How authentic ADHD representation makes better kids’ shows (with Jamie Piekarz from HappyNest)
Minds at Work: How Neurodiversity Fuels Business and BelongingShow Notes
What does it take to put ADHD on screen without turning it into a checkbox? Jamie Piekarz, SVP at HappyNest Entertainment and showrunner of Paris & Pups, joins Nathan Friedman to talk about building the animated series inspired by Paris Hilton, who has spoken openly about her ADHD.
Jamie shares how her team worked with Understood to create nuanced ADHD characters, and why tools like “chill skills” and a visual task tracker help every kid. She and Nathan also discuss what neurodivergent team members bring to the creative process, and how feedback from parents is shaping the show’s impact — from the screen to the toy aisle.
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