ADHD, Anxiety & More: Child Mental Health for Pediatrics

Elise Fallucco, MD | Child Mental Health Expert
  • 4.8 (38)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

ADHD, Anxiety & More - formerly Child Mental Health for Pediatric Clinicians  / PsychEd4Peds - is the podcast for pediatric primary care clinicians who want practical, evidence-based guidance for diagnosing and treating children and adolescents with mental health conditions. Hosted by Elise Fallucco, MD, a nationally recognized child and adolescent psychiatrist and speaker whose educational programs have helped thousands of  pediatric clinicians improve their confidence in caring for children with mental health problems.  This podcast is for pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners, physician assistants, family physicians, and other pediatric clinicians who want to confidently care for kids with ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, behavioral concerns, trauma, and other common pediatric mental health conditions. Each episode translates the latest evidence into practical clinical pearls you can use in your office the very next day. Through conversations with leading experts in child psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics, and behavioral health, Dr. Fallucco shares real-world strategies, diagnostic tips, medication guidance, and communication tools designed specifically for busy primary care clinicians. Are you looking for answers to questions like:• Which ADHD medication should I start first?• When should I use a non-stimulant?• How do I treat ADHD and anxiety together?• Could this be ADHD, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, trauma, or a learning disorder?• Which screening tools should I use?• When should I start an SSRI?• How do I manage common medication side effects?• When should I refer to child psychiatry?• How can I support children, teens, and families with confidence? Whether you're evaluating ADHD, treating anxiety, managing behavioral challenges, prescribing stimulants or SSRIs, collaborating with schools, or navigating complex mental health presentations, ADHD, Anxiety & Beyond delivers practical, evidence-based clinical pearls to help you provide exceptional mental health care for children and adolescents.

  1. 4h ago ·  Video

    89. Autism and Parenting : What Pediatricians Need to Know about Meltdowns, Emotions, and Family Stress with Greer Jones

    Send us Fan Mail What is it really like to parent an autistic child? And what do pediatricians need to understand about the experience that families may not share during a brief office visit? In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, I’m joined by Greer Jones, a UK-based neuro-affirming parent coach, speaker, host of the Neurodivergent Podcast, and "mum" to two neurodivergent children. Greer brings a valuable perspective to this conversation, helping us better understand the day-to-day realities of raising a neurodivergent child. In this episode, we discuss: The strengths, joys, and unique experiences of parenting autistic childrenWhat meltdowns and big emotions may communicate about a child's experienceWhy we need to look beyond behavior to understand what's happening beneath the surfaceThe challenges of recognizing and supporting children whose disabilities may not be immediately visibleHow pediatricians can better understand parents' experiences and help families feel heard, validated, and less aloneMost importantly, we discuss how pediatricians can shift their perspective to see the whole child—not just the diagnosis or the behavior—and better support the entire family. Whether you're a pediatrician, a primary care clinician, or someone who works with neurodivergent children and their families, this conversation is an invitation to listen, learn, and approach autism with greater curiosity, compassion, and understanding. About our Guest:Greer Jones, host of Neurodivergent Conversations, neuro-affirming parent coach, and mother of two neurodivergent children. The Unfinished Idea — her website, blog, and parent support resources.Neurodivergent Conversations — episodes on autistic burnout, emotional regulation, school support, and the realities of neurodivergent parenting. Sign-up for our NEWSLETTER  Check out PsychEd4Peds.com for more resources! SOCIAL @psyched4peds On-demand CME Course online at:  Pediatric Mental Health CME Toolkit - Cracking the ADHD Code: Essentials for Pediatric Clinicians.

  2. 6d ago ·  Video

    88. Raising Resilient Kids: When to Step In, When to Step Back (Rescuer vs Coach Parenting)

    Send us Fan Mail Dr. Elise Fallucco, child psychiatrist and host of the ADHD Anxiety and More podcast, shares parent-focused tips for raising resilient, capable children. She talks about 3 contrasting parenting styles—rescuer, laid-back, and coach— and talks about when each style makes sense.  The Rescuer Parent - wants to FIX problems FOR their child The Laid-back Parent - lets their child sort things out on their own The Coach Parent - Workings WITH the child to help them solve problems She explains common age-based struggles (emotional regulation in preschool, frustration with academics and skills in early grades, and social dynamics in grades 3–5) and reframes disappointment and failure as normal developmental opportunities.  Using the “fail, try, succeed” cycle, she shows how rescuing can stunt growth, then offers coaching steps—validate feelings and ask how to support or guide with questions—through examples like not getting a desired role in a play, homework meltdowns, and forgetting water bottles. 00:00 Welcome and Goals 01:02 Parenting Styles Quiz 02:17 Why Kids Struggle 04:30 Fail Try Succeed Cycle 05:41 Stop Rescuing Start Coaching 07:26 Case Study School Play 10:08 Case Study Homework Meltdown 11:36 Case Study Forgotten Water Bottle 12:41 Final Takeaways and Wrap Up Sign-up for our NEWSLETTER  Check out PsychEd4Peds.com for more resources! SOCIAL @psyched4peds On-demand CME Course online at:  Pediatric Mental Health CME Toolkit - Cracking the ADHD Code: Essentials for Pediatric Clinicians.

  3. Oct 13 ·  Video

    87. Teen Suicide Screening: Why Depression Screening Isn't Enough

    Send us Fan Mail Depression screening and suicide screening are not the same thing—and relying on the PHQ-9 alone can miss youth who are at risk for suicide. In this episode, I break down a quick, practical approach to suicide screening and risk assessment in primary care —including what to do when a screening tool comes back positive. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🚨 Why the PHQ-9 isn’t enough — and how many at-risk youth can slip through the cracks when you rely on depression screening alone.🔎 Who deserves extra attention — including youth with ADHD, anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma, self-harm, or a family history of suicide.📝 The quick, free screening tool I recommend — the ASQ (Ask Suicide-Screening Questions), which can be used alongside your usual depression screener.🧭 What to do when the suicide screen is positive — without automatically sending every child to the ER.🚦 The 4-step framework for deciding: ER or outpatient?Ask about current suicidal thoughtsAssess plan, intent, and previous attemptsCheck whether the child can be safe at homeDecide whether they need emergency evaluation or outpatient management🏠 The two home-safety questions you should always ask before sending a higher-risk child home.💡 How to make suicide screening actually work in a busy pediatric practice without adding another impossible-to-manage task to your day.The big takeaway: Depression screening ≠ suicide screening. Adding a brief, validated suicide screening tool can help you identify kids who might otherwise be missed—and give you a structured way to decide what to do next. Resources mentioned ASQ (Ask Suicide-Screening Questions) Toolkit, including the PHQ-9 + ASQ screening tool available at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/asq-toolkit-materialsBrief Suicide Safety Assessment Worksheet https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/asq-toolkit-materials/youth-asq-toolkit#outpatient24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline   1-800-273-TALK (8255) En Español: 1-888-628-9454 24/7 Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741-741 References Horowitz LM et al. Screening Pediatric Medical Patients for Suicide Risk: Is Depression Screening Enough? J Adolesc Health. 2021 Jun;68(6):1183-1188. Kemper AR et al. Depression and Suicide-Risk Screening Results in Pediatric Primary Care. Pediatrics. 2021 Jul;148(1):e2021049999. Kim Y, Krause TM, Lane SD. Trends and Seasonality of Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations for Suicidality Among Children and Adolescents in the US from 2016 to 2021. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Jul 3;6(7):e2324183. Sign-up for our NEWSLETTER  Check out PsychEd4Peds.com for more resources! SOCIAL @psyched4peds On-demand CME Course online at:  Pediatric Mental Health CME Toolkit - Cracking the ADHD Code: Essentials for Pediatric Clinicians.

  4. Oct 6 ·  Video

    86. Pediatric Mental Health: From Overwhelmed to Confident

    Send us Fan Mail Where are YOU on your pediatric mental health journey? If you’ve ever felt nervous when a child’s mental health screen comes back positive, frustrated when straightforward ADHD treatment suddenly becomes complicated, or overwhelmed because you’ve become the “mental health person” in your practice—this episode is for you. In this episode, Dr. Elise Fallucco introduces the 4 phases of the Pediatric Mental Health Champion Journey:  Phase 1: Running Scared →  Phase 2: Basic Treatment Frustration →  Phase 3: Mental Health Overload →  Phase 4: Champion Mode.  She walks through the signs and challenges of each phase and, most importantly, the practical steps you can take to move forward—from building confidence with ADHD evaluation and treatment, to managing anxiety and more complex comorbidities, to creating systems, boundaries, and workflows that prevent burnout. The goal isn’t to become a child psychiatrist. It’s to become a confident, competent pediatric clinician who can recognize, evaluate, and treat the mental health problems you’re equipped to manage—and know where your boundaries are. Listen to discover which phase you’re in and your next step toward becoming a pediatric mental health champion. 00:00 Pediatric Champion Journey 01:34 Phase One Running Scared 04:25 Phase One Action Steps 07:13 Phase Two Frustration 08:46 Phase Two Level Up 12:20 Systems Templates Boundaries 16:19 Phase Four Champion Mode 17:18 Recap and Next Steps Sign-up for our NEWSLETTER  Check out PsychEd4Peds.com for more resources! SOCIAL @psyched4peds On-demand CME Course online at:  Pediatric Mental Health CME Toolkit - Cracking the ADHD Code: Essentials for Pediatric Clinicians.

  5. Sep 29

    85. Anxiety in Kids: When Is Therapy Enough—and When Should You Add an SSRI? (And why Remission Matters)

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 85 of ADHD, Anxiety & More is for pediatric clinicians who want to know when to prescribe medication for children and teens with anxiety.  In this episode, you will learn about: Which treatment (therapy, medication, or combination of both) offers the highest response for child and teen anxiety Why it is important to treat anxiety to remission The 3 things to do when referring to CBTShe explains why remission matters, citing follow-up findings that remission is associated with better long-term outcomes including lower suicidal behavior and substance use problems.  She also advises clinicians to ensure therapy is true CBT, track symptoms over time with tools like the SCARED, and revisit treatment within 4–6 week intervals if improvement is not robust. 00:00 Anxiety Treatment Choices 03:01 CBT vs SSRI vs Both 03:35 Evidence From CAMS 04:26 Why Remission Matters 07:43 Option One CBT Done Right 12:20 Option Two SSRI When Therapy Is Hard 14:07 Option Three Combination Gold Standard 15:49 Take Home Points and Wrap Up Sign-up for our NEWSLETTER  Check out PsychEd4Peds.com for more resources! SOCIAL @psyched4peds On-demand CME Course online at:  Pediatric Mental Health CME Toolkit - Cracking the ADHD Code: Essentials for Pediatric Clinicians.

  6. Sep 22

    84. Anxiety: When is it normal? When does it need treatment?

    Send us Fan Mail Anxiety is a normal human emotion.  So, how do you know when it’s developmentally typical and when it has crossed the line into something that needs treatment?  In this episode, Dr. Fallucco walks through a practical approach pediatric clinicians can use to recognize clinically significant anxiety that requires treatment.   We talk about Screening, Taking a focused history of Anxiety, and determining whether the anxiety needs treatment. In this episode, you’ll learn: Who to screen for anxiety—and when to keep anxiety on your radar during ADHD, depression, or unexplained physical/behavioral evaluationsWhy the SCARED-5 is a practical anxiety screening tool for pediatric primary careSimple questions you can ask after a positive screen to better understand what a child is worried aboutThe four questions that can help you distinguish developmentally typical anxiety from clinically significant anxiety: Is it proportional? Is it developmentally expected? Is it causing distress? Is it impairing the child or family?How anxiety may look different in younger versus older children, including behavioral symptoms, physical complaints, irritability, and avoidanceWhen to consider treatment—and why CBT is an important first-line intervention for many children with anxiety Sign-up for our NEWSLETTER  Check out PsychEd4Peds.com for more resources! SOCIAL @psyched4peds On-demand CME Course online at:  Pediatric Mental Health CME Toolkit - Cracking the ADHD Code: Essentials for Pediatric Clinicians.

  7. Sep 15 ·  Video

    83. ADHD and Epilepsy: Can You Safely Prescribe Stimulants?

    Send us Fan Mail Join us for the latest Mystery Case: A teen with ADHD + Epilepsy Would you prescribe a stimulant? How do you treat ADHD in people who have epilepsy? In this episode, we unpack: • The surprising relationship between ADHD and epilepsy • Why ADHD is easy to miss in kids with epilepsy • Where the concern about stimulants and seizures came from • What newer research tells us about stimulant treatment in kids with epilepsy • How I would approach treatment—and monitoring—in people with epilepsy 00:00 Welcome and Mystery Case 00:30 ADHD and Epilepsy Link 01:30 Bidirectional Risk Explained 02:58 Seizure History Details 04:00 Treatment Options Debate 06:03 Stimulants and Seizure Evidence 09:14 Best Answer and Monitoring Plan 10:28 Wrap Up and Thanks Studies referenced in the episode: Auvin S et al. Systematic review of the screening, diagnosis, and management of ADHD in children with epilepsy. Consensus paper of the Task Force on Comorbidities of the ILAE Pediatric Commission. Epilepsia. 2018 Brikell I et al. Medication treatment for ADHD and the risk of acute seizures in individuals with epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2019 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Stimulant and non-stimulant drug-therapy for people with ADHD and Epilepsy 2022. Kwon CS et al. Psychiatric comorbidities in persons with epilepsy compared with persons without epilepsy. JAMA Neurology. 2025 Liu X et al. Stimulant do not increase the risk of seizure-related hospitalization in children with epilepsy. J Child Adol Psychopharm. 2018. Wang S et al. Comorbidity of epilepsy and ADHD: a Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurology. 2023  Wiggs KK, Chang Z, Quinn PD, Hur K, Gibbons R, Dunn D, Brikell I, Larsson H, D'Onofrio BM. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication and seizures. Neurology. 2018  Sign-up for our NEWSLETTER  Check out PsychEd4Peds.com for more resources! SOCIAL @psyched4peds On-demand CME Course online at:  Pediatric Mental Health CME Toolkit - Cracking the ADHD Code: Essentials for Pediatric Clinicians.

  8. Sep 8 ·  Video

    82. ADHD Treatment beyond Meds: Exercise and Nutrition

    Send us Fan Mail What ELSE helps ADHD symptoms (in addition to meds?) What does the evidence say about non-medication treatment options for ADHD? We talk about... behavioral therapy  exercise - which is an under-prescribed intervention,  Think 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity 3 times weekly for 8–12 weeksWhat about Nutrition?omega-3 fatty acids may help with emotional lability in ADHD  broad-spectrum micronutrients??00:00  ADHD Treatmetn BEYOND MEDS Overview 02:16 Therapy Evidence Basics 03:47 Medication Hesitancy Case 04:53 Exercise As Treatment 06:34 How Exercise Works 08:14 Exercise Prescription Tips 08:59 Omega 3 For Mood 11:08 Micronutrients Caution 13:22 Recap And Next Steps 14:09 Wrap Up And Subscribe   Sign-up for our NEWSLETTER  Check out PsychEd4Peds.com for more resources! SOCIAL @psyched4peds On-demand CME Course online at:  Pediatric Mental Health CME Toolkit - Cracking the ADHD Code: Essentials for Pediatric Clinicians.

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ADHD, Anxiety & More - formerly Child Mental Health for Pediatric Clinicians  / PsychEd4Peds - is the podcast for pediatric primary care clinicians who want practical, evidence-based guidance for diagnosing and treating children and adolescents with mental health conditions. Hosted by Elise Fallucco, MD, a nationally recognized child and adolescent psychiatrist and speaker whose educational programs have helped thousands of  pediatric clinicians improve their confidence in caring for children with mental health problems.  This podcast is for pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners, physician assistants, family physicians, and other pediatric clinicians who want to confidently care for kids with ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, behavioral concerns, trauma, and other common pediatric mental health conditions. Each episode translates the latest evidence into practical clinical pearls you can use in your office the very next day. Through conversations with leading experts in child psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics, and behavioral health, Dr. Fallucco shares real-world strategies, diagnostic tips, medication guidance, and communication tools designed specifically for busy primary care clinicians. Are you looking for answers to questions like:• Which ADHD medication should I start first?• When should I use a non-stimulant?• How do I treat ADHD and anxiety together?• Could this be ADHD, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, trauma, or a learning disorder?• Which screening tools should I use?• When should I start an SSRI?• How do I manage common medication side effects?• When should I refer to child psychiatry?• How can I support children, teens, and families with confidence? Whether you're evaluating ADHD, treating anxiety, managing behavioral challenges, prescribing stimulants or SSRIs, collaborating with schools, or navigating complex mental health presentations, ADHD, Anxiety & Beyond delivers practical, evidence-based clinical pearls to help you provide exceptional mental health care for children and adolescents.

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