ADHD Mom Docs

Hank’s ADHD story will change how you think about diagnosis, medication, and support If you have a child or teen with ADHD, or your teen is heading into college in a few years, this conversation hits hard in the best way. Hank shares what it really looks like to grow up with ADHD, figure out what his brain needs, and learn how to advocate for himself without turning ADHD into either a shame story or an excuse. Dr. Nerissa Bauer and Dr. Jennifer Dilts unpack Hank’s lived experience as a powerful Stories of Hope episode for ADHD Awareness Month. From the first grade classroom clues to the jump from high school structure into college independence, Hank explains why structure, movement, and a cognitive outlet matter so much, and why “you just have to start somewhere” may be the most practical advice of all.

You’ll hear Hank get real about:

If you have ever wondered whether ADHD means something is wrong with you, this episode offers a grounded, hopeful answer: it doesn’t. Dr. Bauer and Dr. Dilts bring the clinician and parent perspective, but Hank’s voice is what makes this one stick. His story is especially meaningful for boys and young men who need to hear ADHD explained by someone living it, and for parents trying to strike that delicate balance between support, accountability, and trust. Essential listening if you want a practical, honest, and encouraging conversation that can spark real discussion with your child, teen, or young adult.

Nature-Based Therapy, and Helping Kids with ADHD Build Confidence

This episode explores a different approach to therapy for kids and teens who may not want to sit and talk in a traditional setting. Dr. Jennifer Dilts and Dr. Nerissa Bauer talk with Laura Weaver, a licensed mental health therapist, about nature-based therapy, mindfulness, and her BRAVE framework for helping clients build self-understanding and resilience. Laura brings years of experience across schools, community mental health, nonprofits, and private practice, and she shares practical ways to support people with ADHD, anxiety, and life transitions. The conversation centers on what helps clients feel safer, more regulated, and more willing to engage.

Needle phobia is not just a childhood phase - it can shape health decisions for decades. Dr. Jody Thomas of the Meg Foundation joins the ADHD Mom Docs to talk to parents and providers how to turn panic into calm with simple, evidence-based strategies that actually work. Dr. Thomas, a pain psychologist, Stanford-trained expert in pediatric pain, and founder and CEO of the Meg Foundation, breaks down why pain is so often misunderstood and why the old “just hold them still” approach can create more fear, not less. Alongside Dr. Jennifer Dilts and Dr. Nerissa Bauer, she shares the real-world tools families can use before a vaccine, blood draw, or procedure to make the experience less traumatic for everyone involved.

You'll discover:

Dr. Thomas and Dr. Dilts explain how the Meg Foundation’s tool to create a "poke plain", pain myths and facts resources, give kids more control, more confidence, and more relief. If you parent a child with ADHD, care for a needle-averse kid, or want better answers for pain that keeps coming back, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can use right away. Essential listening for families who want more calm, less struggle, and a smarter way to approach pain.

And parents, don't fear...we will be having Dr Thomas back for a SECOND episode coming in a few short weeks!

Why executive function is experience based and why screen access matters. This conversation with Michael McLeod of Grow Now ADHD focuses on what executive functioning really is, why so many kids become prompt dependent, and how parents can support independence without over-prompting. Michael explains why he believes delaying internet access is one of the most effective ways to protect attention, motivation, and social development. We also cover his four pillars of executive functioning, what his coaching model looks like in practice, and why real world experiences matter more than worksheets or lectures.

ADHD coaching is more practical, powerful, and life-changing than most parents realize If you have ever wondered whether ADHD coaching could help you or your child, this conversation with Julie Gates breaks down exactly what it is, who it helps most, and how to tell whether it is the right next step. You will come away with a much clearer picture of how coaching works, how it differs from therapy, and what to look for when choosing a coach. Julie is an ADHD family coach, professional certified coach, and former physician assistant who brings both clinical experience and deep family insight to the work. She shares how her own parenting journey led her into ADHD coaching, why the right training matters, and how coaching creates a collaborative, future-focused space where clients build real-world tools instead of just talking about what went wrong.

You’ll discover:

This episode also gets into the emotional side of ADHD support, including the shame, frustration, and self-doubt so many families carry before they find the right help. Julie explains how coaching can help people shift from “something is wrong with me” to “my brain works differently, and I have strengths that matter.” Essential listening for parents, teens, and adults who want practical ADHD support without feeling talked down to. If you have been looking for a coach, wondering whether your family needs therapy instead, or just trying to understand what ADHD coaching actually looks like, this episode gives you a clear, hopeful place to start.

In this episode, the ADHD Mom Docs tackle listener questions on ADHD Mornings, Motivation, and School Organization. Dr. Jennifer Dilts and Dr. Nerissa Bauer answer listener questions about getting kids out the door with a solid breakfast, helping ADHD brains make better food choices, and setting up school-year routines for focus, motivation, and organization. They keep the advice practical, parent-friendly, and centered on giving kids more ownership so the plan actually sticks. In this episode, the conversation stays focused on two big themes: 1) Quick, healthy breakfast ideas that work for kids who are bored of cereal and 2) A school-year reset for homework, focus, motivation, and executive function

Preparing a teen for college can feel overwhelming, especially when ADHD or other disabilities are part of the picture. In this conversation, Elizabeth Hamblet—learning disability specialist and author of Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities—shares practical, reassuring guidance for families navigating the transition from high school to college. Elizabeth explains why college is not “grade 13,” and why students need more than strong grades to thrive. She breaks down the major differences between high school and college disability support, including why many accommodations that are common in high school do not automatically transfer to college. From self-advocacy to executive functioning, from deadlines to disclosure, she offers a realistic look at what students need in order to build confidence and independence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

If you’re a parent, clinician, or student preparing for college, this episode is packed with honest insight and encouragement.

Key takeaways

• The third edition of her book, Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities, is available in hardcover, paperback, and e-text, and Kindle form. The audio book comes out September 3rd2026.  The publisher offers 10% off if folks order directly from them. See purchase options there and on other sites: https://bit.ly/ECHbook

• Liz also wrote a concise 6-page guide to college transition. Better product for students than the book (which is more for parents): https://bit.ly/TTCG

•On-demand Webinars On Preparing Students with Disabilities For Successful College Transition

The two webinars are:

Academic Disability Accommodations at College: What They Are and Why They Change

Preparing Students with Disabilities for Successful College Transition

 DISCOUNT CODE for our listeners: ADHDMOMDOCS

Check out her Youtube channel that houses talks with other professionals around college transition and video versions of a lot of my advice posts, for people who prefer watching to reading: https://bit.ly/LDAYT

Join her free Facebook group for parents focused on college accommodations where I answer to questions to make sure families are getting correct information. Pros can join as passive members: https://bit.ly/FBGCTA

Sign up to receive her free twice-monthly newsletter that features one of the posts from my blog and offers two additional resources. If you want an easy way to get resources to share, you can subscribe here: https://bit.ly/LDANS  She never sells or shares her list, and unsubscribing is easy.

If you are on Substack, she is too! Follow as she will explain how disability laws really work at college, using real-life examples: https://echamblet.substack.com/

TEACH ME ADHD DOORS NOW OPEN! FALL 2026 there are FOUR CLASS TIMES TO CHOOSE FROM! 

Check out testimonials from other families who have completed TEACH Me ADHD

One with a child and parent: https://youtu.be/QQFYO05Hu_s?si=6BtypcxSJp5oRSz5

One with Sr Detective Scooter: https://youtu.be/wNTYbvd9wv4

There are many more on Dr Bauer's YouTube channel! 

TIP: If you are a private practice client of Dr Bauer, Dr Dilts, Dr. Cohen, Dr Stuppy, Kim Erlich or a coaching client of Julie Gates, please reach out to your respective TEACH Me ADHD team contact for your "TOP SECRET" code to get $100 off registration.

We're back! We are so excited to welcome listeners back for Season 2! Season two opens with Dr. Nerissa Bauer and Dr. Jennifer Dilts tackling common myths about ADHD medication. They use clinic experience and research to separate fear from fact, while reminding families that these decisions should always be made with a child’s pediatrician or prescriber. The episode is especially helpful for parents who are unsure about starting medication, or who have heard conflicting things from social media, family, or friends.

Key topics

Notable quotes

Sessions are 75 minutes in length and you get access to a video supplement which contains pre-recorded material so if you have to miss a class here or there you can keep up!

If you are interested in signing up, head to this link to put yourself on the wait list: https://www.letstalkkidshealth.org/teach-me-adhd-wait-list

**The ADHD Mom Docs are taking a summer break and using the next 6 weeks to re-air select episodes. Season Two episodes officially drop on August 18, 2026** 

In this episode of the ADHD Mom Docs podcast, Dr. Nerissa Bauer and Dr. Jennifer Dilts discuss the ADHD diagnostic journey and care plan treatments, focusing on non-stimulant medications. They explore the differences between stimulant and non-stimulant medications, highlighting the benefits and considerations of each. The conversation also touches on the importance of personalized treatment plans, the role of non-stimulant medications in managing ADHD symptoms, and the significance of ongoing research. Additionally, they share book recommendations and announce a listener giveaway to celebrate ADHD Awareness Month.

**The ADHD Mom Docs are taking a summer break and using the next 6 weeks to re-air select episodes. Season Two episodes officially drop on August 18, 2026** 

Join Dr. Jennifer Dilts and Dr. Nerissa Bauer as they dive right back into the challenges of finding the right ADHD medication. Take a listen on the insightful discussions on medication side effects and what to do if they happen. Discover how these experts navigate the complexities of ADHD treatment while sharing personal stories that resonate with every listener.