Dr Kelly Fradin, paediatrician and author, on how overdiagnosing ADHD means we're missing children genuinely in need
“The real goal is to raise someone who stands on their own two feet. And that requires parents to thoughtfully step away or challenge their child in a way that can be uncomfortable for everybody.”
Kelly Fradin, MD is a paediatrician, child advocate and author whose work sits at the crossroads of healthcare and education. Kelly suffered from cancer as a child, and she watched her own medical team advocate for her at her school – an experience that shaped the career path she went on to follow. After studying at Harvard and Columbia, Kelly worked in a wide range of settings, from public schools in the South Bronx to her current post as Chair of Paediatrics at Atria Health and Research Institute, a pioneering health company supporting families around the globe. Her Instagram account, @AdviceIGiveMyFriends, is followed by a tribe of nearly 50 thousand people, and her book 'Advanced Parenting' offers guidance to families navigating health diagnoses and mental health challenges.
In a brilliant episode with Henry Faber, Kelly explores the delicate balance parents face between advocating for their children and stepping back to let them build resilience and a sense of autonomy. She offers guidance on what's age-appropriate – from homework support to daily routines – and explains why miscommunication between parents and schools often does more damage than the underlying issue. She has a nuanced take on the rise of ADHD cases: that we're simultaneously pathologising normal children in inappropriate environments whilst missing quieter children genuinely in need of our support. She shares her controversial opinion at the end, making the case that movement is the most undervalued part of the school day and that all children should "find flow".