In this episode, Kokeb McDonald sits down with occupational therapist and RITP-certified therapist Katie Williams for a candid conversation about ADHD in girls and why it’s often missed until adulthood.

Katie shares her own late diagnosis in her early forties and reflects on how it helped her reinterpret lifelong struggles with perfectionism, rejection sensitivity, sensory needs, time blindness, emotional regulation, and cycles of burnout and depression.

This episode emphasizes how ADHD can present as “hyperactive on the inside,” with masking, daydreaming, high performance at school followed by emotional crashes at home, and anxiety or depression appearing before ADHD is recognized.

Kokeb and Katie discuss social expectations for girls, the impact of negative comments and labeling, and practical therapy approaches, building rapport, supporting unmasking, parent coaching, and helping kids identify what they truly like and feel (including interoception and emotional regulation). They also highlight how therapists’ words and co-regulation shape outcomes and encourage screening when “lazy” or “not trying hard enough” becomes a repeated description.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome + Why This Series Matters: ADHD in Girls

01:18 Katie’s Late ADHD Diagnosis & Looking Back With Clarity

02:38 Why Girls Get Missed: Internal Hyperactivity, Perfectionism & Burnout

07:07 What ADHD Really Is (Beyond the Name/DSM) + Dopamine Seeking Risks

09:30 Girls vs Boys: Daydreamers, ‘Lazy’ Labels, and At-Home Meltdowns

11:51 Social Expectations & Masking: Hygiene, Clothes, and Rejection Sensitivity

13:38 Adult Reflections: Sensory Needs, College Struggles, Time Blindness

19:13 OT Treatment Approach: Unmasking, Rapport, and Parent Coaching

24:17 Goal-Setting Challenges: Decision Fatigue, Initiation, and Letting Kids Lead

26:59 Language That Heals: Reframing, Backtracking, and the 5:1 Positivity Shift

🎯 Resources Mentioned:

📘 Integrating Primitive Reflexes Through Play and Exercise book series🔗 Learn more: ⁠r⁠⁠itp.info/books

📱 RITP App – home and school tools for therapists and families🔗 Download the app: ritp.info/app

📌 Other Resources

Learn about our upcoming LIVE WEBINAR https://ritp.info/intro-course

Learn about the RITP Clinical Foundations 3-Day Intensive http://ritp.info/3-day

Learn more about the Reflex Integration Through Play Certification program: https://ritp.info/certification

Previous episodes and resources: https://www.integratingreflexes.com/blog/

In this episode, we wrap up the 'Creating an At-Home Program' series by focusing on the importance of tracking progress and maintaining effective communication with your therapist.

• 🧠 Discover simple ways to monitor your child’s growth, record progress, and maintain communication with therapists. Learn how tracking and collaboration strengthen outcomes in your reflex integration journey.

Tune in for practical tips on enhancing your child's development through effective, engaging, and fun home exercises.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Visual Feedback and Communication

00:32 Welcome to the Final Episode

00:40 Tracking Progress and Effective Communication

01:35 Simple Record Keeping

01:59 Using Visual Tools for Motivation

02:28 Recording Videos for Growth

03:48 Sharing Updates with Your Therapist

04:57 Celebrating Progress and Building Confidence

05:21 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

05:58 Resources and Encouragement

06:13 Closing Remarks

🎯 Resources Mentioned:

http://ritp.info/family📘 Integrating Primitive Reflexes Through Play and Exercise book series🔗 Learn more: ⁠r⁠⁠itp.info/books📱 RITP App – home and school tools for therapists and families🔗 Download the app: ritp.info/app

📌 Other Resources

• Learn about the RITP 3-Day Intensive http://ritp.info/3-day
• Learn more about the Reflex Integration Through Play Certification program: https://ritp.info/certification
• Previous episodes and resources: https://www.integratingreflexes.com/blog/

In this episode, we explore step six of the 'Create an At Home Program' series, focusing on tailoring your child's home exercise program to their unique needs and preferences. Emphasizing brief, focused activities over prolonged, frustrating sessions, we provide actionable advice on breaking down tasks, using rhythmic tools like a metronome, and incorporating creativity and play.

• 🧠 Every child is unique. Learn how to customize exercises to your child’s interests, abilities, and learning style. Discover how play-based movement can make therapy enjoyable and more effective at home.

Tune in for practical tips on enhancing your child's development through effective, engaging, and fun home exercises.

Timestamps

00:00 Focused Activities vs. Frustration00:29 Introduction to Step Six: Tailoring the Program00:46 Understanding Your Child's Unique Needs01:48 Personalizing Your Child's Home Program01:54 Breaking Down Instructions02:34 Using Rhythm and Metronomes03:22 Shortening and Simplifying Exercises04:01 Making Exercises Playful04:56 Celebrating Small Wins06:01 Adapting Based on Response06:59 Key Takeaways and Flexibility08:07 Resources and Tools in the RITP App08:49 Preview of Final Episode: Tracking Progress09:03 Final Encouragement and Conclusion

🎯 Resources Mentioned:📘 Integrating Primitive Reflexes Through Play and Exercise book series🔗 Learn more: ⁠r⁠⁠itp.info/books📱 RITP App – home and school tools for therapists and families🔗 Download the app: ritp.info/app

📌 Other Resources

• Learn about the RITP 3-Day Intensive http://ritp.info/3-day
• Learn more about the Reflex Integration Through Play Certification program: https://ritp.info/certification
• Previous episodes and resources: https://www.integratingreflexes.com/blog/