Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD

Dana Kay
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Here is a place where you will learn how to address your child's ADHD symptoms naturally so you can stop walking on eggshells & bring back peace & calm to your home. Hosted Dana Kay, board certified health & nutrition practitioner, author of the best selling book Thriving with ADHD, leading ADHD expert but most importantly a mom with a child with ADHD who gets it. As a mother of a child with ADHD, she knows firsthand the struggles that come with parenting a neurodiverse child & the freedom that is possible once parents learn to reduce ADHD symptoms. Dana has been featured in Forbes, on Fox & CBS, & various other online media. She has also been a guest at multiple parenting & ADHD summits & podcasts. Her goal with the Soaring child is to give hope & answers to parents of children with ADHD who are looking for alternative (natural) and effective means of helping them learn to thrive at home, at school, and in life. Because children with ADHD deserve to soar, just like every other child.

  1. 7 hr ago

    215: Is Toxic Load Making ADHD Symptoms Worse?

    What if your child's ADHD symptoms are being made worse because of the toxic load they are carrying? In this episode, Dana Kay continues the functional lab testing series by exploring toxic load, including mold toxins, heavy metals, and everyday environmental chemicals that can quietly build up in the body and impact symptoms. Dana explains the Total Tox Panel, a urine test that looks at three important areas: mold toxins, heavy metals, and environmental chemicals. Using her memorable "trash can" analogy, she explains how the body is designed to clear waste and toxins, but many children with ADHD struggle to empty that trash can effectively. When the body's detox pathways are overwhelmed, the result can be inflammation, nervous system stress, brain fog, mood swings, hyperactivity, and poor regulation. This episode helps parents understand why symptoms may not fully shift even after cleaning up the diet, supporting the gut, and adding nutrients. For families who feel like they have tried everything, toxic load may be one of the missing layers worth exploring. Dana shares what she has seen after working with over 1,600 children with ADHD and explains why testing can help parents move from guessing to seeing what is actually going on inside the body. LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Order Lab Tests Here - https://adhdthriveinstitute.wellproz.com/patient/home ADHD Thrive Institute: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ Dana Kay: https://dana-kay.com/ Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass: https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl Thriving with ADHD Book: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/ ADHD Parenting Course: https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd KEY TAKEAWAYS [00:00] ADHD symptoms may not only be connected to food, nutrients, or gut health. Toxic load from heavy metals, mold toxins, and everyday chemicals may also play a role. [01:29] Toxic load is especially worth exploring when families have already cleaned up the diet, supported the gut, and added nutrients, but symptoms still are not fully shifting. [01:56] The Total Tox Panel is a urine test that looks at three key areas: mold toxins, heavy metals, and environmental chemicals. [02:25] Dana introduces the "trash can" analogy to explain how toxins, food choices, medication, sugar, bacteria, viruses, and other stressors can build up in the body. [03:24] Many children with ADHD may not be clearing toxins efficiently, causing the "trash can" to overflow and contribute to inflammation, stress, brain fog, mood swings, inattention, and hyperactivity. [04:20] Dana shares a real example of a child whose test showed high mold toxins, thallium, BPA, and glyphosate, showing how multiple toxic stressors can layer together. [07:34] ADHD symptoms are often layered, and toxic load may be one of the missing pieces for families who feel like they have tried everything. MEMORABLE MOMENTS "What if your child's ADHD symptoms were not just about food or nutrients or even gut health, but about what their body is carrying?" "For some kids, it can quietly build up and start to affect how they think, how they feel, and how they behave." "Families are doing the right things. They clean up the diet, they support the gut, they add in nutrients, and they see some improvements. But it does not fully shift." "We all have a metaphorical trash can in our body, and as we go through life, the trash can it gets filled up." "Working with over 1600 kids with ADHD is that a lot of these kiddos, they're not emptying their trash cans properly." "The brain is under stress, and that shows up as the things parents are dealing with every single day." "I do not like to guess. I want to see what is actually going on inside the body." DANA KAY RESOURCES 🔗 WEBSITES: Order Lab Tests Here - https://adhdthriveinstitute.wellproz.com/patient/home  https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ https://dana-kay.com/ 👋 SOCIALS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute 📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK: Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ 💻 FREE MASTERCLASS: Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl ⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS: ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

    10 min

  2. 25 Jun

    214: Is Your Child's ADHD Actually a Gut Issue?

    What if your child's ADHD symptoms had less to do with their brain, and more to do with what is living in their gut? In this episode, Dana Kay continues the functional lab testing series by unpacking one of the most overlooked drivers of ADHD symptoms: gut health. She explains how hidden infections, yeast overgrowth, parasites, gut inflammation, poor digestion, immune activation, and imbalanced bacteria can all place stress on the body, even when a child has no obvious stomach complaints. Dana also explains the difference between the Organic Acid Test and a comprehensive stool test, using the "smelling smoke" analogy to show why both tests can be helpful in different ways. The OAT may reveal downstream clues that something is off, while the stool test can help identify what may actually be sitting in the gut and contributing to that stress. This episode gives parents a practical, hopeful way to look beneath behavior and focus struggles. Instead of asking, "What is wrong with my child's behavior?" Dana encourages parents to ask, "What is stressing my child's system?" For families who feel like they have tried everything, this conversation offers a clearer way to understand the gut-brain connection and why targeted testing can help reduce the guesswork. LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Order Lab Tests Here - https://adhdthriveinstitute.wellproz.com/patient/home Websites: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ and https://dana-kay.com/ Thriving with ADHD Book: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ ADHD Fast Class : https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl ADHD Parenting Course: https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/ KEY TAKEAWAYS [00:00] A child's ADHD symptoms may be connected to hidden gut issues, even when there are no obvious stomach complaints. [01:26] Gut health is about much more than digestion. It affects the immune system, nervous system, mood, behavior, focus, hormones, and detoxification. [01:55] The gut is constantly communicating with the brain, so when something is off in the gut, the brain can feel the effects. [02:24] The Organic Acid Test shows downstream metabolic clues, while a stool test helps identify what may actually be present in the gut. [04:21] A comprehensive stool test can look at bacteria, yeast, parasites, viruses, H. pylori, inflammation, digestion, and other gut markers. [04:50] Gut stress can show up as behavior, mood, sleep issues, focus problems, and sensory sensitivity before it ever shows up as digestive symptoms. [07:07] Yeast overgrowth does not cause ADHD, but it can be one reason symptoms are not improving. [09:55] Testing helps parents stop guessing and start making targeted decisions based on what is actually stressing their child's system. MEMORABLE MOMENTS "What if your child's ADHD symptoms had nothing to do with their brain? And everything to do with what is living in their gut?" "Your child might not have a single stomach complaint." "When something is off in the gut, the brain feels it big time." "It's like walking into your house and smelling smoke." "The gut shows up in behaviour and symptoms long before it actually shows up in the in the bathroom." "Instead of asking, what is wrong with my child's behavior? We have to ask what is stressing their gut, their system." "Not because the brain is the problem, but because the brain is responding to what's happening in the gut." "They're not just ADHD symptoms. They're body issues that are showing up as ADHD symptoms." DANA KAY RESOURCES 🔗 WEBSITES: Order Lab Tests Here - https://adhdthriveinstitute.wellproz.com/patient/home  https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ https://dana-kay.com/ 👋 SOCIALS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute 📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK: Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ 💻 FREE MASTERCLASS: Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl ⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS: ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

    12 min

  3. 18 Jun

    213: Stop Guessing: The Test That Finds Hidden ADHD Triggers

    What if your child's ADHD symptoms were not just a behavior problem, but a metabolic issue happening underneath the surface? In this episode, Dana Kay explains how the Organic Acid Test, often called the OAT test, can offer a deeper look at how a child's body is functioning, from nutrient processing and neurotransmitter pathways to gut overgrowth, detox stress, mitochondrial function, and more. This episode is part of Dana's functional lab testing series, and it goes one layer deeper than food sensitivities, gut issues, or nutrient loss. Dana explains why some families can be doing "all the right things," like cleaning up the diet, removing triggers, and adding supplements, yet still feel stuck. The missing piece may not be what to add or remove. It may be whether the body is actually processing things the way it should. Dana walks parents through the six key areas the Organic Acid Test can help illuminate, including microbial overgrowth, mitochondrial function, neurotransmitter pathways, toxic exposure, methylation and detoxification, and functional nutrient needs. Most importantly, she explains why this test can help bridge the gap between symptoms and function, giving families a clearer, more targeted path forward. LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Order Lab Tests Here - https://adhdthriveinstitute.wellproz.com/patient/home ADHD Thrive Institute Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ Dana Kay Website: https://dana-kay.com/ Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass: https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl Thriving with ADHD Book: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ KEY TAKEAWAYS [00:00] ADHD symptoms may not only be behavioral. They may be connected to deeper metabolic issues happening underneath the surface. [01:29] Some families still feel stuck even after improving diet, removing triggers, and adding supplements because the body may not be processing things properly. [01:59] The Organic Acid Test, or OAT test, is a urine test that looks at organic acids, which are byproducts of metabolism. [02:27] Organic acids act like "metabolic breadcrumbs," offering clues about energy production, detoxification, neurotransmitters, and gut microbes. [03:18] The OAT test can help show where systems are struggling and where things are breaking down in the body. [03:43] Dana emphasizes that patterns matter more than one isolated out-of-range marker. [04:37] Gut and microbial overgrowth can produce toxins that may affect the brain and contribute to mood swings, hyperactivity, sensory issues, aggression, and poor focus. [05:03] Mitochondrial function matters because low cellular energy can show up as brain fog, low motivation, poor resilience, and overwhelm. [05:33] The test can give insight into neurotransmitter pathways like dopamine and serotonin, which are connected to focus, motivation, mood, and calm. [08:00] The biggest takeaway: traditional labs often look for disease, while the OAT test looks at dysfunction, helping parents better understand the whole-body picture. MEMORABLE MOMENTS "What if your child's ADHD symptoms were not just a behavior problem, but a metabolic issue happening underneath the surface?" "There is a test that can show you all of that from one simple urine sample." "Parents are doing everything right, they're cleaning up the diet, they're removing triggers, they're adding some supplements, and yet their child is still struggling." "The missing question is not always what should we add or remove. It is, is the body actually processing things?" "It's leaving behind these little sort of metabolic breadcrumbs." "It's not just telling us what is happening, it's telling us where things are breaking down in the body." "But the patterns are the more important thing." "You cannot fix neurotransmitters if the body does not have the nutrients or the pathways to make them properly." "This test looks at dysfunction." "You can stop guessing, you can stop jumping from one thing to the next, and you can start making sort of these really targeted decisions." DANA KAY RESOURCES 🔗 WEBSITES: Order Lab Tests Here - https://adhdthriveinstitute.wellproz.com/patient/home  https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ https://dana-kay.com/ 👋 SOCIALS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute 📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK: Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ 💻 FREE MASTERCLASS: Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl ⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS: ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

    11 min

  4. 11 Jun

    212: Is a Zinc & B6 Deficiency Making ADHD Symptoms Worse?

    Your child may be losing the very nutrients their brain needs to function at its best, and when that happens, it can show up as exacerbated ADHD symptoms. In this episode of  the Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay uncovers one of the most overlooked underlying stressors of persistent ADHD symptoms, a condition where key nutrients like zinc and vitamin B6 are literally being depleted before the body can use them. Continuing the functional lab testing series, Dana breaks down the Kryptopyrrole (Pyroluria) test in a way that finally makes sense. She explains how this hidden imbalance can impact mood, emotional regulation, stress tolerance, focus, and even behavior, and why so many families never hear about it through traditional channels. You'll learn how this condition creates a cycle of nutrient loss and symptom flare-ups, the common signs to look for, and why even the best diet or supplement routine may not work if this piece is missing.  LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Lab Testing Access: https://adhdthriveinstitute.wellproz.com/patient/home Dana Kay Website: https://dana-kay.com/ Free ADHD Masterclass: https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/ Dana Kay Book – Thriving with ADHD: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ KEY TAKEAWAYS [00:00] Why kids can still struggle even with the "right" diet and supplements [01:10] Introducing the Cryptopyrrole (Pyroluria) test [02:05] How the body can lose nutrients faster than it uses them [03:20] What HPL is and how it binds to zinc and B6 [05:10] Why zinc and B6 are critical for ADHD symptoms [07:00] The two main drivers: genetics and oxidative stress [09:10] The cycle of stress, inflammation, and nutrient depletion [11:20] Why this test is rarely run but highly relevant for ADHD [13:00] The surprising prevalence of elevated pyroles in ADHD kids [15:10] Common signs parents may notice at home [18:00] Why testing is essential before supplementing [20:15] How treatment is personalized and not one-size-fits-all [22:10] Timeline for seeing improvements after addressing pyroles [24:00] Why this is one piece of a bigger root-cause puzzle [26:30] How functional testing builds a complete picture over time MEMORABLE MOMENTS "What if your child is taking the right supplements… and still struggling because their body is literally dumping the nutrients they need?" "What if their body is not holding on to those nutrients in the first place?" "This compound comes along and hijacks them… and pulls them out of circulation." "Now those nutrients… they're gone." "Zinc and B6 are so critical for mood, emotional regulation, and focus." "You have more nutrient loss, more symptoms, and more stress on the body." "In the general population it's about 3%, but in my ADHD clients it's closer to 40%." "This is not rare in the ADHD world… it's just rarely tested." "When I heard this list, it was like a light bulb went off." "I do not want you guessing. I want data." "Sometimes addressing pyroles alone can create massive shifts." "It's not the only piece… but it can be a really important one." DANA KAY RESOURCES 🔗 WEBSITES: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ https://dana-kay.com/ 👋 SOCIALS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute 📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK: Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ 💻 FREE MASTERCLASS: Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0 ⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:  ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

    12 min

  5. 3 Jun

    211: Two Tests That Change Everything for ADHD Families

    Normal labs don't always mean everything is where it should be. That's the frustrating part for many parents. They go to the doctor, get some tests run, but leave with "everything looks fine" even when their child is still struggling. It leaves many parents wondering: Where do we look next? In this episode, Dana Kay breaks down why traditional testing often misses the real problem, and how functional lab testing can uncover the hidden stressors driving ADHD symptoms. Dana shares how shifting from guessing to testing completely changed the trajectory for her own son, and how it's now helping thousands of families get real answers. You'll learn how inflammation, gut health, and immune responses can impact focus, mood, and behavior, even when standard tests say everything is "fine." She walks you through two of the most powerful starting points, the Wheat Zoomer and food sensitivity testing, explaining what they actually measure, why they matter, and how they can reveal deeper issues like leaky gut, hidden food reactions, and even opioid-like responses to gluten. If you've ever felt like something isn't adding up with your child's ADHD symptoms, this episode will help you finally connect the dots and understand what's really going on beneath the surface. LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Wheat Zoomer & Lab Testing Access: https://adhdthriveinstitute.wellproz.com/patient/home Dana Kay Website: https://dana-kay.com/ Free ADHD Masterclass: https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/ Dana Kay Book – Thriving with ADHD: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ KEY TAKEAWAYS [00:00] Why "normal" lab results don't match what you're seeing at home [01:15] The shift from guessing to testing, and why it changes everything [02:10] Traditional testing vs functional testing, what's being missed [03:20] How inflammation and overload drive ADHD symptoms [05:10] What the Wheat Zoomer actually measures beyond celiac testing [07:30] How leaky gut contributes to focus, mood, and behavior challenges [10:05] Why gluten reactions can still exist even with negative tests [13:40] The role of opioid-like compounds from gluten in behavior and cravings [16:20] Why gluten-free doesn't always mean symptom-free [18:05] Food sensitivities vs food allergies, and why they're often missed [21:30] How gut damage leads to developing new food sensitivities [24:10] Why removing foods alone isn't enough without addressing root causes [27:00] How testing gives clarity and direction instead of guesswork [29:10] What's coming next in the lab testing series MEMORABLE MOMENTS "Everything looks normal on the lab work… but this doesn't feel normal because you're living it." "Once I started testing instead of guessing, that's when everything got clearer." "Most traditional testing is looking for disease. It's not looking for dysfunction." "ADHD is very often a dysfunction problem before it becomes anything diagnosable." "It's like taking a magnifying glass to wheat, to gluten, and to the gut all at once." "Food is like a giant Lego masterpiece… and this test zooms in on the tiny pieces." "These compounds can act almost like a drug in the brain." "Gluten-free does not always mean wheat-free." "Food sensitivities are delayed, and that's what makes them so sneaky." "Food sensitivities are often not the starting point… they're the result."  "I don't want you wasting your money guessing what foods to remove." "This is where things start to add up, because now you're not guessing anymore." DANA KAY RESOURCES 🔗 WEBSITES: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ https://dana-kay.com/ 👋 SOCIALS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute 📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK: Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ 💻 FREE MASTERCLASS: Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0 ⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:  ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

    17 min

  6. 27 May

    210: Your ADHD Child Isn't Defiant. Their Body May Be in Survival Mode

    A child screaming over shoes, melting down after school, or exploding over a tiny disappointment may look defiant from the outside. But in this episode, Dana Kay explains why many ADHD behaviors are not simply "bad behavior," attention-seeking, or manipulation. Often, they are signs of a nervous system under stress. Dana shares one of the biggest mindset shifts she  had as both a practitioner and a parent: behavior is usually the last thing happening in the chain. Underneath the meltdown may be blood sugar crashes, gut inflammation, food sensitivities, poor sleep, mouth breathing, nutrient deficiencies, or chronic inflammation. When those stressors stack, the brain and body can shift into survival mode. In this solo episode, Dana walks parents through the biology beneath ADHD behavior, including why after-school meltdowns are so common, how the gut-brain connection can affect mood and focus, and why stable fuel matters for emotional regulation. Most importantly, she reminds parents that understanding biology does not mean removing boundaries. It means learning to respond with more clarity, compassion, and strategy. LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ https://dana-kay.com/ https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/ KEY TAKEAWAYS [00:44] Dana introduces the idea that the child may not be fighting the parent. Their body may be fighting to survive. [01:47] Dana sets up one of the biggest mindset shifts she has had as both a practitioner and a parent. [02:10] Behavior is usually the last thing happening in the chain, which means parents need to ask what is happening underneath it. [02:46] Many ADHD kids are carrying a heavy stress load, and when the body is overloaded, behavior can fall apart. [02:54] Dana shares the Costco meltdown story with her son Oliver and how it became a turning point in how she viewed his reactions. [04:47] When a child's nervous system is overloaded, the brain can shift into survival mode quickly. [06:49] Signs like hunger meltdowns, after-school crashes, tiny disappointments feeling huge, and fast mood shifts are not random. [07:01] After-school meltdowns are often a clue that a child has been masking and holding everything together all day. [08:44] Dana explains that ADHD symptoms often have stacked stressors underneath them, including blood sugar crashes, gut inflammation, food sensitivities, mouth breathing, nutrient deficiencies, and chronic inflammation. [10:06] Stable fuel matters because the brain cannot regulate properly when blood sugar is crashing. [10:13] Dana explains why the gut-brain connection is one of the biggest light bulb moments in understanding ADHD symptoms. [11:57] Understanding biology does not mean removing boundaries. It changes how parents interpret and respond to behavior. [12:43] Dana encourages parents to start simple by looking for patterns instead of reacting immediately. [15:05] Dana closes with the reminder that a child is not broken. Their behavior is communication. MEMORABLE MOMENTS "Their body may be fighting to survive." "But behavior is usually the last thing happening in the chain." "And when the body is overloaded, behavior goes out the window." "His reactions, they weren't random, you know, and that realization changed everything." "Those aren't random." "Home is the place, their body, their nervous system finally feels safe enough to unravel." "If the brain does not have stable fuel, it can't regulate properly." "Just because symptoms are showing up behaviorally doesn't mean the root issue is purely behavioral." DANA KAY RESOURCES 🔗 WEBSITES: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ https://dana-kay.com/ 👋 SOCIALS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute 📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK: Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ 💻 FREE MASTERCLASS: Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0 ⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:  ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

    16 min

  7. 20 May

    209: ADHD Focus Skills with Dr. Norrine Russell

    Most advice about focus sounds simple: give them breaks, reduce distractions, use a timer, etc.  But for many kids with ADHD, the real struggle is not "focus" as one big thing. It is the tiny moments inside focus: starting, staying with it, transitioning, managing frustration, and not shutting down halfway through. In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, Dana Kay sits down with Dr. Norrine Russell, founder of Russell Coaching for Students and creator of Connected Coaching, to talk about the practical micro-skills behind focus. Dr. Russell explains why telling a child to "just focus" often backfires, and what parents can do instead to support executive functioning in a way that actually helps. Parents will learn how to shrink the starting point, reduce cognitive load, use presence without hovering, support emotional regulation with empathy, and create simple systems like whiteboards and second screens. This conversation is full of practical, doable strategies for helping kids move from stuck and overwhelmed to supported and capable. LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Russell Coaching: https://russellcoaching.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russellcoachingllc/ ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety, Breaking Out of the Box podcast Asking the Right Questions Before, During, and After Your Child's ADHD Diagnosis KEY TAKEAWAYS [00:00] Most focus advice is too general and misses the specific moments where ADHD kids get stuck. [01:00] Focus is made up of smaller skills, and when one small skill is missing, the whole process can fall apart. [03:07] Dr. Russell explains the executive functioning skills behind focus, including starting, transitioning, sustained attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation. [06:14] Parents can help children begin by shrinking the starting point into one tiny, doable action. [07:59] Support should change with age, moving from direct guidance in younger years to internalized skills in older children. [09:30] Hovering increases stress and does not build self-regulation. [09:59] Parents can support focus by being visible but silent, then gradually moving farther away as the child matures. [12:59] Empathy is often the most helpful tool when a child becomes frustrated or overwhelmed. [16:11] Asking whether a child wants to be heard or helped can prevent over-helping and build problem-solving skills. [17:28] Reducing cognitive load is key, and a large whiteboard can help kids get thoughts, assignments, and goals out of their heads. [20:16] A second screen can reduce working memory demands for students using a laptop. [21:06] Sometimes the missing piece is not another strategy, but more time, support, acceptance, and brain maturation. [23:24] Texting can be a helpful way to communicate with children and teens in a way that gives them space to process and respond. MEMORABLE MOMENTS "Your child isn't struggling with focus sort of in general, they're struggling with very specific moments." "Focus isn't just one skill. It's a series of really small skills stacked together." "The least helpful thing that a parent can do is say something like, just focus, just get started." "Attention is like a muscle." "Shrink the starting point. Shrink the starting point." "Hovering is not helpful. Hovering is not helpful." "So you want to be visible, but silent." "Our number one tool really when our kids are frustrated is empathy." "Right, heard, helped, or hugged." "You can't rush development. You can't rush brain maturation." DANA KAY RESOURCES 🔗 WEBSITES: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ https://dana-kay.com/ 👋 SOCIALS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute 📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK: Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ 💻 FREE MASTERCLASS: Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0 ⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:  ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

    30 min

  8. 13 May

    208: Is Sugar Driving Your Child's ADHD Symptoms? with Mike Collins

    What if sugar isn't just making your child "a little hyper" but actually changing how their brain functions? In this episode of The Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay sits down with Mike Collins, a leading expert in sugar addiction and recovery, to unpack what sugar is really doing inside your child's brain. With over 40 years of experience and tens of thousands of detoxes behind him, Mike shares why sugar may be far more than a harmless treat and how it can impact focus, mood, impulse control, and behavior in ways most parents have never been told. You'll hear eye-opening insights on how sugar affects dopamine and the brain's reward system, why cravings can feel impossible to control, and what makes sugar uniquely addictive compared to other substances. Dana also brings this conversation back to real life, helping parents understand how to recognize signs of sugar sensitivity in their child and what to do next. If you've ever wondered whether sugar could be playing a bigger role in your child's ADHD symptoms, this episode will give you practical next steps. LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW https://sugaraddiction.com/ https://sugardetox.com/ https://quitsugarsummit.com/ CONNECT WITH MIKE COLLINS Website:  https://sugarfreeman.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realsugarfreeman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSugarFreeMan/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SugarAddiction Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sugaraddictionsupport/  KEY TAKEAWAYS [00:01] Sudden behavior changes after sugar exposure [03:36] Introduction to sugar addiction and Mike Collins' work [04:30] Is sugar addiction real? [05:48] Brain function improvements after reducing sugar [08:11] Rise of metabolic psychiatry [09:45] Sugar as a neurotoxin [13:22] How modern fruit differs from historical fruit [15:05] Signs of sugar sensitivity in children [17:01] Dopamine-driven behavior explained [18:34] Why cravings are not about taste [21:04] Sugar vs other addictions [24:07] Dopamine and intermittent reward systems  MEMORABLE MOMENTS "What if sugar isn't just a treat? What if it's actually driving ADHD symptoms?" "I believe sugar causes ADHD." "Their brain came back online." "Sugar is a neurotoxin." "That is the worst thing on the planet… craving with no peace." "They're not looking for a sweet taste. They're looking for dopamine." "The science has outpaced the public's understanding." "They're not looking for the behavior… they're looking for the dopamine hit." DANA KAY RESOURCES 🔗 WEBSITES: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/ https://dana-kay.com/ 👋 SOCIALS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute 📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK: Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/ 💻 FREE MASTERCLASS: Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0 ⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:  ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

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About

Here is a place where you will learn how to address your child's ADHD symptoms naturally so you can stop walking on eggshells & bring back peace & calm to your home. Hosted Dana Kay, board certified health & nutrition practitioner, author of the best selling book Thriving with ADHD, leading ADHD expert but most importantly a mom with a child with ADHD who gets it. As a mother of a child with ADHD, she knows firsthand the struggles that come with parenting a neurodiverse child & the freedom that is possible once parents learn to reduce ADHD symptoms. Dana has been featured in Forbes, on Fox & CBS, & various other online media. She has also been a guest at multiple parenting & ADHD summits & podcasts. Her goal with the Soaring child is to give hope & answers to parents of children with ADHD who are looking for alternative (natural) and effective means of helping them learn to thrive at home, at school, and in life. Because children with ADHD deserve to soar, just like every other child.

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