NeuroDADverse

🎧 Episode 13 – Positive Energy, Car Symbols & School Wins

In this heartfelt episode, Dan and Ben reflect on the surprising joys and ongoing challenges of getting their neurodivergent kids back into the school routine. From bath time meltdowns to unexpectedly peaceful transitions, the dads talk about managing expectations, building emotional safety, and honouring small wins.

Ben shares a special moment where Oscar opens up with emotional insight and compares Ben to a new teacher with “positive energy.” Dan shares Frankie's transition going back to school. Ben explores the balance of being a teacher-parent as Mabel starts self-managing GCSE revision. There's humour too — including a surprise car cymbal gift and a flashback to forgotten anniversary presents.

This episode is all about parenting by feel, celebrating progress, and surviving the whirlwind of early September.

💬 Topics This Episode

Back-to-school transitions for ND children

Reframing wins and challenges as a parent

Emotional safety in bedtime routines

Sibling support and independence at bath time

Neurodivergent sensory needs (and adaptations)

Parent guilt, pacing, and the mental load

Teacher vs. parent identity at home

GCSE revision systems for neurodiverse teens

The power of ‘when-then’ language

Neurodivergent couple dynamics & diagnosis reflections

⏱️ YouTube Chapter Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 13

01:00 – Week in 3 Words: Surprising, Whirlwind, Tidier

03:00 – Back-to-school debrief & family dinner outing

06:00 – Supporting teens with study habits and autonomy

09:00 – The fine line between parent and teacher at home

12:00 – Neurodivergent brains & adapting routines

15:00 – Emotional wins that don’t fit neat categories

18:00 – Unexpected transitions & scaffolding support

21:00 – Sleep struggles and early wake-ups

24:00 – Revising routines: managing rest and mornings

27:00 – School transport triggers and regulation strategies

30:00 – Laura’s ADHD diagnosis and new household adjustments

33:00 – Supporting adult ND routines with child-style care

36:00 – Inclusive approaches to emotional regulation

39:00 – Creative coping strategies: glasses, fans, flowers

42:00 – Filmmaking updates and surprise festival news

45:00 – Solo parenting & evening rhythms

48:00 – Bath time reflections & routine wins

51:00 – Celebrating progress and parental growth

54:00 – Laura’s love for Lego & self-soothing tools

57:00 – Final thoughts, podcast impact & listener feedback

01:00 – Outro: Looking ahead to next week

#NeurodivergentParenting #BackToSchool #PositiveParenting #Neurodiversity #BathTimeWins #AutismSupport #ADHDParenting #GCSEPrep #ParentingJourney #NeuroSpicyLife #RoutineReset #SensoryNeeds #SENDSupport #PodcastForParents #NeuroDadverse

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🎧 Episode 12 – Shoe Heels, Shelf Battles & Strutting into September

Ben and Dan wrap up summer with a high-energy, high-emotion episode full of wardrobe challenges, unexpected wins, and bold self-expression. As the kids prep for a new school year, Ben takes us through an emotional decluttering session with Oscar, which turns into a sensory-sensitive sorting game (with a surprise echolalia moment).

Meanwhile, Dan reflects on Frankie’s subtle bath-time wins and the return of those school-year anxieties, with a party full of supportive friends, a cinema outing that starts with a strut, and reflections on podcasting through the parenting trenches.

This episode is a celebration of growth, expression, and figuring it out as we go.

💬 Topics This Episode

End-of-summer parenting reflections

Neurodivergent kids & emotional decluttering

Identity, fashion, and self-expression

Sibling dynamics and regulation tools

Challenges of SEND transitions back to school

Real talk on GCSE pressure & emotional school avoidance

Unexpected party wins & sensory-safe spaces

Bath time scoring & language milestones

⏱️ Chapter Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 12

01:00 – Week in 3 Words: Growing, Isolation, Memory

03:00 – Decluttering clothes: Marie Kondo (ish) wins & fails

06:00 – Oscar's overwhelm & sensory wardrobe setup

09:00 – Gamifying the sort: buckets, bins & Sleepy Night-Nights

12:00 – Identity, heels & strutting to the cinema

14:00 – Reflecting on expression & confidence

17:00 – Family wins, sensory wins, and social navigation

20:00 – Frankie’s speech win & language growth

22:00 – Party moments & letting go of social pressure

25:00 – Self-regulation, choice, and autonomy

28:00 – Audience feedback & podcast reflections

31:00 – Back to school prep & parental nerves

34:00 – SEND school transport & emotional transitions

38:00 – GCSE pressure, emotional school avoidance & reframing success

42:00 – Reflecting on parental roles & work-life balance

46:00 – Bath time scores & language doubling

49:00 – Chronicling parenting wins through podcasting

52:00 – Outro, weekend plans & thank-yous

💡 If this episode resonates with you, whether you’re a zebra or a stripy horse or just figuring it out, there’s space for you in the NeuroDADverse.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting chats

👍 Like & share and leave a comment to help more parents find us

📧 Contact: [email protected]

📲 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

Join us in the NeuroDADverse in all the usual places in our link tree:

https://linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse

🎧Listen to us on:

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/neurodadverse/id1828520219

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0dcFZNbAX4eixDu3vLLPWF?si=ee285ea2e8ab4fb

🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #ADHDAwareness #AutismAdvocacy #RejectionSensitivity #ParentingPodcast #EmotionalRegulation #NDLife #NeuroDadverse #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #ADHD #autismawareness #autismacceptance #actuallyautistic #neurodiverse #sensoryprocessingdisorder #ADHDparenting #autismfamily #autismlife #adhdlife #differentnotless #inclusion

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode 11 – Forgotten Needs, Heartwarming Teens & Neurodivergent Room Chaos.

This week on The NeuroDADverse, Ben reflects on a parenting moment where he forgot to communicate accessibility with Oscar and how a simple bedroom reorganisation turned into an emotional reminder about invisible needs.

Dan feels like a new man after sleeping more in the past four days than he has in the past two weeks and shares the challenges involved in engaging with dental appointments.

Lastly, Ben shares a heartwarming story from a beach trip with extended family, as his teens surprise him with genuine compassion and support for their grandma. The pair also dive into how neurodivergent kids navigate clutter, clothing decisions, transitions, and spontaneous change.

There's a fresh wave of listener feedback, a funny bath time score drop, and thoughts on how far they’ve come across the first 11 episodes.

💬 Topics This Episode

• Communicating accessibly during stressful tasks

•. Emotional labour & late-stage parenting wins

• Neurodivergent attachment to clutter and collections

• Teens supporting their grandmother in thoughtful ways

• Family beach traditions & inclusive activities

• SEND-friendly dentists & familiarisation techniques

• Listener feedback and reflections

• Bath time score regression: frustration, humour & hygiene

👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.

00:00 – Intro & welcome to Episode 11

01:00 – Bonus energy from a long weekend

02:00 – Week in 3 Words: Renovation, Reminder, Heartwarming

03:30 – Challenges: Reorganising Oscar's bedroom & communication breakdown

06:00 – Forgotten neurodivergent needs & emotional overload

09:00 – Self-regulation, safe spaces & forgotten objects

12:00 – Clutter, collections & the emotional weight of rubbish

14:00 – Repairing trust after stressful change

16:00 – Empathy, apologies & why it matters

18:00 – Ben’s win: Beach day with grandma & extended family

21:00 – Oscar’s gesture: arm around gran & thoughtful support

23:00 – Observing family kindness without scripting it

26:00 – Mabel’s win: new calming bedroom zone

28:00 – Lighting, organisation & sensory-friendly space design

30:00 – Positive reinforcement with subtle design choices

32:00 – SEND-friendly dentist chats

34:00 – Family transitions, routines & planning ahead

36:00 – Listener engagement & reflections on episode reach

38:00 – Importance of chronicling parenting wins

40:00 – Diagnoses origin stories to come?

42:00 – Looking ahead: garden parties, beach rounders & school prep

45:00 – Return to school anxiety & emotional coaching

47:00 – Bath time scores: performance struggles & supportive laughs

49:00 – Sunday structure, hygiene independence & closing thoughts

51:00 – Final goodbyes & special guest outro from Mabel

💡 If this episode resonates with you, whether you’re a zebra or a stripy horse or just figuring it out, there’s space for you in the NeuroDADverse.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting chats

👍 Like & share and leave a comment to help more parents find us

📧 Contact: [email protected]

📲 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #ADHDAwareness #AutismAdvocacy #RejectionSensitivity #ParentingPodcast #EmotionalRegulation #NDLife #NeuroDadverse #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #ADHD #autismawareness #autismacceptance #actuallyautistic #neurodiverse #sensoryprocessingdisorder #ADHDparenting #autismfamily #autismlife #adhdlife #differentnotless #inclusion

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode 10!

In a very special episode of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan welcome their first guest: Ben’s wife, Laura, who opens up for the first time about her brand new ADHD diagnosis at 44.

This candid conversation unpacks Laura’s experience of going through the assessment process, the emotional weight of late diagnosis, and the joyful, if surprising, validation that followed.

Elsewhere, it’s a week of high emotions, meltdowns, clothes-related identity struggles, and bath time tactics. From family beach days and bowling with noise-cancelling headphones, to hyper-focused DIY and parenting wins in disguise, this episode is raw, funny, and incredibly relatable.

If you’ve ever felt like you were “just about coping” while also quietly smashing it, this one’s for you.

💬 Topics This Episode

• Laura’s new ADHD diagnosis at 44, vindication, imposter syndrome & joy

• Gendered ADHD presentation & overlooked symptoms

• The challenge of the ADHD online assessment process

• Frankie’s beach meltdown & sensory overload

• Oscar’s outfit dilemmas & gender expression

• Bath time strategies: coaching vs independence

• Hyperfocus, teamwork & DIY kitchen wins

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 10 & our first guest!

01:30 – Week in 3 Words: Surprising, Vindicating, Joyful

03:30 – Anniversary meals, kitchen painting & medical news

04:50 – Laura joins the podcast to share her story

05:40 – ADHD diagnosis confirmed after final assessment

07:00 – Why the process felt emotional & validating

08:00 – Imposter syndrome and “did I fake this?” feelings

09:00 – Childhood examples, ambition, and astronauts

11:00 – Navigating identity & shame around late diagnosis

12:30 – Friendship styles & feeling like an outsider

14:30 – Gendered social connection & emotional coping

16:00 – Processing it all – joy, grief & overwhelm

17:00 – Challenges with the online ADHD assessment

19:00 – Bath time score reveal – Laura’s rating vs Ben’s!

22:00 – How sensory differences shape family routines

25:00 – Ben & Dan debrief: Laura’s journey and what’s next

27:30 – Ben’s parenting win: Oscar’s emotional resilience

30:00 – Frankie’s sensory meltdown at the beach

33:00 – Communication and safe spaces in tough moments

35:00 – Comparing experiences with Oscar & Frankie

38:00 – Planning family outings: expectations vs reality

41:00 – Clothing, confidence & gender identity

44:00 – Bowling alley challenge turned quiet win

46:00 – The restaurant social story workaround

49:00 – Catching wins in the chaos of parenting

51:30 – Listener feedback & Frankie’s first words revisited

53:00 – Looking ahead: GCSE results, weddings & inflatable lakes

56:00 – Wrestling plans & being in two places at once

58:00 – Kitchen transformation: DIY, teamwork & hyperfocus

1:00:00 – Bath time scoring face-off: independence vs task-focused

1:03:00 – Final scores, Lego gifts & anniversary fails

1:06:00 – ADHD teamwork & the joy of colourblind decorating

1:08:00 – Outro: wins, challenges, and parenting in technicolour

💡 If this episode resonates:

🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting chats

👍 Like & share to help more parents find us

📬 Email us: [email protected]

📲 TikTok / Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

#ADHDAwareness #LateDiagnosisADHD #NeurodiverseParenting #WomenWithADHD #ParentingWins #SensoryProcessing #BathTimeStruggles #HyperfocusMode #NeuroSpicyLife #NeuroDadverse #FamilyTeamwork #NDParenting #KitchenRenovation

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🎧 Episode 9 – Transitions, Teen Independence & The First-Ever Perfect Bath

This week on The NeuroDadverse, Ben and Dan reflect on the sometimes messy, sometimes magical balancing act of parenting neurodivergent kids over the summer.

They cover emotional transitions, the challenge of growing teen independence, gaming boundaries, family sleepovers, unexpected sibling support, and how routines don’t always go to plan — especially when you think you've finally cracked them.

Also in this episode: social wins, reflective garden chats, risk-taking with family days out, and the first-ever 10/10 bath time score (complete with nail-cleaning and hair drying support from a sibling!).

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by progress, regression, joy and rage all in the same day — you’ll feel right at home.

💬 Topics this episode:

Transition challenges & when "when/then" plans fail

Supporting teen gaming without judgment

Sibling relationships & supportive moments

Wins in verbal and non-verbal communication

Reflecting on emotional growth vs surface behaviours

Navigating plans, surprises & soft play fears

The first-ever 10/10 bath time score

👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 9

01:00 – Week in Three Words: Exciting, Quick Win, Relaxing

02:30 – Kids' sleepover, football, and gaming

04:00 – Oscar's sensory needs & table socialising

06:30 – Sensory comfort and family dynamic changes

07:30 – Reconnecting moments and communication joy

09:00 – More data, more overthinking in summer

10:30 – Parenting worry about solo gaming and disconnection

12:00 – Struggles getting to the sleepover

14:30 – Teen challenge: clothes & tech packing meltdown

16:00 – Building regulation back from frustration

17:30 – The next day's transition goes smoothly

18:30 – Big picture reflections on parenting ND kids

19:30 – Wins: Communication breakthroughs and self-advocacy

21:00 – Frankie sets clear boundaries & uses voice

23:30 – Ben's parenting win: Mabel's best football game ever

26:00 – Intense singing & in-game focus

28:00 – Looking ahead to the week: bus rides, beaches & open-top chaos

30:00 – Soft play memories & risk-taking parenting

32:00 – Preparing for unexpected reactions and resilience

34:00 – Social stories, spontaneity & holding back info

36:00 – Planning vs over-prepping transitions

39:00 – The soft play vs beach discussion

40:00 – Letting go of judgment from other adults

41:30 – Default bath talk: stimulation vs relaxation

44:00 – **Oscar’s first 10/10 bath score!**

46:00 – Sibling support and unexpected joy

48:00 – The power of grandparent feedback

50:00 – Reframing surprise wins & emotional support

52:00 – Outro: Listener callout & wrap-up

💡 If this episode resonates:

🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting chats

👍 Like & share to help more parents find us

📬 Email us: [email protected]

📲 TikTok / Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

#NeurodiverseParenting #TeenIndependence #SENDLife #NeurodivergentTeens #TransitionStruggles #SensoryProcessing #ParentingWins #FamilySupport #10OutOf10Bath #SiblingBonding #SoftPlaySurprises #NeuroDadverse

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode 8 – Finding Comfort in Chaos

This week on The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan reflect on the small but powerful wins that make parenting neurodivergent kids so rewarding. From managing tricky transitions at the SEND gym to celebrating social breakthroughs at the beach, it’s a conversation filled with honest insight, humour, and hard-earned lessons.

Oskar navigates a challenging week with moments of self-regulation and self-advocacy, while Frankie’s experience at a sensory-rich bounce house offers lessons in patience, perspective, and letting go of the perfect plan. The pair also explore the value of safe spaces, how to read between the lines when behaviour speaks louder than words, and why not every “challenge” is without its silver linings.

There’s also a heartwarming moment of friendship building outside of school, practical reflections on supporting teens through emotional shifts, and the familiar saga of bath time scores.

If you’ve ever juggled sensory needs, teenage independence, and your own self-care, this episode will feel like a deep breath and a reassuring nod.

💬 Topics this episode:

• Supporting neurodivergent kids through sensory-heavy transitions

• Safe spaces & self-regulation strategies

• Reading behaviour as communication

• Navigating teenage boundary testing with empathy

• Encouraging social connections outside of school

• Finding joy in small but significant wins

• The ever-evolving bath time ritual

👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.

00:00 – Welcome back & what to expect this episode

01:00 – Week in three words: small progress & heartwarming moments

03:00 – Time away, me-time & respectful parenting balance

04:30 – Challenge of the week: sensory transitions at the SEND gym

06:00 – Car-to-door struggles & letting go of frustration

08:00 – Safe spaces, regulation & comparing progress without judgement

10:30 – Behaviour as communication: when sitting quietly means more

12:30 – Supporting kids through complex transitions

14:00 – Recognising progress in non-verbal communication

15:30 – Challenge/Wins overlap: reframing the week

18:00 – Ben’s challenge: Oscar’s reflective garden moment

20:00 – Supporting teens through emotional shifts & self-expression

23:00 – Shepherding vs engineering: guiding, not forcing outcomes

25:00 – Wins of the week: creative communication & self-advocacy

28:00 – Enjoying activities with unpredictable sensory elements

30:00 – Community interaction: friendship-building outside of school

33:00 – Planning accessible social activities

36:00 – Reflections on connecting with other ND parents

38:00 – Listener story: celebrating small but important developmental steps

41:00 – Using “one second a day” to reflect on progress

44:00 – Looking ahead: football season, family time & solo parenting

47:00 – Week ahead plans & unstructured activity days

50:00 – Bath time score reflections

53:00 – Wrap-up & listener thank-yous

54:00 – Outro: How to connect with The NeuroDADverse

💡 If this episode resonates:

🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting chats

👍 Like & share to help more parents find us

📬 Email us: [email protected]

📲 TikTok / Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SensoryProcessing #TeenParenting #SENDSupport #SafeSpaces #BehaviourIsCommunication #NeurodivergentKids #BathTimeStruggles #ParentingWins #NeuroDadverse

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🎧 Episode 7 – Pride, Parenting & Penalties

In this shorter then usual episode in The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan reflect on a summer weekend packed with big moments. From marching at Pride to navigating teenage boundary testing, all while trying to keep family life connected and calm.

Oscar embraces Pride with a homemade non-binary flag, Mabel shines as a supportive ally, and the family enjoys a joyful cinema trip. Meanwhile, a challenging conversation about teen boundaries sparks open, respectful discussions on honesty, independence, and trust.

There’s also football joy (England win!) and the ever-present bath time saga proving that even the most everyday routines are never boring when you’re parenting neurodivergent kids.

If you’ve ever tried to balance allyship, adolescent independence, and your own sanity during summer holidays — this one’s for you.

💬 Topics this episode:

•Marching at Pride & supporting LGBTQ+ identity in ND families

•Teen boundary exploration & honest conversations about trust

•Creating safe spaces at events for sensory needs

•Allyship between siblings

•England’s Euros victory & family football bonding

•Summer holiday wins & managing unstructured time

•Bath time negotiations & regulation strategies

👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.

00:00 – Welcome back to The NeuroDadverse

01:00 – Why Dan’s tired & the week in three words

02:00 – Wins of the week: England win, cinema trip, Pride march

04:00 – Pride with Oscar: homemade flag, sensory-friendly route & finding comfort

05:30 – Mabel’s allyship & sibling bonding moments

06:30 – Visiting friends & managing unfamiliar environments

07:00 – Ben’s win: first week of the summer holidays

09:00 – Challenges: unstructured time & tag-team parenting

12:00 – Work-life balance during the holidays

13:00 – Teenage boundary exploration: the biggest challenge

15:00 – Approaching boundaries with conversation & trust

18:00 – Social contracts, honesty & the family “value tree”

22:00 – Keeping freedoms while reinforcing respect

24:00 – Resisting the urge for heavy consequences

26:00 – Calm communication over confrontation

29:00 – How teaching experience shapes parenting style

32:00 – Looking ahead: family meet-ups & friend visits

35:00 – Bath time wins & post-football chill

38:00 – Regulation challenges & one-bath-a-week routine

40:00 – Closing reflections: wins, challenges & listener thanks

42:00 – Outro: where to find us & join the conversation

💡 If this episode resonates:

🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting conversations

👍 Like & share to help more parents find us

📬 Email us: [email protected]

📲 TikTok / Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #TeenParenting #PrideParenting #LGBTQFamily #NDAdvocacy #NeurodivergentKids #SENDLife #BathTimeStruggles #HonestParenting #NeuroDadverse

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🎧 Episode 4 – Fashion Shows, Solo Dads & Emotional Throwbacks

In this episode of The NeuroDADverse, Ben tackles two nights of solo parenting that include a sensory-triggered meltdown, an emotional bathroom floor moment, and a makeshift fashion show to help Oscar choose clothes for a beach trip.

Meanwhile, Dan shares a massive win with Frankie around self-initiated haircuts a sensory success with a touch of comic timing. The pair also explore emotional regulation, parent shame, lanyards in public spaces, and the quiet victories we rarely get to celebrate out loud.

💬 Topics this episode:

•Solo parenting while managing autistic meltdowns

•Clothing anxiety, sensory needs, and scaffolding through play

•“I’m stupid” moments and the power of calm connection

•Reflecting on old regulation routines and unexpected regression

•Self-initiated sensory management (like requesting a haircut!)

•Soft play, safety strategies, and meltdown management in public

•Using lanyards, laminated cards, and subtle advocacy in social spaces

•Teen independence, impulsivity, and boundary learning

•Diagnosis delays and the emotional weight of reflection

👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.

00:00 – Welcome back (plus a bit of flu)

01:30 – Visual mimicry and parenting pick-ups

03:00 – Weekly check-in: Three-word summaries

05:00 – Challenge: Solo parenting and preparing for a beach trip

06:30 – Clothing anxiety and sensory overwhelm

07:30 – Fashion Show Game: Scaffolding through fun

09:00 – The Pokemon hat dilemma

10:00 – Bedtime anxiety and “what if I get bullied?”

11:00 – Curtain drama and negative self-talk

12:30 – Emotional dysregulation in the bathroom

14:00 – Calm breathing, mirror affirmations, and flashback parenting

15:00 – The return of old behaviours and coping tools

16:30 – How the beach trip actually went

17:00 – Jellyfish, crabs, and thumb-middle day ratings

18:30 – Win: Frankie self-initiates a haircut!

20:30 – Sensory wins and father-son bonding

22:30 – Self-advocacy in action (and what it really means)

25:00 – ND parenting = challenge + joy

26:00 – Teens, Tesco, and spontaneous impulse dinners

27:30 – Structure, routines, and parenting styles

29:00 – Challenges of handing over control as kids grow

30:00 – Mabel's smooth transition to new school timetable

32:00 – When the meltdown doesn’t come (and that’s the win)

34:30 – Ben’s soft play story: masking, cards, and safety systems

38:00 – Do you carry meltdown info cards in public?

40:30 – Why people don’t always notice ND traits (and why that matters)

43:00 – Solo parenting at social events and what’s actually “normal”

45:00 – Talking about SEND in public: advocacy or judgement?

47:00 – The morbid fascination with “how hard it really is”

49:00 – Diagnosis check-in: avoidance, fear, and self-reflection

52:00 – Dan's not-ready-yet moment: reflection fatigue

53:00 – Looking ahead: Sports Day, England football, and no sleep

56:00 – Bath Time Scores: When timing and hairdryers collide

58:00 – Final thoughts, closing laughs, and “just spilled lemon & honey”

💡 If this episode resonates with you:

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes

👍 Like & comment to help other ND parents find us

📬 Email us your stories at: [email protected]

📲 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SensoryProcessing #AutismAwareness #SoloParenting #ParentingMeltdowns #SENDSupport #NeurodivergentKids #ToiletTrainingWins #PublicMeltdowns #LanyardAwareness #NDAdvocacy #ParentingPodcast #NeuroDadverse

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🎧 Episode 5 Routines, Transitions & Emotional End of Term

In this episode of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan dive into the complexities of summer routines, end of term emotions and SEND school transitions. From the bittersweet news of a child staying in the same class, to spontaneous sports days and “Champion of Champions” family traditions. This is parenting through chaos with compassion and creativity.

They explore the real reason routines are so hard to stick to (and who they’re really for), how ND kids (and adults) cope with unpredictability, and share some of their best bathroom negotiation hacks including the now-legendary “Wash the Trains” method.

💬 Topics this episode:

• End-of-term school transitions & staying back in class

• SEND education provision, expectations, and emotions

• Routines: Who are they really for?

• Coping with lack of routine in ND households

• Empowering kids to advocate for themselves

• Summer parenting strategies (one-on-one vs. shared days)

• Bath time battles and sensory hacks

• Champion of Champions: family games, sibling rivalry & tankard trophies

👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.

00:00 – Welcome back & weekly wins

02:00 – Tattoo inspiration from a child’s drawing

04:00 – Garden chores, football tournaments & meltdown anxiety

06:00 – Keep Your Shoes On: a practical Sunday hack

07:30 – Hot weather, sports, and super-subs on the pitch

09:00 – Checking in: Weekend moments & upcoming topics

10:30 – The real fear: how adults respond to deregulation

11:00 – Big Topic: Routines – who are they really for?

13:00 – Christmas McDonald’s story & food flexibility

14:30 – Why the world doesn’t always match the routine

16:00 – School mornings, parental logistics, and emotional honesty

18:00 – When routine causes more pressure than peace

20:00 – Advocating for self-advocacy in your kids

23:00 – Why rigid handovers might actually harm growth

25:00 – Helping extended family learn through experience

27:00 – The invisible “expert in my kid” pressure

29:00 – Double diagnoses, self-acceptance, and finding peace

30:00 – Bath time chaos: stress, countdowns & phrases

32:00 – Co-parenting transitions & mismatched energy

34:00 – Reflecting on your own routines — or lack of them

36:00 – The challenge of staying back in the same class

39:00 – Comparing hopes to progress: managing expectations

41:00 – Soft skills vs grades in SEND education

43:00 – Reframing milestones & celebrating small wins

45:00 – Looking ahead: sports days, pick-ups, and summer breaks

48:00 – ND-friendly sports days & scheduling surprises

51:00 – Final week teacher jokes & hidden stress

53:00 – The unpredictability of communication & last-minute changes

55:00 – Planning for summer: activities, down days & logistics

58:00 – Favourite memories don’t always match the reality

01:00:00 – Building rhythm into unstructured time

01:01:30 – “Champion of Champions” – creating family traditions

01:03:00 – Tankards, trophies & making silly things matter

01:04:00 – Bath time rating: 5 and 6, with “wash the trains” bonus round

01:06:00 – Creative hacks to reduce bath time anxiety

01:07:00 – Final reflections, laughs, and what's next

💡 Enjoying the podcast?

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🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDSupport #SummerHolidaysWithKids #RoutineVsReality #AutismParenting #ADHDLife #ParentingWins #WashTheTrains #EndOfTermFeels #NeuroDadverse

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🎧 Episode 6 – Routines: Who Are They Really For?

This week on The NeuroDadverse, Ben and Dan reflect on the bittersweet emotional load of end-of-term life — school reports, transitional stress, and the tension between creating magical memories and just surviving the week.

They unpack the wins (a 9.5 bath score! an actual family dinner with no meltdowns!) and the challenges (burnout, shifting routines, and navigating neurodivergent logic when school says “just play board games today”). There’s a beautiful reflection on self-advocacy, family pride, and learning to let go of perfectionism in summer planning.

If you’ve ever balanced emotional regulation, dinner-time negotiations, and a desperate need to just shut the door and breathe — you’ll feel this one.

💬 Topics this episode:

• End-of-year school reports and ND academic expectations

• Emotional burnout and the hidden toll of transitions

• Shared meals, connection rituals, and social eating challenges

• Bath time scores and sensory strategies that actually work

• Attending Pride events as a family — and what they mean

• Learning to plan summer loosely (and forgiving yourself for the rest)

• Family traditions, online friendships & self-advocacy wins

👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.

00:00 – Welcome back to The NeuroDadverse

01:00 – Three-word check-in: nostalgia, triumph, passage

02:00 – Wins of the week: school reports, family dinner, football with Mabel

04:00 – Frankie’s trampoline moment & social connection

06:00 – Oscar’s school report: normal, boring, brilliant

09:00 – Identity, dysregulation & recognising hidden effort

11:00 – Sharing progress (or not) with your ND child

12:30 – Reflecting on what “normal” wins actually mean

14:00 – Solo parenting and the dinner/movie experiment

17:00 – Table routines, phone pots & sibling dynamics

19:00 – Watching the game with Mabel (and not sleeping after)

21:00 – Emotional exhaustion & ND parenting adrenaline

22:00 – Sports day check-in: not a win, not a challenge – just fine!

24:00 – Oscar’s social butterfly moment at the SEND sports stall

26:00 – ND school settings & celebrating low-demand flexibility

28:00 – “If you’ve had fun, you’ve won” – or have you?

30:00 – Summer planning, loose frameworks & sibling scheduling

33:00 – Pride planning & self-advocacy through Learning for Life

35:00 – Oscar’s excitement (and sensory reality) around Pride

38:00 – Real talk: when summer plans fall apart

40:00 – Self-advocacy through boundaries & quiet time

42:00 – Dinner talk: letting go of the ideal summer

44:00 – “Separate rooms, separate screens, still okay”

46:00 – Bath scores, sensory wins & Laura’s unexpected success

48:00 – Building independence & co-parenting bath routines

50:00 – The return of the Sunday Bath Plan

51:00 – Creating consistency without school as anchor

52:00 – Last thoughts: ND parenting, recharging, and rest

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