One Parent’s Journey with their child's ADHD

In this episode of Diverge & Disrupt, Liz Vossenkemper sits down with her best friend of 13 years, Maggie McCain, a board-certified family nurse practitioner from St. Louis, Missouri. Maggie shares her family’s journey navigating her son Ellis’s ADHD diagnosis — from early behavioral concerns to the long road of seeking answers, understanding interventions, and advocating for the right kind of support.

Together, Liz and Maggie reflect on the emotional rollercoaster many parents ride when trying to get help for their children: the stigma, the delays, the judgment, and the heartbreaking moments when your child begins to internalize messages that something is "wrong" with them.

They discuss the nuance in deciding on medication, the gaps in primary care, the reality of co-parenting through it all, and Maggie vulnerably shares the emotional toll of watching your child struggle in systems not built for neurodivergent kids.

Maggie shares honest insights about what worked, what didn’t, and the moment she finally felt at peace with the diagnosis — not because she gave in to it, but because she finally had gathered enough information and evidence to move forward with confidence.

Topics Covered:

• Early signs of ADHD in Ellis

• Behavior struggles in the traditional classroom settings

• The impact of teacher bias

• Barriers to diagnosis and support in healthcare and schools

• Co-parenting and divorced household perspectives

• ADHD medication: how to decide?

• The emotional toll of constant behavioral feedback

• Building a toolbox beyond just meds

• Helping kids rebuild their internal narrative

Commonly Referenced Terms (defined simply):

• ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): A neurodevelopmental condition that affects focus, impulse control, and activity levels.

• Executive Functioning: Mental skills that help with planning, organizing, remembering, and regulating behavior.

• 504 Plan: A school plan that provides accommodations for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to education.

• IEP (Individualized Education Program): A more in-depth legal plan for students with qualifying disabilities, providing specialized instruction and services.

• Impulsivity: Acting without thinking through consequences, often seen in kids with ADHD.

• Vanderbilt Forms: Standardized ADHD screening tools used by clinicians and educators to assess symptoms across different settings.

• Stimulant Medication: A class of medications commonly used to treat ADHD (e.g., methylphenidate or amphetamines) by increasing dopamine/norepinephrine in the brain.

Recommended Websites & Resources for Parents:

• CHADD.org (Children and Adults with ADHD) – Advocacy, education, and local support groups

• Understood.org – Resources for learning and thinking differences

• ADDitude Magazine – Parent-tested tips, medication guides, and lived experience stories

• AANE.org – Especially helpful if navigating both ADHD and autism traits