When It's More Than ADHD: Learning Differences, Anxiety & School Struggles | Lisa Mackey, Ph.D.

What if your child is struggling in school because there's more going on than ADHD? ADHD often doesn't show up alone. Dyslexia, dysgraphia, anxiety, and executive functioning challenges can overlap, making learning and everyday life harder than parents and teachers may realize. In this episode of The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast, host Kate Brownfield welcomes Lisa Mackey, Ph.D., an educational therapist with more than 25 years of experience supporting children who learn differently. Together, they explore how to recognize when a child needs more support, why educational therapy goes beyond traditional tutoring, and how repeated struggles in school can lead to what Lisa calls "educational wounding", the gradual loss of confidence that can happen when children feel misunderstood or unsupported. Lisa also shares insights from her research on childhood adversity and resilience, reminding us that helping children thrive means looking beyond grades and diagnoses to understand the whole child. In this conversation, you'll learn: • How ADHD, learning differences, and anxiety can overlap • Signs your child may need additional learning support • What educational therapists do and when to consider one • Why early identification and intervention matter • How school experiences can affect a child's confidence and emotional well-being • What helps children build resilience as they grow into adulthood Connect with Lisa Mackey, Ph.D. LinkedIn:   / lisa-mackey-02b6a926   Email: l.mackey@comcast.net (mailto:l.mackey@comcast.net) About the Host Kate Brownfield, ACC, is a certified ADHD and executive function parent coach, author, and host of The ADHD Kids Can Thrive Podcast. She helps parents understand their children, navigate challenges at home and school, and build practical plans to support their children's growth. Learn more about ADHD parent coaching and resources at https://adhdkidscanthrive.com.