What if school refusal is not defiance, but a signal? In this episode, we look beneath the surface at the real reasons kids resist school—from executive function challenges and shame, to sensory overload and fear. Learn how to respond with curiosity instead of control, and how to work with your child to build solutions together. Tune in to solve school battles and restore your kid’s confidence for learning.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why school refusal is often about overwhelm, not laziness
• The emotional layers of shame, anxiety, and perfectionism
• Social stress, bullying, and peer rejection as hidden drivers
• Why safety and nervous system regulation matter for learning
• How to use the ACE tool to open productive conversations

Related Links:

• 3 Step Method to ACE Communication with Complex Kids & Teens
  https://impactparents.com/blog/complex-kids/3-steps-to-ace-communication-with-complex-kids-teens/
• EP114: Curiosity & the Coach-Approach Transformed the Tone of Her Home
  https://impactparents.com/the-coach-approach-to-parenting/
• EP138: How Do I Get My Kids to Talk To Me? 4 Communication Tools
  https://impactparents.com/child-communication-tools/
• EP207: Rebuilding Trust with Teens: Cleaning the Slate Conversations
  https://impactparents.com/rebuilding-trust-with-teens-cleaning-the-slate-conversations/
• EP253: Get Curious, Not Furious: A Better Way to Parent Complex Kids
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep253-get-curious-not-furious-a-better-way-to/id1565976964?i=1000749220683
  
  

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

When follow-through keeps breaking down, the answer isn't planning harder. In this episode with ADHD coach Jeff Copper, we unpack why executive function struggles come from ambiguity, not lack of effort, and why direct conversation is a powerful accommodation. Press play to learn what actually helps kids and adults with ADHD move from planning to action.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why people with ADHD struggle to execute plans even when the goal is clear
• How ambiguity, not laziness, disrupts follow-through and problem-solving
• What executive functions really are and how they operate as cognitive tools
• The power of direct conversation for improving clarity, focus, and emotional regulation
• ADHD accommodations that are practical and often hide in plain sight
  
  

About Jeff Copper
Jeff Copper, cognitive engineer and ADHD coach, is founder of DIG Coaching Practice and host of Attention Talk Radio and Video. He developed Cognitive Ergonomics From the Inside Out™, a new ADHD intervention using an engineering approach to address executive function challenges. Jeff holds an MBA from the University of Tampa and credentials from ICF, PAAC, ADDCA, and CTI. A member of ADDA, ACO, CHADD, PAAC, and ICF, he received ACO’s 2022 Professional Excellence Award. His work continues to innovate and redefine ADHD coaching through practical insights and a focus on how minds truly work.

Connect with Jeff

• Website: DIG Coaching Practice
• Instagram: @dig.coaching
• Facebook: DIG Coaching Practice
• X: @digcoaching
  

Related Links:

• EP92: Pushing the Reset Button to Solve Problems Collaboratively
  https://impactparents.com/solve-problems-collaboratively/
• EP138: How Do I Get My Kids to Talk To Me? 4 Communication Tools
  https://impactparents.com/child-communication-tools/
• EP172: Parenting Paradox: Avoid ‘Fix-It Mode’ for Better Problem-Solving
  https://impactparents.com/avoid-fix-it-mode-parenting/
• EP207: Rebuilding Trust with Teens: Cleaning the Slate Conversations
  https://impactparents.com/rebuilding-trust-with-teens-cleaning-the-slate-conversations/

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

ADHD doesn’t look the same for every kid—especially as children grow into teens and young adults. In this episode, Dr. Janina Maschke explains how gender, stigma, and internalized behaviors can shape diagnosis, coping mechanisms, and self-esteem. Press play to understand what’s happening beneath the surface and how parents can offer the support their kid really needs.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why is ADHD often missed or diagnosed late in girls and women
• How internalized behaviors mask hyperactivity and executive function struggles
• The connection between undiagnosed ADHD, anxiety, and low self-esteem
• Why unhealthy coping mechanisms often emerge without proper support
• What parents can do to support teens and young adults without pushing them away
  
  

About Dr. Janina Maschke
Dr. Janina is a cognitive psychologist, ADHD and executive functioning coach, and subject matter expert focused on ADHD across the lifespan. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, conducts research on ADHD and women with George Washington University, and is the author of A Feminist’s Guide to ADHD. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she helps neurodivergent individuals understand their brains, build confidence, and thrive.

Connect with Dr. Janina

• Website: ADHD Empowerment Coaching
• Instagram: @adhd_empowerment_coaching

Related Links:

• EP28: Gender & Queer Kids with Neurodiversity
  https://impactparents.com/queer-kids-with-neurodiversity/
• EP43: Autism & Anxiety In Girls
  https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/ep-043-autism-anxiety-in-girls/
• EP56: Missed Diagnosis: Autism In Girls
  https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/ep-056-missed-diagnosis-autism-in-girls
• EP82: Gender Confusion: A Primer for Parents
  https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/ep-082-gender-confusion-a-primer-for-parents/
• EP225: The Connection Between Complex Kids, Gender & Sensory Issues
  https://impactparents.com/the-connection-between-complex-kids-gender-sensory-issues/

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Feeling quick to anger or stuck in constant conflict with your child? It doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, we'll explore how leading with curiosity can help parents slow down, regulate emotions, and understand what's really driving their complex kids' behavior. Press play to learn how getting curious can restore calm, connection, and clarity to your home.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why leading with curiosity helps parents regulate their own emotions before reacting
• How slowing down to understand context can change problem-solving outcomes
• What “get curious, not furious” really means in day-to-day parenting moments
• The role emotional regulation plays in making tactical solutions more effective
• Ways curiosity strengthens compassion, connection, and long-term independence

Related Links:

• EP108: Why Kids Resist Help and How To Change It
  https://impactparents.com/why-kids-resist-help/
• EP114:Curiosity & the Coach-Approach Transformed the Tone of Her Home
  https://impactparents.com/the-coach-approach-to-parenting/
• EP150: Recognizing and Managing Stress Triggers as Parents
  https://impactparents.com/managing-stress-as-a-parent/
• EP200: Reduce Family Stress by Taking Aim
  https://impactparents.com/reduce-family-stress-by-taking-aim/

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

If school feels like a constant battle, you’re not alone. When your child struggles in school, it’s easy to feel lost, frustrated, or blamed. In this episode, Scotti Weintraub shares how understanding your child’s brain and reframing diagnosis as empowerment can turn that frustration into confidence. Tune in to learn how small mindset shifts and stronger partnerships with teachers can transform your child’s school experience.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why viewing your child’s school struggles with curiosity, not frustration, can change everything
• How reframing a diagnosis as a gift empowers kids to understand their own brains and begin to thrive
• Practical ways to build stronger, more collaborative relationships with teachers
• Why middle and high school “walls” aren’t failures, but opportunities for growth and advocacy
• How small steps in self-advocacy prepare kids for independence and lifelong confidence
  
  

About Scotti Weintraub, MA
Scotti Weintraub, MA, founder of Reframe Parenting, is a parent coach, school navigator, problem-solver, and educator. She knows exactly how hard it is to support a child who’s struggling at school. Parenting her own 2 teens has taught her about unexpected things like anxiety, ADHD, learning disabilities, and the exhausting process of advocating with schools. She helps other parents cut through the noise, understand what their child’s needs really are, and finally feel confident walking into school conversations that used to feel impossible.

Connect with Scotti

• Website: Reframe Parenting
• Podcast: The Unlocking School Success Podcast
• Instagram: @reframeparenting
• Threads: @reframeparenting

Related Links:

• EP210: Why Smart Kids Struggle in School and What Executive Function Has to Do With It
  https://impactparents.com/why-smart-kids-struggle-in-school-and-what-executive-function-has-to-do-with-it/
• EP219: How to Help ADHD Students Succeed in the Classroom
  https://impactparents.com/how-to-help-adhd-students-succeed-in-the-classroom/
• EP230: Structure Time: Back to School with Systems That Work
  https://impactparents.com/structure-time-back-to-school-with-systems-that-work/

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

What if the secret to thriving isn’t fixing your brain but befriending it? Neuroscientist Rachel Barr shares powerful insights on how curiosity, compassion, and small daily shifts can unlock calm, clarity, and confidence. Discover why pushing harder keeps you stuck and what actually helps your brain work for you. Tune in to learn how to make your brain your greatest ally starting today.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why "try harder" sets your brain up for failure and how the right environment can set it up for success.
• How befriending your brain can transform how you live and learn
• The power of compassion to silence pressure and perfectionism
• Why small, meaningful actions matter more than big life overhauls
• What happens when we protect curiosity instead of forcing kids to fit the mold
  
  

About Dr. Rachel Bar
Rachel Barr is a neuroscientist, science communicator, and author with over a million followers across social media. She holds a master’s in molecular neuroscience and is completing her PhD on memory formation during sleep. Passionate about demystifying brain science, Rachel creates engaging content that bridges academic research with everyday life, empowering audiences to make informed choices about mental health. Her playful storytelling makes neuroscience accessible and entertaining, establishing her as a standout voice in science communication. Rachel’s first book, How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend (DK), has recently been published in the UK and US.

Connect with Dr. Rachel

• Book: How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend | Hardcover
• Instagram: @drrachelbarr
• TikTok: DrRachelBarr
  
  

Related Links:

• EP203: The Power of Good Enough: Progress Over Perfection
  https://impactparents.com/the-power-of-good-enough-progress-over-perfection
• EP206: Neurodiversity is not a Character Flaw: How to be a Brain Friend
  https://impactparents.com/ep206-neurodiversity-is-not-a-character-flaw-how-to-be-a-brain-friend
• EP212: Beyond the Label: How to Help Your Child Flourish Using Brain Science
  https://impactparents.com/beyond-the-label-how-to-help-your-child-flourish-using-brain-science
  
  

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

One small shift can turn family tension into trust. In this episode, parent mentor Georgia F. shares how curiosity, collaboration, and assumed best intentions transformed her family after an autism diagnosis. You’ll hear practical tools for calmer communication, stronger relationships, and raising confident, independent kids. Press play to learn how changing how you show up can change everything.

What to expect in this episode:

• How a moment of “I didn’t sign up for this” can become purpose
• The brief family conversation that shifted tone and trust
• Why curiosity works better than judgment in reducing conflict
• The mindset shifts that stop power struggles early
• How teaching kids to ask for help builds confidence
  
  

Related Links:

• EP203: The Power of Good Enough: Progress Over Perfection
  https://impactparents.com/the-power-of-good-enough-progress-over-perfection/
• EP207: Rebuilding Trust with Teens: Cleaning the Slate Conversations
  https://impactparents.com/rebuilding-trust-with-teens-cleaning-the-slate-conversations/
• EP214: The Secret to Letting Go: Supporting Teens Without Micromanaging
  https://impactparents.com/the-secret-to-letting-go-supporting-teens-without-micromanaging/

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents
  
  

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Trying everything but still feeling stuck with your complex kid? The problem may not be your strategy, but how you are managing yourself. In this episode, we break down why information alone does not create change and what actually helps families move forward. Press play to rethink what support really looks like.

What to expect in this episode:

• Why managing yourself is the foundation for supporting complex kids
• What makes coaching skills more effective than collecting more parenting advice
• How collaborative problem solving builds real buy-in and independence
• Why community and feedback accelerate change when strategies stall
• How focusing on goals instead of tools shifts family dynamics
  
  

Related Links:

• EP49: Parent Behavior Training
  https://impactparents.com/parent-behavior-training/
• EP54: Success Story: Providers Need Help, Too!
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-054-success-story-providers-need-help-too/id1565976964?i=1000557760841
• EP101: Success! Navigating Resistant Kids and Teens With a Coach-Approach
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-101-success-navigating-resistant-kids-and-teens/id1565976964?i=1000604238108
• EP114: Curiosity & the Coach-Approach Transformed the Tone of Her Home
  https://impactparents.com/the-coach-approach-to-parenting/
• EP200: Reduce Family Stress by Taking Aim
  https://impactparents.com/reduce-family-stress-by-taking-aim/
  
  

If you’re done with parenting tips that don’t stick, Sanity School shows you how to turn insight into action with practical, neuro-informed coaching tools. Learn more at https://sanityschool.com/

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift

Connect with Impact Parents:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParents
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparents

Sponsors
"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD Intervention
Do you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.

Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com