Brooklyn shares her personal journey of receiving a late autism diagnosis and the impact it has had on her life, motherhood, and self-understanding. She discusses the concept of masking, the challenges of late diagnosis, and the importance of self-compassion and understanding. She also addresses the experience of recognizing oneself through a child's autism diagnosis and the need for self-acceptance and support.

Takeaways

• Late autism diagnosis can bring relief and grief, as it changes the meaning attached to one's life experiences.
• Understanding and unmasking oneself is a gradual process that requires self-compassion and acceptance.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Impact of Late Diagnosis
• 03:08 The Experience of Masking
• 06:09 Recognizing Oneself Through a Child's Diagnosis
• 08:29 The Journey of Self-Understanding
• 10:23 Support and Compassion for Late Diagnosed Adults
• 15:22 Parenting and Self-Understanding
• 19:33 Exploring a Late Diagnosis
• 22:22 Unmasking and Self-Acceptance

Find Inclusive Stories books, sensory resources, community support and information about TISNECH through the links in the episode notes.

🔗 LINKS AND RESOURCES

💛 TISNECH COMMUNITY SESSIONS

TISNECH is the Inclusive Stories Neurodivergent Education Community Hub. It is a safe, inclusive and non-judgemental space where neurodivergent children and young people aged 5 to 24 can play, explore, regulate and connect.

Families can enjoy sensory play areas, calming zones, creative activities and opportunities to build friendships.

Our next sessions are:

📅 Saturday 10 October 2026
📅 Saturday 24 October 2026

🔗 Book your session:
https://www.tisnech.co.uk/book

🌐 Learn more about TISNECH:
https://www.tisnech.co.uk

📧 TISNECH email: [email protected]

📱 Follow TISNECH on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok: @tisnech

📦 Explore the Inclusive Stories Subscription Box:
https://www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/subscribe

📚 Shop our inclusive children’s books and sensory-friendly fidget tools:
https://www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/shop

📧 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/inclusivestoriespodcast

🎵 TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@inclusivestoriesbox

📘 Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/inclusivestoriesbox/

▶️ YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jFnitIvfgqkyiQUnhVM0A

🎙️ Podcast Home:
https://www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/podcast.

What happens when you still care deeply about your work, your family and your purpose, but your mind and body no longer have the capacity to keep going?

In the opening episode of Season 3, Brooklyn Banjoko returns to the Inclusive Stories Podcast after nearly a year away. She shares why the podcast went quiet, what it means to experience autistic burnout while raising two neurodivergent children, and how receiving an autism diagnosis at 44 changed the way she understands her life.

Brooklyn speaks honestly about the invisible demands of SEND parenting, masking, sensory overload, chronic exhaustion and the pressure to appear capable while struggling underneath.

This episode is for autistic adults, late-diagnosed women, SEND parents, carers and anyone who has stepped away from something they love because life became too much.

If you have been calling yourself lazy, inconsistent or a failure, this conversation may help you ask a different question: What support was missing?

Find Inclusive Stories books, sensory resources, community support and information about TISNECH through the links in the episode notes.

Find Inclusive Stories books, sensory resources, community support and information about TISNECH through the links in the episode notes.

🔗 LINKS AND RESOURCES

💛 TISNECH COMMUNITY SESSIONS

TISNECH is the Inclusive Stories Neurodivergent Education Community Hub. It is a safe, inclusive and non-judgemental space where neurodivergent children and young people aged 5 to 24 can play, explore, regulate and connect.

Families can enjoy sensory play areas, calming zones, creative activities and opportunities to build friendships. Parents and carers remain during the session and can connect with others who understand. Siblings are welcome where appropriate.

Our next sessions are:

📅 Saturday 10 October 2026
📅 Saturday 24 October 2026

🔗 Book your session:
https://www.tisnech.co.uk/book

📧 TISNECH email: [email protected]

📱 Follow TISNECH on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok: @tisnech

📦 Explore the Inclusive Stories Subscription Box:
https://www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/subscribe

📚 Shop our inclusive children’s books and sensory-friendly fidget tools:
https://www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/shop

📧 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/inclusivestoriespodcast

🎵 TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@inclusivestoriesbox

📘 Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/inclusivestoriesbox/

▶️ YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jFnitIvfgqkyiQUnhVM0A

🎙️ Podcast Home:
https://www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/podcast

Summer holidays are here, but for many neurodivergent families, this season is anything but restful. The world may be on holiday, but we are still deep in the trenches.

In this powerful, honest episode, Brooklyn sits down with fellow SEND mum and Occupational Therapist Lily Adams for a conversation that goes far beyond tips and tricks.

Together, they talk about the emotional weight of summer when routines vanish and support disappears, and how to find moments of connection, calm, and even joy in the middle of it all.

Whether you are managing PDA meltdowns in the park, packing snacks and ear defenders for every outing, or just trying to survive six weeks with no village in sight, this episode will meet you where you are.

✨ If this episode felt like a warm hug…

👉 Join our Inclusive Stories Community Hub, it is free, and filled with families like yours. https://www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/groups

👉 Explore our Inclusive Stories Subscription Box, books, fidgets, and sensory tools, made with your child in mind. https://www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/groups

👉 Shop the NeuroInclusive Apparel Collection — because different is beautiful. neuroinclusiveapparel.co.uk

🧡 You are not doing summer wrong. You are doing it differently, and that matters.

Stay Connected with Inclusive StoriesWe love hearing from our community! Whether you have a question, want to share your story, or collaborate, here’s how you can reach us:Website: www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk

📧 Email: [email protected] Instagram: @inclusivestories

📘 TikTok: @Inclusivestoriesbox Facebook: Inclusive Stories

YouTube: Inclusive Stories Box

Podcast Home: Inclusive Stories PodcastIf you’re a parent, carer, educator or advocate looking for inclusive children’s books and sensory-friendly resources, we’d love to welcome you into our growing family.

Music by Sergei Chetvertnykh from Pixabay#SENDMum #NeurodivergentParent #AutismAwareness #InclusiveStoriesAfterDark

The school gates have closed, but for many of us raising autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent children, the real work has just begun. In this heartfelt episode of Inclusive Stories After Dark, Brooklyn shares what summer really looks like for SEND parents: the invisible weight, the lack of support, the grief, but also the small joys, glimmers of rest, and moments of light we often forget to notice.

With honest storytelling, gentle humour, and grounded advice, this is not a “how-to” episode. It is a “me too”, a soft space to feel less alone and more understood.

What We Talk About in This Episode:

Why summer is not a break for many neurodivergent families

The invisible load of managing sensory needs, routines, and meltdowns

The importance of shrinking the day, creating small anchors, and redefining what a “good” day looks like

Real tips for finding calm, joy, and breathing space during the holidays

Your questions, answered in our “Ask Brooklyn” segment, from holiday guilt to parenting burnout

And a whole lot of softness, truth, and solidarity for the season ahead

Stay Connected with Inclusive StoriesWe love hearing from our community! Whether you have a question, want to share your story, or collaborate, here’s how you can reach us:Website: www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk

📧 Email: [email protected] Instagram: @inclusivestories

📘 TikTok: @Inclusivestoriesbox Facebook: Inclusive Stories

YouTube: Inclusive Stories Box

Podcast Home: Inclusive Stories PodcastIf you’re a parent, carer, educator or advocate looking for inclusive children’s books and sensory-friendly resources, we’d love to welcome you into our growing family.

Music by Sergei Chetvertnykh from Pixabay#SENDMum #NeurodivergentParent #AutismAwareness #InclusiveStoriesAfterDark

In this deeply emotional episode of Inclusive Stories After Dark, Brooklyn speaks directly to the fear that so many SEN parents carry but rarely say out loud,

What happens when I am no longer here to advocate for my neurodivergent child?

From sleepless nights to the quiet ache of wondering who will understand your child’s sensory needs, speech delays, or PDA profile, this episode holds space for those invisible worries.

Brooklyn explores the internal battles that come with raising autistic children in a world that still does not fully understand them, and gently reminds us that every act of advocacy, love, and structure leaves a lasting imprint.

Whether your child has ARFID, struggles with masking, uses echolalia to communicate, or needs 1:1 support that the system keeps failing to provide, this episode is for you.

You are not just parenting for today.

You are building a foundation your child will carry long after you are gone.

And your voice will echo, even when you are no longer here to speak it.

🧡 Who This Is For:

Parents of Autistic and ADHD children

Parents navigating EHCPs and SEND support

Families supporting children with ARFID, PDA profiles, sensory needs, or speech and language delays

Anyone raising neurodivergent children and wondering if what they are doing will ever be enough

🔗 Links + Resources:

🌍 Join our free community hub: https://www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/groups

📦 Explore the Inclusive Stories Subscription Box: https://www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/subscribe

📚 Shop our inclusive books and fidget-friendly tools: https://www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/shop

📧 Email: info@inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk Instagram: @inclusivestories 📘 TikTok: @Inclusivestoriesbox Facebook: Inclusive Stories YouTube: Inclusive Stories Box Podcast Home: Inclusive Stories Podcast

If you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or advocate seeking inclusive children’s books and sensory-friendly resources, we’d be delighted to welcome you into our growing community.

Music by Sergei Chetvertnykh from Pixabay

What does it mean to raise more than one autistic child, while also navigating cultural expectations, diagnosis journeys, and a system that does not always see us?

In this powerful episode of Inclusive Stories, Brooklyn sits down with Sua, a British legal practitioner and proud mum of three daughters, two of whom are autistic. Together, they explore the layered, emotional, and transformative experience of parenting multiple neurodivergent children.

This episode speaks to parents who are still finding their feet after diagnosis, those parenting in cultural spaces where autism is misunderstood, and families seeking real talk about advocacy, representation, and doing life differently.

🎙️ In This Episode, We Talk About:

• The emotional impact of parenting autistic children in a misunderstood world
• How Sua’s parenting evolved from her neurotypical first child to her two autistic daughters
• The role of culture, stigma, and silence in Black British families navigating autism
• Why representation matters in diagnosis, school, and support services
• The story behind the Eden Rose Project and how her daughter became an advocate
• What Sua wishes she knew earlier—and why we should stop waiting for “readiness” to start living

💬 Quote from the Episode: "Whether you are a believer, a non-believer, or lean more toward science… there is still hope." – Sua

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

• Join the Inclusive Stories Community Hub: www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk/groups
• The Eden Rose Project: edenroseproject.com

🎧 Listen now and share with another parent who needs to hear this. Your child’s journey does not have to follow anyone else's map. We are learning together and building community along the way.

Stay Connected with Inclusive Stories

We love hearing from our community! Whether you have a question, want to share your story, or collaborate, here’s how you can reach us:

Website: www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk 📧 Email: info@inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk Instagram: @inclusivestories 📘 TikTok: @Inclusivestoriesbox Facebook: Inclusive Stories YouTube: Inclusive Stories Box Podcast Home: Inclusive Stories Podcast

If you’re a parent, carer, educator or advocate looking for inclusive children’s books and sensory-friendly resources, we’d love to welcome you into our growing family.

Music by Sergei Chetvertnykh from Pixabay

This episode is a breath for every SEND/Neurodivergent parent and carer who wonders why they are so tired, even when nothing “big” happened. The truth? You are not lazy. You are not doing it wrong. You are carrying more than most people will ever understand.

In this episode, I hold space for the unspoken exhaustion, invisible labour, and quiet strength of parents raising Autistic and ADHD children.

You are not alone. You are not too much. And you are still standing. This episode is for you.

In this episode we talk about:

• Why you feel so overwhelmed (even when you think you “should be coping”)
• What nobody sees about the emotional load of SEND parenting
• How laughter, joy, and small silences still show up in the chaos
• The myth of “getting it right”
• Listener questions in Ask Brooklyn
• Gentle affirmations to help you rest

You don’t need fixing. You just need space. Let this be it.

Stay Connected with Inclusive Stories

We love hearing from our community! Whether you have a question, want to share your story, or collaborate, here’s how you can reach us:

Website: www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk 📧 Email: info@inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk Instagram: @inclusivestories 📘 TikTok: @Inclusivestoriesbox Facebook: Inclusive Stories YouTube: Inclusive Stories Box Podcast Home: Inclusive Stories Podcast

If you’re a parent, carer, educator or advocate looking for inclusive children’s books and sensory-friendly resources, we’d love to welcome you into our growing family.

Music by Sergei Chetvertnykh from Pixabay

#SENDMum #NeurodivergentParent #AutismAwareness #InclusiveStoriesAfterDark

Tonight, we are taking a moment to celebrate you, friend. Inspired by my National Diversity Awards 2025 nomination, this episode is all about honouring the wins we often overlook as SEND parents and carers.

You are doing extraordinary things — even when no one claps, even when no one sees. Your story matters. Your growth matters. You deserve to celebrate yourself without apology.

Let us breathe, reflect, and take pride in the quiet victories we build every day. Be well, always.

Stay Connected with Inclusive Stories

We love hearing from our community! Whether you have a question, want to share your story, or collaborate, here’s how you can reach us:

Website: www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk 📧 Email: info@inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk Instagram: @inclusivestories 📘 TikTok: @Inclusivestoriesbox Facebook: Inclusive Stories YouTube: Inclusive Stories Box Podcast Home: Inclusive Stories Podcast

If you’re a parent, carer, educator or advocate looking for inclusive children’s books and sensory-friendly resources, we’d love to welcome you into our growing family.

Music by Sergei Chetvertnykh from Pixabay

#SENDMum #NeurodivergentParent #AutismAwareness #InclusiveStoriesAfterDark

In this episode of Inclusive Stories After Dark, Brooklyn shares heartfelt insights and encouragement for parents and caregivers navigating the challenges of raising children with autism and ADHD. She emphasises the importance of recognising small wins, finding joy amidst chaos, and the need for self-compassion.

Brooklyn addresses the pressures of parenting during holidays, the significance of being seen, and the value of adaptability in parenting. The conversation is filled with warmth, humour, and affirmations that resonate deeply with the audience.

takeaways

• You're not alone in this journey of parenting.
• Every small win counts, even if it seems insignificant.
• It's okay to feel tired and still be a great parent.
• Your child's joy matters, and so does yours.
• You don't have to be perfect to be a good parent.
• Laughter can be a coping mechanism during tough times.
• Adapting to your child's needs is not a failure.
• It's important to feel seen and acknowledged in your efforts.
• Your love and presence are what your child will remember.
• You are enough, just as you are.

Stay Connected with Inclusive Stories

We love hearing from our community! Whether you have a question, want to share your story, or collaborate, here’s how you can reach us:

Website: www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk 📧 Email: info@inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk Instagram: @inclusivestories 📘 TikTok: @Inclusivestoriesbox Facebook: Inclusive Stories YouTube: Inclusive Stories Box Podcast Home: Inclusive Stories Podcast

If you’re a parent, carer, educator or advocate looking for inclusive children’s books and sensory-friendly resources, we’d love to welcome you into our growing family.

Music by Sergei Chetvertnykh from Pixabay

In this episode of Inclusive Stories After Dark, Brooklyn explores finding joy amidst the chaos of parenting and everyday life. She discusses the weight of sensory overload and the cumulative stress of small challenges, emphasising that joy can still exist even in difficult times. Brooklyn encourages listeners to recognise and reclaim their joy, reminding them that it is not only permissible to feel joy but essential for emotional well-being. The episode concludes with a call to choose joy, even amid life's challenges.

takeaways

• Joy can exist even in difficult times.
• The cumulative weight of small challenges can be overwhelming.
• Finding joy in unexpected moments is important.
• Joy does not negate the hard experiences of life.
• It's okay to feel joy while still facing challenges.
• Self-care and joy are essential for emotional well-being.
• You can reclaim your joy by engaging in small, joyful activities.
• Laughter and joy are still within reach.
• Mindfulness can help in recognising moments of joy.
• You are enough, and your joy is valid.

Stay Connected with Inclusive Stories

We love hearing from our community! Whether you have a question, want to share your story, or collaborate, here’s how you can reach us:

Website: www.inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk 📧 Email: info@inclusivestoriesbox.co.uk Instagram: @inclusivestories 📘 TikTok: @Inclusivestoriesbox Facebook: Inclusive Stories YouTube: Inclusive Stories Box Podcast Home: Inclusive Stories Podcast

If you’re a parent, carer, educator or advocate looking for inclusive children’s books and sensory-friendly resources, we’d love to welcome you into our growing family.

Music by Sergei Chetvertnykh from Pixabay