All Aboard ADHD

• The ADHD-Autism Link

  If you have a child who has an ADHD diagnosis, how likely are they to also fulfil the criteria for autism? And how can you best support them?In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by expert guest Professor Emily Simonoff to discuss the fascinating link and crossover between ADHD and autism in children. Emily is a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London, and honorary consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the South London and Wardsley NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Emily's research and clinical focus is on neurodevelopmental disorders in children and young people and their overlap with other mental disorders.A dual diagnosis was only possible from 2013, following a pivotal study in 2008 which was one of the first to establish that ADHD and autism can and do coexist. According to Professor Emily, the overlap between autism and ADHD is significant, with approximately 10-15% of children with ADHD also having autism, and 40-50% of those with autism having ADHD. She and Claire discuss the complexity of this crossover, stressing the importance of rigorous professional assessment to accurately diagnose both conditions. Professor Emily describes the genetic links between ADHD and autism, along with some fascinating insight from studies that compare identical and non-identical twins to better understand these genetic influences. Claire and Professor Emily go on to discuss why it's so important to recognise the overlap between ADHD and autism and how it manifests specifically for that child, highlighting how understanding their “whole profile” has a huge impact on a their ability to acheive their best potential. Professor Emily explains some of the differences in diagnostic assessments for autism and ADHD and shares some examples of how traits that go in one direction or another can balance themselves out when a child has both conditions.Having both ADHD and autism can significantly effect a child's self-perception and confidence, so Professor Emily highlights the importance of disentangling traits related to autism and ADHD, to ensure children are getting the right support. She also describes the link between anxiety and depression in children with both conditions, with anxiety more common during primary school and depression often presenting later, in secondary school. Claire and Professor Emily also discuss some of the ways we can better support children with dual diagnoses, including building positive experiences outside of school that feed into their interests and strengths, and considering a child's needs as they transition from primary to secondary school.This is a must-listen for parents of children with dual diagnoses, or who suspect that their autistic or ADHD child is also displaying traits of the other profile.To find out about Professor Emily and her work, visit:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18645422/https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/emily-simonoffhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Emily-Simonoff

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• SEN and the Universal Classroom

  How can we better support children’s learning needs in school - without having to rely on formal diagnoses?The Universal Classroom project, led by Professor Joel Talcott, aims to address the crisis in special educational needs (SEN) provision in UK primary education. Joel is Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at Aston University. His core research professional interests and outputs lie in interdisciplinary cognitive neuroscience, particularly in relation to the neurodevelopmental conditions that impact the learning and achievement outcomes of approximately 5% of all children and adults worldwide. In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire and Professor Joel discuss how the Universal Classroom project will identify children’s individual learning needs early, reducing the reliance on formal diagnostic labels and providing free, non-proprietary tools for teachers to assess and support children's cognitive skills.Claire and Professor Joel begin by discussing the impact of current underfunding and inefficiencies in the UK education system, particularly in SEN funding, and the government's commitment to additional resources and reform. With the Universal Classroom taking a strengths-based approach, Professor Joel describes how it is ideally placed to bridge the gap  and create a fairer system where all children have access to appropriate educational support, ultimately dissolving the barrier between special educational needs and general educational needs.Professor Joel also emphasies the need for a positive approach to SEN provision, with the universal classroom project aiming to create a collaborative environment where teachers, parents, and children work together to support learning. Claire and Professor Joel also discuss the long-term potential of the project, including reducing the need for formal diagnostic labels, reducing inequalities in SEN provision, improving children's learning outcomes and reducing economic losses.This episode is a must-listen for parents navigating the challenges of the current SEN system and offers a real message of hope for the future of the education system.To find out more about Professor Joel Talcott and his work, visit:Joel's profile - https://research.aston.ac.uk/en/persons/joel-talcottSchool of Psychology - https://www.aston.ac.uk/hls/school-of-psychologyIHN - https://www.aston.ac.uk/research/hls/ihnInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/astonuniversity/

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  59:48
• Kate Peers - My Parenting Story

  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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