

The ADHD Parenting Podcast
The ADHD Parenting Podcast
The ADHD Parenting Podcast helps parents of children and teens with ADHD improve behavior, emotional regulation, executive function, and cooperation at home and school. Hosted by Ryan Wexelblatt, LCSW, founder of ADHD Dude, and Mike McLeod, SLP, executive function specialist and author of The Executive Function Playbook, each episode delivers practical, evidence-informed strategies for reducing conflict, strengthening routines, supporting school success, and helping kids with ADHD build independence and confidence.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 22, 2025 • 36min
Answering Parents' Questions
Dive into practical advice for parents tackling ADHD challenges! Discover insights on managing therapeutic classroom recommendations without backfiring, and navigate the complexities of a preteen’s political curiosity. Learn strategies to reduce prompt dependency during routines like meals and showers. Plus, explore effective ways to address lying and exaggeration in teens, with keen focus on their social and memory skills. Tune in for actionable tips that go beyond the surface!

21 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 38min
Stepping Into Your Parental Authority
The hosts delve into the concept of authoritative parenting, emphasizing warmth and structure to help children with ADHD thrive. They discuss the drawbacks of permissive parenting, linking it to increased ADHD symptoms and poor self-regulation. Key strategies include modeling calm behavior and setting clear, consistent limits. They also challenge social media's portrayal of permissiveness as nurturing, highlighting the long-term benefits of high expectations. Practical tips are provided to help parents foster responsibility and resilience in their children.

Sep 24, 2025 • 24min
Parent Coaching Session with the Father of a 14-Year-Old
In this episode of the ADHD Parenting Podcast, Ryan sits down with the father of Rick, a 14-year-old navigating ADHD in the context of a blended family. The conversation explores the challenges of co-parenting across two households with different structures, managing dad guilt while maintaining boundaries, and helping a teen feel both supported and heard. They discuss practical strategies like front-loading transitions, maintaining consistent expectations, and giving kids more voice in decision-making. Rick’s father also shares how ADHD medication has significantly improved Rick’s school performance and home life. This is a candid and practical discussion for parents raising kids with ADHD.Find Mike @ www.grownowadhd.com & on IGFind Ryan @ www.adhddude.com & on Youtube{{chapters}}[00:00:00] Start[00:01:00] Introduction — Meet Rick’s dad and hear about life in a blended family with ADHD.[00:02:00] Feeling Singled Out — Rick’s struggles with rules and comparisons to siblings.[00:03:30] Structure and Consistency — Why clear expectations matter in ADHD households.[00:06:20] Two Homes, Two Rules — Navigating co-parenting across different households.[00:08:00] Dad Guilt and Boundaries — Balancing empathy with the need for rules.[00:09:50] Giving Teens a Voice — Collaborative problem solving and building trust.[00:13:30] Transition Trouble — Using front-loading to ease household changes.[00:16:50] Vigilant Care — Staying connected through texts and calls between visits.[00:19:50] Medication Success — How stimulants improved focus and behavior for Rick.[00:22:15] Closing Thoughts — Key takeaways, resources, and next steps.

Sep 10, 2025 • 33min
Answering Parents' Questions
Mike and Ryan dive into listener inquiries, addressing how to handle neighborhood exclusion for kids and the best practices for setting boundaries with young adults living at home. They also explore strategies for navigating chaotic social events, emphasizing the importance of preparation. Plus, they discuss supporting children's reading preferences, particularly engaging with graphic novels, and how these can enhance comprehension. Tune in for practical, relatable guidance on parenting in the ADHD landscape!

15 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 40min
Answering Listener Questions
Hosts tackle pressing questions from parents of children with ADHD. They explore how to motivate kids for home therapy without rewards. Strategies for managing emotional outbursts in sports are discussed, especially during medication wear-off. The importance of setting clear boundaries is emphasized. Additionally, they address screen addiction and the need for community support. Real-life challenges and effective communication with teens round out the conversation, highlighting practical parenting tips for navigating ADHD.

Aug 13, 2025 • 45min
The Hidden Heartbreak of Teen ADHD: A Real Story
In this episode of the ADHD Parenting Podcast, hosts Ryan and Mike tackle a question about the complex challenges faced by a high school boy with ADHD, as highlighted in a heartfelt email from a concerned parent. How can parents effectively support their children in navigating emotional intensity and social skills? What role does rejection sensitivity play in their relationships? As they explore the impact of impulsivity on friendships and romantic interests, listeners will discover practical strategies for fostering resilience and self-regulation. Find Mike @ www.grownowadhd.com & on IGFind Ryan @ www.adhddude.com & on Youtube[00:00:00] Start[00:03:04] Navigating emotional intensity in teens.[00:05:39] Rejection sensitive dysphoria explained.[00:08:17] Feedback and emotional resilience.[00:12:41] Parenting strategies for ADHD kids.[00:14:11] Social isolation and motivation.[00:17:38] Overcoming task avoidance in ADHD.[00:20:49] Video game boundaries and addiction.[00:26:29] Community centers for kids.[00:29:28] Anger and social relationships.[00:31:09] Understanding romantic relationships in ADHD.[00:34:12] Impulsiveness and ADHD challenges.[00:38:05] Sharing internal dialogue examples.[00:42:34] In-person relationships for ADHD kids.[00:44:08] Professional advice disclaimer.

Jul 23, 2025 • 25min
How Neurodiverse Parenting Content Can Harm Your Child
Hosts dive into the pitfalls of misleading neurodiverse parenting content on social media. They discuss how overly simplistic views can harm a child's development by reducing their identity to a diagnosis. Emphasis is placed on fostering a growth mindset and critical thinking when evaluating online parenting advice. The conversation highlights the need for strategies that promote independence while balancing empathy and high expectations. Ultimately, they encourage parents to view their child as more than just their medical condition.

19 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 30min
Raising Resilient Kids with ADHD: 4 Parenting Shifts That Break the Fragility Cycle
This discussion challenges the idea that children with ADHD are fragile, promoting a shift towards resilience through 'anti-fragile' parenting. It emphasizes building frustration tolerance instead of over-protection. Host delve into practical strategies for fostering emotional regulation and independence in kids. They explore how high parental expectations can influence behavior and the importance of coaching children through stress rather than shielding them. Celebrate effort, embrace growth mindsets, and empower kids to thrive through challenges!

Jun 25, 2025 • 32min
Why Social Struggles Follow Kids With ADHD-And What Actually Helps
The podcast delves into the social challenges faced by a nine-year-old with ADHD, emphasizing how medication may impact social skills. It examines the role of anxiety and the pitfalls of black-and-white thinking in forming friendships. Strategies for enhancing social skills are shared, alongside a discussion about the transition to middle school. The hosts also tackle school selection issues for ADHD kids, highlighting the need for supportive environments and exploring the potential benefits of extracurricular activities like scouts.

Jun 11, 2025 • 28min
Tips for Parenting an ADHD Child when You Have ADHD Yourself
In this episode of the ADHD Parenting Podcast, hosts Ryan and Mike offer six tips for parenting a child with ADHD while navigating their own ADHD challenges. How can parents shift from a fixed mindset to embrace growth? What strategies can help combat all-or-nothing thinking that often leads to frustration? They explore the importance of accountability and the necessity of taking breaks for self-care. Find Mike @ www.grownowadhd.com & on IGFind Ryan @ www.adhddude.com & on Youtube[00:00:00] Start[00:01:09] Fixed mindset in parenting.[00:03:46] Importance of cognitive behavior therapy.[00:08:45] Striving for realistic expectations.[00:11:15] Parenting is an imperfect science.[00:14:04] Gentle parenting misconceptions.[00:19:00] Parenting and personal life balance.[00:20:37] Parenting identity and independence.[00:23:42] Modeling accountability in parenting.


