Shining With ADHD by The Childhood Collective

What do you do if your child refuses ADHD medication, can’t swallow pills, or the pharmacy simply can’t get the meds? In the final episode of our ADHD medication series, we tackle the real-life logistics of medication, including medication shortages, pill-swallowing challenges, and insurance issues. We also talk about how to help your child understand their medication, include them in the conversation, and navigate it when they’re resistant to taking it.
MEET OUR TEAM
We are Lori, Mallory, and Katie. Lori and Mallory are child psychologists, and Katie is a speech language pathologist. We’ve spent decades supporting thousands of families navigating ADHD. And we’re also moms: some of us raising kids with ADHD and some of us navigating it ourselves… which means we understand both the science and the real-life moments that don’t make it into textbooks.
LINKS & RESOURCES
Episode #232 Transcript
Episode #223: ADHD Medication and Brain Development: Let’s Break it Down
Episode #224: ADHD Medication and Addiction: Myth vs. Fact
Episode #231: ADHD Medication Types, Side Effects, and Finding the Right Fit
Online ADHD Parent Course: Creating Calm
Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Email us at: hello@thechildhoodcollective.com

Looking for holiday gifts your ADHD kid will actually love? Our 2026 ADHD Holiday Gift Guide is packed with fun, screen-free gift ideas for preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, teens, and even adults, with options for every budget! https://thechildhoodcollective.com/2026/10/29/2026-holiday-gift-guide-for-adhd-families/

Shining at School gives you the tools to come to school meetings prepared. So you can get your child the testing, plan, and accommodations they need to thrive in the classroom. https://thechildhoodcollective.com/adhd-at-school (use code PODCAST for a discount!)

Check out Zenimal, one of our favorite tools to help kids with ADHD fall asleep faster, calm big emotions, and manage anxiety. http://zenimals.com/TCHC25 (Use the code TCHC25 for a discount!)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

How do you know if your child’s ADHD medication is working, or when it might be time to make a change? In this episode, we break down the different ADHD medication types, how providers find the right medication and dose, and navigating common ADHD medication side effects. We also talk about what parents can watch for as their child adjusts to medication and when to check back in with their child’s provider.
MEET OUR TEAM
We are Lori, Mallory, and Katie. Lori and Mallory are child psychologists, and Katie is a speech language pathologist. We’ve spent decades supporting thousands of families navigating ADHD. And we’re also moms: some of us raising kids with ADHD and some of us navigating it ourselves… which means we understand both the science and the real-life moments that don’t make it into textbooks.
LINKS & RESOURCES
Episode #231 Transcript
Episode #223: ADHD Medication and Brain Development: Let’s Break it Down
Episode #224: ADHD Medication and Addiction: Myth vs. Fact
Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Email us at: hello@thechildhoodcollective.com

Looking for holiday gifts your ADHD kid will actually love? Our 2026 ADHD Holiday Gift Guide is packed with fun, screen-free gift ideas for preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, teens, and even adults, with options for every budget! https://thechildhoodcollective.com/2026/10/29/2026-holiday-gift-guide-for-adhd-families/

Shining at School gives you the tools to come to school meetings prepared. So you can get your child the testing, plan, and accommodations they need to thrive in the classroom. https://thechildhoodcollective.com/adhd-at-school (use code PODCAST for a discount!)

Check out Zenimal, one of our favorite tools to help kids with ADHD fall asleep faster, calm big emotions, and manage anxiety. http://zenimals.com/TCHC25 (Use the code TCHC25 for a discount!)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The middle school years can be tricky, especially when you're parenting a child with ADHD who wants more independence but still needs plenty of support. In this episode, we're joined by Sean Kane from Growth Mindset Parenting to learn how parents can help middle schoolers build independence, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Sean shares why our middle school ADHD kids are often more capable than we realize, how to stay steady when they push back, and how to give them opportunities to take ownership and collaborate while still holding important family boundaries.
MEET SEAN KANE
Sean is a former Middle School Teacher and administrator with 3 sons of his own. He writes now for parents in the middle school years so they can understand the developmental window that their kids are in and help them develop the skills to become their best selves. 
LINKS + RESOURCES
Episode #230 Transcript
Growth.Mindset.Parenting Instagram
Growth Mindset Parenting Website
The Childhood Collective Instagram
Have a question or want to share some thoughts? Shoot us an email at hello@thechildhoodcollective.com

Looking for holiday gifts your ADHD kid will actually love? Our 2026 ADHD Holiday Gift Guide is packed with fun, screen-free gift ideas for preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, teens, and even adults, with options for every budget! https://thechildhoodcollective.com/2026/10/29/2026-holiday-gift-guide-for-adhd-families/

Shining at School gives you the tools to come to school meetings prepared. So you can get your child the testing, plan, and accommodations they need to thrive in the classroom. https://thechildhoodcollective.com/adhd-at-school (use code PODCAST for a discount!)

Check out Zenimal, one of our favorite tools to help kids with ADHD fall asleep faster, calm big emotions, and manage anxiety. http://zenimals.com/TCHC25 (Use the code TCHC25 for a discount!)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

ADHD and sensory processing often go hand in hand, but it can be hard to figure out what your child’s behavior is actually telling you. In this episode, pediatric occupational therapist Laura Petix, also known as The OT Butterfly, helps us understand how sensory needs can show up in everyday life - especially for kids with ADHD! She also shares the idea of a “sensory budget” from her new book, The Sensory Code, and how understanding your child’s sensory system can help you support them before they reach their limit. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this sensory?” this episode will give you practical ways to start connecting the dots.
MEET LAURA PETIX
Laura Petix is a Filipino American, neurodivergent pediatric occupational therapist, author of The Sensory Code, and nationally recognized voice in sensory processing and nervous system–informed behavior support. She is the founder of The OT Butterfly, a leading education platform trusted by hundreds of thousands of parents, educators, and clinicians for translating neuroscience into practical, real-world strategies. With a background spanning clinical practice, research, and large-scale digital education, Laura is known for making complex sensory science accessible, affirming, and actionable.
LINKS + RESOURCES
Episode #229 Transcript
The OT Butterfly's Website
The OT Butterfly's Instagram
The Childhood Collective Instagram
Have a question or want to share some thoughts? Shoot us an email at hello@thechildhoodcollective.com

Looking for holiday gifts your ADHD kid will actually love? Our 2026 ADHD Holiday Gift Guide is packed with fun, screen-free gift ideas for preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, teens, and even adults, with options for every budget! https://thechildhoodcollective.com/2026/10/29/2026-holiday-gift-guide-for-adhd-families/

Shining at School gives you the tools to come to school meetings prepared. So you can get your child the testing, plan, and accommodations they need to thrive in the classroom. https://thechildhoodcollective.com/adhd-at-school (use code PODCAST for a discount!)

Check out Zenimal, one of our favorite tools to help kids with ADHD fall asleep faster, calm big emotions, and manage anxiety. http://zenimals.com/TCHC25 (Use the code TCHC25 for a discount!)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you have found yourself googling "ADHD task completion" at midnight after a frustrating day of parenting, you are not the only one! We’re sharing one simple tool that can make ADHD task completion easier by helping your child create a clear “future picture” of what they’re working toward. We’ll explain why this matters for the ADHD brain and how you can use it for everything from homework and chores to getting out the door. If you’re tired of giving 47 reminders just to get one task across the finish line, this is a strategy you’ll want to try.
MEET OUR TEAM
We are Lori, Mallory, and Katie. Lori and Mallory are child psychologists, and Katie is a speech language pathologist. We’ve spent decades supporting thousands of families navigating ADHD. And we’re also moms: some of us raising kids with ADHD and some of us navigating it ourselves… which means we understand both the science and the real-life moments that don’t make it into textbooks.
LINKS & RESOURCES
Episode #228 Transcript
Online ADHD Parent Course: Creating Calm
Use a Future Picture to Help Your Child Stay Focused and Motivated
The Childhood Collective Instagram
Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Email us at: hello@thechildhoodcollective.com

Looking for holiday gifts your ADHD kid will actually love? Our 2026 ADHD Holiday Gift Guide is packed with fun, screen-free gift ideas for preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, teens, and even adults, with options for every budget! https://thechildhoodcollective.com/2026/10/29/2026-holiday-gift-guide-for-adhd-families/

Shining at School gives you the tools to come to school meetings prepared. So you can get your child the testing, plan, and accommodations they need to thrive in the classroom. https://thechildhoodcollective.com/adhd-at-school (use code PODCAST for a discount!)

Check out Zenimal, one of our favorite tools to help kids with ADHD fall asleep faster, calm big emotions, and manage anxiety. http://zenimals.com/TCHC25 (Use the code TCHC25 for a discount!)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy