Why Morning and Bedtime Routines Are So Hard for ADHD and Autistic Kids — And the Practical Supports That Help
About this episode
This episode discusses the challenges ADHD and autistic kids face with morning and bedtime routines and offers practical strategies to help.
Why are morning routines and bedtime routines so hard for ADHD and autistic kids? If your mornings feel chaotic… If bedtime turns into battles… If you've tried "sleep hygiene," reward charts, reminders, and it still falls apart… This episode is for you. In this conversation, I sit down with occupational therapist Dr. Peyton Gemmell to talk about why routines are especially difficult for neurodivergent kids and teens — and what actually helps. Here's what I need you to hear: It's not laziness. It's not defiance. It's executive functioning, sensory processing, transitions, and overwhelm. We break down: • Why morning chaos happens in ADHD and autistic children • How executive functioning impacts routines • Why traditional sleep hygiene advice often isn't enough • The role of sensory regulation in bedtime struggles • How to identify which part of the routine is actually hard • Simple, practical systems that reduce overwhelm (including a powerful visual basket strategy) • How to reduce shame while building real-life skills We also talk about something parents don't hear enough: The same routine will not work forever. Neurodivergent brains need toolkits — not rigid systems. Whether…
People in this episode
Host: Holly Blanc Moses
Guest: Dr. Peyton Gemmell
Topics covered
- ADHD
- autism
- morning routines
- bedtime routines
- executive functioning
- sensory processing
- neurodiversity
Keywords
- ADHD
- autism
- morning chaos
- bedtime struggles
- executive functioning
- sensory regulation
- visual basket strategy
- neurodivergent care
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- Small Language Shifts That Protect The Mental Health of Autistic & ADHD Children
- Are We Really Listening to Autistic & ADHD Children?
- Autism, ADHD & Anxiety: Trying to Be "Good Enough" Almost Killed Me
- "Why 'Bad Behavior' Isn't Bad Parenting — And the Harmful 'Raised Right' Myth About Autism & ADHD"
- Neurodivergent Moms of Autistic & ADHD Kids: Your Burnout Makes Sense & It Didn't Start With Motherhood
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