All Aboard ADHD

Did you know 40% of children suffer from sleep issues, which rises to 70-80% for neurodivergent children?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Fay Smith - a Children’s Sleep Consultant and Co-owner of The Little Dreams Franchise. Fay and her business partner Jenna share an intense passion for the importance of sleep and its role in health and wellbeing, not only for children but also for their parents. As members of the British Sleep Society and the British Paediatric Sleep Society, along with the Association of Professional Sleep Consultants, they pride themselves on their evidence-based practice.

Fay and Claire discuss the importance of sleep for all children, but particularly those who are neurodivergent - not to mention the importance for their parents! Fay explains what causes sleep issues for neurodivergent kids, describing the intricate role of melatonin and circadian rhythms in sleep regulation, along with sharing some fascinating insight into why sleep can suddenly become an issue for teenagers. 

She also suggests some practical strategies parents can adopt to support their children to get a better night’s sleep, such as minimising screen time before bed, engaging in calming activities to decompress, and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine. 

As well as delving into the use of weighted blankets, prompted by new research published at the end of 2023, which explored whether weighted blankets positively affect sleep and everyday activities for individuals with ADHD and/or ASD.

Fay finishes by sharing a success story of a child with ADHD who improved sleep quality and reduced symptoms using her methods, whose name listeners might just recognise! 

If you or your ADHD child are desperate for some simple, effective ways to banish bedtime battles and ensure everyone gets a better night’s sleep, this episode is a must-listen!

To find out more about Fay and her work, or if you are experiencing problems with your child’s sleep, you can find your nearest Little Dreams sleep consultant here: Baby and Child Sleep Consultant Services | Little Dreams (littledreamsconsulting.com)

Resources mentioned in the episode:

‘Sleepy snacks’ blog: 

Sleepy Snack - Little Dreams Consulting

Links to Weighted Blanket studies:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7AASd0LNV8/?igsh=a3A5NzlkOWFqcWNs

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34184958/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36824380/

What is compassionate inquiry and how can it help us better support our children with ADHD (and ourselves!)?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Caroline Hanson, Conscious Parenting Therapist and mum to 4 delightfully neurodivergent children aged 12 to 22. Caroline shares her story of emerging from a rigid, strict, overbearing parenting style inherited from her own emotionally challenged childhood into something much more open, approachable, compassionate and tender. Through the study of yoga, meditation, conscious parenting approaches and Gabor Maté’s psychotherapeutic model - Compassionate Inquiry - Caroline found the support she needed to become the conscious parent she wanted to be.

Caroline reflects on her journey into meditation and self-inquiry, which led her to better understand her own needs, and make the shift from traditional parenting to conscious parenting. Caroline and Claire discuss the need to support children as they are and, as parents, to focus on the emotional responses behind a child's behavior rather than the behavior itself. Caroline describes some of the challenges she faced with her own children entering their teenage years and her sense of feeling lost, unable to reach for a blueprint for parenting her neurodivergent children. She also introduces the beautiful concept of "along-sidedness", where parents focus on providing their children with unconditional support, rather than rushing in to fix their problems.

Claire and Caroline also talk about the need for self-compassion as a parent of neurodivergent children, both for themselves as individuals, and as someone who is ultimately modeling self-care for their children. They discuss the importance of prioritising the parent-child relationship rather than focusing on external outcomes and the massively positive impact Conscious Parenting can have on a child’s learning, confidence, self-esteem, and success in the future.

This episode is a must-listen for parents of ADHD children who are looking for a calmer, kinder and more supportive way to do parenting, allowing them to tune into the magnificence and wonder of their children and celebrate their unique qualities.

To find out more about Caroline and her work, head to: https://www.loveparentlove.co.uk 

How can we celebrate neurodiversity, rather than just viewing it as a disability? In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Kirsti Nicole Hadley - Brand Consultant, Neurodiversity Advocate and mum to a child with ADHD. Kirsti has worked with hundreds of household names, and as well as a cross-party parliamentary advisor. She is credited with playing an integral role in reframing the narrative around neurodivergence, and recently contributed to BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour live studio debate about the SEND system: Is the SEND system working for children with special educational needs and disabilities?

After a lifetime of feeling misunderstood, Kirsti finally received a life-changing diagnosis of ADHD with autistic traits and dyscalculia, following her son's diagnoses of ADHD, autism, and OCD in 2021. 

In this episode, she describes some of the early signs of ADHD and autism in her son, as well as the parallels with her own undiagnosed traits - describing the common experience of "familial blindness" (in the absence of a diagnosis, parents believe their children are just similar them in terms of personality). Kirsti shares how it was these resemblances with her son’s traits that delayed the initial identification of her son's conditions. 

She and her son have been on a journey ever since - both learning and unlearning - including the tough challenge of navigating 1.5 years of emotional-based school avoidance in an education system that wasn't built for neurodivergent minds. 

Kirsti shares some insight into how to frame assessment experiences positively for your child along with why being confident and excited for them is key to accepting their own diagnosis. She also provides some helpful strategies for managing school avoidance, so listen closely if you experience school refusal with your own child!

Claire and Kirsti discuss the importance of self-care as parents of neurodivergent kids and the massive impact finding a community of like-minded parents can have for those who are also on this journey. Kirsti offers many messages of hope and positivity in this episode, including the power we can tap into when we acknowledge and celebrate neurodiversity, rather than just viewing it as a disability. 

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

https://www.sendreformengland.com/

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

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0022ss7

What is a SENCO and how do they support children with ADHD? Do you need a diagnosis for your child in order for them to access special provisions in school? What is an ECHP and when is it needed?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, all your SEN questions will be answered - and more! Claire is joined by Lauren Lambert - a current serving school SENCO and mother to two neurodivergent children. 

Lauren has worked across a range of schools on the south coast from infant to sixth form over her 20-year career as a teacher and has a wealth of first-hand experience in how schools can support children with ADHD, and the challenges faced by reduction in education budgets.

Claire and Lauren discuss the educational tensions in providing the right support for pupils with special educational needs and how parents can best navigate school systems. Lauren gives comprehensive overviews of:

- what a SENCO does and how they work with children within a school

- the SEND code of practice and how it governs what provisions are available to children with special educational needs

- the benefits of getting a diagnosis for your child with regards to their support at school

- the importance of the ‘assess plan do review’ cycle to monitor your child’s progress once provisions are in place

- how EHCPs work, when they are needed and the process to get one set up

Lauren emphasises the necessity of a ‘needs-led’ approach that is individual to the child, rather than putting them into categories by diagnosis. She also shares some fascinating insight into common difficulties for children with ADHD, along with examples of strategies to support them in their learning - including both short-term interventions and longer-term strategies they can take with them into their adult life.

This episode is a must-listen for parents embarking on their ADHD journey to better understand how they can work with schools to ensure the best outcomes for their children.

Please note this episode was recorded prior to the 2024 general election when the Conservative Government was still in power.

Here are links to resources discussed in this episode that you may find helpful:

IPSEA: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/

ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk/

Goblin Tools: https://goblin.tools/

Find your local SENDIASS: https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/about-us-0/networks/information-advice-and-support-services-network/find-your-local-ias-service

Research paper into educational experiences for children with ADHD by Dr Abigail Russell: https://news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-health-and-life-sciences/children-with-adhd-face-cycle-of-negative-experiences-in-their-early-school-years/

Children’s Commissioner calls for radical rehaul of the SEND system:

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/news/commissioner-calls-for-radical-rehaul-of-the-send-system/

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD Podcast, Claire is joined by expert guest Professor, Stephen Scott to discuss ADHD treatments and why parenting matters. Stephen is a Professor of Child Health and Behaviour at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London, and the Director of the National Academy for Parenting Research. He is also a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital, where he specializes in ADHD and challenging behaviour. Stephen's research specialises in the most effective ways to help children be happier and better adjusted, and as the author of the best selling textbook Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stephen literally wrote the book. 

Claire and Stephen discuss what is really behind the recent increase in ADHD diagnoses and why proper assessment and medication are so important for children with ADHD. Stephen shares some fascinating insight into the power of stimulant medication and how they can significantly improve symptoms, whilst also dispelling myths about certain medications being addictive.

Stephen and Claire also highlight the need for a holistic approach to treatment, such as taking a positive parenting approach. Scott shares some fantastic tips for parents of ADHD children, including clear communication of expectations and immediate positive reinforcement when we spot our children doing something well. He also introduces his Parenting Matters online course, which helps more parents support their children with behaviour and emotional issues

Professor Stephen shares a message of hope for parents of ADHD children, reassuring us that with proper support, ADHD children can thrive and lead happy, fulfilling lives.

To find out more about Professor Stephen and his work, head to

https://parentingmatters.co.uk/

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/stephen-scott

https://slam.nhs.uk/experts/?consultant=234&letter=S

To buy a copy of his book, head here:

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 3rd Edition

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Ahg0IWnyDPpKwIrrogOis?si=CGtdsp-vRZCJuJz-FOf-hg&t=6506

How do you talk about ADHD with your child?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Emily Snape - a mum to 3 children, one of whom has ADHD. Emily is a children's author and illustrator, working with young people celebrating and supporting their amazing, creative neurodivergent minds. 

Emily shares her personal experiences as a parent of a child with ADHD, inspiring her wonderful book "My Amazing ADHD Brain." Emily’s book provides an age-appropriate resource, giving parents a helpful starting point to have conversations with their children about their ADHD brain. Claire shares an incredible example of doing just this with her own daughter, resulting in a beautiful moment of connection between them.

Emily first noticed signs of her son struggling in Year 6, including challenges with friendships and taking SATs, culminating in him refusing to go to school. Claire and Emily go on to discuss their experiences of getting a diagnosis for their children and how, despite concerns about ‘labeling’, ultimately it was beneficial not just to help their children understand their brain, but as parents, to be able to educate others around them about ADHD. Emily highlights how her own experience with diagnosis inspired her to write her book, which focuses on educating children about their brains, provides tips for navigating challenges, and encourages children to embrace their strengths.

Emily shares some of the helpful accommodations her son could access in secondary school once he had a diagnosis, such as having a pass to go out of the classroom if he was feeling overwhelmed or fidgety. She also shares some of the challenges of advocating for her son but ultimately how she believes we should focus on ADHD strengths rather than challenges. 

Emily and Claire also discuss the impact of emotional dysregulation on ADHD children, which is often missed by schools. Emily shares some fantastic advice for teachers and parents alike to help ADHD children when they are dysregulated, supporting them to learn how to regulate their own emotions as they grow up, and supporting them to ‘own’ their ADHD.

To find out more about Emily and her work, you can find out her latest publishing news on Instagram at @emily_snape_illustrator or to buy a copy of book head here; https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Amazing-ADHD-Brain-Thriving/dp/183799126X

Why is there such a large disconnect between the research and practice with adopted children?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD Podcast, Claire is joined by expert guest, Dr Mark Kennedy to discuss the link between early adversity and ADHD in adopted children. Dr Mark is a Senior Lecturer program lead and a researcher on the English and Romanian adoptees study at King's College London. His PhD focused on modern applications of attachment theory and his postdoctoral work has focused on the developmental outcomes of extreme early adversity, including ADHD, neurodevelopmental disorders, attachment, and mental health. 

Mark and Claire begin by looking at connections between early adversity and ADHD in adopted children. Mark highlights how misdiagnosis of ADHD can often occur due to assumptions about attachment issues that stem from studies carried out in the 1980s and 1990s. He goes on to shed light on some of the more recent research and the incorrect assumptions that have led to an under-diagnosis of ADHD and over-diagnosis of attachment issues. For example, children who have a history of issues such as institutional deprivation have a much higher likelihood of having ADHD than people without those experiences.

Mark also shares some fascinating insight from research studies on the adult outcomes of children with ADHD symptoms in childhood, stressing the importance of early intervention to ensure better outcomes for adopted children. Shockingly, the rates of unemployment were 88% in one study, alongside outcomes such as higher rates of mental health problems and lower rates of educational attainment. However, with the right information, alongside evidence-based treatment or support options, outcomes can be significantly better.

One of Mark’s driving forces is raising awareness of ADHD and supporting adoptive parents with good-quality information. Therefore Mark created the King's College London “Understanding ADHD, Current Research and Practice” MOOC (massive online open course) accredited by the CPD. You can undertake this course for free to learn more about ADHD, including symptoms, the latest research, and treatment. So far, over 114,000 people have enrolled for the course designed to help change attitudes around ADHD.
To learn more about the course head to: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/understanding-adhd

In this episode, Claire is joined by parent guest, Sarah Dixon. Sarah is a mother of two girls, aged 10 and 12, both of whom are dyslexic and have ADHD. Her husband has also been identified with ADHD. In this episode, Sarah shares her journey from the realisation her children thought differently, through the identification stage to where they are now. 

Sarah begins by sharing how ADHD became obvious in her firstborn, who she assumed was just energetic - even in the womb! However by age 8, differences from her peers began to emerge, for example still not being able to read and struggling to concentrate. Sarah admits she knew little about ADHD before her child’s diagnosis, sparking initial reactions of shock, denial, and protectiveness.

Sarah and Claire share insights around ADHD medication and its impact on their children's learning and behaviour. Sarah shares how a conversation with a psychiatrist helped her understand how differently ADHD medication works vs something like anti-depressants and ultimately, how that helped her feel more comfortable about her daughter trying it. They also stress the importance of early identification for neurodivergent children in schools, to access the right support and accommodations, as well as taking some time to celebrate the array of unique strengths and abilities their children with ADHD possess. 

Sarah leads a local school support group for parents of neurodivergent children and has recently become a director and trustee of the Accessible Learning Foundation (ALF) - a new charitable organisation focusing on early identification and support of those with neurodivergent conditions within the education, justice and business sectors. To find out more about the Accessible Learning Foundation head here: https://www.accessiblelearningfoundation.org/

ADHD in girls - how differently does it present? In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by Pippa Simou, expert guest psychologist and specialist ADHD coach. Pippa and Claire explore the surprising gender disparities in ADHD, and how much more challenging it can be to diagnose girls to ensure they access the support they need. Pippa also busts some myths around how ADHD is perceived vs what is going on in a child’s brain, with boys tending to externalise symptoms whilst girls tend to internalise them.

Pippa goes on to share some important insights on the unique challenges faced by teenage girls with ADHD, including the complex interplay between perfectionism, rejection, and exhaustion, stressing the importance of early intervention and tailoring strategies to each girl's needs and circumstances. Claire and Pippa also discuss the risks to teenage girls in particular and the importance of understanding ADHD differences, to avoid heightened anxiety and self-criticism but also more serious issues such as eating disorders, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.

Recognizing and addressing these issues early on can help protect our teenage girls whilst supporting their mental health and well-being, so Pippa also shares some key strategies for parents to support themselves and support their children, for example, favouring positive reinforcement and rewards rather than punishments. She shares some examples of the impact of her work, such as working with a typically high-achieving girl who felt pressure to excel but was eventually able to learn to accept "good enough" and prioritise self-care. 

This is a must-listen for parents of ADHD girls, particularly if they have been diagnosed with ADHD themselves.

To find out more about Pippa and her work, head to:  https://www.theadd-vantage.co.uk/pippas-blog/