All Aboard ADHD

All Aboard ADHD is the podcast that helps parents and caregivers navigate the ADHD journey. Whether you're right at the beginning asking, “What now?” or further along the path wondering, “What next?” - All Aboard ADHD is here for you. Each episode brings expert insights, inspiring special guest stories, and real-life experiences from parents whose children have ADHD - helping you feel informed, empowered, and less alone. If you're supporting a child with ADHD, have ADHD yourself, or simply want to understand more about the incredible ADHD brain, join us on this journey of discovery.

All Aboard ADHD is a kids podcast hosted by Claire Quigley Ward, with 71 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Claire Quigley Ward hosts All Aboard ADHD, a kids show with 71 episodes published.

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  Episode #70

  Laura Mears-Reynolds - My ADHD Story

  Oct 2, 202655 minS1

  How does growing up with undiagnosed ADHD shape your life and what happens when you finally get answers? In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by Laura Mears-Reynolds, diagnosed with ADHD at 38, host of the ADHD AF podcast and founder of the ADHD AF Plus charity. Laura tells her story of shame, burnout and survival, sharing how her fierce sense of justice led her to build a grassroots movement providing real-life peer support for adults with ADHD across the UK. The penny-drop moment: how a friend's diagnosis shattered the “naughty little boys” stereotype, prompting Laura to recognise her own ADHD traits and realise: “If you’ve got it, I’ve definitely got it” . From chaos to “dumpster fire”: perimenopause, three-year waiting lists, escalating crises and the devastating point where Laura felt “I was done” . Diagnosis and the day after: being told she had “severe combined” ADHD and waking up the following morning with a glimmer of hope, realising, “I don’t have to hate myself today” . Childhood through an ADHD lens: constant anxiety, rejection sensitivity (RSD), insomnia and being labelled “disrespectful” for leaving GCSE coursework until the last minute, despite agonising over it all night. Girls, masking and minimising: how gender expectations, people-pleasing and trying not to be “a nuisance” can contribute to ADHD going unrecognised in girls and women. ⚖️ Justice sensitivity and ADHD: why Laura challenges the idea that ADHD is a “superpower”, exploring how her fierce need for justice has both challenged her, and fuelled her advocacy for others. Building ADHD AF and the Leopard Print Army: from responding to podcast DMs at 4am to creating a community through body doubling, national meet-ups and the ADHD AF Plus charity, which now provides over 17 free peer support groups across the UK. As Laura puts it, “It’s about us, by us, for us” . Laura's honesty about the challenges of living with undiagnosed ADHD, the impact of shame and the power of finding community, provides a conversation about reframing how we understand ourselves, finding hope and recognising that we don't have to navigate the ADHD journey alone. If you’ve ever felt “too much” or like you’re failing at “adulting”, this episode will help you see yourself, and your children, through a more compassionate lens. Further resources & links: ADHD AF Community Information: https://www.adhdafplus.org.uk/peersupport Sponsor Laura’s Skydive on 3rd October 2026: https://givestar.io/gs/skydiving-13000-ft-for-adhdaf-adhdadultuk ADHD AF Plus Charity and Local Peer Support Groups: https://adhdafplus.org.uk ADHD AF Day - paint the internet leopard print each year on 23 October for #ADHDAFDay: https://www.adhdafplus.org.uk/roar Follow Laura on Instagram: @lauraisadhdaf / @adhdafpodcast / @adhdafplus All Aboard ADHD Coaching and Resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

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  All Aboard ADHD

  ADHD & Sleep

  Sep 18, 202659 min

  How can parents and caregivers better understand and support the biological sleep needs of children and teens who have ADHD, without panic, shame, or setting impossible “perfect sleep” standards? In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by UKCP-accredited psychotherapist Heather Darwall-Smith, an ADHD sleep specialist and author of The ADHD Sleep Book, to unpack why sleep is so hard for ADHD brains, what’s really going on with circadian rhythms, the role of melatonin, and how families can work with biology instead of fighting it. Together they discuss: Why ADHD sleep is different: biological vs behavioural, the impact of delayed body clocks, and why up to 75% of people with ADHD struggle when it comes to sleep. ⏰ Circadian clocks, chronotypes and teens: understanding delayed sleep phase, why we're more likely to be night owls, how adolescence shifts sleep even later, and why it's so hard to get up Starting the day with light: the power of consistent wake-ups and morning light helps reset ADHD body clocks and becomes “free medicine” for ADHD sleep Understanding melatonin: our natural hormone production, what it really does, and why prescriptions matter for safe use when supplemented Why switching off is so hard: transitions, the fear of going to bed, racing brains at bedtime, and the value of externalised support Stimulant medication and sleep: the importance of using timing, hydration, and food to benefit from symptom management ADHD medication brings without ruining your sleep ‍ The impact on parents: chronic exhaustion, the power of family “summits”, plus why understanding ADHD sleep can help take the blame or shame out of bedtime and getting up in the morning If bedtime is a battleground, mornings often bring meltdowns, and you’re wondering what’s as a result of having ADHD, versus a genuine sleep problem, this episode offers science-based reassurance, practical tools, and a deeply compassionate reframe to help the whole family. Further resources & links The ADHD Sleep Book by Heather Darwall-Smith: https://amzn.eu/d/09MQ6NFM Heather’s website and clinical resources: https://heatherdarwallsmith.com/ ADHD coaching and resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD Follow Heather Darwall-Smith on Instagram @thesleeppsychotherapist The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

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  Episode #68

  ADHD & Perfectionism

  Sep 4, 20261h 5mS1

  How does perfectionism show up across ADHD, from childhood to adulthood, and what impact can it have on self-worth, motivation and mental health? In this episode of All Aboard ADHD, Claire is joined by Dr. J. Russell Ramsay - a clinical psychologist, author of Once I Get Started , and co-founder of the Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Drawing on decades of clinical work and research, he explains why perfectionism is the dominant thinking pattern he sees in ADHD, how it drives challenges such as procrastination, avoidance, and emotional overwhelm - and crucially, what parents of ADHD kids can do to support them. They discuss: What Perfectionism Really Is: the different ways it shows up in ADHD such as having “unrelenting standards” and "all‑or‑nothing thinking" The Difference Between Front-End vs Back-End Perfectionism: needing to be “in the right mood” to start something vs not submitting work that’s “good enough” ⏳ Procrastination, Emotions & Comparison: exploring the impact of the “Frankenstein” comparison where we build a fictional impossible standard from what we see of others How Perfectionism Develops in Children the impact of negative messaging, subtle criticisms like “see, you can do it!" on a “good day”, and the compounding effect of giving up quickly when things get hard Body Doubling & Practical Workarounds : the power of using another person’s presence to get started on a task and stay on track Self-Worth, Self-Trust & Parenting Differently: the impact on children of separating their worth from performance or grades, plus the importance of noticing their effort, not just the outcomes This episode is a must-listen for parents of ADHD children with perfectionist traits. You’ll walk away with a new lens on your child’s challenges, plus concrete scripts, mindsets, and strategies to reduce shame, ease homework battles, and help your child trust themselves again. Further resources & links Find out more about Dr J Russell Ramsay: https://www.cbt4adhd.com/about/ Other Books by Dr. J Russell Ramsay: https://www.cbt4adhd.com/work/ Once I Get Started book by Dr. J. Russell Ramsay: https://amzn.eu/d/0eKNiXCi Research by Dr. Russell Barkley on ADHD and Self-Regulation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9276836/ Mindset Work by Dr. Carol Dweck: https://fs.blog/carol-dweck-mindset/ ADHD Coaching and Resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

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  Episode #65

  Kate Moryoussef - My ADHD Story

  Aug 21, 202653 minS1

  How can understanding ADHD through a female lens, especially as a late‑diagnosed mum, change how we see ourselves and support our daughters? In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Kate Moryoussef, host of the ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast , author of The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Toolkit , and a Women’s ADHD Wellbeing Coach. Kate shares the story of her late diagnosis at 40 (alongside her then 9-year-old daughter), how ADHD showed up across her life, plus why sport, self-compassion, and the right environment can make all the difference for girls and women with ADHD. They discuss: Kate’s lockdown diagnosis: spotting ADHD traits in her daughter whilst homeschooling, being dismissed with “anxiety” by her GP, and the huge relief of receiving a “very strong combined ADHD” diagnosis. Viewing childhood through an ADHD lens: the school reports that “had it all written there”, being the “good, quiet” girl between two diagnosed ADHD brothers, the impact of masking, and how undiagnosed ADHD in girls is still missed today. Gender and the emotional cost for women: people‑pleasing, RSD, anxiety, hormones, PMDD/PMS, postnatal struggles, and perimenopause. ‍♀️ Sport, movement, and "energy in motion": why physical activity provides crucial regulation for ADHD brains, the important value for girls, plus the surprising link between ADHD and elite sport. The neurodivergent home: trying to support ND kids while managing your own ADHD, capacity, and boundaries; plus letting go of the “perfect mum” myth. Self‑compassion and small sustainable steps: how an ADHD diagnosis becomes an identity shift, how using this understanding can help us redesign life and model regulation for our children, plus the value of taking “little small steps each day” ️ Diagnosis, curiosity, and learning: how understanding herself led Kate to create a platform that supports thousands of other late-diagnosed, mid-life women If you're learning about your child's ADHD, while quietly wondering about your own, this conversation is for you. You'll come away with language to better understand yourself, practical ideas around movement, sport and regulation, and a little more compassion for yourself as a parent. Most importantly, you'll know you're not alone. Further resources & links Listen to Kate’s podcast: ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast: https://www.adhdwomenswellbeing.co.uk/adhd-podcast Buy Kate’s book: The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Toolkit: https://www.adhdwomenswellbeing.co.uk/adhd-womens-wellbeing-toolkit Join Kate’s ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Membership: https://adhd-womens-wellbeing.mykajabi.com/more-yourself-membership Follow Kate on Instagram @kate_moryoussef and @adhd_womenswellbeing_pod Listen to Dr. Josephine Perry’s All Aboard ADHD episode on “ADHD in Sport”: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PqFulsF5M10Ue9bhwZtNv?si=BKzHYMz_RdivtLuugEb0vg&utm_source=copy-link ADHD Coaching and Resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

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  Episode #65

  SEND Whistleblower & SEN White Paper

  Aug 7, 20261h 1mS1

  How do you fight for the SEND support your child is legally entitled to, within a system that’s underfunded, obstructive, and about to be reformed? In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Douglas Hamer, a specialist SEND solicitor with expertise in special educational needs and disability law, alongside his owb lived experience of ADHD and autism. Douglas specialises in EHCPs, SEND tribunals, specialist placements, EOTAS, and judicial review. They explore the ITV SEND Whistleblower Investigation, the upcoming SEND White Paper reforms, and what all this actually means for families struggling to access the support their children so desperately need. Together they discuss: ITV Whistleblower: What Really Happened? Unpacking the allegations of Local Authority staff obstructing the EHCP process, avoiding paper trails, and “playing games” with families. The Reality of Systemic Failure: how squeezed budgets, high staff turnover, and a “dehumanising culture” create delays, frustration and complete denial of support for so many families. ⚖️ Overwhelmed or Just Unlawful? When Local Authority behaviour crosses the legal line, and why accountability for their inaction is so weak. The “Brick Through the Window” Moment: the importance of fighting for minority rights, and why we need more supportive MPs raising SEND issues in Parliament. Upcoming Reform: what the proposed White Paper could change in practice including EHCPs, ISPs, and Specialist Provision Packages; plus the potential impact on appeal rights and school choice. What Parents Can Do Right Now: strategies such as maintaining a paper trail, staying calm in written communications, and why independent EP reports are so powerful. Holding On to Hope: Douglas’s message to exhausted parents about persistence, pragmatism, and empowerment through knowledge. If you’re battling for an EHCP or school placement and feel like you’re meeting resistance getting the right support for your child, this episode will validate your experience, explain what is allegedly going on behind the scenes, and provide concrete practical steps you can use today to move the process forward for your child. Please note Douglas was in his office when this episode was recorded, so you will hear typing noises in the background. Glossary: ABAS-3 https://www.pearsonclinical.co.uk/en-gb/adaptive-behavior/Adaptive-Behaviour-Assessment-System-%7C-Third-Edition/p/P100009113 BAS3: https://www.gl-assessment.co.uk/products/bas3/ Further resources & links Douglas Hamer’s contact details: https://www.geldards.com/our-people/douglas-hamer/ Geldard’s SEN Talks Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3aP6IMlKMWiaCce6bF2Uj5 Listen to Douglas' previous All Aboard ADHD episode: EHCPs & SEND Law https://open.spotify.com/episode/7BrANDPqbNTgoskMjOhloo?si=8a9d803fb8d740eb ADHD Coaching and Resources from Claire: https://allaboardadhd.com Follow Claire on Instagram & TikTok: @allaboardADHD The views shared in this episode are those of the guest, based on their professional expertise and personal experience. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, educational, or psychological advice. Please consult a qualified professional for personalised support relevant to your individual circumstances.

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