In this episode of All Things ADHD, Larry A. Jones, a retired pediatrician, ADHD coach, and parent of children with ADHD, explores who protects students with ADHD when federal education policy feels uncertain. He explains that key disability protections remain enforceable including IDEA, ADA, and 504 plans—while noting that staffing shifts within federal oversight offices may slow complaint resolution. He then unpacks what this means for families and educators at the state and district level, how to escalate concerns when services are reduced, how to strengthen IEP meetings, and why true collaboration between parents, schools, and support professionals is essential for protecting vulnerable students.

Larry A. Jones, MD, MBA, AACC—known as Dr. Larry—is a pediatrician, father of three sons with ADHD, author, ADHD life coach and international speaker dedicated to helping individuals and professionals move from overwhelm to clarity and confidence. Drawing from clinical expertise and lived experience with ADHD, imposter syndrome, and anxiety, he has a special passion for supporting families and young adults to address generational trauma. In addition he brings his lived experience to medical students, physicians, and other healthcare professionals navigating stress, burnout, and identity challenges. Dr. Jones is the coauthor of Falling Through the Ceiling and the founder of TASTE of Success Coaching, where his mission is “turning ADHD from stigma to stability.”

Hormones play a powerful—and often overlooked—role in how ADHD shows up across a woman’s lifespan. In this episode of All Things ADHD, Dara Abraham, DO, a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult ADHD, unpacks how hormonal shifts from puberty through perimenopause and menopause can affect focus, mood, energy, and medication response. Dr. Abraham explains the interplay between estrogen, progesterone, and key brain chemicals, why ADHD is often missed or misunderstood in girls and women, and why symptoms may intensify at certain points in the menstrual cycle or later in life. The conversation also explores practical, evidence-based strategies for managing ADHD during hormonal transitions, including treatment adjustments, self-advocacy, and lifestyle supports—offering insight for women who have ADHD, parents of girls and adolescents with ADHD, and clinicians alike.

Dara Abraham, DO, is a board-certified psychiatrist who focuses on adult ADHD and mental health advocacy. She is in private practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her expertise and insights have been showcased in articles, podcasts, and conferences, where she works tirelessly to promote awareness and deepen understanding of ADHD and related conditions.

This episode is sponsored by Otsuka. Discover more at Otsuka-us.com/CNS.

In this episode of All Things ADHD, we sit down with Dr. Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells, a board- certified pediatrician, to unpack the complexities of medication treatment. She explains the importance of early and accurate diagnosis, the differences between stimulant and non-stimulant medications, and why a comprehensive evaluation is essential. She describes how to monitor effectiveness and side effects, navigate co-occurring conditions, and handle situations where caregivers or providers have differing opinions about treatment. With an emphasis on the role of advocacy, education, and collaboration, she offers valuable insights about the adolescent years and the transition to greater independence. This conversation offers clarity, guidance, and reassurance for families and individuals making medication decisions for ADHD.

Carolyn Lentzsch-Parcells, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and an assistant professor of pediatrics at the TCU Burnett School of Medicine, where she teaches and mentors future physicians. As a physician diagnosed with ADHD, she has a special interest in caring for patients with ADHD and their families. A member of CHADD’s board of directors, she also serves on the planning committee for the International Conference on ADHD. Dr. Lentzsch-Parcells regularly speaks to parent, student, and professional audiences on subjects such as parenting, ADHD, depression, anxiety and stress, adolescent development, sexuality, and preparing for college.