#202: Our ADHD Stories: Lori and Katie Share Their Diagnoses

The middle school years can be tricky, especially when you're parenting a child with ADHD who wants more independence but still needs plenty of support. In this episode, we're joined by Sean Kane from Growth Mindset Parenting to learn how parents can help middle schoolers build independence, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Sean shares why our middle school ADHD kids are often more capable than we realize, how to stay steady when they push back, and how to give them opportunities to take ownership and collaborate while still holding important family boundaries. MEET SEAN KANE Sean is a former Middle School Teacher and administrator with 3 sons of his own. He writes now for parents in the middle school years so they can understand the developmental window that their kids are in and help them develop the skills to become their best selves. LINKS + RESOURCES Episode #230 Transcript Growth.Mindset.Parenting Instagram Growth Mindset Parenting Website The Childhood Collective Instagram Have a question or want to share some thoughts? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

ADHD and sensory processing often go hand in hand, but it can be hard to figure out what your child’s behavior is actually telling you. In this episode, pediatric occupational therapist Laura Petix, also known as The OT Butterfly, helps us understand how sensory needs can show up in everyday life - especially for kids with ADHD! She also shares the idea of a “sensory budget” from her new book, The Sensory Code, and how understanding your child’s sensory system can help you support them before they reach their limit. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this sensory?” this episode will give you practical ways to start connecting the dots. MEET LAURA PETIX Laura Petix is a Filipino American, neurodivergent pediatric occupational therapist, author of The Sensory Code, and nationally recognized voice in sensory processing and nervous system–informed behavior support. She is the founder of The OT Butterfly, a leading education platform trusted by hundreds of thousands of parents, educators, and clinicians for translating neuroscience into practical, real-world strategies. With a background spanning clinical practice, research, and large-scale digital education, Laura is known for making complex sensory science accessible, affirming, and actionable. LINKS + RESOURCES Episode #229 Transcript The OT Butterfly's Website The OT Butterfly's Instagram The Childhood Collective Instagram Have a question or want to share some thoughts? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

If you have found yourself googling "ADHD task completion" at midnight after a frustrating day of parenting, you are not the only one! We’re sharing one simple tool that can make ADHD task completion easier by helping your child create a clear “future picture” of what they’re working toward. We’ll explain why this matters for the ADHD brain and how you can use it for everything from homework and chores to getting out the door. If you’re tired of giving 47 reminders just to get one task across the finish line, this is a strategy you’ll want to try. MEET OUR TEAM We are Lori, Mallory, and Katie. Lori and Mallory are child psychologists, and Katie is a speech language pathologist. We’ve spent decades supporting thousands of families navigating ADHD. And we’re also moms: some of us raising kids with ADHD and some of us navigating it ourselves… which means we understand both the science and the real-life moments that don’t make it into textbooks. LINKS & RESOURCES Episode #228 Transcript Online ADHD Parent Course: Creating Calm Use a Future Picture to Help Your Child Stay Focused and Motivated The Childhood Collective Instagram Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Email us at: [email protected]

ADHD in girls is such an important and often overlooked topic. Today, we’re joined again by Dr. Stephen Hinshaw, who has spent his career researching ADHD in women and girls. We take a closer look at mental health in girls, and how shame and stigma can especially affect girls with ADHD. Dr. Hinshaw also shares practical ways parents can support their daughters and help them build confidence. Whether your daughter has ADHD or you’re just starting to wonder, this episode is full of helpful information and hope. MEET DR. STEPHEN HINSHAW Stephen P. Hinshaw is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UC San Francisco. An internationally recognized expert on ADHD and neurodevelopment, his research focuses on longitudinal studies, clinical trials, and developmental pathways in girls and women. He is also a leading voice in reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness. Dr. Hinshaw earned his A.B. from Harvard and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UCLA. He has authored more than 440 scientific publications and 11 books, including the award-winning memoir Another Kind of Madness. He has received numerous national and international honors for his contributions to psychology, child development, psychiatry, and ADHD research, and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021. His work has been featured by the New York Times, Washington Post, Today Show, CBS, PBS, and many popular podcasts. LINKS + RESOURCES Episode #227 Transcript Episode #153: Understanding ADHD in Girls with Psychologist Stephen Hinshaw Dr. Hinshaw's Book - Straight Talk about ADHD in Girls: How to Help Your Daughter Thrive Free ADHD Treatment Guide Free ADHD Parenting Guide The Childhood Collective Instagram Have a question or want to share some thoughts? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

Back-to-school with ADHD can feel like a LOT for kids and parents, especially when sleep schedules are off and everyone is adjusting to new routines. In this episode, we’re sharing three practical ways to make the transition easier. And because back-to-school rarely goes exactly as planned, we’re sharing plenty of our own personal stories and laughs from the first week of school in our own homes. MEET OUR TEAM We are Lori, Mallory, and Katie. Lori and Mallory are child psychologists, and Katie is a speech language pathologist. We’ve spent decades supporting thousands of families navigating ADHD. And we’re also moms: some of us raising kids with ADHD and some of us navigating it ourselves… which means we understand both the science and the real-life moments that don’t make it into textbooks. LINKS & RESOURCES Episode #226 Transcript Online ADHD Parent Course: Creating Calm Customizable routines to simplify mornings, evenings, and after school The Childhood Collective Instagram Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Email us at: [email protected]