All Aboard ADHD

Claire Quigley Ward
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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.

  1. My ADHD Story - Battling Menopause

    HACE 4 D

    My ADHD Story - Battling Menopause

    Is it "just menopause", or has your ADHD brain reached a tipping point? In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Sharon Worth, Menopause and ADHD Coach, plus co-author of the book Meno-Wars: Battling the Menopause with ADHD. Sharon shares her own powerful journey of being diagnosed with ADHD at 49 and autism at 51, after the hormonal shifts of perimenopause made her lifelong "mask" finally slip. For many women, the transition into midlife isn’t just about hot flushes; it can also be the stage where ADHD symptoms, which may have been managed or masked for decades, suddenly feel far more overwhelming. Sharon and Claire explore why this happens, the role hormones play, and how women can navigate this complex “tipping point” with greater clarity, understanding and far less shame. They discuss: 🧪 The Oestrogen-Dopamine Connection: the biological link between hormones and brain chemistry, where falling oestrogen levels can disrupt dopamine regulation, making ADHD symptoms more noticeable 🎭 The Collapse of the Mask: why perimenopause often acts as a "tipping point" where the coping mechanisms women have used for years to mask their struggles, no longer work 📉 The Diagnostic Challenge: navigating a medical system that often attributes ADHD symptoms to “just the menopause” 💊 The Medication Puzzle: why ADHD medication and HRT may need re-evaluating in midlife, as symptoms change during perimenopause 🏥 Self-Advocacy at GP Appointments: practical advice for women on how to prepare for doctor’s appointments, including using tracking tools and symptom lists 🩷 Strategies for the ‘Meno Wars’: lifestyle, rest and exercise strategies to help manage midlife overwhelm, alongside adjusting expectations around productivity and capacity ✨ Finding Self-Compassion: moving from feeling like you’re “falling apart” to understanding the changes in your brain and body, while learning how acceptance and support can ease this stage of life This conversation is a vital roadmap for any woman feeling lost in the fog of midlife. It is a reminder that you aren't "broken", it’s a reminder that you are navigating a significant neurological and hormonal shift that requires a new set of tools, greater understanding and a lot of self-kindness. 🎧 Listen to Sharon's “My ADHD Story - Battling Perimenopause" to understand why things feel harder, and how to find your way back to yourself. Further resources and links: Find out more about Sharon’s work here: https://sharonworthcoaching.com/ Read Meno-Wars: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meno-Wars-Battling-menopause-ADHD-comorbidities/dp/1919340602/ Read The Menopause Brain https://www.amazon.co.uk/Menopause-Brain-Empowering-Knowledge-Confidence/dp/1838957499/  ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

    40 min
  2. ADHD & OCD

    17 ABR

    ADHD & OCD

    What does OCD look like in children and how can we spot when it overlaps with ADHD? In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Professor Per Hove Thomsen, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and one of the world's leading experts on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in young people. Together, they explore what OCD actually is, how it affects family life, and why it sometimes occurs alongside ADHD. They discuss: 💭 The 'Sticky Brain' of OCD, where distressing thoughts repeat uncontrollably despite an awareness they are absurd or irrational.  🧠 How the term “OCD” is often misused casually - moving beyond the casual use of the term to understand how true obsessions and compulsions work, and how they differ from normal childhood rituals. 🙉 The “Pull-Yourself-Together” Myth: why people with OCD can't simply choose to stop listening to their thoughts. How the shameful, frightening, or taboo nature of these thoughts can make it hard for children to open up and can often cause families to keep the condition hidden. 🔍︎How to spot early signs of OCD in children, for example behaviour changes such as taking longer the bathroom washing their hands, or experiencing difficulty joining family meals due to food-related fears. 🤔Understanding OCD as “A Disorder of Doubt” - how a child’s inner experience of insecurity and fear drives their cycle of obsessions and compulsions. 🤝 The Surprising Overlap: exploring how 20% to 25% of people with OCD also meet the criteria for ADHD. Professor Thomsen explains how exhausting it is for children caught between rigid OCD patterns and the impulsive chaos of ADHD. 🌪️The Snowballing Brain: how the racing thoughts of an ADHD brain can interact with intrusive thoughts, causing fears to build up rapidly like a snowball getting bigger and bigger. 💬 Parental Support: How parents can encourage their children to share, and how to accept their children’s thoughts as symptoms of OCD, rather than actual desires, in order to reduce the “drama” and provide a safe space for their child to share. This conversation is an educational and empathetic deep dive into a co-occurring condition that many parents have questions about, offering clarity and validation for families supporting complex minds. Further resources and links: Find out more about Prof Per Hove Thomsen’s work here: https://pure.au.dk/portal/en/persons/per.hove.thomsen@clin.au.dk/ Read Remission and Relapse Across Three Years in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Following Evidence-Based Treatment: https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(23)02238-4/fulltextRead Family Accommodation in Pediatric Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: Investigating Prevalence and Clinical Correlates in the NordLOTS Study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10578-023-01602-0Read Standard individual cognitive-behavioral therapy for children and adolescents with pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368370693_Standard_individual_cognitive-behavioral_therapy_for_children_and_adolescents_with_pediatric_obsessive-compulsive_disorderRead the book: https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/edited-volume/9780323857574/handbook-of-lifespan-cognitive-behavioral-therapyRead the Chapter: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/chapter/edited-volume/abs/pii/B9780323857574000237Visit the Elsevier Online Shop: https://shop.elsevier.com/books/handbook-of-lifespan-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/martin/978-0-323-85757-4ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

    55 min
  3. Alyssa Kyria - My ADHD Story

    3 ABR

    Alyssa Kyria - My ADHD Story

    What role do kindness and self-compassion play in navigating a late diagnosis? In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by the wonderful Alyssa Kyria, better known to millions as The Funny Mummy @thefunnymummyuk. As an actress, comedian, and content creator, Alyssa has built a massive following through her hilarious and honest takes on motherhood, but behind the viral sketches was a lifetime of feeling "different." Diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 45, Alyssa opens up about the grief of a late diagnosis, and how she is now using her experience to shape a more positive path for her own child. They discuss: 🕒 Diagnosis at 45: Alyssa’s introduction to ADHD was a friend suggesting she should look into it. She shares the complex mix of relief and grief that comes with a late diagnosis, and reflects on the decades spent "masking" and trying to be the person she thought she was supposed to be. 🌪️ The Hormonal Shift: The "perfect storm" of perimenopause and ADHD. Alyssa shares how fluctuating hormones made her symptoms feel louder and harder to manage, eventually leading her to seek an official diagnosis 🧒 Childhood experiences and bullying: Alyssa shares openly about her experiences of bullying and rejection sensitivity, and how they deeply affected her self-perception. ♀️Gender and ADHD: Alyssa shares how societal expectations, and the pressure to put others' needs first, have impacted her experience with ADHD as a woman, only now “unravelling” a lifetime of people-pleasing tendencies. 🤱 Parenting the Next Generation: The "lifelong project" of raising a child. Alyssa and Claire discuss the healing power of being able to tell our children "I understand" and helping them find the things they find easy and wonderful. 🎭 Comedy as a Coping Mechanism: How Alyssa’s ADHD traits of quick wit and "too-muchness" became the foundation for a successful career in acting and comedy, turning what felt like a "weakness" into a massive strength. 🌱 Self-Compassion: Moving away from the narrative of being "lazy" or "broken" and embracing the reality of a brain that simply processes the world with more intensity and creativity. This conversation is a warm, witty, and deeply validating look at the female ADHD experience. It’s for anyone who has ever felt like they were "too much" or wondered why life felt harder for them than everyone else. Further resources and links: Find Alyssa on Instagram @thefunnymummyuk  ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

    37 min
  4. ADHD Parental Burnout

    20 MAR

    ADHD Parental Burnout

    What is parental burnout and how can we better manage our stress levels as parents of ADHD children? In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Dr. Claire Plumbly, a clinical psychologist and author of the bestselling book ‘Burnout’. Together, they tackle the subject that many parents of neurodivergent children feel but rarely have the words for: the bone-deep exhaustion of parental burnout. When you are raising a child with ADHD, you aren't just parenting; you are often acting as their external executive function, their sensory filter, and their emotional regulator. Dr. Claire explains why this constant "high-alert" state isn’t just tiring - it’s a biological process that can push your nervous system to its absolute limit. They discuss: 🔥 What parental burnout is vs "normal" levels of tiredness and how it is characterised by a “triad” of symptoms: emotional and physical exhaustion, detachment from children, and reduced sense of accomplishment. 🧠The unique challenges of parenting ADHD kids and how the unpredictability, sensory demands, and the constant need to "fix" situations can make parents of neurodivergent kids vulnerable to chronic stress. 🪟 Understanding the science of your nervous system and your window of tolerance - how we move between "fight or flight" and "shutdown," and why we find it hard to parent effectively when we are outside our calm zone. 🪧 The importance of learning to recognise the signs of burnout, such as operating on “auto-pilot” and how we can better manage our nervous system states: green (rest and digest), amber (urgency), and red (shutdown). ♀️The potential impact of hormonal changes and aging on parental burnout, for example, how perimenopause can affect our nervous system and stress tolerance. 🛑 Why traditional self-care (like a spa day) often feels like another chore, and how to use 30-second "nervous system snacks" to regulate yourself in the heat of the moment. 🌱 Shifting the focus from trying to "solve" your child’s ADHD to managing your own internal state, and why a regulated parent is the best gift you can give a struggling child. This episode is a vital permission slip for any parent who feels they are running on empty. It’s an invitation to stop apologising for your exhaustion and start understanding the science of your nervous system. Further resources and links: Follow Dr Claire on Instagram: @drclaireplumbly Dr. Claire Plumbly’s book: https://amzn.eu/d/0cfy1bvy Try the Parental Burnout Inventory: https://alexasaba.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/THEPARENTALBURNOUTINVENTORY.pdf Read Dr. Claire Plumbly’s 5 Steps for Switching Off After Work: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/700252/156268792795628975/share ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

    57 min
  5. ADHD Masking in Girls & Women

    6 MAR

    ADHD Masking in Girls & Women

    What is the hidden cost for girls and women of masking their ADHD and appearing to be “fine”? In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Ana-Maria Butura, a research associate at King’s College London who has led the most comprehensive qualitative study on ADHD masking to date. For many girls and women, an ADHD diagnosis doesn't come until adulthood, not because the traits didn't exist, but because they were hidden behind a carefully constructed "mask."  Together, Claire and Ana-Maria pull back the curtain on what’s really going on for women and girls who appear to be "coping" while struggling deeply beneath the surface. They discuss: ⚡ What masking is and why we mask. Masking is not just something we do consciously, but can also develop as a complex survival strategy where we learn to suppress, or compensate for ADHD traits, to meet social expectations. 🧠 Why girls can often present as calm, organised, or high-achieving on the outside, while experiencing a chaotic "volcano" of thoughts and sensory overload on the inside. 🎭 The difference between masking in ADHD vs autism. Where autistic masking is driven more by camouflaging and trying to "blend in" socially, whilst ADHD masking is driven more by feeling the need to hide executive functioning gaps and hyperactivity. 💥Why what we see as parents can differ from what teachers see at school, with girls learning to ‘perform’ carefully at school to avoid punishment, which can lead to emotional explosions at home. 📉 How the ability to mask often leads to girls being overlooked by teachers and doctors, or being misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression because the "typical" ADHD hyperactivity traits aren’t as visible. 🥀 The devastating cost of long-term masking, including chronic exhaustion, burnout, loss of identity, and the feeling that "if people liked the mask, they wouldn't like the real me." 🗣️The action we can take to better support our ADHD girls, including listening to their self-reports, continuing to advocate for their needs in school, plus how to provide as many outlets as possible for their pent-up energy. 🤝 How we can move towards authenticity creating "neuro-inclusive" safe spaces where women and girls feel safe to drop the mask, plus why communication and openness are the only ways to build a supportive "village". Whether you are a woman who has recently discovered your own ADHD, or a parent wondering why your daughter seems "fine" at school but collapses at home, this episode offers a profound and validating look at the hidden struggle of the female ADHD experience. Further resources and links: Follow Ana on Instagram: @unmaskingADHD ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

    1 h 7 min
  6. DJ Fat Tony - My ADHD Story

    20 FEB

    DJ Fat Tony - My ADHD Story

    How can understanding how our brain works help us break free of the cycles of the past and finally allow us to live life on our own terms? In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by the legendary DJ Fat Tony, recovery advocate, and author of two books: 'I Don't Take Requests' and his upcoming ‘Recover Me’.  Tony shares a raw and deeply insightful look at his journey through addiction, the clarity that came with understanding his ADHD, and how he has designed a life that respects his needs rather than fighting against them. Tony reflects on the "learned behaviors" we pick up in childhood and how, without self-awareness, we can carry these unhelpful coping mechanisms into adulthood.  From navigating the high-intensity world of international DJing to the vital importance of learning to "switch off," this conversation is packed with radical honesty and self-acceptance. Claire and Tony discuss: Why recovery is about more than just overcoming an addiction, it’s about recovering your true self after years of trauma and learned self-serving behaviors. Working differently with an ADHD Brain, how Tony managed to record his audiobook by working in 20-minute bursts and being transparent with others about his "switch-off points." Sensory overstimulation and why a safe, quiet home environment is non-negotiable for Tony, even as someone whose career is built on loud music and crowded rooms. Why "finding your people" and realising you aren't the only one who behaves a certain way can be a game-changer for your mental health. Learning how you work best so that you can understand and let go of the urge to people-please and overcompensate The creative "superpower" often seen in children with ADHD, and how recognising where they excel can help them channel their natural ability and energy into what they do best Seeing your child for who they are, nurturing their strengths and the magic that happens when they feel understood and supported. Whether you are navigating your own path of recovery, supporting a neurodivergent child through their own struggles, or simply looking for the permission to be exactly who you are, Tony’s story offers hope, acceptance and inspiration. Further resources and links: Pre-order Tony’s new book: Recover Me Buy Tony’s book: I Don’t Take Requests Follow Fat Tony on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj_fattony_/  ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

    50 min
  7. GCSE Revision for ADHD Brains

    6 FEB

    GCSE Revision for ADHD Brains

    Why does GCSE revision feel such a challenge for teenagers with ADHD, and how can parents support them without the process turning into a battle? In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Sarah Kennett, an ADHD coach, former head of science, and founder of Science Cafe. Sarah brings a unique dual perspective to this conversation: professional expertise as a long-term educator and lived experience of someone who was once the teen who couldn’t revise.  Together, Sarah and Claire unpack what’s going on for ADHD brains during exam season and offer parents practical, neuro-affirming strategies that they can put into place with their teens. Claire and Sarah discuss the common pitfalls of traditional study methods and why "just sitting down and reading" is often a recipe for shutdown, rather than success. They discuss: Executive functioning overload and why revision can be a "perfect storm" for ADHD brains, requiring planning, prioritising, and memory all at once The ADHD "Sticky Note" Memory and how ADHD students often lose information "mid-process" during an exam due to working memory challenges The difference between activation and motivation, understanding that struggling to start is rarely about not caring, but often a challenge with task initiation How to use dopamine as a study tool, for example providing quick wins and interest-led learning, which can fuel the brain’s reward system Incorporating movement and the power of "human photocopying," standing desks, and audio revision for kids who think better when they’re active How to create a retrieval practice by revisiting information "little and often" which helps teens build long-term confidence and resilience Understanding the decompression gap - why jumping straight into revision after school can lead to burnout and how to prioritise nervous system regulation first Whether your teenager is approaching their mocks, or you're planning ahead for GCSE season, this episode is packed with validation and creative tools to help your child show what they know without the mountain of stress. Further resources and links: Learn more about Sarah Kennett: https://www.science-cafe.co.uk/ Download Sarah’s Free Revision Guide: https://www.freeguide.sciencecafe.co.uk/ Follow Sarah on Instagram: @science_cafe_uk ADHD coaching and Resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

    55 min
  8. From ADHD Screening to Support

    23 ENE

    From ADHD Screening to Support

    What is the Neurodivergence Bill and how could it help ensure practical, everyday adjustments that actually help children learn and thrive at school? In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD Podcast, Claire is joined by MP Adam Dance to discuss the Neurodivergence (Screening and Teacher Training) Bill, which attempts to bring earlier identification and better support for ADHD, dyslexia, autism and other neurodivergent conditions into primary schools. Adam is the Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil. He has ADHD and dyslexia himself, and his personal story deeply informs his campaign.  Claire and Adam discuss: How children continue to face stigma and bullying due to differences such as ADHD and why early universal screening will ensure they can access the right understanding and support at the right time How misunderstood children can internalise being “naughty” and disengage from learning, plus the potential impact of this on their longer-term life outcomes Adam’s personal experience being diagnosed with ADHD and why he’s so passionate about driving this bill forward The core elements of the Neurodivergence (Screening and Teacher Training) Bill including universal primary‑age screening, continuous SEN training for teachers, plus how classroom teaching can be adapted to better support children with additional needs The stark wealth gap that exists in access to diagnosis and support, and how universal screening could act as as a way to level the playing field The challenges of systemic underfunding, plus the need for a 10‑year SEND plan to address the current crisis which as Adam describes “shouldn't be political at all.” A message of hope and validation to parents supporting their neurodivergent children, reassuring them that their voices are being heard This episode is a reassuring reminder to parents fighting for the right support for their children, that longer-term change is in motion and change is possible. Please note Adam was in his busy parliamentary office when this episode was recorded, so you may hear some background noise as a result. Further resources and links Learn more about Adam and his work: https://www.libdems.org.uk/mps/yeovil To read the Neurodivergence (Screening and Teacher Training) Bill: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/4017  To order a copy of the book Unstoppable by Design which features chapters on both Adam and Claire’s ADHD stories: https://amzn.to/4qa0t2n ADHD coaching and resources from Claire:https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok:@allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

    44 min
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Información

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.

Ficha técnica

  • Creado por
    Claire Quigley Ward
  • Años en activo
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodios
    60
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Derechos de autor
    © Claire Quigley Ward
  • Sitio web del podcast
    All Aboard ADHD

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