Episode 67: Helping Your Child with the 3Ds & ADHD with Michael Shanahan

👀 In this episode, Sharon Collon interviews Michael Shanahan, founder of Dyscastia, about:

✅ The real challenges behind reading, writing, and maths struggles (it’s not laziness!)

✅ How to support kids when school feels impossible

✅ What myths about learning difficulties we need to throw away—now

✅ Why parents don’t need to “know it all” immediately (and where to find expert help)

⏰ Timestamps ⏰

00:02:04 – Introducing Michael Shanahan’s background and expertise 00:03:25 – Michael explains his role as a specialist intervention tutor 00:04:36 – Beginning explanation of the “3Ds” (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia) 00:05:36 – In-depth explanation of dyslexia: what it is and its challenges 00:08:12 – What is dysgraphia? Michael’s own experience and discussion 00:11:24 – What is dyscalculia? Characteristics and how it differs from other learning challenges 00:14:28 – Michael’s personal journey growing up with undiagnosed learning difficulties 00:18:47 – How are the 3Ds linked to ADHD? 00:22:06 – Advice for parents feeling overwhelmed by new diagnoses 00:26:58 – Who can diagnose the 3Ds? 00:27:31 – Common myths and misconceptions about the 3Ds 00:30:49 – “Specific learning disability” (SLD) reports and what they mean 00:32:06 – Tech tools and accommodations for students with the 3Ds 00:37:02 – Practical accommodations to ask for at school after an SLD diagnosis 00:43:49 – How Michael’s children experienced school with learning differences 00:45:34 – How to find Michael, his podcast, and resources for parents and teachers 00:50:28 – Wrapping up and final thoughts

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Michael is a specialist literacy and maths interventionist, working with students who live with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, ASD, and other learning difficulties. He is also a director of Word Cracking—software and resources designed specifically for students who find standard intervention too hard.

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://dyscastia.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr9MZukIRt8ZPplvj4b6BfQ

Facebook: hhttps://www.facebook.com/Dyscastia

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KEY POINTS

ADHD and the “3Ds” are deeply connected. Around 30–40% of kids with ADHD also live with dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia, making learning challenges much more common than many parents realize .

The struggles go beyond academics. Difficulties with reading, writing, and maths can cause embarrassment, low confidence, and a negative self-image in kids—sometimes lasting well into adulthood .

Early expert support is key. Parents don’t need to have all the answers right away. Reaching out to specialist tutors, educational psychologists, or organisations like Speld can provide clarity and practical next steps .

Common myths are harmful. Many people—including teachers—still wrongly believe that conditions like dyslexia or dysgraphia don’t exist, or that kids “just need to try harder.” These misconceptions can damage children’s self-esteem .

Compassion and de-escalation help at home. Reducing homework loads, allowing breaks, and using supportive tech tools (like voice-to-text or read-aloud features) can relieve pressure and make learning more manageable

NEXT STEPS

Subscribe to Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefunctionalfamily

Book 1:1 Discover Call: https://calendly.com/sharonthefunctionalfamily/15-min-discovery-call-with-sharon

WORK WITH Sharon Collon

Sharon Collon helps parents of children with ADHD through her:

ADHD Family Foundations program: Hi there! The ADHD Family Foundations Program is a comprehensive, tailored approach designed to systematically review and improve processes around your home to work effectively with the ADHD brain. This program, perfect for families with primary school-age children, offers practical strategies, support, and tools to make life easier for the whole family living with ADHD. By focusing on creating ADHD-friendly environments and routines, the program aims to reduce chaos, increa