Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD

Most parents walk into IEP or 504 meetings hoping to advocate for their child, but unfortunately, many of them walk out feeling unheard, overwhelmed, and unsure of what just happened.
In this  episode of The Soaring Child podcast, Dana sits down with attorney and licensed clinical mental health clinician Paula Yost to break down exactly why these meetings feel so difficult and what you can do to change that. Paula brings a rare and deeply valuable perspective, combining legal expertise with real-life experience as a mom navigating the system herself. She is the author of Tumbleweeds: How to Be an Advocate for Your Children and Yourself in a Failing System.
You'll learn the critical differences between IEPs and 504 plans (and why many children with ADHD are often placed in the wrong one), how to recognize when your child isn't truly being supported (even if their grades look "fine"), and what to say in the moment when you feel dismissed or unheard.
This conversation is packed with practical strategies, real scripts you can use immediately, and empowering insights to help you walk into your next school meeting with clarity and confidence. Most importantly, it will remind you that you have the right to advocate for your child every step of the way.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
Paula's Website - https://paulayost.com
Paula's book, Tumbleweeds - https://amzn.to/3O2ej9y
CONNECT WITH PAULA YOST
Website: https://paulayost.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulajyostauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulayostauthor 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[00:01] Why parents often leave school meetings feeling unheard
[04:34] The real reason IEP meetings feel so difficult
[06:08] The mismatch between parent and school goals
[06:47] What FAPE means and why it matters
[07:17] Key difference between IEP and 504
[09:13] Why IEPs matter long-term for your child
[10:20] High IQ masking ADHD struggles
[13:00] Signs your child isn't properly supported
[16:18] Common mistakes parents make in meetings
[19:36] What to say when you're not being heard
[21:11] What to do if your child doesn't qualify
[24:13] Why after-school crashes matter
[26:39] 3 things to prepare before a meeting
[27:47] Emotional reality of advocacy
[29:31] You always have the right to another meeting

MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"It's not a fair fight."
"That IEP is a legal document that follows you all the way through your life."
"The height of the IQ is masking the ADHD."
"I feel like I'm not being heard."
"We have to let them fail until they're nine."
"You are paying for your attorney and their attorney."
"I have never left anything as upset as I was when I have left an IEP meeting."
"Some days are just going to be like that."
"You always have the right to another meeting."
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
 ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

What do EMFs and EMRs have to do with ADHD? Find out in this Soaring Child podcast interview.
Dana Kay sits down with Beverly Jensen, Ph.D., to unpack the hidden impact of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from everyday devices like phones, Wi-Fi, tablets, and baby monitors. Beverly shares how this constant, invisible exposure may be affecting children's developing brains, nervous systems, sleep, and behavior, often without parents realizing it.
Together, they explore the science behind EMFs (electromagnetic fields), including emerging research showing potential effects on neurodevelopment, even at levels far below current safety standards. Beverly also explains why children are more vulnerable, how modern homes have become "hotbeds" of exposure, and why this conversation isn't more widely discussed.
Most importantly, this episode gives parents practical, doable steps they can start today. From simple changes like turning off Wi-Fi at night to creating device-free spaces in your home, you'll walk away feeling empowered, not overwhelmed.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
https://www.kidsandemf.com/

https://www.10millionmoms.org

 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[00:01] Invisible environmental exposures affecting children's brains
[04:43] EMRs defined as invisible pollution
[09:07] Devices emitting radiation and human electrical systems
[11:06] Impact on nervous system, brain, and sleep
[15:58] Yale study on neurodevelopment and EMR exposure
[16:58] Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi radiation comparison
[23:40] Screen use and parenting challenges
[31:02] Router as primary source of exposure
[33:26] Number of EMF-emitting devices in homes
[36:11] Creating a device-free "communication center"
[39:00] Small steps create meaningful long-term change
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"There's something affecting your child's brain that you can't see…"
"It is a pollutant that we can't see…"
 "If a device sends radio signals… it's dangerous."
"We are all electrical beings."
"It affects the nervous system… the brain and the heart."
"It interfered with the neurodevelopment…"
"Bluetooth is seven times the amount of radiation as Wi-Fi."
"The industry calls it the 'shut up toy.'"
"The router is usually the most consistently… emitter."
 "It's going to be up to the moms to change this." 
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
 ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

What if it's not just ADHD getting worse, but the world your child is growing up in?
In this week's episode of The Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay sits down with licensed therapist Logan McIlwain to unpack what's really happening to kids' brains in today's digital world. From constant notifications to endless scrolling, today's children are growing up in an environment of nonstop stimulation, and for kids with ADHD, that impact can be intense.
You'll hear why screens don't create ADHD but can absolutely amplify symptoms like inattention, emotional dysregulation, and impulsivity. Logan breaks down what's happening in the brain with dopamine, why kids struggle to "just turn it off," and how devices can quietly become a child's primary coping tool.
Together, they also tackle one of the biggest challenges parents face today: setting boundaries without triggering meltdowns. If taking the phone away feels like a full nervous system explosion in your home, this episode will help you understand why and what to do instead.
Most importantly, you'll walk away with practical, realistic strategies you can start using right away. From creating consistent guardrails to helping your child build real-life regulation skills, this conversation is about supporting your child in the digital age.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
https://loganlcsw.com
The Anxious Generation by Dr. Jonathan Haidt: https://amzn.to/41vDzba
The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene: https://amzn.to/4taYzAj
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[00:01] Modern childhood overstimulation explained
[02:10] Screens amplify ADHD symptoms
[06:10] Environment vs diagnosis debate
[09:32] Difference between distraction and ADHD
[13:03] Dopamine and addictive screen loops
[14:48] Loss of boredom tolerance
[17:01] Screens as emotional coping tools
[19:15] Importance of consistent boundaries
[22:10] How to reset screen habits
[25:34] Monitoring apps and content
[29:43] Externalizing executive function
[31:10] Small changes reduce nervous system overload
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"When did childhood get so loud?"
"There is absolutely no way my brain could have handled this much input."
"Phones don't create true ADHD, but they absolutely create ADHD-like symptoms."
"It's like this slot machine effect."
"Our kids in this generation don't know how to be bored at all."
"These devices have become their emotional regulation tools."
"You can exercise your boundary muscle over and over again."
"Don't ask a struggling brain to do everything internally."
"We handed our children these tiny slot machines."
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
 ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

What if your child's meltdowns, impulsivity, and focus struggles weren't behavioral problems but signs of a dysregulated nervous system?
In this episode, Dana Kay sits down with licensed professional counselor Dana Hargus to explore a powerful and often misunderstood tool: biofeedback. With over 25 years of clinical experience, Dana explains how we can train the brain to regulate itself, helping children feel calmer, more focused, and more in control of their emotions.
You'll learn how biofeedback works in simple, practical terms, what it looks like during a session, and why many families start seeing changes in sleep, emotional regulation, and behavior sooner than expected.
Dana also shares how this approach supports nervous system dysregulation (which can exacerbate ADHD), rather than just managing symptoms on the surface.
This is a hopeful, eye-opening conversation for parents who feel stuck in daily meltdowns, constant dysregulation, or the feeling that their child just "can't shift gears." You'll walk away with a deeper understanding of what's really happening in your child's brain and what you can start doing today to support them.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
https://eeginfo.com
📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒
📘 Connect with Dana Hargus
➡️Website: https://restoreofada.com/
➡️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restoreofada
➡️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/restoreofada
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[00:00] ADHD behaviors are often regulation issues, not behavior problems
[04:28] Biofeedback explained as "exercise for the brain"
[07:48] How real-time feedback trains the brain automatically
[09:07] Physical signs your child's nervous system is calming
[13:36] How frequency training supports calm and focus
[18:54] Real-life transformation using biofeedback
[22:09] Sleep is often the first and most important improvement
[25:31] Biofeedback can support all ADHD presentations
[27:57] Long-term effects and when maintenance is needed
[30:21] How to choose the right provider
[34:13] Simple parenting strategy to support regulation
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"Why can't they just calm down?"
 "We can exercise our brain."
"You're basically showing the brain, don't do that, do this instead."
"The brain will do it on its own."
"Without sleep, everything is worse."
"Once the brain learns something new… it should not go away."
"Connection is the foundation for all mental health."
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
 ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

Many children with ADHD know exactly what they're supposed to do but still struggle to do it. That frustrating gap between knowing and doing is one of the most misunderstood parts of ADHD, and it can leave parents feeling confused, exhausted, and questioning their child's behavior.
In this episode, Dana Kay sits down with ADHD parenting expert and coach Cindy Goldrich to unpack what's really happening in the ADHD brain when children don't follow through on simple requests. Cindy explains why ADHD is not a problem of knowledge, but a challenge with executive function, and how factors like working memory, hyperfocus, processing speed, and transitions can all impact a child's ability to act.
Throughout the conversation, Cindy shares practical strategies that help parents move away from constant reminders and power struggles and instead support their child's developing executive function skills. She encourages parents to shift from seeing behavior as defiance to recognizing the underlying skills that may still be developing.
When parents understand the brain behind the behavior, it creates space for more patience, better communication, and stronger connection with their child.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
Free Gift: First Chapter + Parenting Resources- https://ptscoaching.com/soaring
PTS Coaching Website - https://ptscoaching.com
Cindy Goldrich Substack - https://adhdparentandteacherexpert.substack.com
📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒
📘 Connect with Cindy Goldrich
Website - https://ptscoaching.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PTScoaching
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/PTScoaching
Substack - https://adhdparentandteacherexpert.substack.com
Free Gift - https://ptscoaching.com/soaring

KEY TAKEAWAYS
[00:00] The everyday parenting scenario where a child agrees to do something but doesn't follow through.
[03:56] Parents often feel confused when kids know what to do but still don't do it.
[04:26] ADHD is explained as the gap between knowing and doing.
[06:48] Hyperfocus can prevent kids from shifting attention to a new task.
[08:41] Multiple brain-based factors can explain why kids don't follow through.
[12:57] Processing speed challenges can make kids appear resistant.
[16:20] Understanding executive function helps parents shift their expectations.
[18:14] Misinterpreting behavior as defiance can damage connection.
[22:55] Parenting mindset plays a major role in how kids respond.
[26:28] Instead of labeling weaknesses, parents should look for ways to support skills.
[30:18] Executive function development is similar to learning any other skill.
[31:37] Kids improve with practice, structure, and guidance.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"You ask your kid to put their shoes on. They say okay… and then they don't."
"What if the problem isn't defiance, but executive function?"
"ADHD is not a problem of knowing what to do. It's a problem of doing what you know."
"Maybe this kid is so hyper-focused on what he's doing that his mind is nowhere near what you're asking."
"They're basically saying, slow down. I can't process this fast enough."
"When we assume our kids are being difficult, we miss the opportunity to understand what their brain actually needs."
"It's not about labeling the weakness. It's about asking, how are we going to support this?"
"Why would this be any different than learning any other skill?"
"These are skills that develop with support and practice."
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
 ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/