Chaos & Caffeine - ADHD Parenting Podcast
Welcome to Chaos and Caffeine, where parenting gets real, messy, and fueled by endless coffee refills. Hosted by ADHD parent coach Danielle Kelly, this podcast dives into the beautiful chaos of raising neurodivergent kids, balancing life, and finding joy in the middle of the madness.
From ADHD hacks and emotional management tips to stories that’ll make you laugh, cry, or say awesome Chaos and Caffeine is your go-to resource for navigating the unpredictable world of parenting. Whether you’re looking for expert advice, relatable stories, or just someone who gets it, grab your mug and join the conversation.
Parenting isn’t perfect, but with a little caffeine and a lot of community, we’ll get through it together. New episodes every week!
Chaos & Caffeine - ADHD Parenting Podcast
Self-Regulation Secrets: How Sensory Tools Calm ADHD Kids (and Save Parents’ Sanity) ft. Dr. George Hu
If you’ve ever wondered why your ADHD kiddo can’t just “calm down” — or why you can’t either — this episode is your new favorite form of therapy.
This week on Chaos & Caffeine, host Danielle sits down with Dr. George Hu, a U.S.-licensed clinical psychologist, Director of Counseling & Wellness at Duke Kunshan University, and President of the Shanghai International Mental Health Association — to unpack the real science behind self-regulation and sensory processing.
We’re breaking down:
👉 Why some kids need more sensory input to feel calm and focused
👉 How occupational therapy tools (like fidgets, swings, crash pads & weighted blankets) actually rewire the nervous system
👉 How parents can model self-regulation without losing their own cool
👉 Kid-friendly ways to explain why sensory tools work
👉 And what to do when your child refuses the very things that could help them
Dr. Hu brings warmth, humor, and hardcore neuroscience to help ADHD parents understand what’s happening in those tiny (and sometimes tornado-level) bodies — and how to teach regulation with compassion, not control.
If you’ve ever felt alone, overwhelmed, or unsure whether you’re “doing enough,” this episode will remind you that you’re not broken — you’re learning the language of regulation.
Grab your iced coffee, your noise-canceling headphones, and maybe your own fidget spinner — because this one’s going to change how you see your child… and yourself.
Connect with Dr. Hu 👉 drgeorgehu@gmail.com and check out the sensory products he referenced!
This Month’s Sponsors:
👩🏼⚕️ Dr. Lorian Phillips
Dr. Phillips helps families ditch the chaos and build calm through emotional regulation and practical tools that actually work in real life (you know, the life with homework battles, missing shoes, and bedtime meltdowns). Learn more about her ADHD Parenting Course and how she helps families thrive!
The printable shop saving ADHD parents everywhere from pure morning meltdown chaos. Their visual schedules, routine charts, and emotion trackers are actually cute and neurodivergent-friendly. Head to Pop Sugar Cafe and grab the tools your kid will actually use — because structure shouldn’t suck.
A longtime favorite of parents, teachers, and therapists who want kids to have the tools they need to regulate, focus, and thrive. From fidgets and sensory tools to calming corner essentials, therapeutic games, and classic sand play, they’ve got everything to support kids both at home and in the classroom.
A science-backed supplement line created by Dr. Richard Boles, a geneticist and ADHD dad who walked this exact road. These all-natural formulas were developed to support focus, mood, and brain health—and they helped his own son transition off stimulants and thrive in college. So if you’ve ever wished you had a scientist in your back pocket, this is it.
Resources:
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📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at chaosandcaffeinepodcast@gmail.com.