
The ADHD Parenting Podcast
The ADHD Parenting Podcast offers practical information to help you help your child reach their full potential without the fluffy stuff. This podcast is presented by Mike McLeod, SLP from GrowNow ADHD, and Ryan Wexelblatt, LCSW, from ADHD Dude.
Latest episodes

Jun 25, 2025 • 32min
Why Social Struggles Follow Kids With ADHD-And What Actually Helps
Ryan coaches the parents of nine-year-old Cobe, who is grappling with social challenges linked to ADHD. They look into the impact of medication on social skills and explore whether anxiety plays a role in Kobe's reluctance to form friendships. Can black-and-white thinking hinder his social development? As they discuss strategies for fostering social skills and preparing for the transition to middle school, listeners will discover whether smaller school environments truly offer a solution. Find Mike @ www.grownowadhd.com & on IGFind Ryan @ www.adhddude.com & on Youtube[00:00:00] Start[00:01:27] Medication effects on social skills.[00:04:49] Black and white thinking.[00:08:49] Social struggles in middle school.[00:10:15] Social skills development challenges.[00:14:33] Social skills development challenges.[00:18:42] School rejection and ADHD challenges.[00:21:02] School options for ADHD children.[00:25:56] Better equipped schools for ADHD.[00:27:15] Reciprocity in relationships.[00:30:55] Scouts and social skills benefits.

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.

May 28, 2025 • 26min
ADHD, Screens, and Structure: Coaching a Parent of an 11-Year-Old to Set Limits and Build Real-World Skills
Listen in on a coaching call between Ryan and the father of Scott, an 11-year-old who is increasingly glued to screens. Dad is raising concerns about his son's social development and interests. How can parents effectively set healthy screen time boundaries without constant battles? What strategies can help Scott transition from screen dependency to exploring new hobbies? Discover how to shift screen time from an entitlement to a privilege, and learn about the importance of establishing clear expectations at home. Find Mike @ www.grownowadhd.com & on IGFind Ryan @ www.adhddude.com & on Youtube[00:00:00] Start[00:01:35] Screen time and social development.[00:03:31] Screen time management strategies.[00:08:00] Screen time management strategies.[00:10:06] Screen time and ADHD challenges.[00:12:22] Balancing screen time and play.[00:15:48] Social engagement in scouts.[00:20:28] Gradual transition to bedtime.[00:24:35] Family dynamics and ADHD challenges.[00:24:46] Structure and expectations for kids.

May 14, 2025 • 29min
Answering Listeners' Questions
In this engaging mailbag episode of the ADHD Parenting Podcast, hosts Ryan and Mike tackle pressing listener questions about parenting children with ADHD. How can parents help their prompt-dependent child become more independent with daily tasks? What are the pros and cons of homeschooling for a child who is thriving in school? And what types of screen time should be limited for kids, especially those with ADHD? Find Mike @ www.grownowadhd.com & on IGFind Ryan @ www.adhddude.com & on Youtube[00:00:00] Start[00:01:48] Prompt dependence and cause-effect thinking.[00:05:06] ADHD medication decision-making.[00:09:20] Homeschooling vs. traditional schooling.[00:10:26] Expertise in Education Professionals.[00:15:03] ADHD and bedtime challenges.[00:19:36] Screen time limitations for children.[00:22:31] Screen addiction and ADHD.[00:24:14] Screen addiction in children.[00:27:38] ADHD resources and support.

Apr 30, 2025 • 38min
Top Tips for a Successful Summer with your ADHD Child
In this episode of the ADHD Parenting Podcast, hosts Ryan and Mike dive into their top six tips for a successful summer with ADHD children. How can parents create a structured environment that fosters executive functioning skills? What are the best strategies for managing screen time and ensuring face-to-face socialization? They also explore the importance of independent experiences away from home and the potential pitfalls of a "medication vacation" during the summer. Tune in to discover practical advice that could transform your child's summer experience!Find Mike @ www.grownowadhd.com & on IGFind Ryan @ www.adhddude.com & on Youtube[00:00:00] Start[00:00:58] Structure is critical for ADHD.[00:04:38] Teen summer programs and jobs.[00:09:28] Summer camp and executive function.[00:10:02] Screen time and ADHD.[00:14:18] Screen-free summer benefits.[00:18:05] Outdoor play is essential.[00:20:02] Utilizing community resources for kids.[00:23:15] Extended school year misconceptions.[00:27:12] Summer camps for ADHD children.[00:30:08] Independent experiences away from home.[00:34:40] Conditional relationships for ADHD kids.[00:37:04] Professional advice disclaimer.

Apr 16, 2025 • 24min
Parent Coaching Session for Jimmy, age 10
This episode features a real coaching call conducted by Ryan. He engages with Melissa, the mother of 10-year-old Jimmy, who faces challenges with ADHD and emotional regulation. They delve into the complexities of managing disrespectful language and impulsive behavior at home and school. How can parents effectively address everyday rudeness without escalating tensions? What strategies can help Jimmy navigate sibling dynamics and seek peer validation? Find Mike @ www.grownowadhd.com & on IGFind Ryan @ www.adhddude.com & on Youtube[00:00:00] Start[00:02:38] Disrespectful language at home.[00:04:32] Communication and tone awareness.[00:07:11] Emotional regulation in children.[00:10:56] Assertiveness skills for siblings.[00:14:05] Cause and effect in behavior.[00:17:38] Understanding peer feedback dynamics.[00:20:22] Social validation and perspective taking.[00:23:16] ADHD Parenting Podcast insights.

8 snips
Mar 26, 2025 • 44min
How Screens Impact ADHD Kids: Expert Insights from Dr. Alison Yeung
Dr. Alison Yeung, a family doctor from Ontario, sheds light on screen addiction among children with ADHD. She discusses the hidden dangers of screens and how they impact mental health, sharing stories of families who improved well-being by reducing screen time. Dr. Yeung introduces her four M's for managing screen use and the five R's to gauge smartphone readiness. The conversation emphasizes the importance of parental guidance in fostering healthier relationships with technology, ensuring kids navigate the digital world safely.

7 snips
Mar 12, 2025 • 40min
Answering Listeners' Questions (#3)
Hosts dive into effective ways to communicate screen time limits with grandparents, emphasizing the delicate balance of authority. They tackle the challenge of helping withdrawn children reconnect with friends and discuss using declarative language for better understanding. The concept of 'time blindness' is explored with practical strategies for improving time management in kids with ADHD. Additionally, they shed light on the complexities of masking behaviors in neurodiverse children, emphasizing resilience and effective communication.

4 snips
Feb 12, 2025 • 23min
Top 4 Tips for Fathers of ADHD Kids
In this episode of the ADHD Parenting Podcast, hosts Ryan and Mike offer their top four tips for fathers of children with ADHD. They explore the critical understanding that ADHD is not a character flaw but a developmental delay—how can this knowledge transform a father's approach to parenting? They also discuss the importance of sharing daily routines and engaging in non-screen-based activities with kids.Find Mike @ www.grownowadhd.com & on IGFind Ryan @ www.adhddude.com & on Youtube[00:00:00] Start[00:01:09] ADHD is not a character flaw.[00:03:36] ADHD as executive functioning delay.[00:07:45] Tag teaming parenting responsibilities.[00:10:40] Experiential parenting without screens.[00:15:23] Parental authority and ADHD.[00:17:06] ADHD and parental authority.[00:20:53] Parental fear and authority.

Jan 29, 2025 • 24min
ADHD Kids & Sibling Relationships
In this episode of the ADHD Parenting Podcast, hosts Ryan and Mike tackle the complexities of sibling relationships in families with ADHD. How can parents effectively manage sibling conflict without escalating tensions? What strategies can help redirect negative attention-seeking behaviors? They explore the importance of creating structured environments and setting realistic expectations for sibling dynamics. Listen to discover practical tips and insights that can transform the way families navigate these challenges.Find Mike @ www.grownowadhd.com & on IGFind Ryan @ www.adhddude.com & on Youtube[00:00:00] Start[00:01:24] Sibling conflict and ADHD.[00:03:44] ADHD and sibling dynamics.[00:08:41] Sibling dynamics and ADHD expectations.[00:10:06] Sibling dynamics with ADHD.[00:13:40] Sibling relationships and conflict.[00:16:16] Sibling relationships and ADHD.[00:21:34] Shared experiences build sibling relationships.[00:22:20] Question submission for podcast.