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. 2D AGO

    ADHD Executive Function in Real Life: Why Checklists Fail and the Scaffolding System That Actually Works

    Send us Fan Mail ADHD executive function is why your checklist isn't working. Learn how to become your child's GPS and scaffold the skills that actually get things done at home. ________________________________________________________________________ You made the checklist. You laminated it. You hung it on the fridge. Your child used it for two days. Now you're frustrated because they won't even look at it, and you're wondering if anything will ever work. Here's the problem: the checklist was never the issue. Your child's ADHD executive function was. And nobody taught you how to scaffold a tool into a skill. ADHD executive function is the brain's GPS. It's what gets your child from "time to get ready" to actually being ready. Your child has the car, the engine, and the ability to drive. What's missing is the navigation. And handing someone a map when their GPS is broken doesn't fix anything. It just gives them one more thing to forget. In this episode, Apryl shows you exactly what ADHD executive function looks like in real life (including a hilarious melatonin-and-ant-trap story), walks through her actual morning routine step by step, and teaches you the scaffolding system that builds your child's internal GPS over time. You'll learn: What ADHD executive function actually is and why it's the real reason things aren't getting doneThe GPS analogy: Why your child knows WHERE they want to go but can't navigate HOWWhy checklists add one more task to a brain already struggling with working memoryHow to become your child's GPS until their ADHD executive function catches upA real-life ADHD morning routine from start to finish (including the 40-minute breakfast that actually helps)The 3 layers of scaffolding: From full support to independenceHow to scaffold a checklist IF you want to use one (so it actually works)Why consistency builds ADHD executive function faster than any toolWhat to do when ADHD executive function skills slip backAfter this episode, you'll stop blaming the checklist and start building the scaffolding that makes ADHD executive function actually grow. RESOURCES MENTIONED Behavior Breakthrough Workshop Week – raisingadhd.org/breakthroughBlog post: How to Create a Morning Routine That Works for Your ADHD Child - https://raisingadhd.org/morning-routineFree ADHD Executive Function Quiz – raisingadhd.org/quiz

    23 min

  2. APR 27

    How to Talk to Kids About Having ADHD: A Mom's Guide to Making It Normal

    Send us Fan Mail Not sure how to talk to your child about ADHD? Get age-specific scripts, do's and don'ts, and the mom perspective on making the conversation feel natural, not heavy. _____________________________________________________________ Have you been putting off the ADHD conversation with your child? Maybe you're not sure what to say. Maybe you're afraid you'll say the wrong thing. Maybe you're worried it'll feel too heavy or make them feel like something is wrong with them. This episode is going to take that weight off your shoulders. Apryl shares her real-life mom perspective on how she talks to her daughter about ADHD, from tiny everyday car conversations to the bigger moments. She breaks it down by age group with actual scripts you can use, and shares the do's and don'ts that keep the conversation empowering instead of intimidating. You'll learn: How to use everyday moments to talk about ADHD naturally (not as a sit-down "talk")The race car brain and Model T brakes analogy that kids actually understandAge-specific scripts for preschool/early elementary (4-8), tweens (9-12), and teens (13+)How to frame ADHD as different, not brokenWhy books like My Brain is a Race Car and ADHD Rapped Up are so helpfulHow to build self-advocacy so your child can communicate what they needThe do's and don'ts of language and tone (what to say and what to never say)How talking openly about ADHD reduced meltdowns in Apryl's homeWhy your teen should be in the driver's seat of their own treatment planAfter this episode, you'll stop dreading the conversation and start having it. And your child will be better for it. KEY TAKEAWAYS The core philosophy: Be open. Make it normal. Use everyday moments. The more you talk about ADHD, the more regular it becomes. And the more your child understands their brain, the more they can advocate for themselves. Age-by-age approach: Ages 4-8 (Preschool/Early Elementary): Keep it simple. Use the race car brain with Model T brakes analogy. Normalize "crashes." Frame differences as just different, not bad. Introduce the idea of tools that help the brain (glasses analogy). Use books. Reassure them it's not their fault, they're not alone, and you love them no matter what. Ages 9-12 (Tweens): Add brain science (prefrontal cortex, executive function as the air traffic control system). Talk about strengths: creativity, hyperfocus, humor, risk-taking. Introduce self-advocacy. Let them have a voice in treatment decisions. Use books like ADHD Rapped Up by Mr. G. Pull up YouTube videos of the brain. Show them successful people with ADHD. Ages 13+ (Teens): Full transparency. Use the term "executive function skills" because it carries into adulthood. Discuss co-occurring issues (anxiety, depression). Put them in the driver's seat of their treatment plan. Co-create strategies together. Address stigma directly. Show them how successful adults manage ADHD. Do's and Don'ts: Do: Start early. Pick a calm moment. Keep it positive and realistic. Use their own language. Revisit often in small, casual ways. Don't: Say "you ARE ADHD" (say "you HAVE ADHD"). Make it shameful or secret. Focus only on deficits. Use ADHD as a blanket excuse for everything. Present it as a life sentence. Phrases to keep handy: "Your brain works differently, and different isn't bad. It just means we need different tools." / "ADHD explains why some things are hard. It doesn't define you." / "Lots of kids and adults have ADHD. You're not alone." / "Our job as your parents is to help you figure out how your brain works best." Ready to Build a Calmer Home? Start Here: 🧩 Take the

    42 min

  3. APR 20

    ADHD Meltdowns vs Tantrums: Why They Happen and a 5-Step System to Reduce Them

    Send us Fan Mail ADHD meltdowns aren't tantrums. Learn why they happen, the ABCs of behavior tracking, and a 5-step system to reduce meltdowns by building invisible skills. _________________________________________________________ You say "turn off the iPad" and your child loses it. Total, utter meltdown. Or you're at the store, you say no, and everything explodes. Or plans change on vacation and suddenly you're in the middle of a public scene that makes you want to disappear. If this sounds like your life, take a deep breath. Because these meltdowns aren't random. They're not your child being spoiled. And they're not a reflection of your parenting. They're a nervous system that has hit absolute capacity. And once you understand the pattern, you can actually do something about it. In this episode, Apryl breaks down the brain science behind ADHD meltdowns, teaches you the ABCs of behavior tracking, and gives you a 5-step system to become the detective who solves the case instead of the fireman constantly putting out fires. You'll learn: The critical difference between a meltdown and a tantrum (and why it matters)The volcano analogy: what's really building under the surface before the eruptionThe ABCs of behavior: Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence, and how to track themThe 4 most common meltdown triggers for ADHD kidsWhich executive function skills are behind screen time, homework, and transition meltdownsA 5-step detective system to identify patterns, build skills, and reduce meltdowns over timeWhy punishment stops behavior in the moment but never fixes it long termHow to create a plan WITH your child when everyone is calmWalk away from this episode knowing that meltdowns aren't mysterious. They have patterns, triggers, and missing skills. Ready to Build a Calmer Home? Start Here: 🧰 Grab the Free Meltdown Toolkit — This printable toolkit has everything you need to start tracking and reducing your child's meltdowns. Inside you'll get ABC behavior tracking sheets, a trigger pattern tracker (time of day, transition type, demand level, sensory environment), a meltdown-to-skill matching chart that shows you which executive function skills are behind each type of meltdown, and space to build your child's personalized plan. Grab it free at raisingadhd.org/meltdown 🧩 Take the Free Executive Function Quiz — Compare your skills with your child's and find out where the gaps are creating friction in your home. 👉 https://raisingadhd.org/quiz 📲 Come Say Hi on Instagram — Real talk, ADHD strategies, and the stuff nobody else is saying out loud. 💛 @raisingadhd_org SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If this episode helped you see your child differently, we'd love it if you'd subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Every review helps another overwhelmed parent find the support they've been searching for. 💛

    42 min

  4. APR 13

    Why is Parenting an ADHD child so hard? The Parenting Pivot Nobody Tells You About (And Why ADHD Kids Need It Most)

    Send us Fan Mail There's something that happens in parenting around elementary school age, and no one talks about it. Learn the parenting pivot that change how you parent today...and reduce meltdowns and defiance.  _______________________________________________________ You've tried the chore charts. You've labeled the bins. You've explained what a clean room looks like a hundred times. The result? Meltdowns, avoidance, the same fight on repeat. Here's what no one tells you: there's a pivot that happens in parenting, one that neurotypical families coast right through without noticing. For ADHD families, it hits like a wall. In this episode, Apryl breaks down the invisible parent pivot: the shift from coaching the visible skills (walking, talking, colors) to building the invisible skills (executive function) that run 30% behind in kids with ADHD. The meltdowns aren't defiance. The avoidance isn't laziness. They're skill gaps. Once you see it that way, everything changes. You'll learn: What the "invisible parent pivot" is and why ADHD families get blindsided by itWhy reward charts burn out fast (and what to pair them with instead)The "brain and the brawn" strategy for scaffolding without doing it for themHow to identify which executive function skills are underneath any visible taskWhat body doubling looks like at home and how to use it to build skillsA real example of how Apryl adapted her daughter's reading routine when it stopped workingWhy starting where your kid can succeed is the secret to reducing meltdownsAfter listening, you'll see the frustrating moments differently. Your child isn't refusing. They're missing a skill you can now help them build. Ready to Build a Calmer Home? Start Here: 🧩 Take the Free Executive Function Quiz — Compare your skills with your child's and find out where the gaps are creating friction in your home. 👉 https://raisingadhd.org/quiz 📲 Come Say Hi on Instagram — Real talk, ADHD strategies, and the stuff nobody else is saying out loud. 💛 @raisingadhd_org SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If this episode helped you see your child differently, we'd love it if you'd subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Every review helps another overwhelmed parent find the support they've been searching for. 💛

    30 min

  5. MAR 30

    How to Manage ADHD Hyperactivity Without Fighting It

    Send us Fan Mail ADHD hyperactivity isn't a behavior problem to suppress. Learn 5 neuroscience-backed strategies to channel your child's movement, including the PINCH framework. ______________________________________________ Your child can sit completely still for an hour playing a video game. They cannot sit for five minutes doing math. And you're wondering... is this a choice? It's not. Their nervous system is running on empty and their body is trying to tell you. In this episode, Apryl breaks down why the old model of "suppress the hyperactivity with consequences and stillness" doesn't work and what neuroscience says to do instead. You'll learn the PINCH framework from Dr. William Dodson that explains WHY your child can focus on some things and not others, plus five practical strategies you can start using today to channel the movement instead of fighting it. You'll learn: Why hyperactivity is a nervous system signal, not a behavior problemThe PINCH framework: 5 neurological triggers that activate the ADHD brainHow heavy work and proprioceptive input calm hyperactivity from the inside outWhy trying to suppress movement actually makes attention WORSEPolyvagal theory: What's really happening when your child is "stuck" in overdriveThe science of productive fidgeting (and which fidgets actually help)Novelty engineering: How to use dopamine architecture to reduce hyperactivityPractical strategies for the car, homework, mornings, and the classroomAfter this episode, you'll stop saying "sit still" and start asking "what does their body need right now?" Ready to Build a Calmer Home? Start Here: 🎓 Want the full system? Raising ADHD Foundations is the step-by-step course that took our home from chaos to calm. Research-backed strategies, coaching with Apryl, and a system you can actually stick with. 👉 https://raisingadhd.org/foundations 🧩 Take the Free Executive Function Quiz — Compare your skills with your child's and find out where the gaps are creating friction in your home. 👉 https://raisingadhd.org/quiz 📲 Come Say Hi on Instagram — Real talk, ADHD strategies, and the stuff nobody else is saying out loud. 💛 @raisingadhd_org SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If this episode helped you see your child differently, we'd love it if you'd subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Every review helps another overwhelmed parent find the support they've been searching for. 💛

    30 min

  6. MAR 26

    How to Discipline Kids with ADHD: What the Research Says Actually Works

    Send us Fan Mail Traditional discipline fails ADHD kids. Learn what research from Harvard, Yale, and the AAP says actually works, plus the strategies that changed our home. ________________________________________________________________ If you've ever taken away the iPad, watched your kid escalate, so you took it away for the rest of the week, watched them escalate MORE, and thought... nothing works with this child. This episode is going to change everything. Here's what nobody told you: traditional discipline strategies were designed for neurotypical brains. Your ADHD child's brain is wired differently. They experience punishment more intensely but become desensitized to it faster. They can't connect delayed consequences to behavior. And every time you escalate, their thinking brain goes offline. Apryl breaks down what the research from Harvard, Yale, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the CDC actually says works for disciplining kids with ADHD. Spoiler: it starts with YOU, not your child. You'll learn: Why traditional discipline plans fail for ADHD kids (the neuroscience)The punishment escalation cycle and how to break itWhy behavioral parent training is the #1 recommended first-line treatmentThe stat from Boston Children's Hospital that will change how you parent: positive attention alone addresses 80% of behavioral challengesHow to set up a token economy that actually works (and doesn't backfire)The 5:1 praise-to-correction ratio from the Mayo ClinicWhy you should never re-discipline your child at home for something that happened at schoolWhat the research says about harmful discipline practices (and what to avoid)After this episode, you'll stop trying to punish your way to better behavior and start building a system that actually works. RESOURCES MENTIONED Dr. Russell Barkley – ADHD and executive function researchAmerican Academy of Pediatrics – Behavioral therapy recommendationsNational Institute of Mental Health – ADHD treatment guidelinesBoston Children's Hospital – Structure as the "magic ingredient" for ADHD behavior managementMayo Clinic – 5:1 praise-to-correction ratioCDC – Positive vs. punitive disciplinary strategies for ADHDOhio State University – Study on reducing harsh discipline practicesHarvard, Yale – Behavioral parent training researchPeg Dawson – Executive function skills researchREADY TO BUILD A CALMER HOME? START HERE: 🎓 Want the full system? Raising ADHD Foundations is the step-by-step course that took our home from chaos to calm. Research-backed strategies, coaching with Apryl, and a system you can actually stick with. 👉 https://raisingadhd.org/foundations 🧩 Take the Free Executive Function Quiz — Compare your skills with your child's and find out where the gaps are creating friction in your home. 👉 https://raisingadhd.org/quiz 📲 Come Say Hi on Instagram — Real talk, ADHD strategies, and the stuff nobody else is saying out loud. 💛 @raisingadhd_org SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If this episode helped you see your child differently, we'd love it if you'd subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Every review helps another overwhelmed parent find the support they've been searching for. 💛

    27 min

  7. MAR 17

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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

  8. MAR 2

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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
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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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