Episode 28: Flexible Thinking - Helping Kids Get Unstuck

Episode 28: Flexible Thinking - Helping Kids Get Unstuck

Children with ADHD often get stuck in a judgment, a feeling, or a belief that something is unfair. When thinking becomes rigid, it can impact emotional regulation, relationships, problem-solving, and everyday success. In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores three common areas where inflexible thinking shows up: labeling people ("They're mean"), rejecting situations ("I hate it"), and getting stuck on fairness ("It's not fair"). She shares practical strategies to help children develop greater flexibility of thought, including expanding vocabulary, using continuums instead of all-or-nothing thinking, and broadening perspective. You'll discover how these simple but powerful tools can help children better understand situations, regulate emotions, and navigate social challenges with greater confidence. In this episode: * Why rigid thinking is common in ADHD * How language shapes perception and behavior * Strategies for moving beyond black-and-white thinking * Helping children develop perspective-taking skills * Practical tools for parents, educators, and professionals  Bonus: Download the companion worksheet [https://tishtaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ADHD-Connect_-Ep.28-Worksheet-FlexibleThinking.pdf], Flexible Thinking, for reflection questions and practical exercises to help put these concepts into action. For more ADHD resources, visit Dr. Tish Taylor at TishTaylor.com [https://tishtaylor.com].

Episode 27: When Emotions Get Big: Meltdowns, Outbursts, and Our Response

Big emotions can feel overwhelming for children with ADHD and for the adults supporting them. In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores the deeper reasons behind meltdowns, classroom disruptions, impulsive behaviors, and emotional outbursts.  Rather than viewing these moments as simply “bad behavior,” Dr. Taylor encourages parents and educators to look at the whole child and ask an important question: What’s driving the behavior?  She discusses how emotional dysregulation, attention-seeking, academic frustration, peer dynamics, impulsivity, and sensory or movement needs can all contribute to disruptive behavior. More importantly, she shares practical strategies for responding with calm, structure, and understanding while still maintaining healthy expectations and boundaries. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why emotional regulation is such a challenge for many children with ADHD * How to identify triggers and patterns behind meltdowns and outbursts * The difference between attention-seeking and regulation struggles * Practical classroom and parenting strategies that actually help * How movement, sensory supports, and academic adjustments can reduce behavioral challenges * Why staying calm and curious matters more than reacting emotionally This conversation is filled with compassionate insight and realistic tools for parents, teachers, and caregivers navigating big emotions and challenging moments. 📄 Download the companion worksheet + episode guide here. [https://tishtaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ADHD-Connect-Podcast_-Ep.-27-Worksheet-Big-Emotions.pdf] 🎙️ Hosted by Dr. Tish Taylor | ADHD Connect Podcast

Episode 26: When The Class Clown Get Center Stage

When the class clown takes center stage, it’s easy to focus on stopping the behavior, but what if the behavior is telling us something important? In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores why some students with ADHD become disruptive in the classroom and how parents, teachers, and school professionals can better understand the behavior’s underlying causes. Is it attention-seeking? Impulsivity? Academic frustration? Peer dynamics? Boredom?  Dr. Tish walks through the underlying causes and explains why identifying the “why” behind the behavior completely changes the intervention.  You’ll hear practical strategies for: * Understanding classroom disruption through a functional lens * Recognizing patterns related to time, peers, and academic tasks * Supporting hyperactive and impulsive students more effectively * Using movement, structure, and reinforcement intentionally * Responding without escalating the behavior * Building collaboration between home and school This episode is part of the ADHD: The Social and Emotional Self series, where Dr. Tish takes a deeper look at the often-overlooked emotional, interpersonal, and behavioral experiences connected to ADHD. 📄 Download the companion worksheet + episode guide here. [https://tishtaylor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ADHD-Connect-Podcast_-Ep.-26-Worksheet-Class-Clown.pdf] 🎙️ Hosted by Dr. Tish Taylor | ADHD Connect Podcast

Episode 25: A New Focus - Understanding the Emotional World of ADHD

In this episode, Dr. Tish Taylor introduces season 2 and the deeper focus on the social, emotional, and relational aspects of ADHD. These are areas that are often talked about, but rarely explored in a comprehensive, practical way. From emotional regulation to peer relationships to a child’s internal experience of themselves, this season is about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface. You’ll hear real-life patterns that many families recognize: * The child who holds it together all day at school… then melts down at home * The growing distance in friendships and social struggles that are hard to explain * The frequent “I’m so bored” leaves parents and teachers unsure how to respond Dr. Taylor also shares key research insights, including large-scale meta-analyses that highlight challenges with emotional reactivity, peer functioning, and social processing in children with ADHD - reminding us that these struggles are not random, and they’re not a reflection of a child’s character. This episode sets the stage for a season focused on clarity, compassion, and practical strategies, so you can better understand your child and respond in ways that truly help.  Have a question or topic you’d like covered this season? Reach out and be part of the conversation at www.TishTaylor.com [https://tishtaylor.com/]!

Episode 24: Helping Kids with ADHD Manage Impulsivity

In this episode of ADHD Connect, Dr. Tish Taylor explores one of the most common challenges for children and teens with ADHD: impulsivity. Impulsive behaviors can show up in many ways, including: * Blurting out or interrupting * Struggling with personal space * Attention-seeking behaviors * Acting without thinking through consequences While these moments can be frustrating, they’re also opportunities to teach important skills. In this episode, you’ll learn practical tools to help kids pause, think, and make more thoughtful choices: * “Stop, Think, Go” to support better decision-making * How to teach a social filter (thinking vs. saying) * Ways to reinforce positive behaviors * Simple strategies to help kids understand consequences * Tools to build perspective-taking and empathy Dr. Taylor also explores what may be driving impulsive behavior, including sensory needs, attention-seeking, and the desire to fit in with peers, so you can respond with more clarity and confidence. If you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, this episode will give you realistic, practical strategies you can start using right away.