ADHD Families Podcast
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
ADHD Families Podcast helps parents raising children with ADHD create a calmer, more functional family life — without burnout or chaos. Hosted by Sharon, a PCC credentialed ADHD Coach, Parenting Expert, and mum of three boys with ADHD, this podcast delivers practical strategies for parenting kids with ADHD, supporting executive function development, reducing overwhelm, and building systems that work with the ADHD brain. If you’re a parent navigating: - ADHD meltdowns and emotional regulation challenges - Homes that feel busy, loud, or hard to stabilise - Routines and systems that never seem to stick - Behavioural challenges at home or scho...
Episodes
- Episode 79: Managing Sibling Conflict & ADHD with Jacquie Ward
Jacquie Ward, a psychologist and mother of a child with ADHD, joins the ADHD Families Podcast to discuss managing sibling conflict in families with ADHD. The episode explores why conflict can be more intense in these families and offers st…
- Episode 78: Why Friendship Feels Hard When You Have ADHD
This episode of ADHD Families Podcast discusses the difficulties adults with ADHD face in forming friendships. It features ADHD coach Caroline Maguire, who offers insights on social struggles, loneliness, and practical strategies for build…
- Episode 77: Should I Medicate My Child? What ADHD Parents Need to Know Before Deciding
This episode of the ADHD Families Podcast discusses the decision to medicate a child with ADHD. Sharon Collon shares her family's experience and unpacks what ADHD medication does, what the research says, and addresses common concerns like…
- Episode 76: How Do I Support Big Emotions in My Child With ADHD Without Losing It?
Sharon Collon, an ADHD family coach, explains why emotional meltdowns in children with ADHD are nervous system responses rather than behavioral issues. The episode provides a three-step strategy—Name, Validate, Regulate—to help parents sup…
- Episode 75: I’m Overwhelmed Parenting a Child With ADHD — Where Do I Start?
ADHD family coach Sharon Collon discusses why parenting a child with ADHD can cause chronic overwhelm and explains why this is an energy and nervous system issue rather than a time management problem. The episode explores why traditional p…
- Episode 74: The ADHD Pressure Cooker: Why Car Rides Explode (and 3 Steps to Fix It)
Coach Sharon Collon explains why ADHD nervous systems struggle with car travel and provides a three-step strategy to manage meltdowns and regulate the family environment. The episode explores the neurological reasons for car-related confli…
- Episode 73: How Do I Get My Child with ADHD Ready for School Without Meltdowns?
ADHD family coach Sharon Collon discusses why morning routines are challenging for children with ADHD and offers practical, regulation-focused strategies to reduce chaos and pressure. The episode explores how to move away from traditional…
- Episode 72: What to Do First After your Child's ADHD Diagnosis (So You Don’t Burn Out)
In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, host Sharon Collon discusses how parents can manage the post-diagnosis phase for their child with ADHD without falling into burnout. She covers the importance of shifting from reactive, urgent…
- Episode 71: ADHD or Bad Behaviour? The Parenting Question That Causes So Much Confusion
Sharon Collon, ADHD family coach, explores why parents struggle to distinguish between ADHD-related behaviour and defiance. The episode covers the role of executive function and helps parents shift from reacting to situations with guilt to…
- Episode 70: Why Nothing Seems to Work When You’re Parenting a Child With ADHD
In this episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, ADHD family coach Sharon Collon discusses why common parenting strategies often fail for ADHD families. She explains the impact of nervous system overload and suggests focusing on clarity and a…
- Episode 69: Surviving School Holidays for ADHD Families
ADHD family coach Sharon discusses a realistic framework for managing school holidays when living with ADHD. She provides six strategies to help parents reduce burnout and manage daily expectations, emphasizing nervous system regulation an…
- Episode 68: What I have loved, learnt and let go of in 2025
In this year-in-review episode of the ADHD Families Podcast, host and coach Sharon reflects on her personal and professional experiences throughout 2025. She discusses lessons learned regarding burnout, boundaries, health, and business str…
- Episode 67: Helping Your Child with the 3Ds & ADHD with Michael Shanahan
Michael Shanahan discusses the challenges of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, their connection to ADHD, and strategies for supporting children facing these learning difficulties.
- Episode 66: From Rock Bottom to Records with Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson discusses his journey with ADHD, addiction, and recovery, highlighting how ultra-endurance cycling helped him find purpose. The episode explores the link between stimulation-seeking and addiction, the benefits of sport and st…
- Episode 65: How to tell your child they have ADHD
This episode of the ADHD Families Podcast features ADHD coach Sharon explaining how to tell a child about their ADHD diagnosis in a non-scary, empowering way. It covers framing ADHD as unique brain wiring, highlighting strengths, and using…
- Episode 64: Understanding Sensory Profiles in Children with ADHD
This episode features an interview with Rebecca Torpie, founder of Sensory Smart Kids, who explains sensory profiles for children with ADHD. They discuss sensory seeking and avoiding behaviors, strategies for managing sensory challenges, a…
- Episode 63: Interesting Things To Outsource For Busy Families
This episode of ADHD Families Podcast focuses on outsourcing for busy families, offering strategies to reduce stress and reclaim time. It covers practical ideas for outsourcing, how to say no without guilt, and leveraging technology and co…
- Episode 62: Surviving Burnout & Perfectionism in ADHD Mum Life
This episode discusses the challenges of ADHD motherhood, including burnout and perfectionism. It offers strategies for managing tasks, understanding burnout, and practicing energy accounting within families.
- Episode 61: 3 Game-Changing Skills Every Parent of Children With ADHD Needs
This episode introduces Sharon Collon's CRC method—Curious, Regulated, and Clear—offering parents of children with ADHD three skills to shift family dynamics from reactive to responsive. The approach focuses on understanding behavior as co…
- Episode 60: Weight Loss and ADHD with Dr Mary Barson
This episode features an interview with Dr. Mary Barson, founder of Real Life Medicine, discussing practical strategies for managing weight with ADHD. They explore the impact of dopamine and shame on eating habits, address why traditional…
- Episode 59: Regulation Strategies for Stressed-Out Parents
This episode of ADHD Families Podcast features Sharon Collon interviewing occupational therapist Sam Taylor about parental burnout and regulation strategies. They discuss the "bucket" analogy for overwhelm, practical self-care, identifying…
- Episode 58: When ADHD Meets OCD: What Parents Need to Know
This episode discusses the overlap between ADHD and OCD in children. It clarifies the distinctions between OCD and anxiety, highlights subtle signs of OCD in kids with ADHD, and offers practical advice for parents on supporting their child…
- Episode 57: Real Strategies for ADHD in the Classroom
In this episode, Dominique Jones shares strategies for teachers to implement accommodations and support for students with ADHD, and advises parents on how to advocate for their children.
- Episode 56: Secrets to Managing Challenging Behaviours with Dave Jereb
This episode features an interview with Dave Jereb on managing challenging behaviors in children. The discussion covers shifting focus from behavior management to development, adjusting the child, activity, and environment, and the importa…
- Episode 55: ADHD Habit Hack with Monique Suidgeest
In this episode of ADHD Families Podcast, host Sharon Collon interviews Monique Suidgeest about supporting children with ADHD to thrive through habit formation. They discuss the habit loop, practical strategies for parents, overcoming limi…
- Ep 54 - Kindness in Action: Tony and Cassi's Journey to Transform ADHD Support
This episode features Tony and Cassi discussing the creation of Anthony's Way, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and teenagers with ADHD in memory of their son, Anthony. They highlight the importance of kindness, acceptance, and…
- Ep 53 - Navigating teens, ADHD and connection with Maggie Dent
This episode of the ADHD Families Podcast features guest Maggie Dent discussing the challenges of parenting teenagers with ADHD. The conversation covers distinguishing ADHD behaviors from typical teenage boundary-pushing, the importance of…
- Ep 52 - ADHD Family Wrap-Up: Your Wins and Lessons from 2024
This episode of ADHD Families Podcast provides an end-of-year wrap-up for 2024, focusing on reflecting on achievements and setting goals for 2025. It covers transitioning to a proactive mindset, documenting wins, and planning for challenge…
- Ep 51 - Effective Parent-Teacher Collaboration for ADHD and Autism Support with Sue Larkey
This episode features Sue Larkey discussing effective parent-teacher collaboration for supporting children with ADHD and autism. The discussion covers communication strategies, the use of humor, praise, managing rejection sensitivity, and…
- Ep 50 - Navigating Online Safety for Kids with ADHD
This episode of ADHD Families Podcast features ex-detective Kristi McVee discussing online safety for children with ADHD. Topics include unique vulnerabilities, risks such as grooming and sextortion, social media's mental health impact, an…
- Ep 49 - Navigating Holiday Travel with ADHD: Practical Tips for Families
Jenifer Breaux, a travel expert and mother of neurodivergent children, joins host Sharon Collon to offer practical tips for families traveling with ADHD. The episode covers managing anxiety through itineraries and social stories, addressin…
- Ep 48 - Navigating ADHD and Sensory Issues: Practical Mealtime Strategies for Families
This episode features host Sharon Collon and dietitian Sandy Booysen discussing mealtime challenges for children with ADHD and neurodivergent differences. They cover sensory sensitivities, behavioral triggers, and offer practical strategie…
- Ep 47 - Navigating Puberty and ADHD with Michelle Mitchell
This episode discusses navigating puberty and ADHD, emphasizing safety and emotional support for children aged 9-12. Parenting educator Michelle Mitchell shares strategies for fostering connection, building self-esteem, and managing develo…
- Ep 46 - The Role of Amygdala in Anxiety with Karen Young
Karen Young, a psychologist, discusses the amygdala's role in anxiety for children with ADHD, touching on sensory experiences, past traumas, and school-related anxiety. The episode offers practical strategies for parents and educators to c…
- Ep 45 - Fostering ADHD Strengths in Children
This episode features Elly Both, author of "A Kids Book About ADHD," who discusses the importance of celebrating ADHD strengths in children. Elly shares her personal experiences with a late diagnosis and offers strategies for parents to he…
- Ep 44 - Oppositional Behaviours and ADHD Children with Jacquie Ward
Psychologist Jacquie Ward discusses oppositional behaviors in children with ADHD, exploring causes, parental navigation strategies, emotion regulation, and societal perceptions. The episode offers practical advice on co-regulation and conn…
- Ep 43 - Balancing Love and ADHD: Guidance for Couples
ADHD coach Jamie Blume joins the ADHD Families Podcast to offer guidance for couples navigating relationships with ADHD. The episode covers fostering understanding, managing resentment, improving communication, balancing responsibilities,…
- Ep 42 - The Emotional Rollercoaster and ADHD with Lael Stone
This episode of the ADHD Families Podcast features Lael Stone discussing strategies for supporting children with ADHD in managing their emotional experiences. Topics include developing emotional intelligence, modeling healthy emotional res…
- Ep 41 - Social Skills and ADHD: Strategies and Tips from Vivian Dunstan
This episode features Vivian Dunstan discussing social challenges associated with ADHD, offering strategies for skill development, and highlighting the parental role in nurturing social abilities. Key topics include confidence building, na…
- Ep 40 - OCD to Peace: Jo Whitton’s Gut Health Journey
Jo Whitton discusses her family's journey with ADHD and OCD, focusing on the impact of gut health. She shares practical steps for improving gut health through diet and lifestyle changes, emphasizing nutrient-dense foods and stress reductio…
- Ep 39 - Mastering Sleep Skills for Kids with ADHD
Pediatric sleep specialist Donna Moala discusses strategies for helping children with ADHD master sleep skills, drawing on her own experiences as a parent of daughters with ADHD and her professional expertise.
- Ep 38 - Mealtime Struggles: Helping Neurodiverse Children Develop a Positive Relationship with Food
Steph Geddies, a registered nutritionist, discusses strategies for parents of neurodiverse children to create a positive mealtime environment and encourage adventurous eating. The episode covers practical tips, the role of professionals, a…
- Ep 37 - Anxiety and ADHD with Dr Jodi Richardson
Dr. Jodi Richardson discusses how the ADHD brain is often anxious and provides practical strategies for supporting family members. The episode covers anxiety symptoms, the ADHD nervous system, panic attacks, and coping mechanisms.
- Ep 36 - Managing Life Admin and ADHD
This episode features Mia Northrop, co-founder of Life Admin Life Hacks, discussing the challenges of life admin for individuals with ADHD. Mia shares streamlined strategies, digital tools, and tips for managing tasks like emails and to-do…
- Ep 35 - Dyslexia and ADHD with Kristy Hayworth
This episode of the ADHD Families Podcast features dyslexia specialist Kristy Hayworth, discussing the connection between dyslexia and ADHD. Hayworth provides insights into the diagnostic process, how dyslexia presents, and offers practica…
- Ep 34 - Are You Feeling Burnt Out? with Filipa Bellette
The ADHD Families Podcast features Filipa Bellette, a Functional Medicine Practitioner, discussing burnout in parents of children with extra needs. The episode covers identifying burnout, improving sleep, diet, stress management, and pract…
- Ep 33 - Tips to Help Your Family with ADHD
This episode of the ADHD Families Podcast provides a variety of free parenting tips for families with ADHD. It covers practical strategies for managing common challenges, nutrition, sleep, and reframing homework approaches.
- Ep 32 - Anger, aggression and ADHD with Rebecca Challoner
This episode of the ADHD Families Podcast features Rebecca Challoner discussing anger, aggression, and ADHD. The conversation covers emotional regulation, strategies for managing anger in children, parental responses to outbursts, and comm…
- Ep 31 - Teenagers and ADHD with Leanne Tran
This episode features registered psychologist Leanne Tran discussing teenagers with ADHD. Topics include differentiating ADHD symptoms from typical teenage behavior, concerns about homework and screen time, and associated risks.
- Ep 29 - What does an ADHD Coach do with Michele Toner
This podcast episode features Michele Toner, Australia's first ADHD Coach, who explains the role of an ADHD coach, the benefits of working with one, and how to find a qualified coach. The discussion covers the importance of specific traini…