173: ADHD & Sensory Processing Explained with Michael Soria
Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD
Release Date: 08/28/2025
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 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 support these children more effectively.
Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of the three hidden senses (vestibular, proprioception, and interoception), how to distinguish behavior from sensory triggers, and four powerful Cs—Consistency, Calm Transitions, Communication, and Compassion—for building a more supportive home and school environment.
Link Mentioned in the Show:
- Sensory Toys & Products from Playlearn: https://playlearn.com
- Contact Michael: [email protected]
- Connect with Michael on LinkedIn
Key Takeaways:
[04:56] Learn about the three hidden senses often overlooked in ADHD care
[09:05] Sensory red flags at home—like picky eating or trouble finishing meals
[16:25] The power of the 95-point sensory checklist to clarify what’s really going on
[22:05] Michael’s “4 Cs” for supporting children with ADHD and sensory challenges
[29:38] How a custom calming space or a “comfort portfolio” can change behavior in the moment
Memorable Moments:
“What if your child isn’t misbehaving — their sensory system is just overwhelmed?”
“Transitions are where most antecedents become behavior problems.”
“The best activities you can do with your kids are the ones they tell you they like the most.”
“Even if they don’t have sensory challenges, every child benefits from calming tools.”
“Teachers are experts in loving our students, and that’s invaluable.”
“How cool would it be if I’m having a meltdown and I open a little book and see a photo of me and my dog?”
“Knowledge is power—and so is community.”
“If we do this activity at school, parents please also do it at home.”
“We’re not looking at the behavior; we should be looking at what caused the behavior.”
“When your kid screams over socks... it might not be bad behavior.”
How to Connect to Caz:
📧 Email: [email protected]
💼 LinkedIn: Michael Soria on LinkedIn
🌐 Playlearn: https://playlearn.com
Dana Kay Resources:
🔗WEBSITES:
👋SOCIALS:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
- Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻FREE MASTERCLASS
- Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS
- ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
- ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/