ADHD Families Podcast

In today's episode, we are thrilled to have Sue Larkey, an esteemed "pracademic," joining us to share her wealth of knowledge, combining practical experience and academic research. Sue and our host, Sharon Collon, dive deep into effective strategies for engaging children with ADHD and autism, emphasising the power of humour, and personalised communication techniques. Sue traces her inspiration back to a challenging classroom experience, highlighting the lack of adequate resources and training that many teachers face. Together, Sharon and Sue explore the intricate dynamics between parents, teachers, and children, offering practical tips to foster a supportive and collaborative environment both at home and in school. From the significance of nonverbal communication and the nuanced approach to praise, to addressing rejection sensitivity and preventing teacher burnout, this episode is packed with actionable tips. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, tune in for a compassionate and enlightening discussion that promises to deepen your understanding and enhance your toolkit for supporting neurodiverse children. Let's get started! Timestamps:03:11 Collaboration with parents enhances child support effectiveness.08:26 A teacher advocates for students like children.10:54 Four positives to one negative builds relationships.13:31 Tone affects children's perception of commands.18:39 Teachers struggle to support autistic students effectively.19:47 Birthday party akin to classroom environment challenges.24:44 ADHD is genetic; treat each individual uniquely.27:38 Adults need life systems, not work skills.30:16 Change environment, structure for child readiness.35:44 "Should" indicates comparison; prompts self-reflection.38:19 Praise is individualised; "best" varies per person.41:47 Completion, not praise, motivates ADHD children.43:59 Addressing rejection sensitivity in neurodiverse children.46:48 Reflect on successes and challenges in meetings.49:13 Need regulation from teachers to avoid misperceptions.About Sue: Sue Larkey is a highly respected educator, author, and speaker with extensive experience in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She has taught students in both mainstream and special education settings, combining practical experience with extensive research. Sue holds a Master’s in Special Education and has completed the research sections of her Doctorate in Education. Sue’s podcast, the “Sue Larkey Podcast,” has over 1.4 million downloads across more than 200 episodes and is the #1 ranked Apple Podcast in Australia in the Course category. Her podcast resources are used by leading universities, including Monash University and Canberra University, to train teachers. She also has a global following, with over 135,000 subscribers to her weekly e-newsletter in more than 30 countries and a community of 130,000 Facebook followers. Sue has authored over 18 books aimed at educators, teacher assistants, and parents/carers, and is a former winner of the Naturally Autistic International Award for Community Contribution. She has delivered hundreds of speeches at both international and national conferences, earning recognition as a trusted source of knowledge, compassion, and inspiration for educators, support workers, and families. Connect with Sue:Instagram: @sue.larkeyFacebook: Sue LarkeyWebsite: https://suelarkey.com.au/

Today we're diving into the critical topic of online safety for children, especially those with ADHD. Joining us is the remarkable Kristi McVee, an ex-detective and expert in child abuse prevention, who brings a wealth of experience to our discussion. In this episode, Kristi shares her valuable knowledge on empowering children to balance their online interactions with safety and setting healthy boundaries. We'll explore the unique vulnerabilities children with ADHD face online, the risks of grooming and sextortion, and the impact of social media on their mental health. Kristi offers practical advice on monitoring digital activities, setting up parental controls, and fostering open communication with your children about online dangers. We'll also hear personal stories from Kristi, discussing her own family's experiences and the ever-changing landscape of digital technology. She emphasises the importance of ongoing dialogue, critical thinking, and helping children understand the false perceptions often portrayed online. So, whether you're a parent navigating these digital waters or keen to learn more about protecting children in this tech-savvy world, this episode is packed with actionable tips to ensure your child's online safety. Let's get started! Timestamps:04:31 Kristi's story and child abuse realities.08:50 How ADHD puts our children at greater risk.10:29 Balance online friendships with authentic connections.16:21 Children need supervision and guidance on privacy.17:30 Teach children privacy concepts; ensure online safety.21:45 Extorters demand photos, threaten exposure for money.25:04 Warning signs: Obsession or avoidance of phone.29:49 What to do if your child is in danger32:23 Teach resilience and healthy relationships, provide safety tools.36:43 Sharing child exploitation material is illegal.37:23 Children are vulnerable; guidance needed until adulthood.41:08 TikTok's pros and cons.44:31 Bond through shared activities and interest engagement.47:42 Sending meaningless content; prioritise mental health. About Kristi:Kristi McVee is an ex- West Australian detective and specialist child interviewer and the author of Operation KidSafe - a detective's guide to child abuse prevention. Kristi hosts the CAPE podcast, the child abuse prevention and education podcast as well as presents about child sexual abuse awareness and online child exploitation to schools, parents and communities. Connect with Kristi:Instagram @kristimcveeFacebook - Kristi McVee or CapeaustTikTok @tiktokcop81

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/