Nip in the bud with Jolene Ironside: Trauma and ADHD: supporting children at school and home.

Today I speak with Jolene Ironside. Jolene is an Integrative Counsellor using the Arts, ADHD Coach and holistic therapist who specialises in children and young people, families, trauma, sensory processing and neurodivergence.She is a trained trauma therapist, sensory profiler and skilled in nervous system regulation. Jolene brings the mind and body into her practice, providing a holistic approach to support her clients.SummaryIn this episode of the Nip in the Bud podcast, Jolene shares her extensive journey from the travel industry to becoming a holistic therapist and counselor specializing in working with children and young people, particularly those with ADHD and trauma. She discusses the importance of understanding trauma, the role of the nervous system in emotional regulation, and how to create supportive environments in schools. Jolene emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to ADHD, focusing on strengths rather than deficits, and provides practical strategies for parents and educators to help children thrive. Throughout our conversation we look at different strategies that Jolene encourages those who care for children to use. I think one of the main takeaways for me is to make sure, as parents or professionals, we are recognising and responding to the needs we see in front of us with speed. We can make small tweaks and changes to the environment, to routines, to our expectations and to the resources we use. These changes will help prevent a child from getting to the point of overwhelm. Once in overwhelm the child becomes dysregulated and it is far more challenging to help them. Prevention seems to be key here.Listen for ideas on how to help those children you care for from burn out or meltdowns that in some cases can be avoided.Main takeawaysJolene's journey includes diverse experiences in therapy and education.Trauma is an emotional and psychological reaction to uncontrollable events.Understanding autonomic responses helps shift the narrative from 'bad behavior' to 'survival response'.Nervous system regulation is key to emotional well-being.Children need supportive environments to thrive, not just behavior management.ADHD is a spectrum of traits with both strengths and challenges.Mindfulness and movement breaks can significantly aid focus and emotional regulation.Co-regulation involves providing cues of safety to dysregulated children.Creating sensory circuits can help children process stress effectively.It's essential to celebrate children's uniqueness and strengths.Keywords trauma, ADHD, nervous system regulation, holistic therapy, education, mindfulness, emotional regulation, neurodiversity, children's mental health, supportive environmentsLinksJolene Ironsidehttps://www.heartinmind.co.uk/Disclaimer: The content provided in the Nip in the Bud podcasts is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to replace or serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental health issue.Nip in the Bud - Where to get helphttps://nipinthebud.org/where-to-get-help/