

ADHD Crash Course
Donae Cannon
This is a podcast for those of us who feel we have a lot to learn about ADHD!My name is Donae Cannon- I'm an occupational therapist, a certified coach, a parent of more than one child with ADHD, and I have ADHD. I've been learning about ADHD for a while now, and I'm still learning new things. Welcome to the Crash Course- let's dive in...
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 21, 2025 • 12min
Ep 118. 3 Tips When Self Care & Hygiene Are Hard with ADHD!
Watch video on You Tube here.✉️JOIN MAILING LIST: https://theadhdclaritycoach.com/page/mailing-list👥 GROUP COACHING:https://theadhdclaritycoach.com/page/eyb-group-program 👤 1:1 COACHING:https://theadhdclaritycoach.com/page/coaching-services Resource mentioned: KC Davis' website: https://www.strugglecare.com/ _______________________________________________________________________Today we’re talking about self‑care hygiene — not the spa kind, but the real, day‑to‑day care of your body, space, and routines.Hygiene, cleanup, grooming — these can feel overwhelming, and often carry shame. But this is not a moral issue. It’s a function issue. And we can problem-solve it.In this episode, I’ll share 3 practical tips to help you move through the friction of self-care with more ease, compassion, and real-world supports.TimeSection / Tip00:00:00 Intro : Why hygiene/self-care can be hard with ADHD00:01:30 Tip 1: Understand executive functioning challenges (sequencing, prioritizing)00:03:00 Tip 2: Tackle environmental & sensory friction00:05:00 (continuation of Tip 2) Sensory, transition, flexibility00:07:30 Tip 3: Believe yourself, experiment, self‑compassion00:10:30 Wrap-upADHD self care, ADHD hygiene, executive functioning hygiene, ADHD routines, sensory self care, shame free ADHD, functional self care, ADHD bathroom routines, neurodivergent wellness, ADHD daily habits, ADHD environment, self-compassion ADHD

Oct 14, 2025 • 15min
Ep 117. 10 ADHD‑Friendly Tips for Transitioning to College
✉️JOIN MAILING LIST: https://theadhdclaritycoach.com/page/mailing-list👥GROUP COACHING:https://theadhdclaritycoach.com/page/eyb-group-program 👤1:1 COACHING:https://theadhdclaritycoach.com/page/coaching-services _____________________________If you’re about to head to college (or you’re already there) and you’re wondering how to not get swallowed by overwhelm, this episode is for you.College shifts the game: in high school, there are rails and structure built in. In college? Not so much. That’s why folks with ADHD often hit a wall.In this episode, I’m walking you through 10 ADHD‑friendly tips for transitioning to college — practical strategies to help you build your support, your routines, and your resilience.00:00:00 Intro & why this matters~00:02:50 Tip 1: Use/maintain accommodations~00:03:45 Tip 2: Be realistic in class scheduling~00:05:15 Tip 3: Semester setup / get systems in place~00:06:15 Tip 4: Read the syllabus & extract key info~00:07:15 Tip 5: Daily habit of checking email & assignments~00:08:00 Tip 6: Weekly review / bird’s-eye planning~00:09:20 Tip 7: Choose study spaces that fit your brain~00:10:10 Tip 8: Adapt to how you learn (audio/visual etc.)~00:11:00 Tip 9: Medication logistics & boundaries~00:12:20 Tip 10: External accountability & supports~00:13:00 Tip 11: Self‑care: body, sleep, nutrition00:14:00+Wrap-up & encouragementADHD, ADHDinCollege, ADHDtips, CollegeWithADHD, StudyWithADHD, NeurodivergentStudents, ExecutiveFunction, ADHDCoach, CollegePrep, ADHDSupportingTools, AcademicSuccess, ADHDTransition, NoShameADHD, BrainFriendlyStudying, NeurodiversityEducation

Oct 8, 2025 • 8min
Ep 116. ADHD & Shame: Why Shame Stops You & What to Do About It
Explore how shame can sabotage progress for those with ADHD. Discover how it undermines problem-solving and replaces curiosity with avoidance. Learn the importance of asking 'how' instead of 'why' to uncover solutions. Brene Brown's insights highlight that connection and authenticity can banish shame's power. Embrace self-compassion and community support to break free from harmful narratives. This thought-provoking discussion reveals that shame is just a story, while curiosity opens doors to possibility.

Oct 1, 2025 • 12min
Ep 115. Why Masking Feels Safer (and Why It’s Time to Stop If You Have ADHD)
✉️JOIN MAILING LIST👥ABOUT GROUP COACHING👤ABOUT 1:1 COACHING 🎥YOUTUBEIf you have ADHD, you've likely spent a good portion of your life masking—suppressing or hiding traits to fit into environments that weren’t designed for your brain. In this episode, I’m diving into what masking really is, how it shows up in everyday life (like interrupting or stimming), and most importantly, what we can do instead to show up more authentically, while still respecting ourselves and the people around us.I’m an occupational therapist and executive functioning coach, and I’m here to make life with ADHD easier and more empowering.Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Why we need to talk about masking 00:42 - What is masking in ADHD? 01:30 - Why we mask (hint: it’s about survival) 02:00 - Interrupting: Impulsivity, emotional regulation & working memory 03:45 - Masking vs. problem solving in social situations 04:50 - Stimming: What it is & how masking impacts it 06:10 - The need for dignity, collaboration & support 07:00 - Masking vs. healthy growth: What’s the difference? 08:15 - Real-life story: Masking during grad school interviews 09:45 - How masking blocks authentic connection & opportunity 10:30 - Final thoughts: What to do instead of masking👉 Join my mailing list for weekly ADHD tools, insights, and compassionate strategies for real life.

Sep 23, 2025 • 14min
Ep 114. How to Stop Reacting and Start Choosing: ADHD & Emotional Regulation and The Bee vs. The SUV
Navigating emotional regulation can be challenging, especially with ADHD. Discover how perceived threats, not just physical ones, affect your decision-making. Learn about the story of a bee and an SUV, illustrating the difference between reacting and choosing. Understand why we say 'yes' out of fear and identify core issues versus long-term consequences. Plus, delve into how even lying can be a nervous system response. Strategies for calming your mind and making better choices are also explored, making for insightful listening.

Sep 16, 2025 • 8min
Ep 113. I Can't Get Started! Procrastination, Why Just Do It Doesn't Work (and When It Can)
Explore why traditional advice like "just do it" can fall flat for those with ADHD. Discover two unique strategies: the 'Eat the Frog' method to tackle daunting tasks first, and opting for low-hanging fruit to build momentum through smaller wins. Dive into the reasons behind procrastination—it's not laziness, but rather a complex interplay of energy and support needs. Learn to identify productive actions versus procrastivity, and let curiosity guide your journey in finding what truly works for you!

Sep 2, 2025 • 11min
Ep 112. How to Build Habits with ADHD (That Actually Stick)
Do you tell yourself, “I’m just not a habit person”? I get it—and same. But ADHD doesn’t mean you can’t build habits—it means you need to build them differently.In this video, I walk you through how to create habits in a way that actually works for your ADHD brain—without the burnout, shame spirals, or “new me, new life” traps.💡 You’ll learn:-Why tiny habits matter more than big ones-How to work with your brain, not against it-What to do when you lose a habit that was working-How to build flexibility into your routines-The surprising key to restarting without shameVideo Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Why habits matter (even if you don’t feel like a “habit person”)01:00 – Why too much structure doesn’t always work with ADHD01:30 – Be picky about which habits to build02:30 – Why "starting small" actually works (and what you’re really doing when building a habit)03:30 – The potted plant analogy: how habits take root05:00 – Controlling for friction (aka pests!)06:30 – How to break a habit using reverse friction07:00 – The #1 pitfall: starting too big08:00 – Building flexibility into your habit system08:30 – How to restart a habit after losing it10:00 – Final thoughts: let go of shame, restart tiny, and build again__________________________________________🧠 Coaching, resources & community:*ADHD tips delivered to your inbox: https://theadhdclaritycoach.com/page/mailing-list* group program: https://theadhdclaritycoach.com/page/eyb-group-program*individual coaching: https://theadhdclaritycoach.com/page/coaching-services

Aug 26, 2025 • 8min
Ep 111. Working Memory and ADHD: Why You Keep Forgetting (and What Actually Helps)
Struggling to remember simple tasks is a common challenge for those with ADHD. The discussion highlights the distinction between working memory and attention. It also dives into what forgetting truly means for individuals with ADHD. Real-world strategies, such as setting up reminders and organizational systems, are shared to help manage memory difficulties. Whether it's misplacing instructions or forgetting appointments, practical solutions are offered to create supportive systems that work with your brain.

Aug 19, 2025 • 3min
Ep 110. The “Ta-Da List”: The ADHD-Friendly Productivity Hack That Actually Works
Feeling like you never get enough done—even when you’re constantly busy? In this episode, I’m introducing the “Ta-Da List,” a simple, empowering productivity tool designed especially for ADHD brains. Learn how this practice boosts dopamine, improves time awareness, and helps shift you out of perfectionist thinking. Whether your day was full of wins or curveballs, this tool can help you celebrate what really matters—your effort!TIME STAMPS:00:00 – Intro: Why this tool is ADHD-friendly00:30 – What is a Ta-Da List?01:00 – The dopamine boost: why this matters for ADHD01:40 – “I don’t know what I did all day”: solving that mystery02:10 – How this tool improves time awareness02:40 – From perfectionism to progress: flexible thinking03:20 – Why celebrating effort increases motivation03:50 – Put everything on your Ta-Da List04:30 – Final thoughts: try this today!

Aug 12, 2025 • 10min
Ep 109. Emotional Regulation & ADHD: Tools That Work (Even If You Hate Mindfulness)
Discover why emotional regulation is more than just staying calm. Learn about a powerful pyramid of practical tools tailored for ADHD, focusing on body-based, skill-based, and thought-based strategies. Explore why traditional mindfulness techniques can feel challenging and how to make them ADHD-friendly. Find out unique methods like the ice water trick to reset your system and why positive thinking alone doesn't cut it. These strategies aim to help you regain control during overwhelming moments, whether at home, work, or in traffic.


