ADHD, Screen Time & Emotional Regulation: What’s Really Happening in Your Child’s Brain | with Dr. Jody Carrington

Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! If screen time feels like it has a stronger grip on your child than you do… this episode is going to change the way you see everything.Today on Chaos & Caffeine, I’m sitting down with clinical psychologist and globally recognized expert Dr. Jody Carrington to break down what’s actually happening in ADHD brains when it comes to screens, emotional regulation, and those next-level meltdowns that hit the second you say, “time to turn it off.”Because this isn’t just about screen time. This is about nervous system regulation, connection, and why ADHD kids aren’t “addicted” to screens—they’re often using them to cope.In this episode, we get into: Why ADHD kids struggle so hard to transition off screens  What’s happening in the brain during screen use (and why it feels impossible to compete)  The difference between screen “addiction” vs. emotional regulation  How dysregulation shows up as behavior—and what your child actually needs in those moments  Why connection beats control (and how to actually do that in real life)  What to do after a full-blown screen meltdown (without shame or punishment)  Practical ways to reduce screen battles in your home starting today If you’re exhausted from fighting the same screen-time battles on repeat… If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this feel so much harder for my kid?” If you want real, science-backed strategies that actually work for ADHD families…This conversation will hit different.Connect with Dr. Jody 👉 Dr. Jody Carrington  This Month's Sponsors:📱 My Screen CoachHelping families raise kids who can actually unplug. 🧠 Social ThinkingHelping kids build the social and emotional skills that don’t always come naturally. 🌱 MaryRuth OrganicsIf you’ve got a kid who treats vegetables like a personal enemy, MaryRuth Organics might become your new best friend. 🛒 Insight Family MarketA thoughtfully curated marketplace created by an educator and parent who actually gets neurodivergent families.  Join Our Patreon and Find All of Our Faves! 📧 Have questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at [email protected] the showDanielle is the host of Chaos & Caffeine, a fast-growing ADHD parenting podcast where she interviews leading psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and neurodivergent advocates about what actually helps ADHD kids thrive in the real world. Through science-backed conversations and very real mom-in-the-trenches storytelling, the show helps parents navigate executive function challenges, emotional regulation struggles, learning differences, and the everyday chaos of raising neurodivergent kids.Each week, Danielle translates complex ADHD research into practical tools parents can actually use — from building routines that support developing brains to helping kids strengthen focus, flexibility, and self-regulation skills.Listen to the podcast and explore expert interviews at:https://linktr.ee/chaosandcaffeinepodcastDanielle frequently speaks and writes about ADHD parenting strategies, executive function development, emotional regulation, screen use and attention, learning challenges like dyslexia, and building resilient neurodivergent families.