ADHD Parenting Support

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ADHD Parenting Support

I’m Vivian, the founder of ADHD Support Australia

I work with parents who want practical, compassionate support for raising neurodivergent children.

You may be here because your child has ADHD — or you’re exploring a possible diagnosis — and family life feels challenging, exhausting or unpredictable. You might be navigating emotional outbursts, school struggles, anxiety or constant conflict, while wondering if you’re doing the “right” thing as a parent.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

I offer two online ADHD parenting programs designed to help parents better understand ADHD, support their child’s nervous system and development and create calmer, more connected family relationships. These programs focus on understanding why your child behaves the way they do, rather than trying to “fix” or control them.

Both program options include the same core content. The Connected Program also includes six weekly one-hour group Zoom calls and access to a private online community, offering additional guidance, shared learning and support from other parents on a similar journey.

These programs are suitable for parents and carers of children and teens with ADHD and other neurodivergent profiles. They’re also valuable for educators and professionals who want a deeper, neurodivergent-affirming understanding of children with ADHD.

The goal is to empower you with practical, evidence-informed strategies so you can work with your child — not against them — and build a family life that feels more manageable, connected and sustainable.

ADHD is not caused by poor parenting

It is a neurodevelopmental difference — and raising a child with ADHD often requires different parenting tools, not more effort or stricter discipline.

Research consistently shows that ADHD-specific parent training can reduce family stress, improve emotional regulation and strengthen connection for children with ADHD and their parents. This course is designed to provide that support in a practical, compassionate and neurodivergent-affirming way.

As you build a deeper understanding of ADHD and learn what truly helps neurodivergent children thrive, it becomes easier to shift out of frustration or self-blame and into confidence and clarity. Small changes in understanding and approach can make everyday life feel calmer and more manageable.

Your awareness, support and willingness to learn can have a powerful impact — helping your child feel safer, more understood and more confident, while improving quality of life for your whole family.

Online Ultimate ADHD Parenting Program Options

Choose the program format that best suits your family, capacity and stage of life. Both options provide the same evidence-informed, neurodivergent-affirming ADHD parenting education — the difference is the level of live support.

The Connected Program

Running each term, the Connected Program offers additional guidance and community for parents who value shared learning and live support. It includes:

Six weekly one-hour group Zoom calls
Access to a private online parent community for connection and support
Guided weekly home practice to help you apply strategies in real life
A safe, non-judgmental, and empathetic learning environment

The Start Anytime Program

Available year-round, the Start Anytime option includes the full Ultimate ADHD Parenting Program content without live calls or community access. This option is ideal for parents who prefer flexible, self-paced learning or need support that fits around unpredictable schedules.

Both programs are designed to meet parents where they are — without blame, pressure or perfection — and to support you in building calmer, more connected family relationships.

Check Dates & Start Your Journey

What Parents are Saying

Vanessa – Parent

“Despite many years of psychologists and Google research I hadn’t been able to find really tangible action advice on how to parent my ADHD stepson until I came across Vivian’s parenting workshop. The course was invaluable because it explained the disorder simply and with great insight but then went through the various facets with actual plans for what to do and why it works. I’ve implemented many of the ideas, which have shown very positive results, and importantly learnt what not to do and how what I was doing was often exacerbating the problem. The group forum was highly supportive and being able to discuss specific situations with others in similar positions also enhanced the learning whilst reassuring me I was not alone! In so many years of research this has been the most helpful and I am so grateful for the visible results in my stepson and also in our relationship thanks to this course. The takeaway booklets are an ongoing reference and reminder that I still use. Couldn’t recommend highly enough, this course is a life-changer.”

Deborah – Parent

“A wonderful and highly informed lady helping to educate parents about ADHD. Well worth attending one of her parenting groups, especially if you are just learning about it.”

Corrie – Parent

“I learnt lots of new and relevant information on the course but it also cemented my existing knowledge on ADHD. Vivian is very knowledgeable and breaks down the information in an easy to digest way using her relaxed and fun approach to teaching. It was also lovely to meet other mums in similar situations to share stories and brain-storm problems. I would highly recommend.”

Nikki – Parent

“When I didn’t know what to do next or where to go, I found your parenting course and I could relax knowing I was gaining the knowledge I needed to travel this unexpected road with my family. 100% open minded with regards to medication I have never felt any judgement only support and encouragement to keep trying. Meeting other parents who understand has been invaluable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Vivian.“

Parent

“A good basic comprehensive course. It was great to meet other parents and be able to learn together, share information and experiences. Lots of reliable source of information and useful material. Thank you very much Vivian!”

Parent

“It was great to get together with other families going through similar issues and discuss strategies in a supportive network. I gained ideas to support our family and optimise everyone’s wellbeing.”

Parent

“I have found ADHD Support Australia so helpful. The parenting course, the speakers, the special events and the website have been great resources. It has also been wonderful to connect with other people in the ADHD community. Vivian is so knowledgeable and helpful and caring. I consider myself very fortunate to have found this group and that it is on the Northern Beaches!”

Parenting Workshop Attendee

“As a parent with a newly diagnosed 6 y/o I can’t express how useful the 4 hour Parenting Workshop was. I took so much away from the day, I still have so much to learn but this has really given me some clarity, a broad understanding of what we are dealing with, what we can do to support our family, where to get more information and importantly that we are not alone! Thank you so much Vivian – your commitment is commendable and the sharing of your knowledge and lived experience is invaluable! I cant thank you enough.”

Parenting Workshop Attendee

“This was my first time attending any sort of information session on ADHD and I found it so informative. There was so much to learn and really comforting to know we are not alone on this challenging journey.”

Parent

“This course provides good, easy understanding of all topics related to ADHD for parents, teachers and other family members as a new learner.”

Parent

“An extremely well thought-out, practical guide for parents who will benefit from the hundreds (and hundreds) of practical examples Vivian supplies on how to assist children with ADHD and a more successful family life. I cannot recommend this course more highly, well done and thank you!”

Parent

“This was an amazing course for parents who have a child with ADHD. The info and study is very clear and simple to understand. I highly recommend this course to any parent who has a child with ADHD.”

Parent

“An extremely well thought-out, practical guide for parents who will benefit from the
“I would like to mention the dedication you have demonstrated in putting together such a vast array of hand picked materials to lead parents through the obstacles, pointing out pitfalls. At times we all need hand holding through something that is profoundly affecting both our children’s lives and own own. Thank you Vivian for being there – Online or not, you turned up and were there for me, sharing with great generosity to illuminate the journey. You truly care in helping parents and their children and are beyond generous with the life-long resources you have made available to us. Bless you Vivian, you are a great inspiration. The World needs more people like you.”

Parent

“What I loved most about this course was your passion to genuinely help people that are in the dark and struggling. Your humility as you describe the subjects and including your own experiences too is heartwarming. I will remember much more what and how you said things than anything I will read elsewhere. For me the humanising aspect meant a lot to me.”

Grandparent

“As a family new to this dilemma, it answered so many questions and reassured us that we can overcome this and guide my beautiful granddaughter through life.”

Parent

“A wonderful course that provides great insight into parenting a child with ADHD, 10/10.”

Parent Course Attendee

“I can not recommend this course enough. It has dramatically improved our home by educating us about how to live with ADHD. It has given us parents material about how to understand ADHD more and how to make our home more ADHD friendly which improves everyone.”eep everyone entertained during the screen reset. Supportive group calls. Overall a very positive experience for our family.”

Parent Course Attendee

“The course was really useful in framing both the challenges and opportunities of ADHD with practical and insightful recommendations to work with your child/ren. Understanding the challenges children face and working collaboratively with them to improve day to day life is invaluable. Vivian was both knowledgeable and empathetic and generously shares her experience and wisdom. Highly recommend for any parent or caregiver who loves a child with ADHD.”

Parent Course Attendee

“A great course. Lots of information to understand the gravitation of our children to screens, and heaps of suggestions on activities and alternative options to keep everyone entertained during the screen reset. Supportive group calls. Overall a very positive experience for our family.”

Parent

“A wonderful course that provides great insight into parenting a child with ADHD, 10/10.”

Parent

“Fab course – just do it!”

How will the Ultimate ADHD Parenting Program help me?

The Ultimate ADHD Parenting Program is specifically designed to support parents of children and teens with ADHD. Its purpose is to help you better understand your child’s neurodivergent brain, respond with confidence and create calmer, more connected family relationships — while reducing stress and self-blame.

Rather than focusing on “fixing” behaviour, this program helps you understand what’s driving your child’s challenges and how to support their nervous system, emotional regulation and development in practical, compassionate ways.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll gain evidence-informed knowledge and practical tools to work with your child, support their strengths and navigate everyday challenges more confidently, including:

How to support self-esteem and confidence through a growth-focused, strengths-based approach
How to solve problems collaboratively and proactively
Practical ADHD parenting strategies that improve routines, reduce conflict and strengthen relationships
Why parent self-care matters, and how to make it realistic
How sleep impacts ADHD and ways to support healthier sleep patterns
A clearer understanding of ADHD medications and treatment options
How to advocate effectively for your child at school and within support systems

Connected or Start Anytime — You Choose

In the Connected Program, parents regularly share that the sense of understanding, connection, and community is one of the most valuable parts of the course. You’ll have weekly opportunities to connect with other parents and with me in a safe, non-judgmental space to reflect, ask questions, and trial new approaches together.

The Start Anytime Program is fully self-paced and can be started whenever it suits you. It includes the complete course content without live calls or community access, making it ideal for parents who need flexibility.

Both options are designed to support you where you are — without pressure, perfection or blame — and to help you feel more confident in supporting your child and your family.

Begin Your Journey

About Me

Vivian Dunstan, ADHD advocate and founder of ADHD Support Australia, smiling outdoors in a lace cardigan and striped dress, seated in a garden setting with greenery and soft natural light.

I’m Vivian, founder of ADHD Support Australia, which I established in 2013 to address the lack of practical, compassionate ADHD support available to families. I began facilitating the Parenting Children with ADHD course in person in 2015 and launched the online version in 2019 — now the Ultimate ADHD Parenting Program — to make this support accessible to families across Australia and beyond.

I’m the author of The Ultimate ADHD Parenting Handbook: Empowering Your Family to Thrive, where I share both professional insights and lived experience.

I’m also an ADDCA-trained ADHD Coach, certified PEERS® Social Skills Program provider for teens and young adults, Certified Digital Health Educator (NIDHW), Digital Parenting Program Facilitator, Certified NeuroACT Program provider, qualified teacher, Mental Health First Aider, Lifeline Accidental Counsellor and former Raise Foundation mentor.

Most importantly, I’m an experienced mum of a neurodivergent young adult, with a late in life ADHD diagnosis myself.

I’ve supported my daughter through childhood, adolescence and now young adulthood. Our journey has included ADHD, Autism, anxiety, learning difficulties, gut health challenges, coeliac disease, chronic fatigue, food intolerances, hypermobility, MCAS and more — giving me a deep understanding of how complex and interconnected neurodivergent family life can be.

My approach brings together neurodivergent-affirming, evidence-informed support, grounded in lived experience, extensive research and formal training. I also draw on the insights gained from hosting monthly expert talks since 2013, alongside advanced professional development such as Dr Ross Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive Solutions training.

This program reflects everything I’ve learned — and continue to learn — and is designed to support you with compassion, clarity and practical tools as you navigate your own ADHD parenting journey.

Begin Your Journey