IEP meetings. 504 plans. School accommodations. Special education services. If you're raising a child with ADHD, figuring out what support they're actually entitled to at school can feel like learning an entirely new language—and then being expected to confidently advocate in a room full of professionals.
That's why we're kicking off our ADHD Kids & School series with one of our favorite conversations with special education advocate Karen Mayer Cunningham.
Karen is funny, bold, incredibly knowledgeable, and exactly the person you want in your corner before walking into an IEP or 504 meeting. In this episode, we're breaking down how parents can become stronger advocates for their neurodivergent kids, understand the special education process, ask better questions, and push for the accommodations and services their children need to succeed.
We talk about navigating IEP and 504 meetings, communicating with schools, understanding your role as a parent, advocating when your child is struggling, and getting past the fear that you're being "difficult" simply because you're asking for support.
Because here's the thing: advocating for your ADHD child isn't about demanding special treatment. It's about making sure they have meaningful access to an education that works for the way their brain learns.
Whether your child already has an IEP or 504 Plan, you're preparing for your first school accommodation meeting, or you're wondering whether your struggling ADHD child needs more support, this episode is your confidence boost before walking through those doors.
☕ Chaos & Caffeine: ADHD Parenting Podcast is your no-BS guide to raising neurodivergent kids, featuring ADHD experts, researchers, therapists, educators, advocates, and parents who actually get it.
Subscribe and follow our ADHD Kids & School series for practical strategies to help your child navigate school, executive functioning, accommodations, behavior, emotional regulation, learning challenges, homework, and more.
Connect with Karen 👉Special Education Academy
This Month's Sponsors:
🦘 Ted Kangaroo
Sensory tools that help kids wiggle, focus, and regulate—without another battle. Use code: CHAOS20 to save 20%.
📚 Reading.com
Helping struggling readers build confidence and parents keep their sanity one lesson at a time.
🎲 DSS Games
Helping families put down the screens, laugh together, and actually enjoy spending time with each other again.
🌙 Moonbuddy
Helping kids calm their nervous systems without another screen in sight. Use code: CHAOSANDCAFFEINE10 to save 10%.
🌱 MaryRuth Organics
If you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend.
Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves!
📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.
Support the show
Danielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids.
Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills.
Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at:
https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcast
Danielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.
