Dear Dr. Sharon: Testing Season & Tween/Teen Anxiety
Standardized testing ramps up in April, and tweens and teens with ADHD often experience heightened anxiety, sleep disruption, and confidence dips during academic evaluation periods. this week, a reader wants to know how to support her kids with ADHD, without adding more pressure.
AudHD Explained: Understanding the Overlap of Autism and ADHD in Children
When a child shows traits of both ADHD and autism, it can be confusing to make sense of what’s really going on. This weeks blog explores “AudHD,” the co-occurrence of autism and ADHD, and why this overlap is more common than many people realize. You’ll learn how these profiles can look similar in some ways and very different in others, why children are often diagnosed with one but not the other, and how masking can make things harder to recognize. Most importantly, this piece offers practical, research-informed ways to support your child, even if you’re still figuring out the full picture.
Connection Over Correction: Supporting ADHD Kids When Motivation Drops Mid-Winter
Parents notice motivation dips, power struggles, and emotional fatigue spike in February as novelty fades and demands stay high.
How Stimulant ADHD Medications Really Work: What New Research Means for Children, Adolescents and Adults Living with ADHD
New research shows stimulant ADHD medications may boost alertness and motivation more than attention. Learn what this means for sleep, learning, and family life.
Dear Dr. Sharon: Screen Breaks, Boundaries, and Brain Health — A Family Approach to Digital Well-Being
Feeling overwhelmed by screens at home? Learn how families can set healthy digital boundaries that support mental health, connection, and brain development.
Full-Tilt Parenting: Dr. Sharon Saline on Understanding Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) in Tweens and Teens
Today we’re talking about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), a deeply emotional experience that affects many individuals with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence. My guest is Dr. Sharon Saline, a clinical psychologist who has spent over 30 years working with neurodivergent children, teens, adults, and families. In our conversation, Sharon breaks down what RSD is, how it shows up in daily life, and why understanding it can be such a game changer, for both kids and parents. We talk about the emotional and psychological impact of RSD, practical tools for managing it, and how to cultivate self-compassion and resilience in the face of painful rejection or criticism. Sharon also shares strategies for helping kids navigate social situations with more confidence and less overwhelm, and for supporting ourselves as parents along the way.
Dear Dr. Sharon: “As soon as the holidays get close, our household feels like it goes off the rails. How can I help my son with ADHD stay regulated at home and school?”
Holiday schedule changes can be tough on kids with ADHD. Learn how to support your neurodivergent child through school disruptions, big emotions, and routine shifts so your whole family can enjoy a calmer, more connected season.
Attention Talk Radio - ADHD: The Need for Empathy
Got ADHD? Do you struggle? Do the neurotypicals around you struggle? In this edition of Attention Talk Radio, cognitive engineer and ADHD coach, Jeff Copper, (https://digcoaching.com) has an open and frank conversation with Dr. Sharon Saline about the need for empathy and gratitude. Many of those with ADHD are looking for empathy, but what about those who are supporting you? Gratitude and thanks can go a long way for those who are really trying to support you and can be your ally. If you have ADHD, struggle, and need support, this is a show you haven’t been looking for but must hear.
Attention Talk Radio is the leading site for self-help Internet radio shows focusing on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder, including managing symptoms of ADHD in adults with ADD or adults who have children with ADHD. Attention Talk Radio, hosted by Jeff Copper, attention and ADHD coach, is designed to help adults (particularly those diagnosed with or impacted by attention deficit disorder or its symptoms) in life or business who are stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated to help them get unstuck and moving forward by opening their minds to pay attention to what works. To learn more about attention and ADHD coach Jeff Copper, go to www.digcoaching.com.
What Your Neurodivergent Child Wishes You Knew About Their Meltdowns
Meltdowns happen, and they’re exhausting—for both kids and parents. Learn what your neurodivergent child wishes you knew and discover scripts, reframes, and strategies to navigate these high-stress moments with calm and confidence
Back-to-School Anxiety: How to Support Kids with ADHD Through the Transition
“Back-to-School Anxiety: 5 Tips to Support Kids with ADHD | Dr. Sharon Saline”
Help your child with ADHD ease back-to-school anxiety. Learn strategies for routines, IEP/504 prep, and building confidence.
Dear Dr. Sharon: “My teen used TikTok for a diagnosis - what do I do?”
“My teen says she has anxiety—but she hasn’t seen a professional.” Sound familiar? Here’s how to support teens who self-diagnose through TikTok or Instagram with compassion and clarity.
Dear Dr. Sharon: “Why Is My Teen So Moody?” Understanding Emotional Dysregulation in Neurodivergent Adolescents
Struggling with your teen girl’s mood swings? Emotional ups and downs are common in girls with ADHD—especially during big transitions. This week, learn how to understand and support her through emotional dysregulation with practical, compassionate strategies.
Unplugged and Engaged: A Summer Screen Plan for Kids & Teens with ADHD
Summer can feel like a relief and a challenge for families living with ADHD. The break from school may remove daily academic pressures but it also leaves wide open spaces that are easily filled with screens for stimulation, comfort or escape. Before you know it, the battle over technology begins. Here are five empowering and practical strategies that meet kids where they are– without shaming or unrealistic expectations.
Ask the Experts
Remember the old poem about the secret ingredients for boys and girls? Snips and snails for boys, sugar and spice for girls. It wasn't just a silly rhyme; it hinted at a truth: boys and girls experience the world differently. This applies to neurodivergence too. Autism and ADHD can manifest differently in males and females, leading to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis in women. For parents, this raises a crucial question: how can we ensure that neurodiverse children, regardless of gender, feel seen, understood, and supported? On this episode, our expert panel will discuss how boys and girls experience neurodivergence differently and offer strategies for parents and educators.