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 

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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.

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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

📚 New Book — Out Now  👉 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 ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

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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!

📚 New Book — Out Now  👉 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 ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you wou...

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

📚 New Book — Out Now  👉 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 ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
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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

📚 New Book — Out Now  👉 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 ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you wou...

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

📚 New Book — Out Now  👉 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 ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you wou...

Episode 26

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by the abundance of parenting advice out there? Sometimes, it can feel like you're drowning in a sea of conflicting opinions. Join me as I chat with Dr. Maryhan, a world-renowned parenting expert and psychologist, about how to navigate these murky waters and find the advice that truly fits your unique family dynamic. We are such fans of Dr Maryhan's podcast "How Not To Screw Up Your Kids" and are so excited to have her on the pod.

We discuss a whole range of topics including reconnecting with your gut instinct and appreciating the individuality of every family, the importance of emotional regulation for parents and approaching parenting with a reflective lens. It's an incredible and reassuring episode - a must listen!

Click here for Dr. Maryhan Website 

📚 New Book — Out Now  👉 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 ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you wou...

Episode 25

Have you ever wondered how play therapy can have a life-changing impact on children's mental health? Join us in a riveting conversation with Anna Hodgson, Captain of ClearSky, and Becky Hill, Head of Therapeutic Thinking, as we uncover the secrets of play therapy and creative therapy for children aged 3 to 18. Discover how ClearSky's work in primary schools leads to outstanding outcomes for children's mental well-being and their overall health.

We also dive into the world of parenting programs developed by Becky Hill, designed to support parents and caregivers of children with neurodiverse needs, trauma, and other challenges. Learn about the crucial role of building strong relationships and secure attachments, and the importance of emotional regulation and reflective functioning for parents. Plus, we'll explore three tailored interventions that cater to different developmental stages.

But that's not all! Anna Hodgson shares invaluable insights on the significance of co-regulation in parenting and caring for children with special needs. Learn how to create moments of calm, stay present during distress, recognize when a child needs co-regulation, and provide that much-needed support. Get ready to be enlightened by the power of play therapy and its incredible benefits on children's mental health.

Click here to  access Clear Sky

📚 New Book — Out Now  👉 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 ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you wou...

Episode 24

In this episode we will be joined by Tamsyn Hendry, who takes us through her top 10 parenting tips for parenting a neurodivergent child. Tamsyn runs a Montessori nursery school and works as a consultant, offering advice and support to other SEND parents. Tamsyn's wealth of practical knowledge comes not only from her earlier professional career as a SENCO, but also from her own experience of parenting her autistic son. 

I personally have found Tamsyn’s advice to be practical, easy to implement, and not to mention helpful when I couldn’t see the woods for the trees and I hope you do too. 

Reach out to Tamsyn Hendry click here  The Sen Adviser

📚 New Book — Out Now  👉 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 ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you wou...

Episode 23

This episode is part two of a two part series in which we speak with Ellie Costello, Director of the Square Pegs charity and author of the book 'Square Pegs: Inclusivity, Compassion and Fitting In - a Guide for Schools'. 

Starting where we left off last week, we delve into school-based anxiety in children and the woefully ill-equipped interventions that schools are currently implementing. Ellie shares with us experiences with her children at school (warning: some of the stories she shares sound like they took place in Victorian times, not the 21st century) and, despite the heavy subject matter, offers hope on how these can change.

Click here for link to book Square Pegs Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in A guide for schools

Click here for link to charity Square Peg

www.sendparenting.com

📚 New Book — Out Now  👉 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 ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you wou...