{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"192: Screen Time Meltdowns in ADHD Kids with Sondra Bakinde and Mariana Gordon","description":"A child can appear calm on a screen and unravel seconds after it turns off. That reaction isn\u2019t bad behavior or poor discipline \u2014 it\u2019s a nervous system crash driven by dopamine, overstimulation, and an abrupt loss of regulation. In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, Dana Kay sits down with Sondra Bakinde and Mariana Gordon, co-founders of Mindful Mantis, to unpack what\u2019s really happening in a child\u2019s brain and body during screen time. They explain why screens activate the sympathetic nervous system, how dopamine crashes trigger fight-flight-freeze responses, and why kids with ADHD feel these shifts even more intensely. You\u2019ll learn how to spot early signs of dysregulation before meltdowns erupt, why restriction alone often backfires, and how simple transitions can support a child\u2019s nervous system instead of overwhelming it. Sondra and Mariana share practical, realistic tools \u2014 including bridging the dopamine gap, predictable transitions, connection before direction, and their Pause &amp;amp; Play Method \u2014 all designed for real families, not perfect ones. If screen time feels like a daily struggle in your home, this episode will help you reframe what\u2019s happening and respond with more calm, clarity, and confidence. Links Mentioned in the Show  https:\/\/www.themindfulmantis.com https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/themindfulmantisinc&amp;nbsp;  Key Takeaways [01:21] Why parents immediately blame themselves [02:13] Why this isn\u2019t a discipline issue [04:39] How screens pull energy out of the body [06:04] The dopamine crash explained [08:27] Fight, flight, or freeze in kids [11:16] Why ADHD intensifies screen reactions [14:42] Early warning signs parents often miss [18:11] Recovery vs restriction after screens [20:06] Bridging the dopamine gap [29:56] The Pause &amp;amp; Play Method introduced [36:53] One grounding step parents can try today Memorable Moments \u201cI am literally dealing with a feral raccoon in a human body.\u201d \u201cScreens pull energy outward into the eyes, the mind, the nervous system.\u201d \u201cThat sudden shift can feel very threatening.\u201d &amp;nbsp;\u201cThe body whispers before it shouts.\u201d &amp;nbsp;\u201cWe focus less on restriction and more on recovery.\u201d \u201cUrgency feels like danger. Slowness feels like safety.\u201d \u201cNever end stimulation without grounding.\u201d Dana Kay Resources: \ud83d\udd17WEBSITES: \u25b6&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/adhdthriveinstitute.com\/  \u25b6&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/dana-kay.com\/ \ud83d\udc4bSOCIALS: \u25b6 Facebook:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ADHDThriveInstitute\/  \u25b6 Instagram:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/adhdthriveinstitute\/  \u25b6 YouTube:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/ADHDThriveInstitute  \u25b6 LinkedIn:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/adhd-thrive-institute\/mycompany\/  \u25b6 Pinterest:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.pinterest.ph\/adhdthriveinstitute\/  \u25b6 Tiktok:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@adhd_thriveinstitute \ud83d\udcd5INTERNATIONAL &amp;nbsp;BEST SELLING BOOK: \u25b6 Thriving with ADHD \u2013&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/adhdthriveinstitute.com\/book\/ \ud83d\udcbbFREE MASTERCLASS \u25b6 Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass -&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/bit.ly\/3GAbFQl \u2b50COURSES &amp;amp; PROGRAMS \u25b6 ADHD Parenting Course \u2013&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/info.adhdthriveinstitute.com\/parentingadhd  \u25b6 ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program \u2013&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/adhdthriveinstitute.com\/packages\/ ","author_name":"Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD","author_url":"http:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/402857\/site","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/39814695\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/39814695"}