Are you planning a family trip and wondering how to make it enjoyable for everyone? Curious about how to handle the unique challenges of traveling with children who have ADHD? Then you’re in the right place!

In today's must-listen episode, we welcome Jenifer Breaux, a travel expert and mother of two children who are neurodivergent. With her background as retired army personnel and an experienced travel agent, Jennifer has a knack for designing customised trips for families navigating ADHD and autism. She joins our host, Sharon Collon, to share invaluable strategies and personal experiences on making travel with children who have ADHD smoother and more enjoyable.

Discover how to break up long car rides with engaging activities and tailor travel experiences to suit sensory preferences. This episode is brimming with practical advice, including managing anxiety with detailed itineraries, using social stories, and creating holiday routines that balance structure and flexibility. Jenifer also offers essential tips on handling sensory overload and budgeting during trips.

Whether you're planning a short getaway or a long vacation, Jenifer's expertise in sensory-friendly travel and her personal stories will help you craft memorable and stress-free family holidays. Tune in to learn how to tackle the unique challenges of traveling with children who are neurodivergent and uncover tips that can transform your family's travel adventures!

Timestamps: 
00:00 Discussing travel challenges with ADHD families, specialist Jenifer Breaux.
05:50 ADHD is challenging due to sensory inputs.
09:00 Engage kids with activities they enjoy outdoors.
11:03 Request a quieter room away from activities.
14:52 ADHD and anxiety concerns, social story suggestion.
19:38 Anticipation helps ADHD brain manage anxiety, scheduling.
23:37 Establish flexible holiday routines for expectations.
26:04 Plan ahead for kids' park visits early.
28:06 Infectious game ideas shared among friends.
32:56 Resort includes drink service and equipment classes.
33:44 Stay where activities are easily accessible onsite.
39:59 Gradually travel to comfortably create lasting memories.
41:49 Brothers' different spending habits during holiday.
44:36 Guide decisions with a simple, budgeted choice.

About Jenifer:
Jenifer is a retired army veteran who served almost three decades. During her time in the army she served the United States all over the world. Through those experiences she gained a love of service and travel. She excelled in her training and retired with honor. Six years ago she opened a franchise of Dream Vacations called JB Travel Pros, where she helps people travel the world with excitement. From coast to coast, Jenifer designs luxury experiences that bring her client's dreams to life. Her love for globe trotting is something she shares with her family, as well.

Connect with Jenifer:
Website: https://www.iamjeniferbreaux.com/about
Facebook: @iamjeniferbreaux
Instagram: @iamjeniferbreaux

In today's episode, host Sharon Collon sits down with Sandy Booysen, a dietitian specialising in neurodivergence and peadiatric feeding disorders. We're diving into the complexities of managing food-related behaviours in children with ADHD and other neurodivergent differences. Sandy delves into the impacts of sugars, food additives, and sensory sensitivities on behaviours and offers practical advice for parents. She emphasises the importance of emotional neutrality around food, detective work to identify behavioural triggers.. Join us as we explore the steps of her "Sensible Nutrition" model and learn how to tackle the real challenges of feeding children who are neurodivergent. Tune in for an episode filled with compassionate, actionable advice tailored for families navigating these unique dietary journeys.

Timestamps:
05:09 Sandy's journey
07:53 Your parenting success isn't defined by child's diet.
12:45 Pediatric feeding disorder: diagnosis for children.
16:26 Different children, different challenges, same household upbringing.
20:17 Discussing child's constipation and appetite-related issues.
21:17 Identify triggers; nutrition plays a big role.
27:30 Comfort strategies are needed for sensory-sensitive children.
31:14 Support children's healthy growth and eating habits.
32:29 Small, frequent meals provide a quick energy boost.
37:31 Sandy's helpful, approachable guidance.

About Sandy:
Sandy is a caring and passionate dietitian who loves working with individuals, children and families to optimize their health and nutrition through a commonsense approach of simplifying and debunking complex nutrition information. She focuses on providing individualised support, motivation and education for sustainable change. 

Connect with Sandy:
Website: https://www.senseablenutrition.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandy.booysen/

Let's delve into the complex world of puberty and ADHD, exploring how early puberty can impact mental health, and the importance of providing safety and security for our children, particularly between the ages of 9 and 12.

Michelle shares her personal experiences as a parent and offers strategies for fostering emotional and psychological intimacy with our kids. We’ll discuss the significance of unconditional support, the value of acknowledging your own emotions before addressing your child’s needs, and ways to maintain supportive communication without overwhelming them.

Michelle also gives tips on how to approach conversations about puberty in a positive and child-led manner, ensuring our kids feel understood and accepted during this critical developmental phase. Plus, we’ll touch on self-esteem challenges, especially in children with ADHD, and how parents can help build their children's self-worth and resilience.

Stay tuned for a packed episode filled with practical advice and heartwarming encouragement, aimed at helping you navigate the ups and downs of parenting children with ADHD.

Key points:
00:00 Discussing puberty and ADHD with Michelle Mitchell.
04:28 Today's episode discusses puberty experiences from the past.
06:21 Tweens' development crucial; impacts adolescence significantly.
10:17 Children develop physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, sexually.
14:30 Twins seek closeness; mirror and support them.
19:13 "I’ve got you": Prioritise and reassure children.
22:00 Social-emotional skills are essential, not secondary.
23:46 Separate parent-child journeys; avoid projecting expectations.
28:00 Pause before reacting; encourages constructive communication.
32:22 Give children options; mix of approaches.
36:13 Consider children's transferable boundaries for safety.
37:37 Comprehensive book for tweens on various topics.
42:14 Save courage for kids' essentials at school.
44:39 Intentionally welcome kids home after school.

About Michelle:
Michelle is a Parenting educator - with 25 years of experience in the wellbeing sector.
She started her career as a teacher but soon after founded a charity that delivered life skills programs to young people at risk of dropping out of education. Her work extended into the child safety sector, refugees, and alternative education. She lives with her husband and two young adult boys.

Connect with Michelle: 
Website - @mitchellmitchellwebsite
Facebook - @michellemitchellauthor
IG - michellemitchell.author 

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/