#140: The ADHD Family Series: Executive Functioning For The ADHD Mom

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Executive functioning is the backbone of daily life, yet for ADHD moms, it can feel like rocket science. In this episode, we’re joined by two experts who not only study ADHD but live it—Dr. Diana Barrett and Dr. Lynne Baldwin. 

This is the first in a series of conversations with Dr. Barrett and Dr. Baldwin, Stanford educated psychologists and consultants at Lingokids, the #1 learning app for kids. Together, we’re diving deep into the real struggles—and solutions—of ADHD motherhood.

Key Topics Covered:

• What is Executive Functioning?
  • How it affects everything from getting out the door to long-term planning
  • The role of working memory, emotional regulation, and task management
  • Why ADHD moms feel like they’re constantly behind
• Why ADHD Moms Struggle with Executive Functioning
  • The emotional toll of masking and compensating for ADHD
  • How motherhood raises the stakes and makes ADHD challenges more obvious
  • The role of emotional dysregulation in executive dysfunction
• Practical Strategies for ADHD Moms
  • "Everything Has a Home" Approach – organizing items in predictable places
  • "Make Time & Tasks Visible" – using visual timers, whiteboards, and schedules
  • Breaking Big Tasks into Small Steps – how to make routines actually work
  • Time-Blocking & Planning Ahead – setting up success through daily check-ins
• Managing Emotional Dysregulation
  • Why emotions are a key part of executive function
  • The science behind ADHD and emotional overwhelm
  • Simple self-regulation strategies like biofeedback, mindfulness, and movement
• Getting the Whole Family Involved
  • The power of family meetings and shared responsibility
  • Teaching kids executive functioning skills through daily habits
  • Strategies for parenting with ADHD when your kids have it too

Resources Mentioned:

📌 Time Timers (great for kids & adults!)
📌 Label makers & visual schedules
📌 Biofeedback devices like HeartMath
📌 ADHD-friendly planning tools

Dr. Lynne Baldwin, Ph.D. is a learning specialist consultant who has provided coaching and advocacy services for children with ADHD and their parents. While with the Abbey Neuropsychology clinic, she developed a program for executive functioning coaching for children and teenagers. Lynne earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Stanford University.

Diana Barrett, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with 16 years of dedicated service at the Abbey Clinic, where she currently serves as the Director of Assessment. She also is a member of the consultation team, bringing her knowledge and experience to collaborate efforts that enhance client care.  Her expertise encompasses the learning disabilities, developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and traumatic brain injury.  

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