Episode 32 - Put the Stick Down: Parenting Emerging Adults and Embracing ADHD with Elaine Taylor-Klaus Artwork

Grandma Has ADHD

Welcome to “Grandma Has ADHD,” the podcast dedicated to exploring the unique challenges and experiences of seniors living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and referred by some as ADD. We’ll provide valuable insights, expert advice, and personal stories to help older adults, their families, and caregivers navigate the journey of managing ADHD in later life mixed with a little humor and real life, unedited examples of navigating life with ADHD.

Whether you are a senior who suspects you may have ADHD or love an ADHD Senior, “Grandma Has ADHD” embraces the saying “Making the rest of your life, the BEST of your life” and is here to provide you with the information, support, and resources you need to thrive.

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Grandma Has ADHD

Episode 32 - Put the Stick Down: Parenting Emerging Adults and Embracing ADHD with Elaine Taylor-Klaus

April 22, 2025 • Jami Shapiro

In this powerful episode of Grandma Has ADHD, Jami sits down with globally recognized ADHD thought leader and coach Elaine Taylor-Klaus, co-founder of ImpactParents and host of the Parenting with Impact podcast.

Diagnosed in her 40s and part of an “ADHD-plus-plus” family, Elaine shares her deeply personal journey—navigating a late diagnosis, embracing neurodiversity, and discovering how coaching transformed her life. Together, she and Jami explore what it means to live with ADHD as an older adult, how it impacts parenting and family dynamics, and why so many of us need to “put the stick down” and release years of shame and self-blame.

What you'll learn in this episode:

[00:01:50] The Underrepresentation of Seniors with ADHD in Media
[00:05:23] Elaine’s “Put the Stick Down” Analogy
[00:07:26] Elaine’s Personal ADHD Discovery and Journey into Coaching
[00:18:46] Gerotranscendence and Acceptance in Later Life
[00:20:24] ADHD’s Impact on Family Dynamics and Intergenerational Relationships
[00:23:33] The Four Stages of Parenting
[00:30:10] The Pressure of Wanting For vs. Wanting From Our Children
[00:33:10] Rebuilding Trust Through Relationship
[00:37:00] Mourning Expectations and Embracing Reality

Resources Mentioned:

www.impactparents.com - Elaine’s website. Offers coaching, resources, and tools for parents of complex kids and professionals who support them.
Parenting with Impact Podcast - Hosted by Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster
Sanity School - A core parent training program from ImpactParents, designed to teach foundational coaching skills and neurodiversity-informed strategies.
The Essential Guide to Raising Complex Kids by Elaine Taylor-Klaus - Offers support and coaching-based strategies for parenting children with ADHD, anxiety, and other challenges.
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson, PhD - A book exploring the impact of emotionally immature parenting and how it can affect adult children, particularly those with ADHD.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of Grandma Has ADHD! We hope Jami's journey and insights into ADHD shed light on the unique challenges faced by older adults. Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll explore helpful resources, share personal stories, and provide guidance for those navigating ADHD. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends who might benefit. Remember, Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

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