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Kids & Family

All Aboard ADHD

Claire Quigley Ward

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.

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  • 66 episodes
  • Updated July 24

Episodes66

Newest first
  • Apr 5, 2024 · 35 min

    ADHD and Attachment

    How do attachment styles in babies and children affect their brains if they have ADHD? Even before diagnosis, early childhood experiences will shape their response to real or perceived threats. With the right understanding of what drives their children’s emotional responses, parents can give them the support they need to better tune into and regulate their emotions. In this episode, Claire explores the link between ADHD and Attachment with expert guest Dr Deba Choudhury-Peters - Chartered Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience and the founder of DCP Therapy: an independent psychological therapy practice in London, offering a tailor-made holistic approach, with particular focus on the body-mind connection. Dr Deba works with a wide range of psychological problems and specialises in therapy for trauma and attachment styles in relationships. Dr Deba explains the basics behind attachment theory - covering the main types and how they manifest in ADHD children. She also talks about what this might mean as your child grows and interacts with other adults and children around them, for example at school. We learn some powerful ways that taking a holistic approach, engaging both the mind and the body, can help empower both children and parents to celebrate their differences. If you’d like to learn more about Attachment and Dr Deba’s work, then please check out Deba’s services at DCP Therapy here: https://dcptherapy.com

  • Mar 22, 2024 · 42 min

    ADHD in Schools

    How can we better support ADHD kids in schools? How do so many ADHD teens and young adults end up in prison? Why does one diagnosis seem to be the point at which things stop, when the co-occurring nature of neurodivergent differences is so high? All these questions and lots more are answered in this episode, Claire is joined by Sarah Templeton - ADHD author, accredited counsellor, coach and founder of Headstuff ADHD Therapy - the biggest ADHD counselling and coaching company in the UK. Sarah herself was not diagnosed with ADHD until her early 50’s, which came as a huge shock. Since that diagnosis in 2015, she has dedicated her life to helping ADHD children and adults. She is especially passionate about raising awareness and understanding of ADHD in schools and in the criminal justice system. Sarah talks about how ADHD might affect a child's experience at school and their ability to learn in a classroom, with some fascinating insights as to how teachers might play to their ADHD pupils' strengths and engage them in their own learning process. She also shares some surprising stats around ADHD and the range of co-occurring conditions, particularly Dyslexia, and the additional challenges this can present for children, teachers and parents. We learn just how easy the path from undiagnosed or unsupported ADHD in children can lead to a criminal record but crucially, through awareness and the right practical strategies, how easy it can be to avoid. If you are a parent of an ADHD child looking for an inspiring listen with practical advice to help you advocate for your child at school or college and help them play to their strengths, this episode is for you. To find out more about Sarah and her work, head to: https://www.sarahtempleton.org.uk/ Sarah has also written multiple books: How NOT To Murder Your ADHD Kid Teachers-How Not to Kill the Spirit inYour ADHD Kids How Not to Damage your ADHD Adolescent

  • Mar 8, 2024 · 52 min

    Carrie Grant - My Parenting Story

    What does ‘a very modern family’ look like from the inside? In this episode, I am joined by BAFTA award-winning Carrie Grant for a raw, honest and thoroughly inspiring introduction to her wonderfully diverse “multi-hyphenate” ND family. Carrie shares the highs and lows of parenting four children across their experiences of ADHD, PDA (pathological demand avoidance), DMDD (disruptive mood dysregulation disorder), Autism and Dyscalculia, but also the additional challenges they face, coming from mixed-race heritage and discovering diversity in terms of sexuality and gender too. Carrie shares examples of early behaviours that pointed to the potential of ADHD in her children. With over 60% of black and mixed race children sent down a SEMH pathway (social, emotional and mental health) than a SEND pathway (special educational needs and disabilities) Carrie also points towards the dangers of cultural stereotypes and also how early signs may not be as obvious in AFAB children (assigned female at birth) or indeed how behaviour at school vs at home can wildly differ. With diagnoses therefore arriving at different ages and stages for her children, Carrie shares the reality of the grief that can come with late diagnosis and what we must do better, particularly in schools, to support our neurodivergent children. Carrie goes on to share some honest reflections about the impact of late diagnosis on how she views her own parenting and how developing a deep understanding of her children’s needs has helped her to advocate for them - and ultimately for them to learn to advocate for themselves. Going on to share how things looked for herself and her children post-diagnosis, Carrie introduces us to the world of getting “reasonable adjustments” in place, faced with various reactions and levels of commitment from the school system. She also shares a great tip for the one person to look out for on your journey to help your child get the support they need - and it’s not the person you might expect! She also shares a hopeful message about the strengths and incredible creative abilities of her children. This episode is a must-listen for parents not just of children with ADHD, but also those of “multi-hyphenate” children who don’t fit into society’s boxes. Carrie and her husband David run a support group for over 200 families and have a book out on Little Brown called: A Very Modern Family.

  • Feb 23, 2024 · 34 min

    Identifying & Diagnosing ADHD

    What is the ADHD Children’s Evaluation and what can it give parents who suspect their child has ADHD? In this episode, Claire is joined by Professor Susan Young to discuss the ACE assessment. Susan shares the real reason that it was developed and how it has quickly been adopted as a tool not just across the UK, but globally, and has also been expanded to include young people and adults. Professor Susan explains what makes the ACE tool so different from other ‘tick box’ assessment tools and how its design ensures the identification of symptoms that may already be ‘masked’ by changes in behaviour or existing accommodations to minimise impact at school at home. Professor Susan goes on to share other key differences in the ACE tool, including providing space for signs or “pings” of known or unknown co-existing conditions such as autism, allowing for the reality that ”most children will have ADHD plus something else”. She also stresses the Importance of the assessment being carried out by a qualified Healthcare Clinician. so they can truly answer the question: Is this ADHD or something else? Do you have a boisterous boy or a dreamy giggly girl? Professor Susan shares more about the difference in ADHD presentation between boys and girls and the inherent bias in the ADHD criteria that the ACE tool seeks to counter. Whilst the disruption caused by a typical ADHD boy's behaviour means their ADHD is more likely to be picked up earlier on, with girls their symptoms can be less obvious, for example daydreaming and struggling to maintain friendships. Such is this difference that a recent Study in Sweden uncovered a huge difference in time to diagnosis - although Professor Susan believes the real number could be even larger due to girls' ability to camouflage - even in an assessment interview. Claire and Professor Susan go on to discuss the importance of early intervention and the wide range of different options parents have to make accommodations and support their child - not just medication. They also discuss the importance of taking it one step at a time and exploring what you can do to support your child whilst you’re waiting for an assessment. To find out more about Professor Susan’s work, head to her website where you will also find psychoeducational resources and strategies to support children, young people and adults with ADHD, and their parents and carers: http://www.psychology-services.uk.com/service-users Her books are: Cognitive-behavioural Therapy for ADHD in Adolescents and Adults: A Psychological Guide to Practice 2nd Edition. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd (Susan Young and Jessica Bramham): https://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioural-Therapy-ADHD-Adolescents- Adults/dp/1119960738/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26ZIWZJ623DSK&keywords=young+bramham+adhd+cognitive+therapy&qid=1671205802&sprefi x=young+bramham+adhd+cognitive+therapy%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1 Helping Children with ADHD: A CBT Guide for Practitioners, Parents and Teachers’ (written by Susan Young and Jade Smith): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Helping-Children-ADHD-Practitioners- Teachers/dp/1118903188/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12PCVLA5KF9X&keywords=young+smith+CBT+adhd&qid=1671205933&sprefix=young+smith+ cbt+adhd%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1 For support with your ADHD child, discover her ‘‘Spot it and Sort it’ videos here: https://professor-susan-young-psychology-services.teachable.com

  • Feb 23, 2024 · 40 min

    What is ADHD?

    In this episode, Claire and Professor Edmund dive into the all-important question: what is ADHD? Professor Edmund - Professor of Developmental Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Kings College London - sheds light on just how tricky that question can be to answer, due to the rapidly evolving research and narrative around the condition. He breaks down the medical definition, but clarifies also the emerging ‘neurodiversity' view of ADHD and crucially, how these two differ in their perspective. They discuss the potential ADHD impact on daily life, for children and their parents, encouraging us to look at the positives as well as the negatives! Professor Edmund shares some key insight into the impact of environmental factors on how ADHD can manifest - for example the difference between school and home. They also discuss some of the key differences between how ADHD looks in boys and girls, delving into just why ADHD is so often overlooked in girls in particular and how this is now changing, with the advent of more research into ADHD in females. Professor Edmund introduces us to the idea of a ‘wonky self-concept’ that can develop in ADHD children as a result of negative feedback from friends and teachers, but also sheds light on many ADHD strengths that have gone unnoticed historically, including the mischievous magpie mind! Professor Edmund busts some of the current myths around ADHD and the danger of taking a polarised view. Whilst some might say ADHD kids are ‘just naughty’, others might say ‘they can’t be naughty, they just have ADHD’. In Professor Edmund’s view, the answer lies elsewhere and he explains more about the danger of pointing to any one thing as the ‘cause’ of ADHD. This episode is a must for any parent starting out on their ADHD journey to get a clear view of what ADHD is (and isn’t!). If you’d like to find out more about Professor Edmund and his work, head here: Professor of Developmental Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Kings College London Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences Fellow of The British Academy Member of the Academia Europea Editor in Chief of The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

  • Feb 22, 2024 · 46 min

    Claire Quigley Ward - My Parenting Story

    All Aboard ADHD is a podcast for all parents and caregivers navigating the world of ADHD and keen to support their child with ADHD. Join us on a journey of exploration and education about ADHD, inviting all parents of children with ADHD, and those interested in learning more about it, to come on board. Whether you’re at the beginning of this journey asking: ‘what now?’ Or you’ve trodden this path for a while asking: ‘what next?’. We’re here for you. In this first episode, Claire shares her ‘why’ for creating this podcast: her own journey as a parent of an ADHD child, with some refreshingly honest insight about her experiences. Differences began to show in her son around the age of 6, leading her to seek support from her GP initially for herself, then eventually leading to a diagnosis for her son. Claire shares some insight into how that journey looked for herself and her family - the ups, the downs and everything in between. Claire shares the reality of supporting her son with his emotional regulation, how his diagnosis was the starting point for learning all about ADHD, not just in terms of challenges but also strengths and also what accommodations at home and at school to support him to thrive. Wherever you are on your journey with an ADHD diagnosis for your child, come on board with us and learn more about ADHD. After all, knowledge is power!