On today’s episode, I sit down with a long-time friend and powerhouse in the world of educational advocacy, Christine Levy. Christine and I go way back—we met during our grad school days at NYU, and since then, she's become a fierce advocate for children with disabilities and their families. With over 20 years of experience in education, Christine has sat on every side of the IEP table—as a teacher, admin, RTI coordinator, and now as a passionate parent advocate.

In this conversation, Christine and I dive into what parents really need to know about navigating the special education system when their child is diagnosed with ADHD or other learning differences. From decoding neuropsych evaluations to tackling 504 plans and IEPs, we unpack what services and support are actually available—and how to get them. Whether you're just starting your journey or you're deep in the trenches of school meetings and documentation, this episode is filled with clarity, strategy, and heart. Christine’s calm, connected approach brings hope and real tools to families feeling overwhelmed by the process.

Christine Levy, M.Ed., is a leading expert in Educational Advocacy with over two decades of experience in special education as a teacher, administrator, and MTSS coordinator. She holds advanced degrees from NYU and Bank Street College of Education and is the founder of Levy Educational Advocacy. Christine empowers families by guiding them through the complexities of special education, ensuring their children receive the support, services, and placements they need to thrive. A passionate advocate and parent herself, she brings both expertise and empathy to every case she supports.

Episode Highlights:

[0:57] - Meet Christine Levy: educator turned advocate with a mission to empower families
[3:26] - Our shared journey from grad school to special ed leadership
[5:50] - When ADHD is diagnosed: What happens next?
[6:52] - Misconceptions around diagnosis and eligibility for services
[8:43] - Why RTI/MTSS documentation is critical before special ed referrals
[10:02] - The importance of parent-provided data: binders are more than paper—they’re your child’s story
[12:49] - “Behavior” is often misinterpreted ADHD—how advocacy can change the narrative
[14:30] - Supporting emotionally dysregulated parents through the process
[16:58] - Do ADHD and anxiety automatically qualify for a 504? The nuance explained
[19:50] - Advice for parents on the verge of burnout or considering school changes
[23:46] - Understanding the types of advocates and what support really looks like
[27:02] - Breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma through calm, effective advocacy
[28:46] - Executive functioning at home: how parents can build consistency with the school
[30:54] - When a child “looks fine” at school but struggles at home—how to present the full picture
[33:23] - Twice-exceptional students: the challenge of advocating for kids who mask their needs
[34:17] - Final words of empowerment: “You are not alone, and we see you.”

Connect with Christine Levy:

• Christine Levy’s Website: levyadvocacy.com
• Christine Levy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levyadvocacy/
• Christine Levy’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077923336637

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

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In this episode, we’re discussing important topics—social skills, friendships, and navigating communication as someone with ADHD. I’m joined by the amazing Caroline Maguire, an author, coach, TED Talk speaker, and founder of a revolutionary social emotional learning (SEL) method that helps neurodivergent individuals connect more authentically. Caroline’s insight is deeply rooted in both her personal journey and decades of professional experience supporting kids, teens, and adults with ADHD.

We unpack the real (and often painful) challenges of miscommunication, self-doubt, and finding your people when you’re neurodivergent. Caroline and I talk candidly about the paradoxes of ADHD communication, the importance of self-awareness, how we curate our friendships, and how interests can lead to connection.

Caroline Maguire, is the founder of a revolutionary social emotional learning methodology that helps teach social skills to children, teenagers, and young adults. She holds a holds a Masters in Education degree with a concentration in SEL training and is the founder and director of The Fundamentals of ADHD Coaching for Families training curriculum at ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA). She is a former coach for the Hallowell Center in Sudbury, Massachusetts. She is the author of Why Will No One Play With Me?, the winner of the Best Parenting and Family Book 2020 as awarded by American Book Fest.

Episode Highlights:

[1:08] – Introducing Caroline Maguire and her extensive background in ADHD coaching and SEL.
[2:22] – Getting personal: Why I invited Caroline to talk about the communication paradox with ADHD.
[6:26] – Caroline opens up about her ongoing self-talk journey and how it still shows up today.
[8:52] – The power of understanding your brain: Why telling your child they have ADHD matters.
[11:46] – Adult friendships and trust: How to explain your traits and connect without fear.
[18:34] – Why making friends is harder for kids and how parents can support them better.
[24:52] – The big gap in school services for ADHD students when it comes to pragmatics and speech.
[32:34] – Caroline’s personal strategy to improve self-talk and own her accomplishments.
[40:03] – Embracing authenticity and navigating the workplace with ADHD.
[43:30] – What’s next for schools? And how early neurodiversity education makes a difference.
[52:07] – Helping kids embrace who they are—even when it’s not “cool.”
[54:39] – Where to find more of Caroline’s work and wisdom.

Connect with Caroline Maguire:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcarolinem/
• Website: https://carolinemaguireauthor.com/
• Book: Why Will No One Play with Me?: The Play Better Plan to Help Children of All Ages Make Friends and Thrive

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

Want to be ‘SuccessFULL with ADHD’ by Activating Your ADHD Potential?
Order our 3x best-selling book/workbook for adults with ADHD ▶️ http://bit.ly/activateadhd

If you've ever struggled with feeding yourself consistently, felt overwhelmed by meal planning, or wondered how ADHD impacts your relationship with food—this episode is for you. I sat down with Becca King, a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified intuitive eating counselor who also happens to have ADHD herself. Becca’s story is incredibly relatable and eye-opening. She shares how her ADHD played a role in her past eating disorder, and how she now uses that lived experience to help other ADHDers find food freedom without shame or restriction.

In this conversation, we explore how dopamine, executive dysfunction, sensory issues, and emotional regulation all intersect with eating behaviors. We also talk about what disordered eating actually looks like (it’s more common than you think) and how to start building a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food. Becca’s weight-inclusive approach is all about permission over perfection, and her advice is both practical and compassionate. You’ll walk away from this episode with real, ADHD-friendly tools to help you nourish your body without the guilt.

Becca King is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor from Charlotte, North Carolina. As an adult with ADHD who struggled for years with disordered eating, Becca is passionate about helping other adults with ADHD who struggle with binge eating, chronic dieting, and body image issues find food freedom and improve their self-esteem. She uses the Principles of Intuitive Eating and a weight-inclusive approach to nutrition for ADHD in her virtual practice.

Episode Highlights:

[0:58] – Meet Becca King, RDN: Her journey with ADHD and disordered eating.
[6:03] – Finding the connection between ADHD and private practice dietetics.
[7:06] – How her eating disorder developed and tied into ADHD symptoms.
[9:57] – The role of dopamine in disordered eating.
[10:22] – Why so many ADHDers struggle with binge eating and food regulation.
[12:51] – Defining disordered eating and how it manifests in ADHDers.
[16:40] – Living in recovery and developing healthier coping tools.
[18:25] – Emotional dysregulation, sensory issues, and other overlooked triggers.
[22:20] – Real talk about ARFID, safe foods, and honoring sensory needs.
[24:54] – Mindful eating and how it actually looks for ADHD brains.
[27:33] – Simple, realistic advice for feeding yourself with ADHD.
[30:50] – Debunking the fear around processed foods and shortcuts.
[33:57] – Intermittent fasting and ADHD—what you really need to know.
[37:19] – Becca’s upcoming book and her practical nutrition philosophy.
[38:55] – Final advice: Let go of "shoulds" and find what works for you.

Connect with Becca King:

• Follow Becca King on Instagram: @adhd.nutritionist
• Becca’s Book: How to Eat Well for Adults with ADHD – Available on Amazon and major booksellers

Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.

Want to be ‘SuccessFULL with ADHD’ by Activating Your ADHD Potential?
Order our 3x best-selling book/workbook for adults with ADHD ▶️ http://bit.ly/activateadhd