Conversations with a SEND Mum

In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Julie Bevan, the franchisor of Dot Kids, a children’s art franchise with a heart and mission rooted in creativity, confidence and inclusion.

Julie shares her lived experience of navigating DLA forms and EHCP processes for her own child, and why that journey reshaped everything about how she sees children, families and the importance of truly inclusive activity spaces.

We talk about why art is such a powerful vehicle for nurturing wellbeing, expression and identity. Julie explains how Dot Kids creates environments that celebrate uniqueness, reduce pressure and support every child to take part in ways that feel safe and joyful for them.

We also discuss Julie’s incredible recognition as Inclusivity Champion in Franchising and why this award meant so much after a challenging year for her family. It represents not only her dedication but the real change she is making across the activity sector.

Julie and Nicole chat about the work they do together through The Friendly SEND Advisor, supporting franchisees and activity providers to become more inclusive in authentic and practical ways. Because the goal is simple. Every child deserves to feel they belong.

Highlights of the episode
• Julie’s personal journey through DLA and EHCP applications
• How lived experience drives her passion for genuine inclusion
• The role of art in supporting mental health and creative expression
• Winning Inclusivity Champion in Franchising at The Disruptive Franchise Awards and what it means
• The importance of training and co-production with families
• Why the children’s activity sector can lead the way to welcome all children

Connect with Julie and Dot Kids
Website: dotkids.co.uk
Facebook and Instagram: @dotkidsart

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole sits down with Liz Evans;  an Occupational Therapist, mum, and the brilliant mind behind The Untypical OT.

Together they dive into an honest chat about dyslexia, parental burnout, and what it really means to live and work while navigating neurodivergence as both a parent and professional.

Liz shares her journey with dyslexia and how it has shaped the way she approaches her work and supports families. Nicole opens up about her own ADHD diagnosis, how it helped her understand her patterns of overwhelm and hyperfocus, and why this insight has changed how she looks after herself and her family.

This is a conversation full of compassion, connection, and those 'I thought it was just me' moments exploring the emotional load that often comes with caring, advocating, and trying to hold it all together while supporting neurodivergent children.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The realities of burnout for parents and professionals in the SEND community
• How dyslexia and ADHD shape the way we process, plan, and parent
• Why understanding our own neurotype is key to self-compassion
• Practical strategies for pacing, rest, and regulation
• Letting go of perfection and embracing being 'untypical'

If you’ve ever felt exhausted by the constant juggle or found yourself running on empty while supporting everyone else, this episode is a gentle reminder that you’re not alone and that understanding your own brain is one of the most powerful steps towards balance.

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole chats with Scott, owner of Phoenix Ashes and Co, about a journey many families will recognise, years of waiting for a diagnosis while navigating life, learning, and misconceptions along the way.

Scott shares openly about his son, who is close to receiving a diagnosis of Tourette’s and Autism after a four-year wait. They talk about the importance of tools for regulation, what they’ve both learnt from their children, and how understanding their kids’ brains has been life-changing.

That understanding didn’t just help Scott support his children. It also helped him recognise his own neurodivergence, sparking reflection that Nicole resonates with deeply, having received her own ADHD diagnosis later in life.

This is a conversation that goes beyond the stereotypes, it’s about empathy, practical strategies, and the power of connection between parent and child.

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

In this powerful and honest conversation, Nicole sits down with Hayley Harding, co-founder of Let Us Learn Too, a grassroots parent-led campaign group fighting for the rights of disabled children in education.

Together, they explore the urgent need for genuine reform within the SEND system and why lived experience must be at the heart of any meaningful change. Hayley shares her own journey as a parent navigating the system, how Let Us Learn Too began, and what the group is doing to push for a more inclusive, accountable and compassionate approach to education through the upcoming SEND white paper and reform proposals.

They also dive into:

• What true co-production looks like and why it matters
• The emotional and practical impact of a failing system on families
• How parents, professionals and young people can work together for change
• The importance of keeping disabled children’s rights and voices front and centre in policy
• How we shift from tick-box listening to real partnership

This episode will leave you feeling informed, inspired, and reminded that we are stronger when we push for change together.

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

In this week’s episode, Nicole Bateman is joined by Andy Horry, who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Together, they explore what it’s like to look back on your childhood through the lens of a diagnosis and what changes when you finally have the words to describe your experience.

Andy shares:

•  What school was like growing up with undiagnosed ADHD
•  The relief and reflection that came with finally understanding his brain
•  How he regulates his nervous system now and what actually helps
•  How ADHD interacts with his other chronic health conditions

This is a conversation about identity, wellbeing, and the power of understanding yourself. Andy speaks openly about the emotional journey of self-discovery, the frustration of being misunderstood for so long, and the simple strategies that help him show up as his best self.

If you’ve ever wondered about adult diagnosis, or how to support someone with ADHD and additional health needs, this episode will leave you feeling more informed and more connected.

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

Welcome back to Conversations with a SEND Mum and to the start of Season 4. In this solo episode, host Nicole Bateman sets the tone for the season ahead with an honest, heartfelt look at what’s really going on behind the scenes as a parent of a neurodivergent child.

Nicole shares her personal reflections on:

• The quiet exhaustion of parental burnout and why it needs more space in the conversation
• The emotional impact of seizures, not just on the child, but on the whole family
• That limbo feeling of school ending and summer beginning and how to make transitions feel safer and smoother for our children

You’ll also get a peek at what’s coming up in Season 4: incredible guests, lived experience, practical tips, and honest conversations that help you feel less alone and more equipped.

Whether you’re navigating epilepsy, anxiety, school transitions, or just trying to get through the week this episode is for you.

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Charlotte Montford; educator, specialist autism support teacher, and founder of Badger Education. Charlotte shares how a volunteering experience at university sparked a lifelong passion for inclusive education, and how both her professional journey and personal experience raising neurodivergent children have shaped the work she does today.

We talk openly about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting, the frustration of delayed diagnoses, and why it’s so important to recognise each child as a unique individual. Charlotte’s perspective is rooted in deep understanding, and her work is all about helping educators feel confident and supported in making a real difference.

What We Cover:

• How Charlotte’s early experience in a special school influenced her career
• What it’s like navigating the system both as a parent and professional
• The power (and pressure) of being an advocate when things don’t feel right
• Why Charlotte set up Badger Education and the kinds of support it offers
• Real talk about autism, assumptions, and the importance of truly knowing the child in front of you
• Practical ways educators can create more inclusive learning spaces

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

Autism Acceptance Day: Masking, Diagnosis and Visibility with Tynisha from Visible Autism

in this Autism Acceptance Day special, Nicole Bateman speaks with Tynisha from Visible Autism about her lived experience as an autistic woman and her journey to self-understanding and advocacy.

In This Episode:

• Masking and Late Diagnosis – Tynisha shares how she masked her autistic traits throughout school and the ten-year journey it took to receive her diagnosis. She reflects on how being misunderstood led to exhaustion and challenges with self-identity.
• University and Reasonable Adjustments – Despite having a formal diagnosis, Tynisha discusses the lack of appropriate adjustments at university, the impact this had on her education, and the wider issue of inaccessible systems.
• The Story Behind Visible Autism – Tynisha talks about the creation of Visible Autism, a clothing brand designed to promote neurodivergent visibility and spark conversations about the autistic experience.
• Documenting the Autistic Experience – A look at Tynisha’s upcoming documentary, where she shares her reality of navigating the world as an autistic person, breaking stereotypes, and advocating for acceptance over awareness.

This episode is great listening for anyone wanting to understand the reality of autistic masking, the barriers to diagnosis, and why true visibility and acceptance matter.

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

Purple Day Special – Parenting Kids with Epilepsy with Kelly Norford

In this Purple Day special episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman chats with Kelly Norford, a mum of three children with epilepsy. They discuss the unique and evolving challenges of epilepsy: from managing different seizure types to navigating the impact on mental health, learning, and daily life.

In this episode, Nicole and Kelly explore:
 💜 The complexities of epilepsy – how it presents differently in each of Kelly’s children and how seizure types can evolve over time
 💜 Common triggers and daily challenges, including how unpredictable seizures affect routines and education
 💜 The impact of epilepsy medication on mental health, cognition, and behaviour
 💜 What parents wish teachers and childcare providers knew about supporting children with epilepsy
 💜 The emotional and advocacy journey of raising children with complex medical needs

Kelly’s insights provide a powerful, real-life perspective on the hidden impacts of epilepsy and the importance of understanding and support from the wider community.

Listen now to raise awareness and be part of the conversation!

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

Epilepsy Awareness with Hattie Brant from Purple Dayss

In this special episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Hattie Brant, founder of Purple Dayss, to raise awareness for Purple Day (March 26th)—a global movement dedicated to increasing understanding and reducing stigma around epilepsy.

Hattie shares her personal journey of living with epilepsy and the misconceptions she’s encountered. Together, Nicole and Hattie bust common myths, discuss essential seizure first aid, and highlight the unseen impacts of epilepsy that many people don’t realize.

Key Takeaways:

1. Busting Epilepsy Myths
   • Debunking common misconceptions, including the idea that epilepsy always involves convulsions and flashing lights.
   • The reality of different seizure types and how epilepsy affects people beyond the physical symptoms.
2. Seizure First Aid – What Everyone Should Know
   • The do’s and don’ts when helping someone experiencing a seizure.
   • Why it’s crucial to stay calm, time the seizure, and ensure safety rather than restraining or putting something in the person’s mouth.
3. The Hidden Impacts of Epilepsy
   • Fatigue, memory issues, mental health challenges, and how epilepsy affects daily life beyond seizures.
   • The importance of inclusion, understanding, and accessibility for those living with epilepsy.

Resources Mentioned:

• Purple Dayss – Hattie’s platform raising epilepsy awareness: @PurpleDayss
• Young Epilepsy: www.youngepilepsy.com
• Seizure First Aid Guidelines: Epilepsy Society

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad