ADHD Families Podcast

Are you planning a family trip and wondering how to make it enjoyable for everyone? Curious about how to handle the unique challenges of traveling with children who have ADHD? Then you’re in the right place! In today's must-listen episode, we welcome Jenifer Breaux, a travel expert and mother of two children who are neurodivergent. With her background as retired army personnel and an experienced travel agent, Jennifer has a knack for designing customised trips for families navigating ADHD and autism. She joins our host, Sharon Collon, to share invaluable strategies and personal experiences on making travel with children who have ADHD smoother and more enjoyable. Discover how to break up long car rides with engaging activities and tailor travel experiences to suit sensory preferences. This episode is brimming with practical advice, including managing anxiety with detailed itineraries, using social stories, and creating holiday routines that balance structure and flexibility. Jenifer also offers essential tips on handling sensory overload and budgeting during trips. Whether you're planning a short getaway or a long vacation, Jenifer's expertise in sensory-friendly travel and her personal stories will help you craft memorable and stress-free family holidays. Tune in to learn how to tackle the unique challenges of traveling with children who are neurodivergent and uncover tips that can transform your family's travel adventures!Timestamps: 00:00 Discussing travel challenges with ADHD families, specialist Jenifer Breaux.05:50 ADHD is challenging due to sensory inputs.09:00 Engage kids with activities they enjoy outdoors.11:03 Request a quieter room away from activities.14:52 ADHD and anxiety concerns, social story suggestion.19:38 Anticipation helps ADHD brain manage anxiety, scheduling.23:37 Establish flexible holiday routines for expectations.26:04 Plan ahead for kids' park visits early.28:06 Infectious game ideas shared among friends.32:56 Resort includes drink service and equipment classes.33:44 Stay where activities are easily accessible onsite.39:59 Gradually travel to comfortably create lasting memories.41:49 Brothers' different spending habits during holiday.44:36 Guide decisions with a simple, budgeted choice.About Jenifer:Jenifer is a retired army veteran who served almost three decades. During her time in the army she served the United States all over the world. Through those experiences she gained a love of service and travel. She excelled in her training and retired with honor. Six years ago she opened a franchise of Dream Vacations called JB Travel Pros, where she helps people travel the world with excitement. From coast to coast, Jenifer designs luxury experiences that bring her client's dreams to life. Her love for globe trotting is something she shares with her family, as well. Connect with Jenifer:Website: https://www.iamjeniferbreaux.com/aboutFacebook: @iamjeniferbreauxInstagram: @iamjeniferbreaux

In today's episode, host Sharon Collon sits down with Sandy Booysen, a dietitian specialising in neurodivergence and peadiatric feeding disorders. We're diving into the complexities of managing food-related behaviours in children with ADHD and other neurodivergent differences. Sandy delves into the impacts of sugars, food additives, and sensory sensitivities on behaviours and offers practical advice for parents. She emphasises the importance of emotional neutrality around food, detective work to identify behavioural triggers.. Join us as we explore the steps of her "Sensible Nutrition" model and learn how to tackle the real challenges of feeding children who are neurodivergent. Tune in for an episode filled with compassionate, actionable advice tailored for families navigating these unique dietary journeys. Timestamps:05:09 Sandy's journey07:53 Your parenting success isn't defined by child's diet.12:45 Pediatric feeding disorder: diagnosis for children.16:26 Different children, different challenges, same household upbringing.20:17 Discussing child's constipation and appetite-related issues.21:17 Identify triggers; nutrition plays a big role.27:30 Comfort strategies are needed for sensory-sensitive children.31:14 Support children's healthy growth and eating habits.32:29 Small, frequent meals provide a quick energy boost.37:31 Sandy's helpful, approachable guidance.About Sandy:Sandy is a caring and passionate dietitian who loves working with individuals, children and families to optimize their health and nutrition through a commonsense approach of simplifying and debunking complex nutrition information. She focuses on providing individualised support, motivation and education for sustainable change. Connect with Sandy:Website: https://www.senseablenutrition.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandy.booysen/

Let's delve into the complex world of puberty and ADHD, exploring how early puberty can impact mental health, and the importance of providing safety and security for our children, particularly between the ages of 9 and 12. Michelle shares her personal experiences as a parent and offers strategies for fostering emotional and psychological intimacy with our kids. We’ll discuss the significance of unconditional support, the value of acknowledging your own emotions before addressing your child’s needs, and ways to maintain supportive communication without overwhelming them. Michelle also gives tips on how to approach conversations about puberty in a positive and child-led manner, ensuring our kids feel understood and accepted during this critical developmental phase. Plus, we’ll touch on self-esteem challenges, especially in children with ADHD, and how parents can help build their children's self-worth and resilience. Stay tuned for a packed episode filled with practical advice and heartwarming encouragement, aimed at helping you navigate the ups and downs of parenting children with ADHD. Key points:00:00 Discussing puberty and ADHD with Michelle Mitchell.04:28 Today's episode discusses puberty experiences from the past.06:21 Tweens' development crucial; impacts adolescence significantly.10:17 Children develop physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, sexually.14:30 Twins seek closeness; mirror and support them.19:13 "I’ve got you": Prioritise and reassure children.22:00 Social-emotional skills are essential, not secondary.23:46 Separate parent-child journeys; avoid projecting expectations.28:00 Pause before reacting; encourages constructive communication.32:22 Give children options; mix of approaches.36:13 Consider children's transferable boundaries for safety.37:37 Comprehensive book for tweens on various topics.42:14 Save courage for kids' essentials at school.44:39 Intentionally welcome kids home after school.About Michelle:Michelle is a Parenting educator - with 25 years of experience in the wellbeing sector.She started her career as a teacher but soon after founded a charity that delivered life skills programs to young people at risk of dropping out of education. Her work extended into the child safety sector, refugees, and alternative education. She lives with her husband and two young adult boys.Connect with Michelle: Website - @mitchellmitchellwebsiteFacebook - @michellemitchellauthorIG - michellemitchell.author

We’re delving into the complex world of anxiety, especially how it affects children and adolescents with ADHD. Our special guest is Karen Young, a psychologist and speaker who specialises in anxiety and mental health for young people. In this episode, Karen helps us unravel the role of the amygdala in triggering anxiety through sensory experiences, often linked to past traumas. We’ll also address school-related anxiety—a common hurdle for many in the ADHD community—offering practical strategies for creating a safe and supportive school environment. Karen shares why parental confidence is crucial, how understanding the neuroscience behind anxiety can empower children, and tackles common misconceptions about anxiety. We'll also discuss the importance of relational safety within schools to help turn anxious moments into manageable experiences. With a rich professional background and personal anecdotes, Karen provides a comforting reminder that anxiety can be navigated with understanding and the right tools. Get ready to take notes and feel encouraged—this episode promises valuable advice for every ADHD family. Let's dive in! Timestamps:00:00 Discussing anxiety, school refusal, with expert Karen Young.04:11 Personal experience with daughter's anxiety spurred action.07:11 Brain interprets potential threats as actual danger.11:41 ADHD causes obsessive thought loops and anxiety.16:04 Anxiety's impact is deeply personal and variable.16:46 Anxiety's roots are often unknown and complex.21:01 Ensuring kids' safety and fostering parental confidence.23:51 Balancing support and independence for child's safety.27:08 Avoidance reinforces anxiety by associating safety elsewhere.31:53 Schools gating ADHD children reinforces exclusion and anxiety.36:13 Move beyond outdated methods; promote proactive safety strategies.40:01 How to ensure schoolchildren feel welcome, cared.41:27 Empowering teachers to support ADHD impacts significantly.44:31 Supporting parents and teachers creates incredible changes. About Karen:Karen began her career as a psychologist working extensively with children, teens and families. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant and works with schools, government bodies, and child and adolescent focused organisations both in Australia and overseas to build resources, implement procedures, and support the professional development of staff. Karen is the founder of ‘Hey Sigmund’, an internationally popular online resource that provides contemporary, research-driven information on anxiety. She is the author of five books, including the bestselling ‘Hey Warrior’, which creatively assist children to understand and manage anxiety. Connect with Karen:Instagram: @karenyoung_heysigmundWebsite: www.heysigmund.com