{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Is It Really \u201cBehavior\u201d? Medical Issues We May Miss in Autistic & ADHD Kids","description":"What if the \u201cbehavior\u201d you're seeing isn't simply behavior? When an autistic or ADHD child suddenly becomes more irritable, anxious, withdrawn, aggressive, avoidant, or emotionally dysregulated, it's easy to focus on what we can see\u2014and how to make it stop. But what if the behavior is actually a clue? In this episode of The Autism ADHD Podcast, I\u2019m joined by my dear friend Dr. Purnima Valdez, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center. Together, we explore medical, emotional, and environmental factors that may contribute to changes in behavior in autistic and ADHD children and teens\u2014and why some of these concerns can be surprisingly easy to miss. Because even a child who speaks fluently may not be able to recognize, interpret, or communicate: \u201cSomething doesn't feel right in my body.\u201d Instead, we may see irritability, anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, avoidance, emotional dysregulation, or other changes in behavior. And that's where curiosity becomes incredibly important. In this episode, we talk about: \u2022 Why behavior can be important information\u2014not an explanation \u2022 Sleep difficulties, fractured sleep, snoring, and sleep apnea \u2022 How poor sleep can affect behavior and emotional regulation \u2022 Headaches and migraines in neurodivergent children and teens \u2022 Constipation, GI discomfort, and changes in behavior \u2022 Interoception and difficulty recognizing or communicating what's happening inside the body \u2022 Medication side effects\u2014including side effects that may appear after a child has taken a medication for some time \u2022 Eating, nutrition, safe foods, and restrictive eating patterns \u2022 Anxiety, sensory overwhelm, school demands, and environmental stress \u2022 Why \u201cthey're just trying to get out of class\u201d may be the wrong conclusion \u2022 How assumptions about behavior can unintentionally add shame to an already struggling child \u2022 Why looking for patterns can help us better understand what a child may be experiencing \u2022 When parents may want to involve their child's pediatrician or other healthcare professionals \u2022 Why collaboration between parents, therapists, educators, medical professionals, and the child or teen matters One of my favorite perspective shifts from this conversation is simple: Maybe our expectation is off. We often expect children to tell us exactly what's wrong. \u201cMy stomach hurts.\u201d \u201cI have a headache.\u201d \u201cI didn't sleep well.\u201d \u201cSomething feels different.\u201d But autistic and ADHD children may experience, recognize, and communicate what's happening inside their bodies differently. That doesn't mean they aren't communicating. We may need to get better at recognizing how they're telling us. And when a child is struggling, instead of immediately asking: \u201cHow do we stop this behavior?\u201d we can become curious and ask: \u201cWhat might be happening that we haven't understood yet?\u201d This episode is especially important for parents of autistic and ADHD children, therapists, counselors, psychologists, educators, and other professionals supporting neurodivergent kids and teens. Please share it with someone who needs this reminder: sometimes the behavior we're trying to change may be one of the most important clues we have. FOR THERAPISTS, COUNSELORS & PSYCHOLOGISTS Want to deepen your neurodiversity-affirming work with autistic and ADHD children and teens? I've created continuing education trainings specifically for mental health professionals who want practical, neurodiversity-affirming strategies they can use in their clinical work. Learn more about my continuing education trainings: hollyblancmoses.com\/cetraining DOES YOUR CHILD OR CLIENT NEED HELP AT SCHOOL? You'll love the 135 School Accommodations for Autistic & ADHD Students Guide! The guide includes practical, neurodiversity-affirming supports for executive functioning, academics, sensory needs, emotional regulation, social support, self-advocacy, and more, with examples of each accommodation. PLUS - 3 student examples Parents, click here for the Guide Therapists, click here for the Guide JOIN MY FACEBOOK GROUPS Parents click here Therapists click here Learn about my private practice - North Carolina Center for Autism and ADHD \ud83d\ude4b\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Join me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube \u2764\ufe0f If this episode helped you, please follow The Autism ADHD Podcast, share this episode, and leave a five-star review. Your support helps me continue creating free neurodiversity-affirming resources for parents and professionals. ABOUT THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST The Autism ADHD Podcast provides neurodiversity-affirming information and practical strategies for parents, therapists, educators, and other professionals supporting autistic and ADHD children and teens. Hosted by Holly Blanc Moses\u2014a neurodivergent therapist, psychologist, mom, and speaker\u2014the podcast explores emotional regulation, mental health, anxiety, executive functioning, sensory differences, social interaction, communication, school support, parenting, and more. Guest - Dr. Purnima Valdez is a developmental behavioral pediatrician and an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center. MENTIONS NCPAL ASAN Important: This podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical or psychological diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Please consult an appropriate healthcare professional regarding medical or mental health concerns for you or your child. ","author_name":"THE AUTISM ADHD PODCAST","author_url":"http:\/\/www.hollyblancmoses.com\/","html":"