Raising ADHD: Real Talk For Parents & Educators

Dr. Brian Bradford & Apryl Bradford
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

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. 10h ago

    Traveling With ADHD Kids: How to Plan a Vacation That Doesn't End in Meltdowns with Mary Katherine Brooks

    Send us Fan Mail Traveling with an ADHD child without the meltdowns is possible. A travel expert shares how to plan Disney, cruises, and trips that actually feel like a vacation. ______________________________________________________________ The thought of planning a vacation with your ADHD kid makes your stomach clench, so you either skip it or push through and come home needing a vacation from your vacation. There's a third option. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with travel expert Mary Katherine Brooks (MK) of MK's Magical Adventures, who designs vacations for families with ADHD, autism, and other complex needs. We cover why the "one perfect trip" pressure backfires, how to build margin into a Disney day so nobody melts down, why cruises and all-inclusives fit neurodivergent families so well, the truth about Disney's DAS pass, and a simple reset for when a day goes sideways. If you've looked at the logistics of traveling with an ADHD child and decided it wasn't worth it, this conversation is the reframe that makes vacation feel possible again. What you'll learn Why planning a trip with an ADHD child feels paralyzing, and the mindset shift that makes it doable.Why a rough trip is a data point for next time, not a reason to give up on travel for good.How to build margin into every day, and a full margin day into the week, so the trip actually feels restful.Why Disney deluxe resorts double as a safety feature for kids who bolt, plus how early entry and extended evening hours help ADHD families.Why cruises and all-inclusives work so well for neurodivergent kids: built-in structure paired with real voice and choice.The reality of Disney's DAS pass (Disability Access Service) and why you can't build a whole trip around it.A simple in-the-moment reset plan for when a vacation day starts going off the rails.Why a human travel advisor beats AI for planning, since AI is often years behind in the travel space.Timestamps 00:00 The vacation that leaves you needing a vacation from your vacation  02:27 Apryl's travel story: 40 states, a Greece flight, and the summer trip that never happened  04:16 Meet MK and the families she designs trips for  06:30 For the parent who's already given up on travel  06:43 The Christmas analogy: a bad trip is a data point, not a verdict  10:09 MK's planning process, from first call to hour-by-hour itinerary  13:21 Why "hit the ground running to get your money's worth" backfires  18:03 What your kid actually remembers, and it isn't the rides you skipped  20:49 What a well-paced ADHD-friendly week looks like, and why margin matters  26:09 Why cruises and all-inclusives fit neurodivergent families  28:08 The best destinations and trip formats, and why they work  29:30 A real ADHD itinerary: early entry, deluxe resorts, and VIP tours  35:17 Accommodations to ask for, and the truth about the DAS pass  40:00 A simple reset when a vacation day goes off the rails  44:13 MK's one big takeaway for tired parents  45:54 How to connect with MK One thing to do next Grab MK's best travel tips in one free, easy download so you don't have to hold it all in your head. Get it at raisingadhd.org/37. Read the full transcript https://www.buzzsprout.com/2531405/19332968-traveling-with-adhd-kids-how-to-plan-a-vacation-that-doesn-t-end-in-meltdowns-with-mary-katherine-brooks/transcript About our guest Mary Catherine Brooks (MK) owns MK's Magical Adventures, a travel agency she founded in 2022 that plans vacations for families with ADHD, autism, food allergies, and other complex needs. She grew up with ADHD herself and builds trips around how your family's brains and bodies actually work.  Instagram: @mks_magical_adventures  Website: mksmagicaladventures.com (book a consultation call directly from the site) Coming up next week What's saving my life right now. An honest roundup of the tools, tricks, and small finds making life with an ADHD kiddo easier this season. Hit follow so it lands the moment it drops. Resources and related episodes Free travel tips download: raisingadhd.org/37  Last week's episode on dopamine-seeking and sensory-seeking behavior  Ep34: The Best Daily Routine for a Child With ADHD (Summer Edition)  Find Apryl on Instagram: @raisingadhd_org Hosts Apryl Bradford, former classroom teacher with a master's in education and mom raising a child with ADHD, alongside Dr. Brian Bradford, child and adolescent psychiatrist.

    49 min

  2. 6d ago

    Your ADHD Child Isn't Trying to Drive You Crazy: Here's What's Really Going On

    Send us Fan Mail Why your ADHD child kicks, hums, and can't sit still, and what to do instead of yelling. A simple reframe for sensory and dopamine-seeking behavior. _________________________________________________________ You're three minutes into the drive home, and your kiddo is already kicking the back of your seat, humming the same three notes on a loop, and poking their sibling until everyone's yelling. You're white-knuckling the wheel, wondering if they're doing it on purpose. They're not. In this episode, we're breaking down the ADHD behaviors that drive parents up the wall: kicking the car seat, rocking in the chair, fidgeting, tapping, stimming, and playing the same song on repeat. She explains why a child with ADHD often can't sit still, what the dopamine reward system and the sensory system are actually chasing in those moments, and why "just stop it" rarely works. You'll learn the difference between dopamine-seeking and sensory-seeking behavior, three quick questions to tell them apart, and a simple weekly experiment that channels the need instead of fighting it. Same kid, same energy, a lot less yelling. What you'll learn Why kicking, rocking, humming, and poking are usually a regulation attempt, not defiance or misbehavior.How the ADHD brain's understimulation drives both dopamine-seeking (chasing interest) and sensory-seeking (chasing movement, pressure, and sound), and why the two usually show up together.Three quick questions to tell whether a behavior is dopamine-driven, sensory-driven, or both.Why the goal is never zero movement, and how to protect people and property while giving the need a better job to do.Real swaps that work: a resistance band on the car seat, a wobble cushion, a car stimulation kit, and "yes here, no there" boundaries.Three decisions you make once and reuse forever: your non-negotiables, your family's okay stims, and a go-to script for high-stress moments.The one-week experiment: one situation, one behavior, one outlet, one sentence.Timestamps 00:00 The after-school car ride every ADHD parent knows  02:55 The anchor reframe: regulation attempt, not moral failure  04:42 A no-degree-required look at the two systems driving the behavior  07:54 Three behaviors we're putting under the lens  10:04 Behavior 1: kicking the car seat  15:28 Behavior 2: rocking and kicking at the table  18:21 Behavior 3: the song on repeat and the sibling poking  21:06 Three quick questions to tell dopamine from sensory  22:24 Three decisions you make once and reuse forever  26:30 Your one-week experiment: one situation, one behavior, one outlet, one sentence  29:10 The reframe to carry into your week Read the full transcript https://www.buzzsprout.com/2531405/19316217-adhd-regulation-in-the-real-world/transcript One thing to do next Get a short Raising ADHD™ reframe in your inbox each week, one you can read in under two minutes and use the same day. Join the email list at raisingadhd.org. Coming up next week Mary Katherine from MK's Magical Adventures is joining me to tackle traveling with ADHD kiddos: how to survive flights, road trips, and routine-wrecking vacations without the meltdowns. Hit follow so it lands the moment it drops. Resources and related episodes Free Executive Function Check-In quiz: raisingadhd.org/quiz  Ep29: How to Manage ADHD Hyperactivity Without Fighting It  Ep31: ADHD Meltdowns vs Tantrums  Find Apryl on Instagram: @raisingadhd_org Hosts Apryl Bradford, former classroom teacher with a master's in education and mom to a child with ADHD, alongside Dr. Brian Bradford, child and adolescent psychiatrist.

    31 min

  3. May 28

    Why Consequences Don't Work for ADHD Kids (And What to Do Instead)

    Send us Fan Mail Traditional discipline doesn't work for ADHD kids—here's the brain science why, plus 6 research-backed strategies that do. ________________________________________________________________ Raise your hand if you've ever been told, "You just need to discipline your child more." Or maybe you've thought it yourself: Why won't they just try harder? This isn't that hard. Here's what no one told you: traditional discipline techniques—consequences, punishments, taking things away—don't work for ADHD kids. And it's not because you're doing it wrong. It's because the ADHD brain is wired differently, and the strategies we were all taught assume a brain that doesn't exist in your child. In this episode, Apryl breaks down the actual neuroscience (from Johns Hopkins, Harvard, NIH, and the largest ADHD treatment trial ever conducted) to show you exactly what's happening in your child's brain—and why punishment often makes ADHD symptoms worse, not better. Then she walks you through six discipline strategies that are backed by decades of research and tested in her own ADHD home. You'll learn: Why your child's prefrontal cortex is running up to 3 years behind (and what that means for expectations)The dopamine problem: why consequences don't "register" the same wayTime blindness explained—and why "wait until your father gets home" was never going to workThe 6 discipline strategies that actually work for ADHD brainsWhy the most-tested ADHD intervention has a 92% success rate (and how to use it at home)The one mindset shift that changes everything: from enforcer to executive function coachIf you've tried everything and nothing sticks, this episode will finally explain why—and give you a new playbook. RESOURCES MENTIONED Behavior Breakthrough Week: raisingadhd.org/breakthrough – Kickoff June 7th

    45 min

  4. May 18

    The Best Daily Routine for a Child with ADHD (Summer Edition)

    Send us Fan Mail What's the best daily routine for a child with ADHD? Not a rigid schedule, but a flexible anchor system. Get the research-backed summer framework that actually works.  ___________________________________________________ School ends, and within 48 hours, your ADHD kid is dysregulated, bored, melting down, and you're wondering how you'll survive until August. Here's why: the school day has been doing invisible work for your child's brain all year. It offloads sequencing, time management, transitions, and task-switching. When summer hits, your child loses both the internal capacity AND the external support at the same time. But the fix isn't a color-coded hourly schedule you'll abandon by day three. It's building flexible anchors your child's brain can latch onto—without making you the full-time cruise director. In this episode, Apryl breaks down the Summer Anchor Framework and the three research-backed non-negotiables that protect your child's brain (and your sanity) all summer long. You'll learn: Why ADHD symptoms spike in summer—and what the research says about preventing itThe Summer Anchor Framework: structure without rigidityThe 3 non-negotiables every ADHD summer routine needs (backed by Harvard research)How to prevent the "summer slide" that consumes your child's entire fall semesterPractical ideas for the daily learning block that don't feel like schoolWhat Apryl's own summer schedule looks like (real-life, not Pinterest-perfect)If you've been dreading summer or white-knuckling your way through it, this episode gives you a framework you can actually stick with. RESOURCES MENTIONED Free resource: Behavior Breakthrough Week waitlist – raisingadhd.org/breakthroughPrevious episode: Managing ADHD Without MedicationSummer Bridge Workbooks Read-alouds: The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies, Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris GrabensteinPractical ideas for the learning block: Math gamesSummer Bridge workbooksReading (or captions-on movie watching)Sidewalk chalk math/shapesRead-alouds with chapter books

    28 min

  5. May 4

    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

  6. 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 Free Executive Function Quiz — Compare your skills with your child's and find out where the gaps are

    42 min

  7. 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

  8. 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
See All (38)

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.

Information

You Might Also Like