The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast

Kate Brownfield

Join Kate Brownfield, ACC, ADHD & Executive Function Parent Coach, author, and host of The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast, as she speaks with leading experts, professionals, and advocates in the ADHD and neurodiversity community. Created for parents raising children with ADHD and related neurodivergent needs, this podcast explores the many layers of ADHD parenting, including emotional regulation, executive function, school support, family dynamics, nervous system regulation, treatment options, and the everyday challenges of helping a child thrive. Kate brings a compassionate, practical, and whole-child perspective to each conversation, helping parents feel more informed, less alone, and better equipped to support their child, themselves, and their family system. Learn more at https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/

  1. 3. Aug.

    ADHD and Sleep: Practical Strategies for Neurodivergent Kids with Dr. Melisa Moore

    Is bedtime one of the hardest parts of your day? For many children with ADHD, autism, or other forms of neurodivergence, sleep struggles are not simply behavioral. Brain biology, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, delayed circadian rhythms, and difficulty transitioning can all make it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake feeling rested. In this episode of The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast, Kate Brownfield, ACC, ADHD Parent Coach, speaks with pediatric sleep expert Dr. Melisa Moore about why traditional sleep advice may not work for neurodivergent children and what parents can do instead. Dr. Moore is a clinical psychologist, board-certified specialist in behavioral sleep medicine, and author of The Good Sleep Guide for Neurodivergent Kids. Drawing from her clinical expertise and her experience raising a neurodivergent child, she explains why persistent sleep challenges are not necessarily defiance or a sign that parents are doing something wrong. Kate and Dr. Moore discuss: • Why ADHD and autism can affect sleep • Delayed circadian rhythms and nighttime bursts of energy • Flexible bedtime routines and visual sleep schedules • Sensory challenges during nighttime routines • Sleep associations and frequent nighttime waking • How screens may affect children differently • Stimulant medication and sleep • Melatonin, magnesium, and other sleep supplements • When to consult a pediatrician or pediatric sleep specialist This conversation offers practical ADHD sleep strategies, a more individualized approach to bedtime, and reassurance for exhausted parents who feel as though they have already tried everything. Learn More About Dr. Melisa Moore https://www.drmelisamoore.com/ The Good Sleep Guide for Neurodivergent Kids https://www.drmelisamoore.com/book ADHD Parent Support Anchor Your ADHD Family A 90-day ADHD parent coaching program with recorded education, live coaching, and an online parent community. Join anytime for $97 total. https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/anchor-your-family-adhd-parent-coaching/ Private ADHD Parent Coaching https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/private-adhd-parent-coaching/ For more ADHD parenting resources and podcast episodes, visit: https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/

  2. 28. Juli

    ADHD Parent Training: What If Your Child Isn’t the First One Who Needs to Change?

    What if your child with ADHD is not the first person who needs to change? When mornings, homework, screens, and bedtime become repeating battles, it is easy to believe your child simply needs more motivation, better behavior, or stronger consequences. But what might change if the parent changed the environment, expectation, or response first? In this episode of The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast, Kate Brownfield, ACC, ADHD Parent Coach, explores what can happen when parents stop waiting for their child with ADHD to be the first one to change. Kate explains how challenges with executive functioning, emotional regulation, transitions, time awareness, motivation, and follow-through can turn ordinary family moments into ongoing power struggles. She shares why adding more reminders, pressure, lectures, or consequences does not necessarily build the skills a child is struggling to access—and may sometimes create more resistance, anxiety, shutdown, or shame. Kate also discusses why ADHD parent training and parent support can be so valuable. It is not because parents are doing something wrong. Raising a child with ADHD often requires a different understanding of behavior and a different set of tools. This episode explores co-regulation, the role of the parent nervous system, and what it means to become the more grounded, anchored adult in the room while still holding boundaries and expectations. Parents are invited to consider a different question when their child is struggling. Instead of asking, “Why won’t my child change?” ask: “What can I change in the environment, expectation, or response that could help my child succeed?” ADHD Parent Support Anchor Your ADHD Family A 90-day ADHD parent coaching program with recorded education, live coaching, and an online parent community. Join anytime for $97 total. https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/anchor-your-family-adhd-parent-coaching/ Private ADHD Parent Coaching https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/private-adhd-parent-coaching/ ADHD Kids Can Thrive https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/ For more ADHD parenting resources, podcast episodes, and support, visit ADHDKidsCanThrive.com.

  3. 2. März

    Understanding PDA in Kids: Demand Avoidance, Anxiety, and the Drive for Autonomy (AuDHD/Autism)

    If your child looks “fine” at school but falls apart at home, melts down over everyday expectations (homework, transitions, getting out the door), or is sliding into school refusal, this episode will help you make sense of what might be going on, especially when autism, AuDHD, and anxiety are part of the picture. On this episode of The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast, host Kate Brownfield sits down with Diane Gould, founder of PDA North America and co-author of Navigating PDA in America, for a grounded, parent-friendly conversation about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) (often reframed as a Pervasive Drive for Autonomy). Diane explains why PDA is best understood through a nervous system lens (not “defiance”), why many traditional behavior plans can backfire, and what actually helps kids who experience everyday demands as a threat response. This episode is especially helpful if you’ve heard “PDA” mentioned in an evaluation, therapy, or online, and you’re trying to understand what’s real, what’s misunderstood, and what supports are most effective at home and at school. In this episode, we cover: What PDA is and how the definition has evolved (and why there’s still debate) Why PDA often overlaps with autism and/or ADHD and why it’s frequently missed or mislabeled PDA vs. ODD: how “oppositional” behavior can look similar on the surface but be driven by something very different underneath The common pattern of masking at school and meltdowns or shutdowns at home, and why parents are often told, “They’re an angel here.” Why school refusal is so common for PDA kids (and what Diane is seeing in families today) Why rewards, consequences, sticker charts, strict routines, and compliance-based strategies often don’t work and what to try instead The role of relationship, trust, and co-regulation, especially as kids get older and school support gets more fragmented Practical ways parents can reduce stress, protect the nervous system, and support learning without crushing autonomy What PDA can look like in adulthood and why support systems and interdependence matter Resources mentioned PDA North America (website): https://pdanorthamerica.org/ Diane Gould: https://dianegouldtherapy.com/ Book: Navigating PDA in America (Diane Gould & Ruth Fidler): Amazon Link Kate / ADHD Kids Can Thrive: https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/   Enjoyed this episode? Follow, rate, and share with a parent who needs a clearer, calmer framework for PDA, demand avoidance, school refusal, autonomy needs, and nervous system support.

  4. 16. Feb.

    Hooked: ADHD, Sports Betting, and One Young Man’s Fight for Recovery

    If you’re noticing sports betting, fantasy leagues, or “just for fun” gambling creeping into your teen or young adult’s world, especially with ADHD in the mix, this episode is an important listen. Modern betting is fast, private, and built for dopamine… and for some ADHD brains, that combination can become a slippery slope. Host Kate Brownfield sits down with Saul Malek, an emerging voice on the modern gambling landscape, for a candid conversation about how gambling addiction can escalate quickly, why kids with ADHD may be more vulnerable, and what parents can do to support their child without enabling. Saul shares his personal story: diagnosed with ADHD at age four, pulled in through fantasy sports, and how the shift to digital betting and easy credit accelerated everything, costing him sleep, money, relationships, and nearly his life. Today, he’s been abstinent for more than 5 years and on a mission to educate families and communities. In this episode, we cover: Why ADHD can increase risk for addiction (impulsivity, stimulation-seeking, time blindness) How sports betting evolves from “fun” to compulsion, especially when it’s accessible 24/7 The role of secrecy, shame, and chasing losses (and what it can look like at home) What helped Saul recover: structure, community, accountability, and ongoing support How parents can set boundaries, offer support, and avoid enabling, especially with older teens/young adults Where to start if you’re concerned: meetings, specialized therapy, and reputable resources Connect to Saul Malek: https://www.saulmalek.com/ Resources mentioned: Gamblers Anonymous (in-person + virtual), gamblersinrecovery.com, and the National Council on Problem Gambling   Connect with Kate, certified ADHD/Executive Function Parent Coach: ADHDKidsCanThrive.com    Enjoyed this episode? Follow, rate, and share with a parent who needs practical, protective guidance for today’s digital world.

  5. 2. Feb.

    When Reading Is Hard: Dyslexia, Visual Processing & ADHD Support (with Diane Gutierrez)

    If reading turns into tears, avoidance, or exhaustion in your home, this episode offers a fresh, practical angle: instead of forcing the brain to adjust to the text, what if the text adjusted to your child? Host Kate Brownfield sits down with Diane Gutierrez (co-founder of Cognition Labs and a mom in a neurodiverse family) for a two-part conversation on reducing reading strain for dyslexia/visual-perceptual differences, and on real-life parenting strategies for ADHD families. Diane shares how adjustable text tools can lower cognitive load and improve comprehension, plus the lived wisdom that helped her family navigate school, stress, mental health, and the long haul of raising kids with ADHD and dyslexia. In this episode, we cover: Why “the text should adjust to us” (and how that supports comprehension + reduces fatigue) How Cognition Labs transforms books, PDFs, notes, and scanned images with 15+ adjustable settings Tools families use most: syllabication support, confusable-letter fixes (b/d/p/q), and visual settings that reduce strain Why these supports may help kids with ADHD, by reducing cognitive load during reading Parenting wisdom from a home where ADHD affects nearly everyone: meaning over pressure, consistency over perfection, rest as a requirement When to consider therapy/coaching support and why it’s okay to switch if it’s not the right fit Advocacy and testing: how understanding a child’s brain can change the path forward Resources mentioned: Cognition Labs: https://www.cognitionlabs.com/ Connect with Kate, certified ADHD/Executive Function Parent Coach: ADHDKidsCanThrive.com | Coaching inquiries: https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/appointment/ Enjoyed this episode? Follow, rate, and share with a parent who could use practical, hopeful tools.

  6. 30. Jan.

    Julia Ross on Amino Acids, Mood, Cravings, and Attention: Practical Nutrition Ideas for ADHD Families

    If you’ve ever wondered whether there are nutrition-based supports to consider when ADHD brings big swings in mood, sleep, cravings, irritability, or focus, especially when medication isn’t preferred, isn’t available, or you’re looking for complementary tools, this episode offers a practical, hopeful starting point. Host Kate Brownfield sits down with Julia Ross, M.A., N.N.T.S., best-selling author of The Mood Cure, for a grounded conversation about nutritional psychiatry and the role targeted nutrients (including amino acids) may play in supporting attention, stress, sleep, and emotional regulation.   In this episode, we cover: Why foundational nutrition (especially steady fuel + breakfast) can matter for mood, attention, and regulation How Julia’s work in addiction recovery led her toward nutrient therapy and “brain chemistry” support The amino acids discussed in The Mood Cure and how they’re framed as potential supports for stress, sleep, cravings, and focus (with a strong emphasis on going slowly and listening to the body) Why blood sugar dips (hypoglycemia) can show up as irritability, anxiety, “hangry” meltdowns, and intense sugar cravings, especially after school How to think about trialing changes cautiously, including the importance of collaborating with a licensed clinician (especially for kids and anyone on medication) Why parents deserve support too, because caregiver stress and sleep matter in the whole family system Resources mentioned: JuliaRossCures.com   Important note: This episode is educational and is not medical advice. Always consult a licensed clinician before starting supplements or making medication changes, especially for children. Connect with Kate, certified ADHD/Executive Function Parent Coach |Whole Person Approach:  ADHDKidsCanThrive.com   Enjoyed this episode? Follow, rate, and share with a parent who could use practical, hopeful tools.

  7. 03.11.2025

    Step Away: Resilient Parenting Strategies for ADHD Families

    Host: Kate Brownfield, Certified Whole Person & ADHD Parent Coach Guest: Dr. Kate Lund, clinical psychologist, peak performance coach, TEDx speaker, and author of Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting Episode Overview In this empowering “Kate + Kate” episode, Kate talks with Dr. Kate Lund about what resilient parenting really looks like when you’re raising kids with ADHD, big emotions, or health challenges. Drawing from her own medical journey (hydrocephalus as a child), 20+ years as a psychologist, and parenting 18-year-old twins, Dr. Lund explains resilience not as “pushing through,” but as a lifestyle: managing your stress response daily so you can ride the waves of homework battles, morning chaos, and dysregulated kids. She teaches a simple, science-backed tool, the Relaxation Response, that parents can practice for 5 minutes in the morning and at night to lower reactivity, model calmness, and create a more regulated home. Suppose your baseline feels higher than that of other parents because your child is more intense or more dysregulated. In that case, this episode will help you stop comparing, honor your unique context, and build steadiness that you can actually sustain. What We Talk About (Highlights) Resilience as a lifestyle Managing your stress response The Relaxation Response (Herbert Benson) Modeling regulation Avoiding the comparison trap “Step away” moments Ripple effect for ADHD families: Calm first, then coach skills Resources & Links Guest: Dr. Kate Lund https://www.katelundspeaks.com/ Book: Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting https://www.katelundspeaks.com/book About Your Host, Kate I’m Kate Brownfield, Certified Whole Person & ADHD Parent Coach, author of How We Roll: A Parent’s Journey Raising a Child with ADHD, and host of The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast. I help parents understand ADHD through a whole-person lens—because every child is unique, and so is every family. 🌐 Find me: ADHDKidsCanThrive.com Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast Share this with a parent who’s parenting from a high baseline and needs a 5-minute tool today 💛

Info

Join Kate Brownfield, ACC, ADHD & Executive Function Parent Coach, author, and host of The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast, as she speaks with leading experts, professionals, and advocates in the ADHD and neurodiversity community. Created for parents raising children with ADHD and related neurodivergent needs, this podcast explores the many layers of ADHD parenting, including emotional regulation, executive function, school support, family dynamics, nervous system regulation, treatment options, and the everyday challenges of helping a child thrive. Kate brings a compassionate, practical, and whole-child perspective to each conversation, helping parents feel more informed, less alone, and better equipped to support their child, themselves, and their family system. Learn more at https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/

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