In this deeply honest and compassionate episode of the NDVPodcast, Andreia is joined by Laura Ellis, founder of Sensory Mother, teacher, coach, and parent to neurodivergent children.

Laura shares her personal journey through parental burnout,survival mode, and overwhelming shame — and how years of misunderstanding her son’s meltdowns as “behaviour” led her to hit rock bottom. From that place, Laura rebuilt not only her relationship with her child, but her entire career.

Together, Andreia and Laura explore:

• What survival mode really looks and feels like for parents

• Why meltdowns are nervous system responses, not bad behaviour

• The hidden impact of school and sensory overload

• Shame, guilt, and the impossible standards placed on parents

• Why connection must come before correction

Laura introduces her PAUSE Method — five simple, practicalsteps that help parents respond to meltdowns with empathy, clarity, and confidence, without needing a degree in autism or ADHD.

This episode is a powerful reminder that:

Your child is not giving you a hard time — they arehaving a hard time. And you are not failing as a parent.

A must-listen for parents, carers, educators, and anyonesupporting neurodivergent children.

Links:The Sensory Mother

The PAUSE Method

You Gotta Be by Des'ree