All Aboard ADHD

How can parents navigate the many and varied challenges of raising neurodivergent children with ADHD and autism?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Devin, adoptive father of two neurodivergent children, both of whom are diagnosed with ADHD and autism, and former Head of Technology in the finance industry. Devin also has late-diagnosed ADHD himself and is now a full-time parent carer for his children, as well as supporting other families who are struggling to navigate life as new SEN or Adoptive Parents. 

Devin shares honestly and openly about his parenting journey, including some of the early signs of neurodiversity in his children, which were harder for him to spot as they can sometimes be mistaken for attachment or trauma-related behaviours in adopted children. He describes their diagnosis process, sharing some of the differences between the two and providing examples of how traits can manifest differently in girls and boys. Devin also shares his feelings of grief and relief around accepting his children’s differences. 

With a diagnosis in place, Devin discusses the impact of medication and how it has helped both of his children in terms of their mood and behaviour. Many parents will relate to the challenges he describes in terms of daily routines and school refusal, particularly as an ADHD parent himself! Devin also shares some of the challenges he faced advocating for his children and their needs, to ensure they found the right educational environment. Following a challenging period of overwhelm and stress around school avoidance, Devin made the decision to take his son out of school. This led to many challenges navigating the EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) process for his son, but he was eventually successful in ensuring his son had the right educational setup to thrive. Devin also shares some incredible examples of how he has taken the time to deeply understand his children and what works for them.

Finally, Claire and Devin discuss some of the emotional challenges of parenting and the need to constantly adapt parenting strategies for their children as they grow. They both stress the importance of seeking community support, encouraging parents listening to share their experiences and ultimately feel less alone.

The episode is an honest, relatable conversation about how to navigate neurodiversity as a parent, showcasing the power of resilience, acceptance, and unconditional love.

Find out more about Devin and his work at: www.thesensibleapproach.com

What are some of the most common co-existing conditions that exist alongside ADHD, and how can parents identify them in their children?

Join Claire and expert guest Professor James Brown in this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast to understand which conditions most commonly co-exist with ADHD and crucially, why that might be. 

Professor James is a biomedical scientist, ADHD coach, the co-founder of ADHD Adult UK, and one of the creators of the ADHD adults podcast. Diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, James brings both academic expertise and personal insight to his work. He is also the co-author of ADHD Unpacked, which provides a practical and honest guide to understanding ADHD in everyday life.

Professor James begins by giving some examples of what a co-existing (or co-morbid) condition might look like in children with ADHD, for instance, anxiety disorders, dyspraxia, dyslexia, autism, and mood disorders. Incredibly, 60-70% of children with ADHD will have at least one co-existing condition, with 40% having two or more. Despite the prevalence of co-existing conditions, Professor James sheds light on the challenges around diagnosis, due to overlapping symptoms and the limitations of current diagnostic tools, stressing the need for a more holistic approach to diagnosing neurodivergent conditions.

Together they dive deep into some of the fascinating biological and social factors behind ADHD and co-existing conditions, including key insight into how ADHD and mood disorders impact the brain, plus the potential role of inflammation, where research is still very much emerging. 

Professor James also explains the challenges of diagnosing ADHD in children with other conditions like dyslexia, encouraging a "yes and" mindset in the diagnosis process, rather than “either or.” With the right knowledge, parents are better able to advocate for their children and improve their understanding of ADHD, so Claire and Professor James discuss the need for a more inclusive and accepting understanding of neurodivergent conditions, reducing the shame and stigma around difference. 

Finally, Professor James emphasises the need to consider multiple domains of a child's life, including sleep, socialisation, and emotional control to ensure the right diagnosis. He also encourages parents to trust their gut and seek deeper understanding if they feel their child is not getting the right support. 

He and Claire also explore some of the lesser-known conditions that can co-exist with ADHD, such as sensory processing differences, demand avoidance, social anxiety and addiction.

This episode is a must-listen for parents looking to understand and support their children with ADHD, especially where they suspect one or more co-occurring conditions.

To find out more about Professor James and his work, head to: https://jbhd.uk/ 

You can find out more about his charity here: https://www.adhdadult.uk/

To order a copy of his book - ADHD Unpacked - head to: https://amzn.to/482BlUQ

To listen to his podcast The ADHD Adults head to: https://open.spotify.com/show/2oYZwGakl7shJFG0lJ8JMt 

The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and/or personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances. 

Trigger warning: this episode contains detailed personal accounts of Kit's experiences, some of which could be emotionally challenging for some listeners, including suicide, addiction, eating disorders and self-harm.

In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by special guest Kit Birks - writer, adventurer, mental health activist and recovering addict living with ADHD and bipolar disorder. Kit speaks with raw honesty, breaking the silence around mental illness and vowing that no one should ever feel as alone or misunderstood as she once did. Her debut poetry collection “Burnt Toast” captures the quiet strength it takes to keep going and the beauty that can grow from brokenness. She is now undertaking “Stride Beyond Silence” - a world record solo trek spanning over 8500km, across ten countries, to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

Kit shares a deeply personal account of her journey, with an ADHD diagnosis at 26, during her recovery from addiction, followed by a bipolar diagnosis a year later. Kit discusses the relief she felt afterwards as her “jigsaw puzzle” started to come together and the impact of being told by her psychiatrist that she had “done so well to get this far”. Kit also shares some of her early struggles with mental health, including insomnia, depression, and eating disorders, starting at just 12 years old. With a lack of information and education about ADHD at the time, and Kit being deemed “unteachable”, she began to feel more like a problem than a person. As an adult, Kit shares the huge impact her diagnosis had in terms of helping her to feel more understood and less alone in her struggles.

Kit goes on to talk about the strengths she has developed despite her personal challenges, such as her ability to excel when she is particularly passionate about something. She discusses how her experiences have fueled her passion for helping others and why she believes reducing stigma around mental health is important. A key turning point came for her in early 2022, when she hit rock bottom and decided to seek help and attend a meeting with a friend. This marked the beginning of her process to empty her "invisible rucksack" of shame and trauma and ultimately learning to accept herself. Kit also explains how she discovered poetry as “a form of therapy” shortly after starting her recovery and how her book, "Burnt Toast," chronicles her journey from pain, to healing, and blooming, through poetry.

Finally, Kit introduces her phenomenal solo trek, "Stride Beyond Silence," on which she has just embarked, to raise awareness for suicide prevention. She also offers a message of hope for parents of children with ADHD, stressing the positive impact of honest conversations and reassuring them that “even when it feels like it won't, it really will be okay.”

Follow Kit’s trek on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @kitbirks

You can find out more about her trek here: https://www.kitbirks.com/stridebeyondsilence

And donate to support her mission to raise awareness for suicide prevention here: https://givestar.io/gs/stride-beyond-silence-arctic-to-aegean 

The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and/or personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances. 

How do we best support our ADHD kids with explosive behaviour?

In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by expert guest Sarah Ockwell-Smith to discuss ADHD and explosive behaviours. 

Sarah is a well-known parenting expert and author who writes about the psychology and science of parenting. She specialises in gentle parenting - a movement she is often credited as founding - and “childism”, which is the unconscious discrimination of children in society. Sarah is the mother of four young adults, including a son with ADHD. She has ADHD and autism herself. 

Her latest book, "Raising Attention" is a compassionate, evidence-informed, and deeply personal guide for anybody who has or works with children with ADHD and explosive behaviours.

Sarah begins by defining the term ‘explosive behavior’, which can be anything from verbal aggression to physical actions, and how it relates to ADHD. She describes what drives explosive behaviour and what is going on for children on the inside in those moments. Whilst not all children with ADHD exhibit explosive behavior, and the term is not limited to children with ADHD, it can pose significant challenges, particularly at school. 

Claire and Sarah discuss the term ‘naughty’ and how it can keep children stuck in the "cycle of shame," where they feel useless and shamed, leading to more explosive behavior. Sarah also provides a challenge to the ethos of “all behaviour is communication”, highlighting the role of brain development as another potential driver of children’s behaviour, preferring to say "all behaviour has a reason".

They go on to discuss the challenges of parenting and the importance of focusing on the child's well-being and long-term development, rather than compliance. Sarah provides some insight into the benefits of understanding your child’s triggers and capabilities. She also shares some practical strategies for parents to help them manage tricky situations, particularly when out in public, along with the importance of repairing and reconnecting with your child after a meltdown.

Finally, Sarah shares her viewpoint on how schools can better support children with ADHD. Whilst many teachers understand the needs of neurodivergent children they are often limited by the educational system itself. 

Sarah encourages parents to celebrate small successes with their ADHD kids and to accept them as they are, rather than trying to change them.

If you are looking for practical strategies to better support your ADHD child with explosive behaviour, this episode is a must-listen!

You can order a copy of Sarah’s brand new book “Raising Attention” (release date 3rd July 2025):https://amzn.eu/d/0iAyXhz

To find out more about Sarah and her work:

https://sarahockwell-smith.com/

To follow Sarah on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahockwellsmith

The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and/or personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances. 

How can sport benefit ADHD and neurodivergent kids?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by special guest Caragh McMurty to discuss the challenges and strengths of neurodivergence in sport. Caragh is a Team GB and Olympic rower, as well as being the co-founder and CEO of Neurodiverse Sport - whose mission is to empower athletes, participants, volunteers, and professionals to create a future where neuroinclusive practice is the norm, not the exception. Caragh speaks passionately about the danger of relying too heavily on labels and is determined to challenge common neurodiversity misconceptions to ensure athletes at all levels feel supported - from grassroots to elite competition. She is passionate about the transformative power in sports to empower neurodivergent individuals to learn, grow and self-regulate.

Caragh kicks off by sharing a raw and honest look at her own journey, beginning with being misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, until finally receiving an autism diagnosis in her late 20s and beginning to suspect ADHD. Although she presented a ‘tough as nails’ exterior to avoid being bullied, Caragh felt vulnerable underneath it all - a fact that went unappreciated by peers and coaches alike. She explains how gaining the right diagnosis has since helped her better understand her brain and advocate for herself, particularly in sport. Certain environments in sport can cause sensory overload, which Caragh explains can be mistaken for a lack of motivation to exercise but is actually key for mental health. She also shares insight into some of the stereotypes about neurodiversity in sport and why we need to challenge them to ensure children can thrive.

Claire and Caragh discuss the need for flexible systems in sport to accommodate neurodivergent individuals and the impact of positive reinforcement from coaches, particularly for children with ADHD. Caragh goes on to talk about Neurodiverse Sport’s mission to raise awareness and promote neuroinclusive practices in all sports, to ensure children feel fully understood and supported. She encourages parents to find a supportive community and to play an active role in helping their children thrive in sport.

To find out more about Caragh and Neurodiverse Sport, head to: https://www.neurodiversesport.com/

Why is emotional regulation more challenging for children with ADHD - and how can we help our kids cope better with their emotions?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by expert guest Dr Alessio Bellato to discuss the fascinating link between ADHD and emotional regulation. Dr Alessio is a Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Southampton and a Psychologist with expertise in Child Psychiatry and Psychology. Whilst it is not part of the official DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD, emotional regulation can pose a significant challenge for children with ADHD and of course, parents too. 

In this episode, Claire and Dr Alessio discuss how emotional regulation develops. Rather than something we are born with, it is a skill we learn as we develop, and social acceptance plays a key role. Dr Alessio also touches on the difference between emotional reactivity and regulation and how different regions of the brain handle these processes in children with ADHD

Dr Alessio also describes some of the emotional dysregulation challenges for children with ADHD - for example, increased reactivity and sensitivity, difficulties with challenging behaviour like bullying, plus the challenges of managing teacher and parent expectations as they transition from primary to secondary school. He provides some interesting insight into Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) and the impact of real and perceived rejection on emotional regulation, for example, if children feel excluded from a friend group, rejected by a potential partner in their teens, or for a job. Dr Alessio describes how “putting rejection into context” and discussing the consequences of potential rejection with children can help them interpret it and better cope with it as they grow up.

Claire and Dr Alessio go on to describe how we can learn to regulate our emotions with healthy coping strategies, providing insight into what happens in the brain when we react to stress and why babies cry so much. He also explains how emotional regulation is first something we rely on our caregivers for, and how we eventually learn to regulate our nervous system as we grow up. 

Finally, they discuss the different options to support emotional dysregulation in ADHD children. Dr Alessio shares some fascinating findings from a meta-analysis (as yet unpublished as of May 2025) on different interventions, showing that medication, behavioural therapies, coaching, and also exercise can be helpful to support children in regulating their emotions. He also describes how medication and other interventions can work in harmony to create better outcomes for people with ADHD, by “calming our mind and also our body”. Dr Alessio also invites parents to reflect on their own emotional regulation and the behaviours they model for their children as a result, emphasising the impact of speaking openly about your feelings with your children, particularly during big life transitions.

This episode is a must-listen for parents looking to understand emotional regulation and reactivity in their ADHD children, and how best to support their kids to cope better with their feelings.

To find out more about Alessio and his work, head to:

https://telegraph.co.uk/gift/757cfcff3a168b76

https://www.olihelp.com/post/emotional-regulation-and-adhd-how-can-we-better-manage-our-emotions

To read other relevant papers on emotional regulation and dysregulation:

https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(24)00304-6/fulltext

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/5/453

https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(23)00075-8/fulltext

https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcv2.12148

What is an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, and how do you get one for your child?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, we get the facts on EHCPs and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) law with expert guest, Douglas Hamer. 

Douglas breaks down the legal essentials of EHCPs: what they are, how to get one, and what to do when things get complicated. We also touch on school placements, home education and EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At School). 

Douglas is a specialist SEND solicitor who brings both professional expertise and lived experience of neurodivergence, to his work supporting families. Douglas's work focuses on EHCPs, ensuring they secure the right provision and placement for the child or young person, as well as ensuring they're worded robustly to protect the child or young person in the future.

This episode is packed with key facts on the legalities of EHCPs and SEND law, along with guidance and insight for parents navigating this complex and often difficult system. Douglas walks us through: 

• Understanding EHCPs - Douglas lays out the specifics of your legal rights, busts some myths around who can request an EHC Plan and also explains that an EHC Plan shouldn’t be seen as a "golden ticket”, rather, it is an important legal right to necessary provisions for children and young people.

• Your Legal Rights - Douglas elaborates on your legal rights under the Equality Act and the different provisions available under an EHC Plan, such as specialist teaching, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological input. He also provides key details on how special educational needs are identified, the threshold for requiring an EHC Plan, plus how EHC Plans are funded.

• How to get an EHC Plan - If you suspect your child might need an EHC Plan, Douglas provides insight into how to request a needs assessment, what you can expect from a SENCO, and how the SEND Code of Practice works to continually assess whether your child is getting the right support.

• Why EHC Plan requests are often refused - and crucially, what parents can do about it. Douglas stresses the importance of “not taking no for an answer”,  maintaining a paper trail of evidence, and appealing decisions to the SEND tribunal.

• How to draft an EHC Plan - Douglas advises parents on how to include specific and measurable provisions, plus he describes what role independent educational experts play in the assessment process.

• Naming a preferred school in an EHC Plan - Douglas discusses why parents should consult with appropriate schools to provide a list for the local authority to consider, the challenges of securing placements in expensive independent schools, and the potential for appeals.

• The difference between elective home education (EHE) and EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At School) - Douglas outlines what options parents have available as alternatives to traditional school placements, plus their parental legal obligations to educate their children vs the responsibility of the local authority. He also describes how the goal of EOTAS and EHC Plans is ideally to eventually support children to return to bricks-and-mortar education.

• Douglas’ personal journey - he also shares his experience of being diagnosed with dyspraxia at 13 and later with ADHD and Autism, plus how this understanding has helped him develop his own coping mechanisms, and improve his emotional regulation and relationships.

This is a must-listen for all parents of SEN children, no matter where they are on their journey, providing a wealth of factual legal guidance on how to navigate a tricky system and still get the right educational support in place for their child.

To find out more about Douglas and his work, head to: https://www.geldards.com/our-people/douglas-hamer/

Does your child with ADHD have an outlet for their creativity?

In this episode of All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by special guest Rachel Fuller to share her inspiring ADHD story. Rachel is a composer, arranger and singer-songwriter, and has been making music since she was 10 years old. As such, her creative journey is deeply intertwined with her personal experiences. Diagnosed with ADHD in her late 40s, she navigated childhood challenges within the confines of mainstream education, emerging with a profound understanding of difference. Rachel’s talent and achievements provide a “crystal ball” for parents on the ADHD journey, illustrating just one of the ways ADHD creativity can shape a fulfilling and enjoyable career path.

Rachel begins by describing her ADHD ‘aha’ moment when, prompted by a friend sharing their own diagnosis, she read Driven to Distraction by Hallowell and Ratey. Despite being initially skeptical about ADHD and believing it was just a label for “naughty kids”, she gradually came to recognise her own symptoms and seek a professional diagnosis. This led to her understanding ADHD as a physical condition rather than a character flaw.

With her passion for music beginning at such a young age, Rachel goes on to describe how music provided a therapeutic outlet to help her cope with her high levels of anxiety. Due to the lack of emotional support she received at home and in school, Rachel learned to mask and internalise her anxiety, feeling inherently “different” and envious of her peers who just seemed to find things easier. Claire and Rachel discuss the importance of truly understanding ADHD in children in order to provide them with the support they need, and the impact that could have had for Rachel in her own childhood.

Rachel’s encourages parents of ADHD children to watch out for their strengths and support their creative expression, particularly through the arts as they provide an ideal outlet for their energy. She also shares some wonderful insight into the story behind her book. Set to an original soundtrack, BEE is an enchanting story that inspires compassion and acceptance, and provides a fantastic resource for parents looking to support their children to find their own magical place in the world.

To buy a copy of BEE, head to: https://www.amazon.co.uk/BEE-story-that-celebrates-differences/dp/1916797296

To find out more about Rachel and her work, head to:

https://www.instagram.com/rachelfullertownshend/?hl=en

If you have a child who has an ADHD diagnosis, how likely are they to also fulfil the criteria for autism? And how can you best support them?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by expert guest Professor Emily Simonoff to discuss the fascinating link and crossover between ADHD and autism in children. Emily is a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London, and honorary consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the South London and Wardsley NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Emily's research and clinical focus is on neurodevelopmental disorders in children and young people and their overlap with other mental disorders.

A dual diagnosis was only possible from 2013, following a pivotal study in 2008 which was one of the first to establish that ADHD and autism can and do coexist. According to Professor Emily, the overlap between autism and ADHD is significant, with approximately 10-15% of children with ADHD also having autism, and 40-50% of those with autism having ADHD. She and Claire discuss the complexity of this crossover, stressing the importance of rigorous professional assessment to accurately diagnose both conditions. Professor Emily describes the genetic links between ADHD and autism, along with some fascinating insight from studies that compare identical and non-identical twins to better understand these genetic influences. 

Claire and Professor Emily go on to discuss why it's so important to recognise the overlap between ADHD and autism and how it manifests specifically for that child, highlighting how understanding their “whole profile” has a huge impact on a their ability to acheive their best potential. Professor Emily explains some of the differences in diagnostic assessments for autism and ADHD and shares some examples of how traits that go in one direction or another can balance themselves out when a child has both conditions.

Having both ADHD and autism can significantly effect a child's self-perception and confidence, so Professor Emily highlights the importance of disentangling traits related to autism and ADHD, to ensure children are getting the right support. She also describes the link between anxiety and depression in children with both conditions, with anxiety more common during primary school and depression often presenting later, in secondary school. Claire and Professor Emily also discuss some of the ways we can better support children with dual diagnoses, including building positive experiences outside of school that feed into their interests and strengths, and considering a child's needs as they transition from primary to secondary school.

This is a must-listen for parents of children with dual diagnoses, or who suspect that their autistic or ADHD child is also displaying traits of the other profile.

To find out about Professor Emily and her work, visit:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18645422/

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/emily-simonoff

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Emily-Simonoff

How can we better support children’s learning needs in school - without having to rely on formal diagnoses?

The Universal Classroom project, led by Professor Joel Talcott, aims to address the crisis in special educational needs (SEN) provision in UK primary education. Joel is Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at Aston University. His core research professional interests and outputs lie in interdisciplinary cognitive neuroscience, particularly in relation to the neurodevelopmental conditions that impact the learning and achievement outcomes of approximately 5% of all children and adults worldwide. In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire and Professor Joel discuss how the Universal Classroom project will identify children’s individual learning needs early, reducing the reliance on formal diagnostic labels and providing free, non-proprietary tools for teachers to assess and support children's cognitive skills.

Claire and Professor Joel begin by discussing the impact of current underfunding and inefficiencies in the UK education system, particularly in SEN funding, and the government's commitment to additional resources and reform. With the Universal Classroom taking a strengths-based approach, Professor Joel describes how it is ideally placed to bridge the gap  and create a fairer system where all children have access to appropriate educational support, ultimately dissolving the barrier between special educational needs and general educational needs.

Professor Joel also emphasies the need for a positive approach to SEN provision, with the universal classroom project aiming to create a collaborative environment where teachers, parents, and children work together to support learning. Claire and Professor Joel also discuss the long-term potential of the project, including reducing the need for formal diagnostic labels, reducing inequalities in SEN provision, improving children's learning outcomes and reducing economic losses.

This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating the challenges of the current SEN system and offers a real message of hope for the future of the education system.

To find out more about Professor Joel Talcott and his work, visit:

Joel's profile - https://research.aston.ac.uk/en/persons/joel-talcott

School of Psychology - https://www.aston.ac.uk/hls/school-of-psychology

IHN - https://www.aston.ac.uk/research/hls/ihn

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/astonuniversity/