Do you ever feel like your child’s ADHD, anxiety, or sensory meltdowns are out of your control — like you’re wandering blind in a world full of triggers? I hear you. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Pejman Katiraei (of Wholistic Kids / Stella Center background) and we rip the roof off of what mainstream parenting advice isn’t telling you.
We unpack how environmental forces — from toxins, food, and unpredictable sensory input to unresolved trauma and nervous system dysregulation — can fuel ADHD, autism traits, anxiety, and sensory overwhelm. Dr. Katiraei brings his unique experience from Stella techniques (yes, that trauma-informed, nervous system work you’ve been hearing whispers of) and gives us real, actionable tools — the ones you can start using tonight.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
- Why meltdowns might not be “behavior problems” — they’re signals.
- What to look for in your child’s environment (and body) that may be turning the volume up on their brain chaos.
- Simple shifts you can make (in diet, daily surroundings, routines, sensory setup) that actually help.
- How to reframe who’s “in charge” — your child’s nervous system, not you, sometimes.
This is not a fluff episode. It’s for parents who are desperate for more than bandaids. It’s for you if you’re ready to be curious, not guilty.
👉 Connect with Dr. Katiraei or on Instagram!
Products Dr K Mentioned: Spectrum Needs, My Myco Lab, The Dust Test and NeuroProtek
This Month’s Sponsors:
👩🏼⚕️ Dr. Lorian Phillips
Dr. Phillips helps families ditch the chaos and build calm through emotional regulation and practical tools that actually work in real life (you know, the life with homework battles, missing shoes, and bedtime meltdowns). Learn more about her ADHD Parenting Course and how she helps families thrive!
A longtime favorite of parents, teachers, and therapists who want kids to have the tools they need to regulate, focus, and thrive. From fidgets and sensory tools to calming corner essentials, therapeutic games, and classic sand play, they’ve got everything to support kids both at home and in the classroom.
A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.
Founded by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching provides science-backed training, parent coaching, and educator support that’s actually practical in the trenches of real family life. Cindy doesn’t just talk theory — she equips parents with tools to handle meltdowns, homework battles, morning chaos, and all the curveballs that come with raising an ADHD kid.
Resources:
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