Raising ADHD: Real Talk For Parents & Educators

Dr. Brian Bradford & Apryl Bradford
  • 5.0 (8)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Raising a child with ADHD can feel overwhelming—meltdowns, school struggles, medication decisions, and the constant fear you’re doing it wrong. Raising ADHD is the podcast for parents and teachers who want clarity, strategies, and real-life support. Hosted by Apryl Bradford, M.Ed. (former teacher and ADHD mom) and Dr. Brian Bradford, D.O. (Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist), this show cuts through the myths and misinformation about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Together, Apryl and Dr. Bradford bring both lived experience and clinical expertise to help you: Understand what ADHD really is (and isn’t)Navigate school challenges and partner with teachersMake sense of medication options without the jargonSupport your child’s strengths while tackling everyday strugglesFeel less alone and more empowered on this journey Each week, you’ll hear practical tips, the latest insights from the field, and conversations that validate what you’re living through. Whether you’re dealing with emotional outbursts, executive function challenges, or the stigma that still surrounds ADHD, you’ll find real talk and real help here. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I doing this right?”—this podcast is your answer.  Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical or psychiatric advice and should not replace professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed professional with any questions you may have regarding your child’s health or behavior.

  1. 1D AGO

    Executive Function Skills and ADHD: Why Your Child Can't "Just Do It" (And How to Help)

    Send a text ADHD kids are 30-40% behind peers in executive function skills. Learn what that means, which skills matter most, and how to build them at home. _______________________________________________________________ You've said "stop bugging your brother" 47 times. It's not even 7 a.m. and you're already yelling. Your child KNOWS how to put on their shoes. So why does it feel like nothing is happening? Here's the thing: the skill that's missing isn't shoe-tying. It's the invisible skills underneath. Task initiation, impulse control, working memory. These are called executive function skills, and kids with ADHD are 30 to 40% behind their peers in developing them. That means your 10-year-old is operating with the executive function of a 7-year-old. Your 16-year-old? More like an 11-year-old. In this episode, Apryl breaks down the 11 core executive function skills, explains what's happening in your child's brain, and gives you real ways to start building these skills at home (including one that's as simple as a weekly family game night). You'll learn: Why Dr. Russell Barkley says ADHD is actually an executive dysfunction disorderThe 11 executive function skills and which 3 matter most for ADHD kidsWhy your child "not listening" is a brain problem, not a behavior problemHow to build scaffolding at home so the environment does the heavy liftingWhat to do when YOUR executive function strengths clash with your child's weaknessesSimple ways to build executive function skills through board games and everyday momentsA free quiz to compare your skills with your child's and find the gaps causing tensionAfter this episode, you'll stop seeing "won't" and start seeing "can't yet."   RESOURCES MENTIONED Free Executive Function Quiz – raisingadhd.org/quizFree Workshop: The 3-Step System for ADHD Mornings – raisingadhd.org/trainingHarvard Center on the Developing Child – Building the Brain's "Air Traffic Control" System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive Function

    25 min

  2. MAR 2

    Why Is My ADHD Child on So Many Medications? How to Prevent the Drug Cascade with Dr. Kate Trapani

    Send a text Your ADHD child is on multiple meds and you're not sure why. Two psychiatrists explain how to prevent the drug cascade and advocate at every appointment. _________________________________________________ You took your child to the doctor for ADHD. One medication turned into two, then three—and now you're staring at a pill organizer wondering how did we get here? You're not a bad parent for feeling uneasy about that. A recent Wall Street Journal article confirmed what many families quietly fear: kids who start ADHD medication young often end up on multiple psychiatric drugs within a few years. But here's the reframe—this isn't a reason to avoid medication. It's a reason to become a better advocate. In this episode, Apryl sits down with two psychiatrists—Dr. Brian Bradford and guest Dr. Kate Trapani, a child psychiatry resident—to break down exactly why the drug cascade happens and what you can do to prevent it. You'll learn: Why ADHD medication often becomes the "gateway" to additional prescriptions—and when that's actually appropriate vs. a red flagThe one question to ask before any new medication is startedHow to respectfully request a second opinion (and why good doctors actually welcome it)What psychiatrists do when a child arrives on a long medication listThe critical difference between treating symptoms and treating the root causeSpecific questions to ask at your child's very first medication appointmentWhy your pediatrician may be one of your most powerful alliesAfter this episode, you'll walk into your child's next appointment knowing exactly what to say—and feeling confident enough to say it. RESOURCES MENTIONED Wall Street Journal article, "Millions of Kids are on ADHD Pills. For Many, It's the Start of a Drug Cascade."

    36 min

  3. FEB 23

    Why Your ADHD Child Lies (And What to Do Instead of Punishing It)

    Send a text When ADHD kids lie, it's not a character flaw, it's a coping strategy. Learn what the research says and what actually helps instead of shame spirals. ______________________________________________________ If you've ever looked at your child and thought, "Why are you lying to me right now?"—this episode will change how you see that moment. Here's something most parents don't hear: when ADHD kids lie, it's not a moral failing. It's not manipulation. It's a brain that moved too fast, a shame response that's louder than their skills, and a coping strategy that made sense in the moment. And if we treat it like a character flaw, we actually make the problem worse. In this episode, Apryl and Dr. Brian Bradford break down what the research actually says about lying and ADHD—from the neuroscience of impulsivity to the role of shame—and give you real language and strategies to use the next time it happens. You'll learn: Why impulsivity is the strongest predictor of lying in ADHD kidsHow "magical thinking" plays a role (and why it lasts longer for ADHD brains)The one question you should stop asking your child immediatelyExact phrases to use when you catch a lie—without escalating shameHow to tell the difference between a homework lie and a risky lieWhy punishing honesty backfires every timeThe research that shows lying decreases as ADHD kids matureWalk away from this episode knowing it's not about raising an honest kid through fear—it's about making honesty feel safer than lying. RESOURCES MENTIONED Free Workshop: You Love Your Child, But You Don't Love Who You're Becoming – Live workshop on breaking the yelling cycle and creating a calmer home

    20 min

  4. FEB 16

    ADHD School Behavior Problems: Why Nothing's Changing and the Framework That Will

    Send a text Your child's behavior card comes home negative every day. It's not a character issue—it's a design issue. Learn the REACT framework that actually works. ____________________________________________________ It's 3:07 pm. The dismissal bell rings. And somewhere across town, your phone lights up with the same behavior report you got yesterday. Had difficulty staying in seat. Called out repeatedly. Before you even open it, your stomach drops—because nothing is changing. Here's what no one is telling you: if the same behavior is being corrected every single day with no improvement, that's not a kid problem. That's a systems problem. And the research on what actually works for ADHD kids in the classroom? It's not thin. Teachers just haven't been trained on it. In this solo episode, Apryl breaks down the REACT framework—a simple, research-backed system that organizes everything we already know works for ADHD behavior at school. Then she walks you through exactly how to apply it to two of the most disruptive classroom behaviors. In this episode, you'll learn: Why daily behavior report cards fail when used the way most schools use themThe core reframe: ADHD is a performance regulation disorder, not a rule-knowledge problemHow to apply the REACT framework to shouting out and bothering classmatesThe "parking lot notepad" strategy that reduces blurting without suppressing your childWhy constant frowny faces mean the task is too hard—not that your child isn't tryingSpecific questions you can bring to your child's teacher (without it feeling like an attack)How to scaffold behavior in baby steps that actually build real skills over timeYou'll walk away with a framework you can share with your child's teacher this week and finally replace that broken loop with something that works. RESOURCES MENTIONED Free Workshop: You Love Your Child, But You Don't Love Who You're Becoming – Live workshop on breaking the yelling cycle and creating a calmer home REACT Framework Download – RaisingADHD.org/school

    48 min

  5. FEB 3

    ADHD Without Medication: What Actually Works (According to the Highest-Quality Research)

    Send a text Overwhelmed by conflicting ADHD advice? Discover what actually works (and doesn't) for managing ADHD without medication, backed by top-tier research. ______________________________________ If you've ever found yourself Googling "ADHD help without medication" at midnight, wondering if anything actually works, or if you're just failing your kid, this episode is for you. Here's the truth most people won't tell you: the research is clear about what helps and what's just wishful thinking. But that clarity? It's actually freeing. Today, Apryl and Dr. Brian break down what the highest-quality research, from the Lancet, NIMH, Cochrane, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, actually says about non-medication strategies. No TikTok trends. No miracle supplements. Just honest, evidence-based guidance you can actually use. In this episode, you'll learn: The single most effective non-medication intervention (and why it focuses on YOU, not your child)How 20 minutes of exercise creates a 60-minute window of improved focusThe surprising research on sleep interventions and lasting symptom reductionWhich supplements have real evidence (and which are wasting your money)A 3-tier action plan you can start this weekWhy the "multimodal approach" outperforms any single strategyFree tools to track progress like a scientistWalk away with a research-backed plan, and permission to stop chasing every new "cure" that pops up on your feed. RESOURCES MENTIONED Free Workshop: You Love Your Child, But You Don't Love Who You're Becoming – Live workshop on breaking the yelling cycle and creating a calmer home Related Episode: Should I Get My Child Tested for ADHD? – Includes medication discussion and what to ask your doctor Free Tracking Tools (from AACAP): Vanderbilt ADHD Follow-Up Scale – PARENT FormVanderbilt ADHD Follow-Up Scale – TEACHER FormResearch Sources Referenced: The Lancet (systematic review on non-pharmacological treatments)National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)Cochrane ReviewsAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)CDC guidelinesMTA Study (multimodal treatment)

    33 min

  6. JAN 26

    ADHD Morning Routine Chaos? How to Find Your Battle Zone and Fix It Without Changing Your Child

    Send a text ADHD mornings don't have to be chaos. Learn how to identify your household's biggest battle zone and make one environmental shift that changes everything. _______________________________________ Someone's crying. You're already running late. The shoes are right there but somehow invisible—and suddenly you're not just tired, you're angry. Before you've even had your coffee, you're yelling. Sound familiar? Here's the thing: the problem isn't your child. It's not that they're not trying hard enough, and it's not that you're failing as a parent. The problem is that we keep asking kids with developing executive function to do things their brains aren't ready for—especially before medication kicks in. In this episode, Apryl breaks down exactly how she transformed their chaotic ADHD mornings into something actually... calm. No 5 AM wake-up overhauls. No Pinterest-perfect systems. Just one strategic shift that changed everything. What you'll learn: How to identify your household's biggest "battle zone" (and why you only fix ONE at a time)The reframe that changes everything: scaffolding isn't creating dependenceApryl's exact morning setup that eliminated the "go upstairs" problemWhy removing decisions beats adding reminders every timeThe Alexa alarm system that took nagging completely off her plateYou'll walk away knowing exactly where to start—and finally believing calm mornings are possible for your family too. RESOURCES MENTIONED Free Workshop: "When You Love Your Child But Don't Like Who You're Becoming" Register at: raisingadhd.org/workshop

    16 min

  7. JAN 19

    ADHD School Behavior Problems: 3 Moves Parents and Teachers Both Need to Know

    Send a text Your phone buzzes: another behavior report. Learn why punishment fails ADHD kids and get scripts to build a real school-home team. ____________________________________ It's 2:47 PM. Your phone buzzes. You already know what it is before you look. Behavior update. Today was difficult. Please discuss consequences at home. Your stomach drops—because this isn't information. It's a verdict. Here's what no one tells you: There are three people drowning in that moment. Your child, who's overwhelmed and has no words for it. The teacher, who's exhausted and out of tools. And you, already hanging on by a thread, now expected to be the enforcer. This episode is for that moment. Not the Pinterest version of ADHD support—the real one. Apryl breaks down why traditional classroom discipline fails ADHD brains and what actually works, backed by research and her decade of classroom experience. You'll learn: Why taking away recess is one of the worst things you can do for an ADHD kidThe one phrase that changes everything: "Praise the positive opposite"3 research-aligned moves teachers can use in the moment of meltdownA word-for-word email script to send your child's teacher (without sounding like you're blaming)How to ask for a two-goal plan that both school and home can actually sustainThe simple template that replaces behavior crime reports with trust-building communicationWhy ADHD kids change through in-the-moment support—not 8 PM lecturesAfter listening, you'll finally have language for what you've been feeling and a concrete plan to share with your child's school. The Email Script for Parents Ask for: Please don't remove recess for behavior—movement helps them regulateCan we pick two school goals only? (Example: raise hand during math, start work within 2 minutes)Can we add one positive note daily, even one sentence?Close with: "I'm not asking for perfection, just a plan we can both sustain." The Template for Teachers Replace behavior crime reports with: One win: He came back after a reset / helped a classmate / tried againToday's trigger: Transition from math to libraryWhat helped: Movement break / smaller task / private cue RESOURCES MENTIONED Free Mini Course: Calm the Chaos: The ADHD Parent Reset — raisingadhd.org/calm

    31 min

  8. JAN 12

    Why Your ADHD Child Thinks "I'm the Problem" (And How Repair Changes Their Identity)

    Send a text ADHD kids hear "I'm the problem" on repeat. Learn why repairing after yelling rewrites that story—and what to do when your child won't engage. ________________________________________ There's a sentence ADHD kids learn really early. They don't usually say it out loud, but they're living it internally: I'm the problem. Not "that was hard." Not "that didn't go well." But something is wrong with me. Here's what the research says: it's not the conflict that damages your relationship—it's the unrepaired conflict. And for kids with ADHD, who've already received thousands more corrections than their peers by elementary school, those unrepaired moments stack into an identity. In part two of our repair series, we're going deeper into why repair matters so much for the ADHD brain—especially when rejection sensitivity makes yelling feel like proof they're unlovable. In this episode, you'll learn: The critical difference between shame and guilt (and why it matters for ADHD)Why your child refuses to accept your apology (it's protection, not defiance)How to repair when your kid shuts down or says "I don't care"The nonverbal repairs that count just as much as wordsLanguage shifts that protect your child's identitySigns that your repair actually workedWalk away knowing that every repair—even the ones your child doesn't respond to—becomes data they'll use to trust you again. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Shame vs. Guilt DistinctionWhy Kids Refuse Repair (3 Reasons)How to Repair When They Won't EngageNonverbal Repairs That CountThe Identity-Protecting Language ShiftWhy This Matters for ADHD By late elementary school, kids with ADHD have received thousands more negative corrections than their peers. These aren't neutral—they stack into an identity of "I am the problem." Consistent repair doesn't erase consequences; it changes the story from "I am bad" to "that was hard." RESOURCES MENTIONED Free Mini Course: Calm the Chaos: The ADHD Parent Reset  Related Episode: Part 1 – Stop Sitting in Mom Guilt: How to Repair with Your ADHD Child After You Lose ItRelated Episode: Why Small Things Trigger Big Meltdowns: How Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria Hijacks ADHD BrainsRelated Episode: When ADHD Anger Turns Destructive: Why Punishment Makes It Worse (And What Actually Works)

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Raising a child with ADHD can feel overwhelming—meltdowns, school struggles, medication decisions, and the constant fear you’re doing it wrong. Raising ADHD is the podcast for parents and teachers who want clarity, strategies, and real-life support. Hosted by Apryl Bradford, M.Ed. (former teacher and ADHD mom) and Dr. Brian Bradford, D.O. (Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist), this show cuts through the myths and misinformation about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Together, Apryl and Dr. Bradford bring both lived experience and clinical expertise to help you: Understand what ADHD really is (and isn’t)Navigate school challenges and partner with teachersMake sense of medication options without the jargonSupport your child’s strengths while tackling everyday strugglesFeel less alone and more empowered on this journey Each week, you’ll hear practical tips, the latest insights from the field, and conversations that validate what you’re living through. Whether you’re dealing with emotional outbursts, executive function challenges, or the stigma that still surrounds ADHD, you’ll find real talk and real help here. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I doing this right?”—this podcast is your answer.  Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical or psychiatric advice and should not replace professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed professional with any questions you may have regarding your child’s health or behavior.

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