SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #150: What Should I Say at My Child’s First ADHD Appointment? The Childhood Collective 4/3/2024 SUMMARY You’ve researched providers, you’ve verified insurance, made it through the long waiting list, and it is FINALLY time for the first ADHD appointment - the intake. We know you want to make the most of the visit to support your child, but it can get overwhelming between the questionnaires and forms. You may have a running list in your notes of everything in...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #149: Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and ADHD with Therapist Natasha Daniels 3/27/2024 SUMMARY In our culture, we hear the term “OCD” thrown around a lot. “I’m so OCD about…” While this isn’t intended for harm, it does foster confusion about what it really means to have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It’s far more nuanced than the common idea of constant hand-washing or organization. OCD can be common in kids with ADHD, so in today’s episode, we...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #148: After School SOS: Preventing Meltdowns The Childhood Collective 3/20/2024 SUMMARY Raise your hand if the hours of 3-5 pm are the hardest hours in your house. It seems every day at that time, a battle breaks out. Everyone is worn out from the day, even you! The slightest inconvenience throws your home into chaos, and the big feelings come out. In the words of Taylor Swift, “Screaming, crying, perfect storm…” We’ve been there. Your afternoons don’t have to...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #147: “Defiance” and ADHD: Getting Curious About What’s Beneath the Surface The Childhood Collective 3/13/2024 SUMMARY Asking your child to clean their room or do one page of homework shouldn’t launch a battle complete with meltdowns, but often, for kids with ADHD, it does. You’re trying your hardest to breathe and regulate, but inside, you’re thinking, “Why is everything a fight?!” For those of us who grew up in strict, authoritarian homes, this is even more...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #146: I Love My Brain! Helping Kids Understand ADHD with Nicole Russell The Childhood Collective 3/6/2024 SUMMARY It is easy to feel lost on how to help your amazing kiddo with ADHD see themselves the way you do. We all know they're incredible, but sometimes those unique brains can feel like a double-edged sword. That's where our guest for today, Nicole Russell comes in. She is a champion of self-love and the author of the awesome "My Busy, Busy Brain.” In...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #145: The Bedtime Struggle is Real: One Tool to Help Your Child Stay in Bed The Childhood Collective 2/28/2024 SUMMARY Parenting expectation: The teeth are brushed, the jammies are on, and the white noise is humming softly. You spend a few soft moments with your child, give them a kiss, and tell them goodnight. The little cherubs stay in bed all night, and the entire family wakes up rested. Parenting reality: When bedtime hits, your kid has never been...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #144: Did Someone Say Dance Party? ADHD Parenting CAN Be Fun! The Childhood Collective 2/21/2024 SUMMARY ADHD parenting is a lot of things. It can be challenging, confusing, interesting and rewarding. But it can also be FUN! Parenting ADHD gets easier when we intentionally infuse a sense of playfulness. We know you’re already managing so much and might be thinking, “Great, now I have to be FUN too!?” But hear us out…we have a few ideas, nothing too...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #143: Considering ADHD Medication? What Every Parent Needs to Know with Psychiatrist, Dana Reid The Childhood Collective 2/14/2023 SUMMARY One of the hardest parts about being a parent is making choices for the health of our children. With an abundance of information and a variety of options, knowing how to support our kids medically can be really tough. When symptoms of ADHD begin to cause distress at home or at school, the topic of medication always comes...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #142: The Key to Executive Functioning: Internal Skills for Kids with ADHD with Mike McLeod The Childhood Collective 2/7/2023 SUMMARY On our channel, you’ve probably heard us talk frequently about executive functioning. Today, we have a special guest, Mike McLeod, ADHD coach and executive function specialist, on the podcast to share about parent coaching and how to help our kids strengthen their internal skills. Listen along as we discuss teaching children how...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #141: Should I Tell My Child's Teacher About Their ADHD?  The Childhood Collective 1/31/2023 SUMMARY You’ve got your child’s diagnosis, and now you’re wondering, “Who do I tell?” and “What do they NEED to know?” You wonder, “Will this help my child or stick them with a label?” We’ve heard all these questions before, so today, we’re sharing five considerations for disclosing your child’s diagnosis with their classroom teacher. We have seen firsthand that...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #140: Unlocking Your Child's Motivation with Neuropsychologist Dr. Ellen Braaten The Childhood Collective 1/24/2023 SUMMARY We know that motivation is a huge issue for many ADHD families. As parents, we are desperate to help our children find their motivation.  We know the AMAZING things they are capable of, but they can't always access it. What actually drives our kids? In this episode, neuropsychologist Dr. Ellen Braaten shares how we can nurture our...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #139: Boost Your Child's Executive Function with Declarative Language: One Simple Shift The Childhood Collective 1/17/2023   SUMMARY In addition to ALLLL the everyday tasks we do as parents, raising a kid with ADHD means we have to help build our kids’ executive functions. This can feel like a really hard job. But what a lot of parents don’t realize is that small changes to the way we speak and interact can add up to a lot of growth opportunities for our kids!...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #138: An Episode for Kids (And Their Grown-Ups!): ADHD and Big Emotions With Katelyn Mabry The Childhood Collective 12/06/2023   SUMMARY Can you believe it's our last episode of the year? As we head into a holiday break, we will be taking some time with our own families. Before we do that, we're switching things up and doing something super cool—a chat for both parents AND kids! We've got the amazing Katelyn Mabry, the brilliant creator of the children's...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #137: ADHD at School: The One Thing Every Parent Needs to Know The Childhood Collective 12/6/2023   SUMMARY Sifting your way through evaluations, 504’s, IEP’S, emails, and parent rights, it’s all so much. It can be very confusing to know when to advocate or when to wait. The process can differ from state to state and school system to school system. Our goal is to help you navigate the process so you can feel confident instead of discouraged. You are the best...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #136: Unwrapping Holiday Strategies for Kids with ADHD The Childhood Collective 11/22/2023   SUMMARY Travel. Turkey. Traditions. Toys. Treats. All are great things that the holidays bring. But let’s be real, those treasures come with disrupted sleep, inconsistent schedules, unfair expectations from relatives and MELTDOWNS (from kids and parents, honestly.) Turns out two things can be true at the same time. The holidays can bring a ton of sweetness AND stress....

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #135: Changing Our View on ”Challenging” Behavior with Dayna Abraham The Childhood Collective 11/15/2023   SUMMARY You’re hiding in your closet, and tears roll down your cheek. You tell yourself, “This is just too hard, and I can’t do it.” Feelings of suffocation and hopelessness fill your chest as you grieve the fact that your child with ADHD feels extremely challenging. You wonder if this will be your reality for the next decade or two. It’s heavy, and we’ve...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #134: “I Don’t Want to Mess This Up!” Talking with Your Kids About ADHD The Childhood Collective 11/08/2023   SUMMARY As expectant parents, I am sure you read “the books” like we did. Books about pregnancy, books about sleep, books about nutrition, books about not paying attention to the books, the list goes on and on. Interestingly enough, none of the books prepare you for discovering your child is neurodivergent. It is only when you realize that your child...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #133: The Benefits of Meditation for Kids with ADHD with Zenimal Creator, Anna Macsalka The Childhood Collective 11/01/2023   SUMMARY If you have been listening to the Shining with ADHD podcast for a bit, you’ve heard us talk about the Zenimal. This screen-free audio device has been a GAME-CHANGER in our homes regarding sleep. But the Zenimal isn’t just for sleep support. The device also comes with meditations to guide your kids and teens through helpful...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #132: Building Resilience: Supporting Kids with ADHD + Anxiety The Childhood Collective 10/25/2023   SUMMARY It seems like being a parent is always trying to find the goldilocks in every situation. We want to be gentle but not too permissive; we want to be child-centered but not forget ourselves. We want to be open with our kids but want to maintain healthy boundaries. The list goes on and on. The experience is only heightened with ADHD, especially when there...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #131: Balancing Dad Mode and ADHD with Therapist Eli Weinstein The Childhood Collective 10/18/2023   SUMMARY Parenting ADHD comes with it’s own challenges, but what about when you are parenting with your own ADHD? Today on the podcast, we are interviewing therapist Eli Weinstein on what it was like to grow up with ADHD and what managing looks like for him as a dad and practice owner. Eli shares how he keeps up with mental tasks, sensory overload, and getting...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #130: Getting To the Root of Homework Resistance The Childhood Collective 10/11/2023   SUMMARY Let's take a moment to imagine a scenario. Picture yourself in a typical workday, hustling in your office. It's non-stop, and by the end of the day, you're exhausted, craving nothing more than some well-deserved relaxation at home. However, as soon as you step through your front door, your boss sends you a flurry of texts with a laundry list of tasks that need...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #129: A Pediatrician's Role in ADHD Diagnosis and Care with Dr. Kelly Fradin  The Childhood Collective 10/4/2023   SUMMARY Here’s an obvious news flash: parenting is the best of times and the worst of times, sometimes at the same time. Parenting children with challenges like ADHD or suspected ADHD can leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed. Figuring out where to get help and who you need in your corner can be a little tricky. We’ve been there, and we’ve...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #128: I Suspect ADHD but My Child Is Too Young for a Diagnosis The Childhood Collective 9/27/2023   SUMMARY It happened again. Another call from the preschool or another comment from a family member about your child’s behavior. Your intuition tells you something is under the surface, but your child is too young for an ADHD diagnosis. This is a hard season to be in! It seems like every week, we get messages from parents of younger children who are struggling...

SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #127: Competition to Cooperation: Siblings and ADHD with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart The Childhood Collective 9/20/2023   SUMMARY “I want to pick the show!”  “I want to sit by Mom!”  “Leave me alone!” The sibling struggle is real and can be exhausting for parents and caregivers. Trying to operate as a mediator between your kids gets old very quickly. We know that having a child or two in the home with ADHD only intensifies the inevitable conflict. In this...

  SHINING WITH ADHD  EPISODE #126: Say Less (no, really!) and Other Tips to Support Your Child’s Listening.  The Childhood Collective 9/13/2023   SUMMARY We can hear ourselves now trying to yell upstairs or get our kid's attention over the TV or tablet. We are all guilty of the “drive-by directions” trap when we want our kids to listen. None of these seem to work, and we just get louder and louder. Our tone gets angrier and angrier. Obvious ending? It doesn’t work. Getting kids to...