Nicole M. Santiago, M. Ed.
I’m Nicole Santiago, M.Ed., co-founder of Family ADDventures. I stand in the gap for families navigating the school system, helping them move forward with confidence, advocate with clarity, and ensure their child is truly seen, supported, and set up to thrive. My journey into this work began at home, and as a parent of three, I know firsthand the ADDventures that come with raising children who don’t fit into a one-size-fits-all system.
Plain and simple, my oldest son hated school. Every morning brought tears, and for years, dark circles under his eyes told the story of a child who was overwhelmed and unsupported. As a former educator, it was heartbreaking to watch, and even harder to sit in ARD/IEP meetings where we were repeatedly told he didn’t qualify for services. But I knew in my gut something was being missed. I left many of those meetings in tears, feeling unheard and unsure of how to help my own child.
In 2014, we took matters into our own hands and pursued a private neuropsychological evaluation. That decision changed everything. With the right data, the school finally listened, and my son began receiving accommodations. But by then, years of support had already been lost.
That experience shaped the work I do today.
I now walk alongside families raising children like mine, equipped to advocate, guide, and create real change. I understand a child’s rights and how to ensure they are honored. I know how to navigate the system, ask the right questions, and push for the support a child truly needs. My advocacy and educational therapy work are grounded in 12 years in the classroom, where I consistently pushed to keep neurodivergent students supported, included, and thriving in general education.
In my final years as a teacher, I shifted the way I approached behavior and learning. I implemented the Collaborative Problem Solving model developed by Dr. Ross Greene, creating a classroom environment rooted in regulation, connection, and mutual respect. I successfully taught middle and high school Spanish without relying on traditional grading, focusing instead on engagement, relationships, and meaningful learning.
I’ve also completed over 40 graduate-level credits beyond my master’s degree toward certification in educational therapy. I am trained in trauma-informed Behavior Intervention Plans and serve as a HeartMath® Coach, integrating nervous system regulation into the work I do with students and families.
This work is personal. It always has been.
I hold a Master’s in Education from the University of Maryland, along with Special Education Law certifications from St. Mary’s University School of Law and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). As a SEAT 1 trainer with COPAA, I support others in building strong, informed advocacy for students.
My work is grounded in 12 years in the classroom, where I taught in general education while consistently advocating for neurodivergent students to be supported, included, and successful.
In my final years, I implemented the Collaborative Problem Solving model developed by Dr. Ross Greene—shifting away from traditional discipline and toward regulation, connection, and student ownership. This approach transformed my classroom into a space where students felt understood, capable, and engaged.
I am also the published author of two books focused on supporting families raising children with ADHD. My writing blends professional expertise with lived experience, offering practical strategies and a grace-centered approach to parenting and learning. Through Give Grace and Reject Shame and The ADHD Homeschool Guide, I equip parents to better understand their child and create environments where they can truly thrive.
All of our subcontracted advocates are members of A Day In Our Shoes Advocacy Academy, COPAA, along with TOPAA, The Texas Organization of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.
At Family ADDventures, our mission is to build your child’s confidence at home and at school, while strengthening the connection between families and school teams. Online, homeschool, public, or private, we’ll meet your child wherever they learn and create a plan that truly supports them. We’re ready when you are.
If you love your ADHD child deeply but feel stuck in cycles of conflict and burnout, you’re not alone—and this book meets you there. Give Grace and Reject Shame offers practical, real-life strategies like daily rituals and “slow parenting” to bring more calm and connection into your home. It combines tools, resources, and mindset shifts to help break cycles of shame and build a more supportive family environment. As an inattentive ADHDer raising ADHD children, the author shares both lived experience and proven approaches that truly work. You’ll learn how to reduce arguments, regulate your child’s (and your own) nervous system, and create moments of peace throughout the day. Reflection questions throughout the book help you personalize the strategies and take action immediately. This is an invitation to parent with more grace, build stronger relationships, and truly appreciate your ADHD family.
Homeschooling doesn’t have to be complicated. When done well, it can be tailored to meet your child exactly where they are. For many ADHD children, traditional school can feel overwhelming, even traumatic, leading to stress, shutdowns, and daily conflict. The ADHD Homeschool Guide offers a different path, one that reduces pressure, increases cooperation, and allows your child to take ownership of their learning. You’ll learn how to move away from constant battles over assignments and toward a more peaceful, collaborative dynamic at home. By giving your child choice, flexibility, and the right support, school becomes less about compliance and more about curiosity. This guide helps you create a learning environment where your child can thrive—and rediscover a genuine love of learning.
Igniting Student Potential! 