178: From ER to Empowered: A Mom’s Brave Journey to Help Her Child Thrive with ADHD

In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay sits down with Tiffany Azzone, a brave mom who moved her family from survival mode to sustainable progress with her son’s ADHD. Tiffany opens up about the hard parts, walking on eggshells, losing friends, school crises, and a medication rollercoaster that ultimately led to an ER visit. Her story is honest, real, and packed with the kind of hope you can only get from someone who’s lived it.Dana and Tiffany trace the turning points: stepping off the “more meds” treadmill, embracing a comprehensive natural approach, running functional testing, changing routines and food, and focusing on relationship-based parenting. Early wins like calmer bedtimes, better sleep, and real dinner-table conversations built into bigger shifts of self-advocacy at school, communication, and a family trip that once felt impossible. If you’ve ever wondered whether change is possible, this conversation is for you.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

▶ ADHD Thrive Institute – Website: ADHD Thrive Institute

Key Takeaways:
[01:11] Tiffany’s early signs: “We just knew something was different”
[04:57] The heartbreak of self-isolation and parenting guilt
[06:04] Medication feels like the only option — until it goes too far
[10:23] The dangers of overmedication and a life-threatening ER visit
[15:04] The moment everything changed: discovering a new approach
[20:29] Bedtime breakthroughs and unexpected calm
[24:00] Parasites, food sensitivities, and the real root causes
[28:10] A pediatrician’s surprise: the progress was undeniable
[31:05] Back to school with confidence — and self-advocacy
[34:06] A successful family vacation (yes, even at Disney!)
[39:53] Tiffany’s advice to parents: “Don’t give up. Start somewhere.”
[42:59] The most powerful tip: be open, be vulnerable, and go all in

Memorable Moments:
"We weren’t parenting anymore , we were surviving."
"We were walking on eggshells for years, just waiting for it to get better… and it never did."
"Our happy little guy disappeared. The meds took that sparkle right out of his eyes."
"He was on three medications , ADHD, anxiety, and antipsychotic. And then we ended up in the emergency room."
"His hormone levels were so high, they couldn’t believe a child his age was on that dosage."
"When I looked at him in that hospital bed, I said: This ends now. I will never let this happen again."
"If you’re going to do this halfway, you’re going to get halfway results."
"For the first time, we saw our son. Not the meltdowns, not the impulsivity just him."
"He walked into class, told his teacher he wasn’t having a good morning, and asked to go to the calming room. That was everything."
"We went to Disney World. That would’ve been impossible a year ago. He thrived."
"His ADHD isn’t something to fix. It’s part of who he is and he’s thriving with it."
"Don’t give up. If it’s not working now, it’s not going to magically start working later."

Dana Kay Resources:

🔗WEBSITES:

▶ https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
▶ https://dana-kay.com/

👋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/