The ADHD Parenting Podcast

Originally aired as Episode 4 — still as relevant as ever.

Hosts Ryan and Michael debate the controversial topic of screen use in children with ADHD, and whether it should be treated like an addiction. They explore the impact of screens on the developing brain, discussing the correlation between ADHD and addiction. Are screens truly addictive, or is it just compulsive use? How do screens affect executive functioning skills and social interactions? Tune in to discover their nuanced opinions and recommendations for parents struggling with screen time limits and the potential consequences of excessive screen use on a child's future success.

We're reissuing this one as Episode 68 (it was originally Episode 4) because the message here still holds up. In today's world of endless screens, short-form video, and devices in every pocket, this conversation is arguably more relevant than ever. Give it a listen (or a re-listen) — the questions Ryan and Michael raise about attention, addiction, and parenting in the digital age are ones every family is still wrestling with.

Find Mike @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.grownowadhd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Find Ryan @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.adhddude.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠

{{chapters}}
[00:00:00] Start
[00:01:35] Screen addiction in ADHD.
[00:07:01] Screen addiction and gambling comparison.
[00:08:05] Screen time and child behavior.
[00:14:37] Screen time limits for ADHD.
[00:18:09] Managing video game usage.
[00:22:16] Screens and refusal to brush.
[00:24:18] Screen time impact on children.
[00:27:13] Video games and social skills.
[00:32:37] Big tech concerns and parenting.
[00:36:51] Visual time management for kids.
[00:40:33] Importance of varied experiences.

Hosts Ryan and Mike take on anoother round of questions submitted by parents. Topics include screens and texting, boredom and sibling conflict, morning routines, a young adult testing house rules, and a kid who can't put down a book. Along the way, they talk about why earned incentives work better than consequences, how to avoid getting pulled into negative attention loops, and what it looks like to step back into parental authority, even when it feels late.

Find Mike @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.grownowadhd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Find Ryan @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.adhddude.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠

{{chapters}}
[00:00:00] Start
[00:00:54] 13-Year-Old Struggling With Texting Etiquette
[00:05:29] Boredom and Sibling Fights at Age 10
[00:10:35] Morning Routines: Ignoring Behavior vs. Consequences
[00:15:56] Reclaiming Parental Authority With an 18-Year-Old
[00:23:12] When a 9-Year-Old Won't Stop Reading

ADHD Parenting Podcast – Episode 66: Understanding ADHD Medications: What Parents Need to Know – Part Two
Hosts Ryan and Mike continue their two-part deep dive into ADHD medications by walking through the actual medication categories and how they differ. They cover the two stimulant families — methylphenidate-derived (Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin, Jornay PM) and amphetamine-derived (Adderall, Vyvanse, Dexedrine) — and explain why a poor response to one class doesn't mean all stimulants will fail. From there they break down alpha agonists like clonidine and guanfacine, non-stimulants including Strattera and Qelbree, and the role SSRIs play when anxiety or depression co-occurs with ADHD. They also address the growing reality that pediatricians and nurse practitioners — not psychiatrists — are now the primary prescribers of ADHD medication due to a severe nationwide shortage that isn't getting better. The episode closes with a reminder that parents don't need to become medication experts; they need enough knowledge to ask better questions and partner effectively with their child's prescriber.

Find Mike @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.grownowadhd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Find Ryan @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.adhddude.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠

{{chapters}}
[00:00:00] Start
[00:01:35] The Two Stimulant Families Explained
[00:03:42] Why Finding the Right Medication Takes Time
[00:05:11] Alpha Agonists: A Different Category
[00:06:44] Non-Stimulants: Strattera and Qelbree
[00:09:40] SSRIs and ADHD: Separate but Related
[00:11:12] Why Pediatricians Now Prescribe Most ADHD Meds
[00:13:11] Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Hosts Ryan and Mike tackle one of the most frequently asked questions from parents: Is ADHD medication safe? In this first installment of a two-part series, they break down what the long-term research actually shows about stimulant medications, address common fears around side effects — including appetite suppression, sleep difficulties, growth concerns, personality changes, tics, and cardiovascular risks — and explain how each is typically monitored and managed by prescribers. They also discuss the medication holiday debate, make the case that medication decisions should be adult-guided with input from the child rather than child-decided, and explain why pharmacogenetic testing doesn't deliver on its marketing promises. Throughout the episode, Ryan and Mike emphasize that the right question isn't just whether medication has risks, but what the risks of untreated ADHD look like — and that informed decisions should be made with a licensed clinician, not strangers in Facebook groups.
Find Mike @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.grownowadhd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Find Ryan @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.adhddude.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠{{chapters}}[00:00:00] Start[00:02:21] Long-Term Safety of ADHD Medication[00:06:15] Common Side Effects and How to Manage Them[00:10:51] Height Velocity and Growth Concerns[00:12:15] Personality Flattening and the Zombie Myth[00:16:11] Should Kids Take Meds Only on School Days?[00:19:05] Who Should Make Medication Decisions?[00:22:18] Why Genetic Testing Doesn't Pick the Right Med[00:24:05] Conclusion and Part Two Preview

Hosts Ryan and Mike deliver the high school companion to their elementary and middle school back-to-school episode, focusing on the shift parents need to make from managing their teen to consulting.

Find Mike @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.grownowadhd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Find Ryan @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.adhddude.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠

{{chapters}}
[00:00:00] Start
[00:04:26] Tip 1: Stop Rescuing Executive Functions
[00:06:43] Tip 2: Set Technology Expectations Now
[00:10:00] The Phone You Bought Is Your Problem
[00:14:01] Tip 3: Build Independence, Not Dependence
[00:16:38] Bonus: Collaborative Relationships With Teachers