175: How to Help a Child with ADHD Focus—Without the Daily Battles
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay challenges one of the most common myths about ADHD—that kids with ADHD simply can’t focus. As a Board-Certified Health and Nutrition Practitioner, Dana unpacks what focus really is, explaining how skills like impulse control, working memory, and planning all come together to create what we think of as “attention.” She also explores how these skills develop at different ages and why setting realistic expectations is so important. From brain science to real-world parenting strategies, Dana shares the foundational pillars—diet,...
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174: ADHD, Homework, and Executive Function with Ann Dolin
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay sits down with Ann Dolin, an award-winning educator, author, and expert in ADHD, executive function, and academic coaching. Together, they unpack one of the most common and stressful challenges for families raising kids with ADHD—homework. With over three decades of experience helping children who think and learn differently, Ann shares practical, tested strategies to reduce homework battles, build executive function skills, and bring more calm to busy evenings. Dana Kay, a Board-Certified Health and Nutrition Practitioner and...
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173: ADHD & Sensory Processing Explained with Michael Soria
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay dives into some often overlooked aspects of ADHD—sensory processing challenges. She’s joined by Michael Soria, a global special education consultant and dad of a neurodivergent child, who brings over 35 years of insight and heart to the conversation. If your child melts down in the cereal aisle or fights over wearing socks, it may not be “just ADHD”—it could be their sensory system crying out for help. Dana and Michael explore how sensory overload can mimic or magnify ADHD symptoms, and what parents and educators can do to...
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172: Is It ADHD or Sleep Apnea? with Kirk Huntsman
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
Could your child’s ADHD symptoms actually be caused by something else entirely—like undiagnosed pediatric sleep apnea? In this compelling episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay is joined by Kirk Huntsman, CEO and co-founder of Vivos Therapeutics. Together, they unpack the often-overlooked connection between sleep and behavior, revealing how disrupted sleep patterns—especially obstructive sleep apnea—can mimic or even contribute to ADHD symptoms in children. Dana and Kirk explore the biological and developmental reasons behind sleep-related misdiagnoses, warning signs...
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171: ADHD Starts in the Gut with Dana Kay
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay—Board-Certified Health and Nutrition Practitioner and founder of the ADHD Thrive Institute—dives deep into one of the most misunderstood underlying stressors of ADHD symptoms: gut health. While ADHD is often labeled as a brain-based disorder, this episode reveals how gut imbalances, inflammation, and neurotransmitter disruptions could be fueling your child’s symptoms—like mood swings, focus struggles, and emotional dysregulation. Dana shares the latest science on the gut-brain connection and breaks down practical,...
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170: The ADHD Meltdowns Finally Stopped - Karla Shares Her Story
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
In this week’s episode of The Soaring Child, host Dana Kay speaks with Karla, a courageous mother who transformed her family’s life after years of chaos, tantrums, and emotional turmoil. In this episode, Karla shares her raw, emotional journey—from feeling hopeless and questioning her ability as a mother, to finally discovering the underlying stressors that were exacerbating her daughter’s outbursts and meltdowns. Spoiler alert: the answer wasn’t another parenting strategy! Dana Kay, a Board-Certified Holistic Health and Nutrition Practitioner and mom to a child with ADHD, guides...
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169: Creating Your ADHD Family Playbook with Caz Pringle-Bowden
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
In this episode of The Soaring Child, host Dana Kay welcomes back counselor, neurodiversity educator, and yoga facilitator Caz Pringle-Bowden for a deep dive into a transformative concept for ADHD families — the Family Operational Manual. If parenting your child with ADHD often feels like chaos without a game plan, this episode offers a unique and practical tool that could change the way your household operates. Dana and Caz explore how understanding each family member’s brain wiring can shift a household from reactive to regulated. With real-life examples, creative metaphors, and small,...
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168: Lunchbox Solutions for ADHD Kids with Andrea Daigle
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay welcomes back Andrea Daigle, a seasoned ADHD coach at the ADHD Thrive Institute. Together, they delve into the challenges parents face when sending their children with ADHD back to school, especially concerning dietary needs and peer interactions. They discuss strategies to empower children to understand and advocate for their unique dietary requirements, ensuring they feel confident and included during school meals. Dana Kay, a board-certified holistic health and nutrition practitioner, is dedicated to helping families navigate the...
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167: Happiness Tools for ADHD Families with Matt O’Neill
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay sits down with happiness expert Matt O’Neill to explore one of the most transformative—but often overlooked—tools in parenting: cultivating happiness from the inside out. As a father of four, author, and the creator of The Good Mood Revolution podcast, Matt shares actionable insights into how happiness isn't just a fleeting feeling, but a skill that can be built—even in the chaos of daily life with ADHD. From managing meltdowns to reframing negative emotions like fear, overwhelm, and guilt, Matt offers science-backed...
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166: What’s Really Driving ADHD? with Dana Kay
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
Welcome to the debut episode of Crack The Code, a private podcast for parents navigating the often overwhelming world of ADHD. Host Dana Kay, Board-Certified Health and Nutrition Practitioner and founder of the ADHD Thrive Institute, shares her raw, personal journey of raising a child with ADHD, and what she discovered after traditional approaches fell short. This isn’t another list of parenting hacks or behavior charts. It’s a compassionate, science-backed look into what’s really going on inside your child’s body. In this powerful first episode, Dana introduces a groundbreaking new...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay explores the critical role of Vitamin D in children with ADHD. Often called the Sunshine Vitamin, Vitamin D plays a significant role in brain function, neurodevelopment, dopamine production, and immune health—all essential for children with ADHD. But what happens when kids don’t get enough Vitamin D? And more importantly, is supplementation always the right answer? Dana uncovers both the benefits and the potential risks of supplementing with Vitamin D, especially when Vitamin K2 is missing from the equation.
As an ADHD Health Practitioner, Dana helps families implement natural strategies to support their children’s health. She shares how to get Vitamin D naturally, which foods are rich in this essential nutrient, and how to choose the right supplement to avoid common pitfalls. If you’ve ever wondered whether Vitamin D is the missing piece in your child’s ADHD journey, this episode is packed with research-backed insights and practical tips.
Don’t forget to check the show notes below for Dana’s favorite supplement recommendations, cheat sheets, and resources to help you navigate ADHD naturally!
Links Mentioned in the Show:
Functional Lab Testing Video - https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/lab-testing-for-adhd1
My Favorite Place to Buy Supplements -http://adhdthriveinstitute.com/supplements
Shine Essentials (my favorite Vitamin D supplement) - https://shop.adhdthriveinstitute.com/shine-essentials.html
Vitamin D Cheat Sheet - https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/supplement-for-adhd-vitamin-d
Links to Previous Episodes in this Supplements for ADHD Series:
-Magnesium - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-93/
-Saffron -https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-136/
-GABA - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-137/
-L-Theanine -https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-142/
-Bio Essentials - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-144/
-Omegas - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-146/
-Iron - https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/podcast/soaring-child-episode-148/
Key Takeaways:
[2:24] The Dark Side of Vitamin D Supplementation
[3:54] What is Vitamin D?
[4:46] Common Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency
[4:56] The Connection Between Vitamin D & ADHD
[9:03] How Vitamin D Supports Brain Function and Dopamine Production
[10:26] Why Vitamin K2 is Essential When Supplementing
[11:19] How to Choose the Right Vitamin D Supplement
[12:01] Best Food Sources of Vitamin D
[12:31] Functional Lab Testing: A Targeted Approach
Memorable Moments:
"Sunshine is the best way to get Vitamin D, but sometimes it’s tricky depending on where you live and the time of year."
"Deficiency in Vitamin D is common among children with ADHD, and studies show a significant link between low levels and ADHD symptoms."
"Vitamin D plays a vital role in neurodevelopment and dopamine production, which are key for focus, planning, and emotional regulation."
"You can’t just take Vitamin D without understanding how it works—especially when it comes to Vitamin K2."
"When people supplement with Vitamin D without K2, it can actually create health issues, including cardiovascular problems."
"The best way to get Vitamin D is through food first—then consider supplementation if necessary."
"Most grocery store aisles are lined with Vitamin D options, but not all supplements are created equal."
"If you’re going to supplement with Vitamin D, make sure it’s formulated thoughtfully to avoid depleting your body of other essential nutrients."
"Functional lab testing helps families take a targeted approach instead of just guessing which supplements their child actually needs."
"Supplements should support the body, not create new problems—so be sure to choose wisely."
Dana Kay Resources:
🔗WEBSITES:
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https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
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https://dana-kay.com/
👋SOCIALS:
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
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Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
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Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻FREE MASTERCLASS
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Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS
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ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
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ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
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Dye-Free for ADHD Course - https://bit.ly/4aFj6TY