
92 The Teen They Called ‘The Problem’ — And What Changed in a Different School Setting
From ADHD Mums by Jane McFadden
March 23, 2026 · 26 min · Season 3 · Episode 92
About this episode
This episode discusses the challenges faced by children in mainstream schools and explores alternative education options.
There’s a moment when you realise it’s not just a ‘bad term’ at school. It’s mornings that feel impossible. A child who won’t go. Or can’t go. And suddenly the question changes from 'how do we fix this?' to 'where do we go now?' WHAT WE COVER – What actually happens when mainstream school stops working – Why some children aren’t ‘failing school’ — the system is failing them – The reality of alternative education (and the myths that scare parents) – Why behaviour often looks worse before safety is built – What smaller, relationship-based learning environments do differently – How to know if an alternative pathway might be right for your child – Why some kids return to mainstream — and some never should WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS There’s a gap no one talks about. Between ‘just try another school’ and ‘we can’t do this anymore’ And most parents fall straight into it with no map. This episode gives you language for that moment and shows you what actually exists on the other side. WHAT ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE Not a ‘last resort’. Not a room full of ‘problem kids’. But often: – smaller class sizes – built-in sensory supports (not earned, not restricted) – flexible…
People in this episode
Host: Jane McFadden
Topics covered
- alternative education
- mainstream school challenges
- child behavior
- relationship-based learning
- parenting strategies
Keywords
- ADHD
- education
- school
- children
- parenting
- behavior
- learning environments
More episodes of ADHD Mums
- 4. They Took Away the Village and Handed Us the iPad. Then They Told Us Not to Use It. · June 10, 2026 · 22 min
- 3 Reasons ADHD Mum Rage Feels Like It Came Out of Nowhere. (It Didn't.) · June 8, 2026 · 25 min
- 3. It's 11:40pm. I'm Not on My Phone for Fun. I'm on the Password Reset Page for the Third Time · June 3, 2026 · 22 min
- 4 Reasons You Can't Eat Breakfast Until the Kitchen's Clean. Why Most Advice Won't Work — and the One Thing That Will. · June 1, 2026 · 45 min
- 1. Season 4 Launch: Who Am I If I Stop Being In Service to Everyone in My Life? · May 27, 2026 · 18 min
- 108. 'Supportive of What?' The Year a Friend Asked Me One Question and Broke the Season 3 · May 25, 2026 · 22 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the ADHD Mums podcast page.