Children's Health / 7 May, 2026 / Ellie Thompson
From homework meltdowns and bedtime battles to the growing conversation around medication, parenting a child with ADHD can feel overwhelming, confusing, and often isolating. And for many families—especially those with girls—getting a diagnosis (and the right support) can take years.
In this episode of Parental Control, we sit down with Dr Olivia Kessel, medical doctor, neurodiversity advocate, and author of Beyond the Label, to unpack what ADHD really looks like behind the scenes.
We cover the realities parents don’t always hear about: why homework becomes a nightly battle, how ADHD shows up differently in girls, the truth about medication stigma, and what’s actually going on in the brain when sleep becomes a struggle.
Whether you’re navigating a diagnosis, stuck on a waiting list, or simply wondering if your child might have ADHD, this conversation offers clarity, reassurance, and practical insight you can actually use.
Dr Olivia Kessel is a medical doctor and is the host of the popular SEND Parenting Podcast. She is also mother to a daughter with mild cerebral palsy, dyslexia and ADHD. This has given her a deeply personal understanding of the struggles neurodivergent children and their families face and fuels her passion to help other parents realise they are not alone and to empower them with knowledge and practical tools.
BEYOND THE LABEL: EMPOWERING PARENTS OF ADHD GIRLS, by Dr Olivia Kessel, £16.99
This book is your guide, offering practical insights, compassionate support and a roadmap to help you and your child with ADHD. It combines what the science tells us with the unfiltered realities of navigating ADHD as a parent, providing readers with actionable tools and emotional support.
Dr Olivia photo credit: Kathryn Fell Photography
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