When The Call Hits Home | Episode 6 : When ADHD and First Responders Collide - Navigating the Complexities Together

Hosts:

- Jennifer Woosley Sailor LPCC S: Licensed Clinical Professional, child of a police officer

- Dr. Ashlee Gethner DSW, LCSW: Licensed Clinical Professional, child of a police officer

Guest:

- Andrew Robinson MSW, LCSW : Licensed Clinical Professional specializing in ADHD

- Find Andrew on social media @neurospicycounseling on Instagram, Tik Tok, & Threads

Episode Summary:

In this episode of "When The Call Hits Home," hosts Jennifer and Ashlee, along with special guest Andrew, delve deep into the intricacies of ADHD, especially as it intersects with the lives of first responders and their families. Drawing from their personal experiences as children of police officers and their professional expertise, they offer valuable insights into the challenges and strategies for managing ADHD both personally and professionally.

Key Discussion Points:

- Understanding ADHD: Andrew discusses ADHD as an executive functioning disorder that affects areas such as planning, prioritizing, and impulse control. He breaks down its subtypes: hyperactive impulsive, inattentive, and combined.

- Andrew’s Personal Journey: Diagnosed at age 6, Andrew shares his struggles with emotional and social challenges, internalized stigma, and how he has embraced ADHD as part of his professional journey.

- ADHD in Children: The hosts highlight how ADHD can manifest in children as developmental delays (except in gross motor skills) and offer parenting strategies such as the token economy, mindfulness, and reinforcing good emotional expression.

- Gender and ADHD: A discussion on how ADHD symptoms can be exacerbated by hormonal changes, particularly in females, and the importance of recognizing potential symptoms in different populations.

- Challenges of Parenting: Ashlee and Andrew explore the unique challenges of parenting as first responders and the importance of understanding ADHD-related behaviors in children, including the link between defiance and ADHD.

- Hereditary Nature of ADHD: Andrew shares insights on the hereditary aspects of ADHD and its impact on families and relationships.

- Managing ADHD: Techniques such as the Pomodoro method, dopamine menu, and task management strategies are discussed to help manage ADHD effectively.

- ADHD in First Responders: The episode covers the unique appeal of first responder jobs to neurodiverse minds due to the daily challenges and unknown factors, as well as the heightened risk of burnout and PTSD.

- Emotional Regulation and Trauma: Andrew talks about how ADHD and PTSD affect emotional regulation and fear circuitry and the coping mechanisms that can arise from these conditions.

- Practical Strategies: The hosts discuss practical strategies for managing ADHD on the job, such as fidgeting, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and techniques for emotional triage.

- Impact on Relationships: The importance of communication, setting clear expectations, and constant dialogue for managing ADHD in relationships and families is emphasized.

- Caregiver Stress: Jennifer highlights the increased stress for parents of children with ADHD and the necessity of self-care and natural support systems.

For more resources and information, visit www.whenthecallhitshome.com, and don’t forget to follow Andrew on social media for updates and insights into managing ADHD.

Contact Us: Have a question or topic you want us to cover in a future episode? Email us at [email protected]. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to "When The Call Hits Home"!

Thank you for listening to this episode of "When The Call Hits Home." Join us next time as we continue to explore the complexities of mental health within our first responder families.

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