Danise is the founding member of Panda UK, and their mission is to create a community and support network for Black Families and their friends, who are expecting, raising, or helping to raise a child/children with a Down's syndrome diagnosis.

Danise talks about her four-year-old daughter, who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome and is non-verbal, her experiences as a member of the Black DS community, prescreening, DS as the invisible community, assumptions and stereotypes and so on.

Afua discussed planning ahead for families with children living with special educational needs. She talks about the importance of a will and other things to consider.

Ms M delves into selective mutism. We discuss therapy and early intervention that may help alleviate anxiety and other associated disorders when transitioning into high school, adulthood, etc.

Titilayomi is back again and discusses the uniqueness of the autistic brain in very simple terms. Also, she emphasises being solution-oriented rather than problem-focused and that raising a child with special educational needs is not a sprint but a marathon.

Ms T is back, sharing tips and discussing how self-care as a primary carer is very important.

Dare is 15 and the author of LOAD - Living Out an Autism Diagnosis.

He wrote about his living experience with his sibling diagnosed with level three autism. Dare's book is precise and simplistic in describing how autism impacts the brain. His book also talks very well about a diagnosis not being a one-size-fits-all.

LOAD is free and downloadable from the App Store. He is currently working on a game App centred around the same characters.

Mrs O's book - SuperPowers, is a picture book that takes you on a journey to learn and gives other children a clear and explanation understanding of disabilities. It is available to order from Amazon.

Sola discusses and shares her perspective on ways to support family and friends with a diagnosis or going through a difficult time, especially when we are not in the same proximity or vicinity.

She touches on open communication and boundaries, offering practical support from afar, being a lifeline, not necessarily having the answers, and even letting them be sometimes.

Sola is a pharmacist, a wife and a mother to two children.

Adenike is a lawyer by day and a playwright by night. In Hiding is her debut, and it has been described as powerful, relatable, touching and hilarious. Tickets for "In Hiding" at the Tower Theatre were sold out on the opening night. Directed by the award-winning theatre maker - Kanayo Omo.

In Hiding is about how maternal love battles with the Nigerian high society tradition.

Adenike takes us behind the scenes and how the story is the reality of most of the actors featured in - In Hiding.

Marsha Martin is a former Behavioural Therapist and the Founder and CEO of Black SEN Mamas.

Black SEN Mamas is a national support group and information hub which aids Black mothers of special educational needs and disabled (SEND) children in sourcing adequate mental health support for themselves and SEND resources and provision for their children. We are currently over 1,000 mums strong and growing fast!

We do regular support group sessions, informative discussions and panelled talks; on all things - Black Mental Health, Black Motherhood and Black Neurodivergence, Psychotherapist Led Workshops, Nutrition and Gut Healing; for better mental health courses, one to one psychotherapy & counsellings programs, regular mummy meet-ups, mummy nights out, Black SEN Mama Brunches and wellness retreats, as well as various manner of SEND activities/events and advocacy for SEND children, on behalf of their mothers/carers.

Instagram - blacksenmamas_uk

Email - [email protected]

Niyi and I attended the same high school and waiting to be assessed for ADHD and Autism.

He initially moved to the UK for postgraduate study and then returned to the University of Greenwich to study Psychology and Counselling. During this course of study, he understood some of his traits when taking a particular module.

While studying for this degree, he had the opportunity to volunteer at a Saturday club for children living with autism. And it became apparent that he is probably on the spectrum. It also dawned on him that - "autism should not be treated as one size fits all".

There is a long waitlist on the NHS for ADHD and Autism, and people are turning to private clinics to be assessed.

https://youtu.be/BEklX-n1ibw