Dec 11, 2025
Let’s be honest, public school wasn’t designed for kids with ADHD. Too often, these kids are labeled, misunderstood, and pushed into systems that don’t fit how their brains learn best. But what if the problem isn’t your child, but the system itself?
In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay, ADHD health practitioner and founder of the ADHD Thrive Method for Kids speaks with Leslie Dernberger, founder of Aspire Education, mom of four, and one of the nation’s leading experts in K–12 education for neurodiverse learners. Drawing on her legal background and over a decade of experience helping families, Leslie unpacks why traditional schooling often fails ADHD kids and what parents can do about it.
From understanding homeschool laws and navigating deschooling, to structuring the day and busting common misconceptions, this episode is filled with practical guidance and encouragement. Whether you’re curious about homeschooling, exploring hybrid options, or just want to better support your child’s learning, this conversation will give you hope and actionable tools.
Links Mentioned in the
Show:
▶ Aspire
Education: https://www.aspireeducation.us/
▶ Homeschool Legal Defense
Association (HSLDA): https://hslda.org
Key
Takeaways:
[00:00] Public
school isn’t built for many ADHD learners andwhy fit-the-mold
systems backfire.
[02:37] Meet Leslie
Dirnberger (Aspire Education): mom of four, homeschool veteran,
legal background, supports thousands of families.
[04:23] The
“catalyst event”: what finally pushes parents to seek
alternatives.
[06:03] Spotting
the signal: “the spark is gone” and nothing at school is fixing
it.
[07:16] First steps
legally: understand your state’s rules; public vs. private
education; where homeschooling fits.
[10:05] Deschooling
101: reset the parent first; museum/nature learning to
reconnect.
[13:38] Foundation
step: define “a good education” as a family; ask kids what learning
should look like.
[15:24]
Myth-busting socialization: why homeschoolers often get better
real-world social practice.
[18:30] Colleges
love homeschoolers: time management, self-advocacy, executive
function.
[26:27]
Standardized tests miss the mark, especially for ADHD, focus
on mastery instead.
Memorable
Moments:
"The truth is, your child
doesn’t need to be fixed. They need an education that actually fits
their brain.”
“There is a catalyst event that
has occurred that creates a situation that the parents go, wait a
second, let’s take a step back here.”
“The spark has gone out, the
light has gone out of their eyes and the parents know something’s
wrong.”
“The hardest part of
homeschooling? Looking myself in the mirror and challenging my own
beliefs.”
“What does a good education look
like for your family and for your children?”
“Nothing could be further from
the truth — homeschoolers are often better
socialized.”
“Colleges love homeschoolers
because they know how to manage their time and advocate for
themselves.”
“Accreditation is a game. It is
absolutely garbage. It doesn’t mean a thing.”
“Everything is geared towards
standardized testing in government schools. And that’s why they’re
in a box and they ram it through, which is terrible for ADHD
kids.”
“Your children can own their own
education and advocate for themselves at school.”
Dana Kay Resources:
🔗WEBSITES:
▶ https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
▶ https://dana-kay.com/
👋SOCIALS:
▶ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
▶ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
▶ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
▶ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/mycompany/
▶ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
▶ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
▶ Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻FREE MASTERCLASS
▶ Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://bit.ly/3GAbFQl
⭐COURSES & PROGRAMS
▶ ADHD Parenting Course
– https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
▶ ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program
– https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/