The UnSENsored Club Podcast

Show Notes

Episode 11- Fighting for SEN Sevices

Sponsored By Sensory Junction - https://www.sensory-junction.co.uk

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In this episode, we explore the exhausting reality of fighting for SEND support—from CAMHS rejections and EHCP battles to direct payments, nappies, and respite. The conversation moves between serious advocacy, practical next steps, and the emotional toll of constantly having to prove a child’s needs. We reflect on masking, non-verbal communication, and the limits of current services, with lighter moments about dogs, glamping, and the everyday chaos of family life.

Bonus Episode - Tragic elopement, safety fears, and practical tips for SEND parents

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WhatsApp:- 07840113994 (Voice Notes welcome)~

This bonus episode is a raw conversation about the death of Noah Woods and the terrifying reality of elopement for SEND and autistic children. We share personal experiences of children getting out of the house or wandering off and the emotional impact, the guilt parents feel.

Key topics

The episode opens with a reaction to Noah Woods’ death and why it hit so hard for SEND parents.

Amelia, previously escaped through a garden padlocked gate, leading to panic and intense guilt.

Bobby, got out after a front door was left unlocked for just a few seconds, showing how quickly it can happen.

A zoo incident is discussed as another reminder that even with multiple adults present, children can disappear in a split second.

The conversation stresses that parents cannot rely only on vigilance from others and need systems in place for every possible exit.

Practical safety ideas include door alarms, keeping keys out of reach, Apple tags, and putting trackers in places the child is likely to keep on them.

A tip is shared about dressing children in bright, memorable clothing so responders can identify them quickly if they go missing.

We stress how parents should never feel embarrassed about reins, buggies, safety beds, or any tool that helps keep a child safe.

The episode ends by asking listeners to share any safety strategies that have worked for them.

Timestamps

00:00 - Why this bonus episode was recorded after Noah Woods’ death
00:57 - The heartbreak of a child eloping near water
01:26 - Why elopement is every SEND parent’s biggest fear
03:09 - Amelia’s escape through a garden gate
04:39 - The fear of not knowing where a child might go
05:44 - Using an Apple tag scrunchie as a safety layer
06:13 - Why trackers only help if the child keeps them on
06:43 - Bobby getting out after a door was left unlocked
07:43 - The Ring doorbell moment that still stays with them
08:38 - Why safety depends on more than just parents
09:38 - Door alarms, lanyards, and smart home alerts
10:09 - A zoo scare that showed how fast children vanish
11:07 - Why parks, ponds, and public spaces need better safety barriers
11:38 - Dressing children in bright clothes for faster identification
12:37 - Calling out the child’s clothing, not just their name
13:37 - Why reins and buggies should never be a source of shame
14:07 - What to do when your child has already escaped once
15:07 - Why children become better at unlocking doors as they grow
16:06 - Dealing with police when your child is autistic and non-verbal
16:36 - A useful tip about pre-registering a child’s details with police
17:06 - The controversial debate around microchipping or tracking
19:04 - Why the conversation is serious, not sensational
19:55 - Final advice for parents: use every safety tool you need
20:25 - Closing thoughts and invitation for listeners to share tips

Sign The Petition

https://c.org/4wZyZvsk4K

Episode 10 - Marriage, Parenthood, and Keeping a Relationship Alive When You’re SEND Parents

Sponsored By Sensory Junction - https://www.sensory-junction.co.uk

Grab your cuppa and connect with us:

Email:- [email protected]

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In this episode, we talk candidly about how difficult it is to keep a marriage going when school runs, constant caregiving, burnout, and life admin take over everything. The conversation shifts from everyday chaos to the deeper reality of resentment, communication breakdowns, and what it takes to stay connected long term.

In this episode, we compare notes on the pressure of raising SEND children, the impact on relationships, and the way major life events can force a couple to confront what is and is not working. We also touch on menopause, sex, recovery after a heart attack, and the uncomfortable but honest realities of addiction and poor mental health.  

We are also joined by two special guests. Clair, who made the decision to have a sperm donor to fulfil her dream of being a mum, and Chelle’s husband Gavin, who has battled with gambling addiction and mental health.

Support

https://gamblersanonymous.org.uk

https://gamfam.org.uk

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.samaritans.org

EPISODE 9 – I Saw The Sign (Of Autism)

Sponsored By Sensory Junction - https://www.sensory-junction.co.uk

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I Saw the Sign Trend, Autism, and Why Social Media Trends Spark Debate

In this episode, we talk about  the viral “I saw the sign” trend and why it has split opinion online within the SEN-Community and wider. We look at the tension between sharing retrospective autism-related observations and the risk of minimizing the very real challenges many families face. The main topics are the social media trend itself, how autism is represented in public, and why parents can feel caught between silence and oversharing.

Key topics

We explain the “I saw the sign” TikTok trend, where parents look back at old clips and notice early signs of autism in their children. Is it a harmless trend or is it problematic?

One major concern discussed is that playful clips can seem to minimize the severity of autism for families dealing with self-harm, smearing, meltdowns, and other intense needs. However, when we show the difficult side of parenting autistic children, we are often criticized for sharing too much. We can’t win!

We talk about the difference between typical childhood behaviours and autistic traits and whether these short clips may concern parents of neurotypical children unnecessarily.

We share our personal experience of spotting signs (and sometimes missing them), including a childhood clip of Finn sitting fixated on the washing machine and a video of Bobby flapping while watching golf.

The episode touches on how social media formats like TikTok encourage short, snappy content rather than nuanced discussion.

As usual, we discuss a few lighter, personal moments, the menopausal brain farts are evident without Hannah around to keep us on track and would it even be an UnSENsored Club Podcast, without the conversation breaking down into typical chaotic, off-script carnage?

Sponsored By Sensory Junction - https://www.sensory-junction.co.uk

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Email:- [email protected]

WhatsApp:- 07840113994 (Voice Notes welcome)

This episode kicks off a new mini-series about grief in the SEN-parenting journey.  

In this episode, the hosts catch up on the chaos of school holidays ending, an unexpected health scare, and how family life shifts when kids go back to school. The conversation then turns to a new series about grieving the life you expected and the realities of raising autistic children. This week’s focus is communication, including non-verbal communication, hyperverbal communication, and the fact that being fully verbal does not always mean a child is expressing what they truly mean.

Support and Episode Shout Outs

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support

https://www.instagram.com/lifewithnatpod/

https://www.instagram.com/leonajadesmith/

https://www.instagram.com/helsthesenmum/

https://www.instagram.com/storiesaboutautism/

https://www.instagram.com/twins_tides_and_autism_vibes/

https://www.instagram.com/aacbrothers/

Episode 7 – The SEN-Bin (Room 101)

Sponsored By Sensory Junction - https://www.sensory-junction.co.uk

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An opinionated take on the things parents of disabled kids are most tired of dealing with. Hannah wants to banish companies that change packaging on safe foods, Lisa is raging with Chanel 4, and Chelle’s nomination makes her so angry, she suffers a mid-rant injury. 

In the episode, we also hear from our listeners who help fill up the SEN-BIN. Who knew the phrase “have you tired…” would cause such a reaction? If nothing else, this episode gives us all an opportunity to “get it out of our system!”                                                                                                                                                                               

Find Support

EHCP Support - https://www.sendiass.org/resources/education-health-care-plans-ehcps/

DLA Guideline https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children

DLA Support https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/disability-living-allowance/

FASD Support https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder/

FASD https://nationalfasd.org.uk

Back to School, Big Feelings, and a Very Honest Family Catch-Up

This episode is a back to school check-in that swings between the practical and the emotional. We  talk through sensory needs, school transitions, meltdowns, and what families are actually dealing with when routines change. Poppy also joins for a sweet interview that gives a child’s-eye view of school, holidays, and what she really thinks about going back.

We dig into how the school holidays have really felt this year, especially during the heatwave, with exhaustion, guilt, disrupted routines, and the pressure of juggling work, parenting, and care needs.

We talk about how different children need different transition approaches, from last-minute school mornings to social stories, visual calendars, and carefully timed warnings.

A major theme is how much easier school can be when a child is in the right setting, with examples of self-regulation supports like a “ball” break, stimming time, and sensory play.

The conversation turns to the reality of fighting for education support, EHCP changes, tribunal delays, and why families often need legal help just to secure the right provision.

The episode ends on a lighter note, imagining our “perfect day” once the children are back at school, from shopping trips and cleaning the house to meals out, concerts, and a rare night of freedom.

Sponsored By Sensory Junction - https://www.sensory-junction.co.uk

Grab your cuppa and connect with us:

Email:- [email protected]

WhatsApp:- 07840113994 (Voice Notes welcome)

In this episode, we open up the mic to our listeners. If you've ever felt dismissed, misunderstood, or unsure where you fit in the autism and ADHD conversation, this episode offers validation without oversimplifying the messiness of it all. Essential listening for SEND parents, late-diagnosed adults, and anyone who wants a more honest, nuanced conversation about neurodivergence and support. You are not alone.

We discuss, why so many women are only getting autism and ADHD diagnoses after becoming parents and the difference between having traits and having a diagnosis that affects daily life. We debate why "levels" might create more problems than they solve, especially when support is already hard to access and why labels like "autistic" or "learning disability" can mean very different things depending on the person you're talking to

Recommendations

https://www.readyeddiego.com

https://includesustoo.org.uk

Check out Hels Bels link tree in her TikTok profile - @helsthesenmumSponsored By Sensory Junction - https://www.sensory-junction.co.uk

Grab your cuppa and connect with us:

Email:- [email protected]

WhatsApp:- 07840113994 (Voice Notes welcome)

In this episode, we open up the mic to our listeners. If you've ever felt dismissed, misunderstood, or unsure where you fit in the autism and ADHD conversation, this episode offers validation without oversimplifying the messiness of it all. Essential listening for SEND parents, late-diagnosed adults, and anyone who wants a more honest, nuanced conversation about neurodivergence and support. You are not alone.

We discuss, why so many women are only getting autism and ADHD diagnoses after becoming parents and the difference between having traits and having a diagnosis that affects daily life. We debate why "levels" might create more problems than they solve, especially when support is already hard to access and why labels like "autistic" or "learning disability" can mean very different things depending on the person you're talking to

Recommendations & Thank Yous

https://www.readyeddiego.com

https://includesustoo.org.uk

Check out Hels Bels link tree in her TikTok profile - @helsthesenmum

Thank you to Danielle Robins for her beautiful poem

Sponsored By Sensory Junction - https://www.sensory-junction.co.uk

Grab your cuppa and connect with us:

Email:- [email protected]

WhatsApp:- 07840113994 (Voice Notes welcome)

In this episode, we talk candidly about what friendship looks like when you are parenting children with additional needs. We cover adult friendships, school holiday survival, the role of carers, and the surprising ways neurodivergent kids form connections on their own terms. Join us for this personal, practical conversation about exclusion, masking, and finding your tribe.

Key topics

Chelle shares her nerves and excitement around her boys having their first overnight stay with carers and we compare SEN-friendly outings.

We also cover masking, social camouflage, and how years of adapting to different groups have shaped us in adulthood.

We discuss navigating adult friendship dynamics when you are neurodivergent, have SEN children or suffer from rejection sensitivity or  

The conversation explores why some friendships fade naturally when life stages diverge, especially when one group is deep in parenting and another has older children or more free time.

We discuss our children’s friendships, their struggles and how exclusion has affected them (and us). We also talk about the special bonds they have found with other children, familiar adults and animals, and how empathy often shows up most clearly in those relationships.

Recommendations

Gravey Fruit Farm - https://www.graveleystrawberries.co.uk/

Thomley - https://thomley.org.uk/

Sponsored By Sensory Junction - https://www.sensory-junction.co.uk

Grab your cuppa and connect with us:

Email:- [email protected]

WhatsApp:- 07840113994 (Voice Notes welcome)

This episode tackles puberty through the lens of parenting neurodivergent children. We share real-life experiences from our own families and hear some listener messages. We cover everything from precocious puberty and PMDD to hygiene struggles, body autonomy, gender identity, and the emotional impact on carers. The discussion is honest and sometimes uncomfortable, but we do try to see some light in these heavy subject matters. We believe this is the best way to open conversations that are often seen as taboo. We also discuss how important support, community, and early preparation can be when it comes to puberty in our neurodivergent children.

Please remember, we are just mums sharing our lived experience. We are not qualified to give medical advice. We therefore always recommend contacting one of the below organisations for qualified support.

Disability & Healthcare Support & Services

·      Brook (Sextual Health & Wellbeing) - https://www.brook.org.uk/

·      CAMS (Mental Health Support)- https://cams-care.com/

·      NHS Mental Health - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/

·      Mermaids (Gender Identity in children and young people) - https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/

·      Samaritans (Mental Health Support) - https://www.samaritans.org/

·      Stonewall (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer+ equality) - https://www.stonewall.org.uk/

·      Young Minds (Mental Health Support for Children and Young Adults) - https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

Recommendations

The Growing Up Book For Boys (Davida Hartman) - https://amzn.eu/d/0d2paDic

The Growing up Book For Girls (Davida Hartman) - https://amzn.eu/d/0fnYVp7W