March 12, 2024

Navigating Medication for Autism and ADHD: A Comprehensive Parent's Guide (S7E04)

1 hour 8 minutes

Episode Summary:

In this moving and insightful episode of the Autism Dad podcast, host Rob Gorski sits down with Dr. Whitney Casares to discuss navigating medication for children with autism and ADHD. The conversation revolves around common concerns parents have about medications, the various remedies used, and the overarching emotional hurdles that accompany these decisions. The episode opens the floor to parents and caregivers seeking education and hope on this journey.

Initially, Dr. Casares emphasizes the importance of balancing a child's health and comfort while acknowledging parental self-care. The dialog covers common medications, approaches to pediatric care for autism and ADHD, and the prevalent sense of guilt parents might experience when turning to prescriptions. Providing key insights and a sense of camaraderie, Dr. Casares offers reassurance with her expertise merged with her personal experience of parenting neurodivergent children.

The podcast offers a profound dive into the emotional and practical aspects of medicating neurodivergent children, guided by an expert pediatrician well-acquainted with the subject matter.

Dr. Casares shares her wisdom on distinguishing life-altering opportunities provided by medication from the initial reluctance and guilt often associated with it.

The conversation pivots to Dr. Casares's new book, "Doing It All," serving as a beacon for overwhelmed parents seeking to navigate the complexities of modern parenthood.

Key Takeaways:

Medications for autism and ADHD, like Adderall, are safe and extensively studied, forming part of a broader treatment plan.

Parents often face guilt and internal conflict when deciding to medicate their children, a feeling Dr. Casares addresses with empathy and validation.

Dr. Casares highlights the necessity of distinguishing sustainable parenting practices from the struggles that necessitate medication.

The podcast addresses the global shortage of developmental pediatricians and behavioral health experts, emphasizing the role pediatricians are playing in compensating for this gap.

Dr. Whitney Casares introduces her new book, relating its themes to the challenges discussed during the podcast.

Notable Quotes:

"Sometimes if life is easier for you as a parent…that actually is better for your kids."

"These kids are so intelligent, sometimes hyper-intelligent…but if they're unable to focus, they have to just fight against themselves over and over and over again."

"When you have behavioral issues that are associated with ADHD, that often needs even more wraparound support than just the medication."

"It's life-changing. Not just for the parents, oh, yeah, for the kids."

"That's my feeling on CBD. I think uncharted waters. We don't know yet."

About the Guest(s):

Dr. Whitney Casares is a Stanford-trained pediatrician with over a decade of experience, holding a master's degree in maternal and child health from Berkeley. As an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a recognized public health expert, Dr. Casares is also a published author who has dedicated her career to children's health and wellness. In addition to her professional pedigree, she is an autism mom herself, giving her a personal connection to the topics discussed in the podcast.

Resources:

Dr. Whitney Casares's podcast and blog can be found at modernmommydoc.com

Follow Dr. Casares on Instagram @modernmommydoc

Her new book, "Doing It All: Stop Over Functioning and Become the Mom and Person You Were Meant to Be," is available on Amazon, including audiobook formats complemented by an accompanying PDF.

Dive deep into these meaningful discussions by listening to the full episode, available on your preferred podcast platform. Stay tuned for more enlightening content from The Autism Dad podcast as it continues to provide validation and resources to parents navigating the world of autism parenting.

About Rob Gorski and The Autism Dad podcast:

Rob Gorski is a single Dad to three amazing autistic boys and the Founder and CEO of The Autism Dad, LLC. Multiple award-winning blogger, podcaster, content creator, social media influencer, and respected public figure for the last 15 years.

Connect with Rob: theautismdad.link

Mentioned in this episode:

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By Rob Gorski

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