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Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD

Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD

By: Dana Kay
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 Here is a place where you will learn how to address your child's ADHD symptoms naturally so you can stop walking on eggshells & bring back peace & calm to your home. Hosted Dana Kay, board certified health & nutrition practitioner, author of the best selling book Thriving with ADHD, leading ADHD expert but most importantly a mom with a child with ADHD who gets it. As a mother of a child with ADHD, she knows firsthand the struggles that come with parenting a neurodiverse child & the freedom that is possible once parents learn to reduce ADHD symptoms. Dana has been featured in Forbes, on Fox & CBS, & various other online media. She has also been a guest at multiple parenting & ADHD summits & podcasts. Her goal with the Soaring child is to give hope & answers to parents of children with ADHD who are looking for alternative (natural) and effective means of helping them learn to thrive at home, at school, and in life. Because children with ADHD deserve to soar, just like every other child. Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • 204: Why ADHD Symptoms Are Exploding in the Digital Age (& What Parents Can Do About It) with Logan McIlwain

    204: Why ADHD Symptoms Are Exploding in the Digital Age (& What Parents Can Do About It) with Logan McIlwain
    Apr 16 2026
    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.comThe Anxious Generation by Dr. Jonathan Haidt: https://amzn.to/41vDzbaThe 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/ADHDThriveInstituteLinkedIn: 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/parentingadhdADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
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    34 mins
  • 203: Biofeedback for ADHD Kids with Dana Hargus

    203: Biofeedback for ADHD Kids with Dana Hargus
    Apr 9 2026
    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/ADHDThriveInstituteLinkedIn: 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/parentingadhdADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
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    42 mins
  • 202: Why ADHD Kids Don't Listen: Executive Function Explained with Cindy Goldrich

    202: Why ADHD Kids Don't Listen: Executive Function Explained with Cindy Goldrich
    Apr 2 2026
    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/soaringPTS Coaching Website - https://ptscoaching.comCindy Goldrich Substack - https://adhdparentandteacherexpert.substack.com 📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒 📘 Connect with Cindy Goldrich Website - https://ptscoaching.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/PTScoachingInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/PTScoachingSubstack - https://adhdparentandteacherexpert.substack.comFree 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/ADHDThriveInstituteLinkedIn: 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/parentingadhdADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
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    36 mins
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