportAustralia
Website: www.adhdsupportaustralia.com.au

Today, we dive into the transformative power of gut health and its impact on ADHD and OCD symptoms. Special guest Jo Whitton shares her journey from traditional medical advice to exploring gut health, driven by her son’s severe OCD.

Discover practical steps to improve gut health, from introducing meat stocks to reducing refined foods and sugars. Jo emphasizes stress reduction and setting structured routines for a calmer household. She also shares success stories from the GAPS protocol, highlighting the benefits of nutrient-dense foods.

Tune in for actionable advice to make manageable yet impactful dietary and lifestyle changes. For more resources, visit thefunctionalfamily.com and follow Jo on social media. Don't forget to share this episode and leave a review!

Key Points and Time Stamps:
00:00 Inspirational story about healthy eating and support.
03:36 Started food blog, evolved into quirky cooking.
08:00 Learning about gut health, health issues addressed.
10:30 Research led to focus on gut health.
15:44 Easing into a new diet for health.
18:40 Kids play sports, reduce stress, create calm.
20:03 Limiting commitments for family time, adding meat stocks.
25:55 Gentle approach yields major benefits for picky eaters.
27:42 Transforming kids' eating habits through microbiome changes.
30:30 Add flavor to daily habits for success.
34:20 Flexible routine, enough sleep, me time important.
38:41 Instagram is the fun place for me.

About Jo:
Jo Whitton, based in Far North Queensland, Australia, runs her business "Quirky Cooking" and is passionate about using food as medicine, a journey that began due to her family's health issues. When her son was diagnosed with severe OCD and anxiety in 2014, Jo delved deeply into gut health, leading to significant health improvements for her family. She has since shared her knowledge through three best-selling cookbooks, numerous health seminars, retreats, and cooking workshops. Jo offers a wealth of resources, including live-streamed classes, coaching programs, and her own line of organic products, available on her blog and social media channels.

Connect with Jo:
Facebook: @quirkycooking
Instagram: @jowhitton
Website: https://quirkycooking.com.au/

In episode we sit down with the incredible Donna Moala, a pediatric sleep specialist and founder of "Bub to Sleep." Donna shares her lived ADHD expertise and guides us on supporting our beautiful kids with sleep. She delves into her personal journey as a mum to three teenage daughters with ADHD, and how understanding ADHD has transformed her approach to parenting and sleep.

Join us as Donna discusses the impact of modern lifestyle choices on children's sleep, the significance of setting strong yet loving boundaries at bedtime, and her unique approach that focuses on connection before correction. We'll also hear about Donna's own ADHD diagnosis and her path to managing it successfully, alongside her family’s experiences with ADHD and mental health struggles.

Don't miss out on this episode if you're looking for practical tips on managing sleep issues in kids, especially those with ADHD, and how to support them in mastering the essential skill of sleep. Plus, learn more about Donna's free 15-minute chat offer for personalised advice and the incredible support system she provides through her parenting collective. Be sure to share this episode and leave us a review on iTunes, and visit thefunctionalfamily.com for more resources. Let's dive in

Timestamps:

00:00 Prioritise sleep, establish routines, and set boundaries.
03:49 Parenting journey with kids' diagnosis, mental health.
09:19 Perfectionism and later diagnosed with ADD.
11:12 Struggles lead to hope and reaching out.
16:18 Passion for sleep, parenting challenges, and evolving strategies.
17:04 Managing sleep with medicated children requires strategy.
20:37 Support, nurture, and regulate for better sleep.
24:02 Parents feeling lost, seeking sleep specialist's help.
27:54 Getting a night nurse changed everything for me.
30:35 Discuss challenges of parenting older children with anxiety.
34:51 Concerns about children's screen time and impact.
37:11 Business named bub to sleep offers parenting support.

About Donna:
Donna Moala is the founder of Bub2sleep and is one of the leading Sleep specialists in Perth, supporting families in Australia and worldwide. Working with expectant parents up to children 7 years of age.

The Bub2sleep approach has grown and developed over the past six years to value and respect mums and dads worldwide. For us, sleep support isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Your baby and your parenting techniques are unique—we want to fully embrace that.

Connect with Donna:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bub2sleep/
Website: https://bub2sleep.com.au/
Instagram: @bub2sleep
Podcast: The Parenting Collective 

Welcome to the ADHD Families Podcast! In this episode, we're joined by Steph Geddies, a registered nutritionist specialising in family nutrition and helping parents raise food-loving children.

As parents of neurodiverse kids, we know the challenges of navigating food sensitivities and executive function difficulties. Steph shares her personal experience and offers practical tips for creating a no-pressure mealtime environment, such as serving family meals on a platter and encouraging fun food exposure activities.

We discuss the difference between nutritionists and dietitians and when to seek help from professionals for concerns related to children's nutrition and fussy eating. Steph also shares valuable resources, including her website, "Body Good Food," her Instagram account, and her "Family Food Plan" course.

Whether you're dealing with a picky eater or looking to make mealtime more enjoyable, this episode offers helpful insights and actionable advice. Let's get started!

Key Points and Timestamps:

00:00 Steph and her story
03:47 Focused on family nutrition, raising adventurous eaters.
08:49 Serving food to kids with individual needs.
10:54 Streamlining family meals by using accepted foods.
15:54 Trusting your body and food is important.
16:49 Disconnect from diet culture, let children eat intuitively.
22:25 Strategies for getting kids to eat nutritious food.
25:07 facial expressions influencing children's eating habits.
28:23 Empower kids to choose and try foods.
30:41 Consult pediatric dietitian or feeding therapist for help.
34:02 New course "Family Food Plan" offers meal planning.

About Steph Geddes: 

Steph is a registered nutritionist specializing in culinary nutrition. She translates nutritional evidence into delicious food. She has a special interest in family nutrition and helping parents serve one meal to the whole family while raising competent, food-loving children. 

Connect with Steph:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @nutritionist_stephgeddes

Website: www.bodygoodfood.com.au/

We know the ADHD brain is often anxious. However, supporting our family members with anxiety usually leaves a lot of us confused about the right strategy to draw upon. To help us today, I have brought in the incredible Dr Jodi Richardson! In this episode, Jodi helps us understand anxiety and provides many practical strategies to support ourselves and our family members.

Key Points and Time Stamps: 

2.50m Jodi's story
5.17m What are the symptoms of anxiety, and how it plays out with ADHD
7.00m The four key areas of anxiety
11.15m What is a panic attack?
13.40m The ADHD nervous system
18.00m Acknowledgment and acceptance
23.30m Are women being dismissed with anxiety?
25.00m Anxiety and gender
27.00m Anxiety comparison and measurement
31.16m Having strategies to cope with the brain that we have
34.00m The Tower of Power for anxiety
41.00m Jodi's easy steps for anxiety

About Dr. Jodi Richardson: 
Dr. Jodi Richardson is one of Australia's leading lights in managing anxiety. An educational leader, she supports parents and teachers in changing their relationship with anxiety, dialing it right down, and lighting the way for their children and students to do the same.

Dr. Richardson is a professional speaker supporting whole school communities around Australia, the best-selling author of the books 'Anxious Kids' and 'Anxious Mums,' hosts the popular podcast 'Well, Hello Anxiety' and is a mum of two. 

Connect with Dr. Richardson:
Instagram: @drjodirichardson
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrJodiRichardson
Website: https://drjodirichardson.com/
Podcast: Well, hello anxiety with Dr Jodi Richardson