ADHD & Homework: Your Teen Isn’t Stubborn—They’re Stuck

If homework has turned into an exhausting nightly standoff, this episode is for you. Dr. Cam and neurodivergent therapist Holly Blanc Moses reveal why ADHD teens aren’t “stubborn” or “unmotivated”—they’re stuck due to executive functioning challenges like task initiation, time blindness, working memory, and overwhelm.

You’ll learn how shame and the expectation–capacity gap make starting feel impossible, and you’ll get brain-based, neurodiversity-affirming tools to move from standoff to small wins: time timers, body doubling, task analysis, and collaborative problem-solving.

Walk away with practical scripts and strategies that protect your relationship while helping your teen start—and finish—homework with more confidence and less conflict.

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Why “stubborn” and "lazy" are the wrong story 

• 5 neuroscience-backed strategies that end homework battles

• The 2-minute trick that finally got my ADHD teen to clean their room

• How to tell if you’re accidentally hurting your teen’s mental health (even good parents do this)

 

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Time Timer

• Flown (body doubling platform)

• The 135 School Accommodations for Autistic & ADHD Students (50% off)

  CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Holly Blanc Moses

• Website: hollyblancmoses.com/connect

• Practice (Raleigh, NC): crossvinecounseling.com

• Facebook: @hollyblancmoses

• Instagram: @hollyblancmoses

• LinkedIn: @holly-blanc-moses-378a78104

• YouTube: @autismadhdtvwithholly

• FB Group for Parents: WiredDifferentlyGroup

 

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

• Website: AskDrCam.com
• Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
• TikTok: @the.teen.translator
• YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
• Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

  EPISODE CHAPTERS

• 00:00 Why Homework Feels Impossible: Executive Functioning 101

• 12:29 The Expectation–Capacity Gap (and how to close it)

• 24:37 Motivation vs. Task Analysis: Mapping the first step

• 36:05 From Shame to Support: Language that lowers defenses

• 37:01 Co-Regulation and Trust: Teaching when your teen is stressed

• 41:42 Tools That Work: Time timers, body doubling, and collaboration

 

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

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