ADHD Kids Unlocked
ADHD Kids Unlocked

Recovery Recharged with Ellen Stewart Pushy Broad from the Bronx

ADHD challenges families daily. Early childhood signs hide in plain sight—our guest decodes them for kids and adolescents. This episode reveals diagnosis tips, home strategies, and school hacks from an expert. Discover real-life routines that build...

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26:40•27 May 2026

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ADHD Kids Unlocked: Real Talk for Overwhelmed Parents in Recovery

Episode Overview

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder of executive function, and symptoms matter most when they disrupt daily life, safety, or relationships.
Girls often show more inattentive and internal symptoms, leading to missed or delayed diagnosis compared to boys’ more visible behaviour.
Predictable routines, clear rewards, and immediate, proportionate consequences help ADHD kids build independence and confidence.
Screens are particularly unhelpful for ADHD brains because they offer constant dopamine hits without effort, increasing conflict and dependence.
Movement, time in nature, and protein-rich foods support better focus and emotional regulation, while parent coaching helps adults respond more effectively.

“ADHD is not a curse. And in fact, if we use it in the right way, I talk about it as a superpower.”

How do people cope with the challenges of staying sober while also raising kids who struggle with ADHD? This conversation on *Recovery Recharged* zooms in on exactly that crossroads, speaking directly to parents who feel overwhelmed, guilty, or just plain exhausted. Host Ellen Stewart, known as the Pushy Broad from the Bronx, chats with licensed clinical social worker and ADHD specialist Carrie Rusich, who works with children, teens, young adults and parents.

Together they break down what ADHD actually is – a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting the brain’s “thinking centre” and executive function – and what that looks like in real family life, from emotional outbursts and messy rooms to school struggles and social rejection. Carrie explains how ADHD can show up differently in boys and girls, why so many girls go undiagnosed, and how low self-worth can creep in when kids think they’re “not as smart” as their peers.

She also draws a clear line between ordinary toddler chaos and ADHD-level disruption that affects safety, school, and relationships. Parents looking for practical help will hear concrete ideas: building predictable routines, using rewards and consequences that kids actually feel in the moment, limiting screens that soak up dopamine, and bringing in movement, nature, and nutrition to support focus.

Carrie underlines that one of the most effective approaches is parent coaching, helping adults shift from “fix my child” to “how can I change what I do at home?” Medication is discussed in a balanced way as one tool among several, with encouragement for parents to ask questions and get proper assessments from qualified professionals.

Above all, Carrie reminds parents that “ADHD is not a curse” and talks about it as a potential superpower filled with creativity, big energy and out‑of‑the‑box thinking. If you’re juggling recovery, parenting, and behavioural health worries, this conversation offers both honesty and hope. What strengths in your child might be waiting for the right structure to shine?

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