When my daughter Alexandra was diagnosed with ADHD, it challenged everything I thought I knew, both about the condition itself but also, and more importantly, parenting my child. Having dispelled and debunked all the myths and misinformation there is about ADHD online last week, this episode is a deep dive into the symptoms, issues, and solutions. I approach this subject from the lived experience as a mother to a daughter with ADHD and from a clinical perspective as a doctor. 

I deep dive into some of the lesser known ADHD symptoms (like emotional dysregulation), how they have presented and caused issues in our home life, and the accommodations we have made. I cover all kinds of changes we've made like medication, diet, visual aids, sleep hygiene, and school accommodation. I'm here to offer a roadmap of actionable strategies to bring a sense of hope to your family. 

Join me for an honest, informative session filled with the tools you need to support your neurodiverse child in a world that's just beginning to understand them.

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Episode 72 

The myriad of myths swirling surrounding ADHD create needless barriers to help and support for neurodivergent children and their families. As a medical doctor, mother to a child with ADHD, and devoted advocate for neurodiversity, this week I am wading in to bust these harmful misinformed ideas. But unraveling these misconceptions is more than just myth-busting; it's a vital part of understanding and accepting the complexities of this condition.

I am covering statements like:
- ADHD is caused by bad parenting
- ADHD is caused by too much sugar
- ADHD medication is dangerous
- ADHD is being over diagnosed
- ADHD doesn't exist
- ADHD is just kids being fidgety 
- People with ADHD are dumber than neurotypical people

But I don't just leave it there, I also go into the science behind ADHD, how it functions, what causes it, and share my own family's experience with it. Understanding ADHD fullt is crucial for crafting strategies that support our children's successful transition to adulthood, and this episode is your guide to doing just that. Join me as we champion the journey of neurodivergent children towards a thriving future, armed with knowledge and empathy.

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Episode 71

Navigating the complex maze of health assessments for neurodevelopmental disorders can be daunting for any parent so our guests this week are here to guide us through it.
Jenny Hooper is CEO of The Evolving Mind with 39 years of experience working in SEND education and Dr Dolly Agrawal is a consultant paediatrician with 25+ years working in the NHS and specialism in neurodevelopmental diagnosis.

We talk about the difficulties of diagnosing neurodiversity (particularly in girls), why it is crucial, and why so many families are seeking private assessments. Across autism, ADHD and dyselxia, our guests take us through what to expect when your child is being assessed and how to spot red flags in private assessors.

The journey through the referral process can be fraught with frustration—but armed with our insights, you can anticipate potential roadblocks and ensure your child remains the centerpiece of any assessment. Dr. Dolly and Jenny impart invaluable advice for post-diagnosis support and navigating the educational system. If you're looking for actionable insights and empowerment, this conversation is tailored to light your path through the special education needs landscape.

Link to The Evolving Mind Clinic

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Episode 70

This week we have the fantastic Rebecca Avern to talk all about acupuncture and how it can help our neurodiverse children! As a doctor trained in the UK, we start our conversation on the discussion on the benefits of using Eastern and Western medicine in conjunction with one another. We discuss how acupuncture offers solace and support, tackling emotional dysregulation, sleep disturbances, and an array of challenges that often accompany neurodiversity.

Rebecca shares a number of anonymised stories of neurodivergent clients she has helped using acupuncture and how we can tailor acupuncture to young people and children. This includes gentle, needle-free options and allowing the children to lead their healing experiences, moving at their pace.

This episode exemplifies the benefits of nurturing a multi-practitioner environment, and the power of a collective effort to create a healing space where children and families feel supported and understood on their journeys toward well-being.

Link to Panda Acupuncture Clinic
Link to The Little Acupuncture Room

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Episode 69

When the road ahead seems shrouded in uncertainty, it's the stories of those who've walked it before us that shed the most light. This week we are joined by Esther Freeman, the visionary behind the SEND Parent Survival Guide, as we traverse the terrain of raising children with SEND. Esther's candid account of her own trials and victories offers a map for parents in the thick of similar struggles – a guide to finding balance between caring for their child and themselves. Through the guide's three pillars, we illuminate tools and strategies that can transform the chaos into a journey of growth and empowerment, underlining the profound importance of self-care and mental health in creating a nurturing family environment.

Join us as we uncover the strength in community, the necessity for boundaries, and the collective knowledge that lights the path for parents guiding their children with SEND.

Click here for link to The SEND Parents Survival Guide

Click here for auto generated Transcript

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Episode 67

This week Dr Olivia is joined by Tamsyn Hendry, back for another bitesize recap! This episode they are revisiting Ep 18 with Rachel Horner, and are discussing our favourite takeaways and most important tips from that episode. For so many families, occupation therapy is truly a kind of magic. While so many may be telling us that there is something "wrong" with our children, occupational therapists meet them where they are at and tailor changes so small and simple, yet with life changing results. 

Tamsyn and Olivia pour over a lot of their favourite take-aways from the episode like the "Just Right" challenge, molded cultery, why autistic children may prefer super hot or cold food, and as always share how these lessons have changed their parenting in real life. 

This episode is a reminder that when we really meet our children where they are at, the smallest changes and accommodations have profound impacts on our lives. 

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Episode 67

This week we are joined once more by the esteemed Dr Maryhan, in an episode that promises to equip you with the tools to nurture the skill of bouncing back from life's hurdles. The skill of resilience is both crucial to a neurodivergent child's life and simultaneously one that can be more difficult to cultivate due to the extra support our children need.

We talk Ginsburg's 7 C's of Resilience (with a focus on 'confidence' and 'competence'),
 Embark on a journey to understand the heart of parenting neurodiverse children—resilience. With Dr. Olivia Kessel and the esteemed Dr. Maryhanas your guides, this episode promises to equip you with the tools to nurture the skill of bouncing back from life's hurdles. We dissect Ginsburg's seven C's, with a focus on 'competence' and 'confidence', the importance of experiential learning, and balancing empathy and support with allowing the room for trials, failures and learning. We also discuss the importance of connections beyond the family unit, how to cultivate healthy coping mechanisms, and the empowerment that comes from control and agency.

Finally, we share the palpable excitement for Dr Maryhan's upcoming "Raising Resilient Adults" Conference (for which I, Dr Olivia Kessel, am a guest speaker). Parents, educators, and all invested in the future of neurodiverse children, join us in this pivotal conversation and walk away with a renewed commitment to the resilience-building journey.

It Takes A Village Conference will be held on 18th April 2024 at Farnborough-Hill school. It is for parents and professionals who want to hear from experts on how best to raise resilient adults.

To buy tickets click on this link  https://drmaryhan.com/ittakesavillage/

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Episode 66

This week we have the fantastic Kate Steer @nurturedneurokids, a former teacher turned neurodivergent family coach, on the podcast to unravel the complexities of neurodiversity in education. 

Together, we talk about the changes in the education system that led to Kate's exit from teaching, the stifling pressures on creativity within classrooms, and journey that many families undertake as they step away from mainstream education. We talk about the importance of advocating for and honour parental instincts and transformative power of self-directed learning at home. 

Kate's expertise shines as she provides practical advice on preparing for pivotal meetings with school officials, and navigating the labyrinth of state education. If you're looking to empower your child to flourish on their unique educational journey, let our stories and strategies guide you toward a brighter, more accommodating learning environment.

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Episode 65

This week we are joined by Tina MacGillivray, known as @thepdaparent on instagram and a beacon of resilience and knowledge in parenting. This week we talk to her about the journey of parenting her son with 48 XXYY syndrome, autism, Tourette's, and PDA.

This is a heartbreaking yet inspiring episode which tells the story of a parent who has realised that the support she needs just isn't there, and has taken matters into her own hand - an experience help with so many others in this community. We talk PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), about being on the receiving end of an underfunded system, and the choice to disengage. We also discuss how Tina brought herself and her son back from the brink, low demand parenting, educating oneself about the nervous system, and the key role humour has in parenting.

The episode concludes with an empowering message to parents: your journey, though daunting, is laced with opportunities for transformation, growth, and the discovery of unexpected joy in the face of adversity. Join us as we share a story not just of struggle, but of profound hope and the indelible strength of the human spirit.

Click here for Tina's  The PDA Parent Newsletter 
PDA Books:

Understanding PDA in Children – Phil Christie

The Educators Guide to PDA – Laura Kerbey

 Collaborative Approaches to Learning for Children with PDA – Ruth Fidler 

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Episode 64

This week I sit down with Matt Gupwell, founder of Think Neurodiversity and co-host of ADHD Talks, to discuss finding your passions and thriving within neurodiversity.

Diagnosed with ADHD and autism later in life, Matt unveils how this revelation reshaped his understanding of success and spurred his passion to help to make this journey easier for others than it was for him. We talk about medication, the profound effect a diagnosis can have, and learning to re-centre yourself after a diagnosis. As two people with a mutual passion for sharing reliable SEND information and resources, we discuss navigating misinformation online and highlight the necessity for individuals to proactively seek evidence-based resources. We also critique the deficit-laden narratives surrounding ADHD on social media and encourage neurodivergents to embrace their innate talents. And finally, we discuss the beautiful gift of relearning and redefining success for ourselves, and how to help our children find their own versions.

This is an uplifting and open minded conversation and I can't wait for you to hear it. 

Click here for Think Neurodiversity
Click here for Talk ADHD 

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