Episode 36

Join us for a captivating conversation with seasoned teacher and SENDCO, Ginny Bootman, as we follow her journey from head teacher to being the SENDCO of four primary schools and the advice she has along the way. Ginny, a beacon of knowledge and experience, underscores and offers advice for the crucial role of fostering strong rapport between parents, children, and teachers, urging the necessity of SENDCO training. Tune in to learn how her hands-on approach in the classroom and strategic systems ensure that no child's needs are overlooked.

Our dialogue also navigates through the compelling topic of making education more accessible for children with additional needs. We dissect the possible advantages of the Green Paper, the inconsistencies in funding and systems, and the pressing demand for more specialist schools. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone with a stake in education.

Click here to access Ginny Bootman's book 'Being a SENDCO - 113 Tips for building relationships, saving time and changing lives' - enter SEND20 to get 20% discount

🎉 Join Me in Henley — Book Launch, May 7 @ 6:30 PM  👉 RSVP
An intimate evening in conversation, connection, and celebration.
📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ...

Episode 35

What if there was a simple technique at your fingertips that could help manage your emotions and assist your neurodiverse child in navigating their own? Ever hear of Emotional Freedom Technique? Join us this week as we delve into an intriguing conversation with seasoned nutritionist, coach and Emotional Freedom Technique therapist, Emma Wildgoose. We explore the fascinating realm of EFT (sometimes also known as 'tapping'), how it works, and how it can help facilitate emotional well-being for both parents and children.

We do a deep dive into everything EFT: Emma enlightens us as to the origins of EFT, why the parents of children being treated with EFT also undergo treatment, and how seemingly simple tapping techniques help soften the extremes of emotions.

We discuss more widely the importance of safeguarding parents' emotional wellbeing and the large part this plays in children's' emotional wellbeing. We also explore how EFT techniques can be particularly useful to neurodivergent children, helping them manage their sensitive nervous systems while navigating a world not designed for them and empowering them to share this with others. Emma also shares with us top tips for practicing EFT at home - not an episode to miss!

Click here for EFT Tapping points

🎉 Join Me in Henley — Book Launch, May 7 @ 6:30 PM  👉 RSVP
An intimate evening in conversation, connection, and celebration.
📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ...

Episode 34

What is the purpose of education? Can schooling really meet the unique needs of every learner? What happens when the system that's supposed to educate us all, falls short? This week Dr. Olivia Kessel rolls up her sleeves with guest Dr. Chris Bagley to dissect the challenges of our current cookie-cutter education system. Bagley helps us unmask the stark realities of a system designed to fail a third of its students, sharing with us his professional experiences as an educational psychologist in schools and prisons, and his research into the historical origins of of our modern school system. We explore the lasting damage a rigid system can do, and the paradox that teachers, students, and parents alike face everyday. 

But it's not all gloom; we'll also spotlight transformative work being done by educational innovators. It's about understanding the system, questioning it, and adopting innovative approaches to make it work for everyone. So, join us as we initiate this crucial conversation about overhauling an outdated system and nurturing an educational landscape that truly serves all students. It's time to flip the script on education – are you ready?

Click for more information on Dr Chris Bagley

🎉 Join Me in Henley — Book Launch, May 7 @ 6:30 PM  👉 RSVP
An intimate evening in conversation, connection, and celebration.
📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ...

Episode 33

Ever wonder how to balance the demands of parenthood while still prioritising self-care? Struggling to find a minute for yourself amidst a whirlwind of responsibilities? Let me introduce you to our latest guest, Kate Flowerdew - a wellbeing specialist and the mastermind behind the Self-Care Accelerator for busy moms. Kate sheds light on the utmost importance of self-care for parents, particularly primary caregivers, and we discuss what self-care actually is and how to have it as parents.

This is the perfect episode for any parent trying to implement self-care in their schedule. We deep dive into everything self-care, from why it's important to prioritise, what are the fundamentals, what are the specifics, and how to balance it when our schedules change like in the holidays. But don't fret if this all sounds a bit overwhelming! Kate tells us about the 80-20 rule for sticking to a schedule and the ultimate importance of rest and honesty over all. Finally, we delve into the treasure trove that is the Self-Care Accelerator. We explore the course offerings, membership programs, and how many have found it useful.

So, kickback, relax, and join us as we navigate the world of self-care for parents. Your journey towards better self-care starts here!

Here is a link to Kate's Flourish 7 day free Flourish membership

Click here for Kate's free webinar tasters for her new Momentum programme, supporting mums transition back to work after maternity leave

🎉 Join Me in Henley — Book Launch, May 7 @ 6:30 PM  👉 RSVP
An intimate evening in conversation, connection, and celebration.
📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ...

Episode 32

Have you ever felt like your child's needs were being dismissed by the education system? This week we talk to Nikita, a warrior mom who trusted her instincts and fought for her son Dexter's rights. From successfully fighting for a dyslexia diagnosis and support for her young son, to applying for and (eventually) receiving an EHCP for Dexter on her own, Nikita has a wealth of experience in advocating for her child when the system won't.

This week Nikita shares her story with us as a parent who will not give up. Her battle is far from over - as Dexter grows older 42  secondary schools have refused to take him and she is connecting with SENDIASS for support. Nevertheless, her story is an aspirational one as she always does what is needed for her children and more. Nikita shares how she's helping Dexter express himself and build self-confidence through their own clothing line, which focuses on positive visuals for children and adults who feel unheard. Join us as we discuss how this creative journey has taught Dexter valuable life skills and the importance of hard work. Don't miss this inspiring story of a mom's love and determination.

Dexter's clothing Facebook page 

🎉 Join Me in Henley — Book Launch, May 7 @ 6:30 PM  👉 RSVP
An intimate evening in conversation, connection, and celebration.
📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ...

Episode 31

Are you ready to transform the way you approach summer holidays with your neurodiverse child? Can you imagine a vacation that's enjoyable, stress-free, and tailored to your family's unique needs? I'm here, alongside SEND Advisor and seasoned expert, Tamsyn Hendry, to guide you towards making that dream a reality.

Our conversation touches on everything from the stressors parents face during the holiday season to how to plan an accessible and family-friendly vacation. Tamsyn's 18 years of experience shines through as we share practical tips to make travel easier, whether that's packing pull-ups for the flight or arranging for assisted travel. We explore the power of planning without over-scheduling, swapping guilt for understanding, and the positive impact utilizing services like the YMCA can have on your family.

But we're not just doling out advice; we're sharing real, tangible strategies to help you navigate the unique challenges that come with holidaying with a special needs child. From selecting the perfect destination to beach outings and beyond, we dive deep into the nitty-gritty details that can make or break a trip. And remember, one bad day doesn't spoil the entire holiday. Join us as we reshape expectations, remove pressure and discover the joy in holidays again. With Tamsyn's seasoned insights and our shared experiences, we're stepping into this conversation with empathy, understanding, and a desire to support you on your journey. Tune in, and let's make this summer holiday one for the memory books.

Click here for Tamsyn's SEN Advisor

🎉 Join Me in Henley — Book Launch, May 7 @ 6:30 PM  👉 RSVP
An intimate evening in conversation, connection, and celebration.
📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ...

Episode 30

It's the 30th episode of the SEND Parenting Podcast, which means it's also time for a personal update! Today I'm talking about the journey of receiving an ADHD diagnosis for my daughter. I talk recognising signs of ADHD in Alexandra, the decision to seek an assessment, and the concerns I faced along the way. As well as our journey in getting a diagnosis, I talk about the importance of identifying (as well as the dangers of not identifying)  ADHD and the huge strengths ADHD brings. Remembering that ADHD is not a problem, just a part of what makes my daughter the magical person she is, I talk about how I tried to introduce it to her in as positive a light as possible. 

Navigating the world of neurodiversity in the UK education system can be challenging and I know that with ADHD it's not always possible to get your child the diagnosis they need in time. With that in mind, I also share  the tools and techniques I am using to see what will help Alexandra at home and in school environments in the hopes that they may help you too.  Together, let's empower each other on our parenting journeys and create a brighter future for our neurodiverse children!

🎉 Join Me in Henley — Book Launch, May 7 @ 6:30 PM  👉 RSVP
An intimate evening in conversation, connection, and celebration.
📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ...

Episode 29

TW: The following episode contains a discussion around eating disorders that may be upsetting or triggering. So listener's discretion is advised. If you suffer from or know anyone who has eating disorders, please visit National Centre for Eating Disorders - Their website is https://eating-disorders.org.uk.

How can we support neurodivergent children with disordered eating habits? This is the main question we navigate this week with our insightful guests, Bernie Wright and Lisa Smith, co-founders of NEDDE (Neurodiversity and Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating).

The episode revolves around the intersection between neurodivergence and disordered eating: how it occurs, how we treat it, and how we can prevent it. We discuss why so many people with eating disorders are neurodivergent, the fascinating link between the gut-mind health, and how important our own actions are in clear communication with our children about food.

Bernie and Lisa are both experts in their field and their dual approach of therapy and nutrition bring fascinating insights and comforting knowledge to a very difficult subject.  All in all, it's an insightful journey for parents who are navigating this challenging terrain, providing a comprehensive guide replete with useful advice, book recommendations and much more.

Link to NEDDE Website

For download of Free Resource pdf please click  SEND Parenting Website Episode 29

🎉 Join Me in Henley — Book Launch, May 7 @ 6:30 PM  👉 RSVP
An intimate evening in conversation, connection, and celebration.
📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ...

Episode 28

Struggling to find the right support for your neurodiverse child? Discover how Polly Elworthy, founder of Send Unlocked, turned her personal journey with her son into a powerful resource that's helping families like yours. We talk about Polly's infuriating, yet all too familiar, struggle to get her son the support he needs in school and how that lead to a desire to help other parents like her. We talk about the power of harnessing the collective knowledge of SEND parents across the country and how Send Unlocked is helping do that.

 Polly shares how the organisation is not only empowering neurodivergent families in their care decisions, but is also able to use the data to question relevant government departments. We discuss the importance of accessibility, how she in ensuring that the platform remains free for end users and having the directory in an app format for those without access to computers. This episode is an inspiring conversation with a parent who has stepped up to the plate to make life easier for all.

Click to register for free access to SEND Unlocked Directory

🎉 Join Me in Henley — Book Launch, May 7 @ 6:30 PM  👉 RSVP
An intimate evening in conversation, connection, and celebration.
📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ...

Episode 27

Have you ever felt like the current schooling system just does not suit or help your child? This week we talk to the enlightening Dr. Naomi Fisher, psychiatrist and author of A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education, about how to think about educating and parenting our neurodiverse children differently. 

 Dr. Fisher shares her expertise on the detrimental effects on the mental health and self-esteem of young developing minds when they find themselves falling short of a rigid system of timelines and expectations. We discuss how we, as parents, we can combat this and best support our young people in finding success in their own way.

This brings us to the focus of our episode - the powerful concept of self-directed education, which allows children to follow their own passions and interests. Tune in to discover how you can empower your child by creating an environment that offers opportunities for exploration, autonomy, and critical thinking, while avoiding the pitfalls of over-controlling their learning experience.

Click here for Dr. Naomi Fisher's website

Enter NFISHER20 to get 20% off new book A different Way to Learn Neurodiversity and Self Directed Education click here Jessica Kingsley Publisher

🎉 Join Me in Henley — Book Launch, May 7 @ 6:30 PM  👉 RSVP
An intimate evening in conversation, connection, and celebration.
📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ...