Ep 216: ADHD & Executive Function: What Matters More Than Grades (Part 1) — with Mike McLeod

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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with Mike McLeod about ADHD, executive function, and why grades are not the best predictor of long-term success.

Mike explains why ADHD is less about “attention” and more about missing internal skills — including self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, and self-evaluation — and how those skills show up at home through homework battles, emotional conflict, and daily routines.

In Part 1, we cover:

• Why executive function predicts real-life success more than grades
• The “internal skills” behind ADHD behaviors
• Why home is often harder than school for kids with ADHD
• How homework can toxify the parent-child relationship — and what to do instead
• Why real-life experiences matter more than lectures and worksheets

About Mike McLeod:
Mike McLeod is the founder of Grow Now ADHD. He has ADHD himself and began his career as a speech and language pathologist, focused on improving children’s quality of life. He developed the Grow Now Internal Skills Model and provides executive functioning coaching and fully personalized parent training. Grow Now has expanded to multiple locations across the U.S. and also works with families virtually around the world. Mike also provides professional development training to schools and school districts, and he shares that his Executive Functioning Playbook books are scheduled for release in January (this month!).

Please refer to the GrowNow ADHD website for more information! grownowadhd.com

Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more.

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