In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by expert guest Professor Emily Simonoff to discuss the fascinating link and crossover between ADHD and autism in children. A dual diagnosis was only possible from 2013, following her pivotal study in 2008 that was one of the first to establish that ADHD and autism can and do coexist. She and Claire discuss the complexity of this crossover, stressing the importance of rigorous professional assessment to accurately diagnose both conditions. Emily is a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London, and honorary Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the South London and Wardsley NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Emily's research and clinical focus is on neurodevelopmental disorders in children and young people and their overlap with other mental disorders.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire and Professor Joel Talcott discuss how the Universal Classroom project aims to address the crisis in special educational needs (SEN) provision in UK primary education by identifying children’s individual learning needs early, reducing the reliance on formal diagnostic labels and providing free, non-proprietary tools for teachers to assess and support children's cognitive skills. Joel is Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at Aston University. His core research lies in interdisciplinary cognitive neuroscience, particularly in relation to the neurodevelopmental conditions that impact the learning and achievement outcomes of approximately 5% of all children and adults worldwide. 

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Kate Peers - mum of 3 boys, owner of Department Store for the Mind, and Youth Mental Health First Aid England Trainer. Kate shares her story raising three boys, including her middle son diagnosed with ADHD and ASD, along with some wonderful examples of the difference the right help and support can make to children with ADHD - and their parents.

In this episode of  the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by expert guest Lucinda Miller - family naturopath, functional medicine practitioner, author, coach and mentor for kids with ADHD and autism - to discuss how the food can affect the mood, behaviour and concentration of children with ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions. This episode offers judgement-free insight and practical, achievable strategies for parents facing the very real food challenges of their neurodivergent children.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, we hear from Dr. Naomi Fisher, a clinical psychologist specialising in neurodiversity and trauma, for a fantastic discussion around demand avoidance, and pathological demand avoidance (PDA), along with the positive impact of low demand parenting on children with ADHD. Dr Naomi provides some all-too familiar examples of how conventional parenting techniques can backfire with those who are demand avoidant, describing what is really going on for our children.

In this episode of All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Marsha Martin - a former behavioural therapist, neurodiversity awareness consultant and the founder of Black SEN Mamas - who sheds light on the additional prejudices and the barriers that she faces as a “minority within a minority”, to help raise awareness of ADHD and the experiences of mothers in the Black community. Marsha describes some of the systemic and cultural barriers faced, emphasising the importance of community support and advocacy.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire meets with Dr Shu-Shih (Stone) Hsieh to discuss how exercise positively impacts ADHD symptoms in children. Dr Stone is a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Kingston University. His ActiGamer research at BREAD Lab focuses on the effects of exercise on cognition and ADHD symptoms in school aged-children. Together they explore the many wide-ranging benefits of exercise for children with ADHD, the brain mechanisms involved in the positive effects of exercise, and why it’s important to diversify exercise choices for children with ADHD.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Professor Samuele Cortese for a comprehensive exploration of ADHD medications and how they work, so that parents listening can make informed decisions for themselves and their children. Professor Samuele Cortese, the #1 ADHD expert in the world according to Expertscape, is currently Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Southampton and Honorary Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for Solent NHS Trust. Professor Cortese’s main research interests are in neurodevelopmental disorders, with a focus on ADHD. This must-listen episode covers everything you need to know about ADHD medication.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by parent guest Mark Allen - a former stand-up comedian who now juggles working in IT, with being a writer, Neuroshambles podcast host, and dad to three neurodivergent children, who have a combination of diagnoses including ADHD, Autism and PDA. Mark describes how differently ADHD presents in his children and speaks of the relief that came with the diagnoses, allowing him to better understand and support his children.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Dr Samantha Hiew - a highly sought-after neurodiversity keynote speaker and trainer - who founded ADHD girls at the age of 40, after a decade of existential anxiety living with undiagnosed ADHD. Together they discuss to discuss the signs, causes, and prevention of ADHD burnout in children and teenagers. As well as sharing some insight into Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) and how this can play a part in triggering burnout.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Jamie Gilbert, Assistant Head Teacher of a school for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.  Jamie (aka Mr G) has been teaching SEMH children with a range of neurodivergent conditions, including ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, for over 10 years. Together they discuss the different ways we can build trust and foster positive relationships with ADHD children - and the amazing benefits of doing so for children and adults alike. 

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Hester Grainger - a former TV and BBC Radio presenter, certified ADHD coach, and mum of two neurodivergent teenagers. Hester speaks honestly and openly about her journey raising children with ADHD and autism, managing life as a neurodivergent parent, and her own journey with ADHD having been diagnosed later in life at 43.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Children’s Sleep Consultant Fay Smith, who prides herself on evidence-based practice. Fay and Claire discuss the importance of sleep for all children, but particularly those who are neurodivergent - not to mention the importance for their parents! Fay explains what causes sleep issues for kids with ADHD, describing the intricate role of melatonin and circadian rhythms in sleep regulation. Along with sharing some practical strategies parents can adopt to help their children get a better night’s sleep.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Caroline Hanson, to discuss compassionate inquir how can it help us better support our children with ADHD. Caroline is a Conscious Parenting Therapist, trained by Gabor Maté in the Compassionate Inquiry Therapeutic Approach, and mum to four neurodivergent children. Listen as Caroline discusses why its important to support children as they are and, as parents, to focus on the emotional responses behind a child's behaviour, rather than the behaviour itself.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Kirsti Nicole Hadley - Brand Consultant, Neurodiversity Advocate and mum to a child with ADHD. After a lifetime of feeling misunderstood, Kirsti finally received a life-changing diagnosis of ADHD with autistic traits and dyscalculia, following her son's diagnoses of ADHD, autism, and OCD. She describes some of the early signs of ADHD and autism in her son, and how her own parallels with her son’s traits delayed the initial identification of her son's conditions. Kirsti also shares insight into emotional-based school avoidance along with some helpful strategies for parents.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, all your SEN questions will be answered - and more! Claire is joined by Lauren Lambert - a current serving school SENCO and mother to two neurodivergent children. Lauren has worked across a range of schools from infant to sixth form over her 20-year career as a teacher. They discuss the educational tensions in providing the right support for pupils with special educational needs, and how parents can best navigate school systems.

This ADHD Awareness Month, we’re talking about ADHD in women and how it impacts, empowers, and exhausts us as parents. Until only very recently, ADHD in women was misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and woefully under-researched. And for a lot of mums, like me, the journey of discovering their own ADHD often only begins when their children are diagnosed.

How can we best support our children with ADHD? In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by expert guest Professor, Stephen Scott to discuss ADHD treatments and why parenting matters. Stephen is a Professor of Child Health and Behaviour at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London, and the Director of the National Academy for Parenting Research. He is also a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital, where he specialises in ADHD and challenging behaviour. Claire and Stephen explore why proper assessment and treatment is so important for children with ADHD; the power of stimulant medication; and the importance of a holistic approach, including positive parenting.

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Emily Snape - a mum to 3 children, one of whom has ADHD. Emily is a children's author and illustrator, working with young people celebrating and supporting their amazing, creative neurodivergent minds. Emily first noticed signs of her son struggling in Year 6, including challenges with friendships and taking SATs, culminating in him refusing to go to school. Emily shares her personal experiences as a parent of a child with ADHD, inspiring her wonderful book "My Amazing ADHD Brain."

ADHD is a superpower. It gives boundless energy, intense focus – and the creativity to adapt at lightning speed. Maybe that’s why ADHD is a common thread among so many Olympians. Maybe it’s a competitive advantage – the superpower that unlocks the highest levels of competition. And not just in Olympic sports. Neurodiversity is a common thread that ties the highest performing athletes together, from footballers to swimmers to gymnasts. But why?