All Aboard ADHD is the podcast that helps parents and caregivers navigate the ADHD journey. Whether you're right at the beginning asking, “What now?” or further...
How much can the right support make a difference to children with ADHD - and their parents?In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Kate Peers - mum of 3 boys and owner of Department Store for the Mind, an online shop that allows you to explore the world inside your head. Kate is also a Youth Mental Health First Aid England Trainer. In this episode Kate shares some wonderful examples of the difference the right help and support can make to children with ADHD - and their parents.Claire reached out to Kate in February 2019 via DM after reading a blog that Kate had written for Molly Gunn (aka Selfish Mother), at a time when she was feeling unbelievably alone following her son’s diagnosis. Kate's blog post was the very first time Claire had felt seen or understood, and emphasises the importance of parents connecting with each other to support each other on their ADHD journey.Kate shares her story raising three boys, including her middle son diagnosed with ADHD and ASD. She describes some of the early signs of ADHD in her middle son, such as difficulty waiting and high energy levels. Following a challenging wait going through the process with the NHS, Kate shares the relief and validation she felt upon receiving her son's diagnosis. They go on to discuss some of the challenges of transitioning from primary to secondary school. Including a special story Kate tells about a Teaching Assistant who supported her son, highlighting the profound impact that supportive and trusted adults can have on a child’s life.Claire and Kate reflect on the importance of advocacy and the role of educating yourself about ADHD as much as possible, especially on how differently it can present, for example in girls versus boys. They also share their experiences of connecting with other parents on social media and finding hope in their stories, highlighting the importance of building a supportive ADHD community.This episode is an honest, inspiring and uplifting story of connection and support - a must-listen for parents, wherever they are on their ADHD journey.
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31:31
Nutrition & ADHD Brains
How does nutrition impact ADHD symptoms in children? And what action can we, as parents, take to better support our children and their diet?In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by expert guest Lucinda Miller - family naturopath, functional medicine practitioner, author, coach and mentor for kids with ADHD and autism. She and Claire discuss how the food can affect the mood, behaviour and concentration of children with ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions. This episode offers judgement-free insight and practical, achievable strategies for parents facing the very real food challenges of their neurodivergent children.Lucinda begins by sharing her approach to nutrition - which you can read more about in her new book Brain Brilliance - along with her own experience with ADHD and how food affects her day-to-day life. She describes the importance of zinc and iron in brain function, mood, and behavior, and how deficiencies can affect children with ADHD, for example expressing their mood and behaviour through food choices. We learn the crucial role zinc plays in a wide range of areas, from supporting the immune system and digestive health, to taste and smell, which can affect a child’s willingness to try new foods. Lucinda goes on to explain the role of dopamine and tyrosine in ADHD and how iron deficiencies can impair dopamine production - a crucial neurotransmitter for anyone with ADHD.Claire and Lucinda also dive into the impact of nutritional deficiencies on ADHD and gut health in neurodivergent children. Lucinda talks through the daily nutritional needs for iron and zinc (especially for teenagers and children going through growth spurts), shares insight into the high prevalence of gut issues in children with autism, and how this can affect both nutrient absorption and brain function. She explains how ultra-processed foods are highly addictive and can exacerbate ADHD symptoms and suggests some simple, practical strategies parents can adopt to introduce new foods and improve their child’s nutrient intake through dietary changes. For example, adding zinc drops to favourite foods, as well as using probiotics to support gut health and digestive enzymes to improve nutrient absorption. She also shares insight into the role of using supplements as "scaffolding" while working on longer-term dietary changes, particularly for fussy eaters.Blood sugar can also affect brain function and behaviour in children with ADHD, so Lucinda briefly explains how this can look. She also shares key information around the benefits of a high-protein, high-fat diet to help children maintain stable blood sugar levels and improve their focus and concentration. This episode is a must-listen for parents looking to understand how diet and nutrition can help their children with ADHD, especially if they are fussy eaters, and offers practical, achievable solutions, rather than yet another guilt trip!
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59:11
Low Demand ADHD Parenting
What is demand avoidance and how does it show up in children with ADHD?In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, we hear from Naomi Fisher, a clinical psychologist specialising in neurodiversity and trauma, for a fantastic discussion around demand avoidance, and pathological demand avoidance (PDA), along with the positive impact of low demand parenting on children with ADHD. Dr Naomi is the author of several books, with the most recent being “When The Naughty Step Makes Things Worse” with Eliza Fricker. This book is an incredible parenting guide for parents who find that conventional parenting techniques just doesn’t work for their child.Dr Naomi begins by explaining that demand avoidance is actually a behavioral trait often driven by anxiety, particularly in autistic children but also in those with ADHD. She describes how "demand avoidance" refers to a general tendency to resist demands, whereas PDA refers to a more specific, severe form of demand avoidance, which can lead to significant distress and disruption in daily life. Dr Naomi provides some all-too familar examples of how conventional parenting techniques can backfire with demand avoidant children, leading to conflicts and battles. She then goes on to define ‘low demand parenting’, describing it as active and involved parenting without control, with more of a focus on reducing demands to help children manage their emotions and develop skills. Dr Naomi describes what is going on for our children when they hear something like ‘put your shoes on’ more than once and emphasises the importance of reducing everyday demands, to help children stay in a "window of tolerance" where they can more effectively learn and develop the skills they need for later life.Claire and Dr Naomi also discuss screen time - a hot topic for many parents. Video games such as Minecraft can actually play a valuable role for demand avoidant children, helping them feel more in control and practice emotional regulation. Dr Naomi emphasises the need for parents to value their children's interests, and provides some much-need reassurance that parents’ efforts are crucial for building a strong, lasting relationship with their children. If your child with ADHD shows demand avoidant traits and you are in need of a new approach - this episode is a must-listen!To find out more about Dr Naomi Fisher’s work, visit https://naomicfisher.substack.com/ or https://naomifisher.co.uk/Or to order her latest book, head to: https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Naughty-Makes-Things-Worse/dp/1472148681
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1:00:54
Marsha Martin - My Parenting Story
What challenges do Black parents of neurodivergent children face in the education system? And what can we do about it?
In this episode of All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Marsha Martin - a former behavioural therapist, neurodiversity awareness consultant and the founder of Black SEN Mamas, a charitable organisation supporting Black mothers of children with special educational needs and disabilities. As a neurodivergent woman herself and the mum of three children, two of which have diagnosed ADHD and autism, Marsha created Black SEN mamas to provide a space of psychological safety for mothers navigating both the challenges of parenting and the complexities of the SEN system.
In this episode Marsha sheds light on the additional prejudices and the barriers that she faces as a “minority within a minority”, to help raise awareness of ADHD and the experiences of mothers in the Black community. Marsha describes some of the systemic and cultural barriers, such as the scarcity of Black teachers and implicit biases in the education system. For example, due to the lack of understanding about neurodivergence in Black communities - both within schools and SEN services - children’s behaviour can often be misinterpreted as defiance, disruption or laziness, rather than communication of their needs.
Marsha also emphasises the importance of community support, advocacy, and cultural competency training for teachers. She shares some examples of her own experience as a parent to neurodivergent children, including the early signs and behaviours that led to the diagnosis of ADHD in her children, and why those diagnoses took a long time to reach. She also describes some of the ongoing battles she has faced to access the appropriate support for her children and the impact of systemic barriers on their development and wellbeing.
Despite the challenges, Marsha shares a message of hope for Black parents of children with ADHD, highlighting the importance of finding community support and the positive impact of leaning on others who understand the challenges of raising neurodivergent children. She also shares the incredible impact of her advocacy work both with Black SEN Mamas and from a personal perspective on her family. Finally, Marsha encourages other Black parents to seek community support and fiercely advocate for their children.
To find out more about Marsha and her work, head to: https://blacksenmamas.com/
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41:58
Exercise Benefits for ADHD
How can exercise positively impact ADHD symptoms in children?
In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD Podcast, Claire meets with Dr Shu-Shih (Stone) Hsieh to discuss ADHD and exercise. Dr Stone is a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Kingston University. Stone's ActiGamer research at BREAD Lab focuses on the effects of exercise on cognition and ADHD symptoms in school aged-children.
Dr Stone Hseih kicks off with some insights into the many wide-ranging benefits of exercise for children with ADHD, including improvements in connection, attention and multitasking, alongside a reduction anxiety, stress and depressive symptoms. He and Claire also discuss the brain mechanisms involved in the positive effects of exercise and the differences between traditional forms of exercise vs multi-component exercise. Due to constant changes in the environment, multi-component exercise - such as such as football, tennis or basketball - can be more beneficial for children with ADHD, due to the compound effects on fitness, attention, and multitasking.
To ensure they consistently engage and experience the longer-term benefits, Dr Stone highlights the importance of diversifying exercise choices for children with ADHD and ensuring they find activities they enjoy. He also shares some fascinating results from studies into ADHD and exercise, for example using an EEG to study brain activity during and after exercise in children with ADHD. His aim is to understand whether exercise could be offered as a complementary treatment strategy for children with ADHD. Finally Dr Stone introduces the exciting new potential of "exergaming", which combines video games with physical activity, showing promising results in improving attention and fitness.
To find out more about Dr Stone and his work, head to:
Kingston University - Dr Stone Hsieh
BREAD Lab Kingston
Healthy body—Healthy mind? Does exercise benefit people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder? By Dr Stone Hsieh
The effects of acute aerobic exercise on inhibitory control and resting state heart rate variability in children with ADHD. By Dr Stone Hseih.
Dr Stone also has an ongoing study on the effects of physical activity and EEG on Executive Function children with ADHD. If you’re interested in participating, you can sign up here
All Aboard ADHD is the podcast that helps parents and caregivers navigate the ADHD journey. Whether you're right at the beginning asking, “What now?” or further along the path wondering, “What next?” - All Aboard ADHD is here for you. Each episode brings expert insights, inspiring special guest stories, and real-life experiences from parents whose children have ADHD - helping you feel informed, empowered, and less alone. If you're supporting a child with ADHD, have ADHD yourself, or simply want to understand more about the incredible ADHD brain, join us on this journey of discovery.
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