#212: ADHD and Self-Esteem: How to Help Your Child Feel Good About Who They Are
Shining With ADHD by The Childhood Collective
Penny's social anxiety shaped parenting messages
Penny shares how her social anxiety led to overcorrection and projecting expectations onto her children.
SHINING WITH ADHD
#212: ADHD and Self-Esteem: How to Help Your Child Feel Good About Who They Are
The Childhood Collective
2/4/2026
SUMMARY
We are talking with Penny Williams, host of the Beautifully Complex podcast, about ADHD and self-esteem. Penny vulnerably shares how her own social anxiety once made her overly critical, driven by a need for her kids to look “put together” as a reflection of her. We explore how letting go of others’ opinions can be a powerful turning point, especially for parents raising kids with ADHD and autism. Penny introduces the authenticity mirror and offers practical ways to reflect acceptance, confidence, and pride back to your child so they can feel good about who they truly are.
MEET PENNY WILLIAMS
Penny Williams is a behavior and parenting coach, author, and educator who supports families raising neurodivergent kids, including those with ADHD, autism, and anxiety. Through her science-informed, compassion-centered SIGNAL Parenting™ framework, she helps parents understand what behavior is communicating and respond with connection instead of punishment.
Penny is the award-winning author of Boy Without Instructions, host of the Beautifully Complex Podcast with over 5 million downloads, and founder of the Regulated Kids Project. Her work has been featured in leading parenting and neurodiversity publications.
At the heart of Penny’s work is one powerful belief: Behavior isn’t the problem — it’s the signal.
LINKS + RESOURCES
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Mentioned in this episode:
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