May 28, 2025

Why can't they stick with a hobby? | Nicole Bateman

1 hour 30 minutes

In this episode, Nicole Bateman joins Mark to explore why neurodivergent kids often struggle to take up hobbies - those wholesome after-school activities that see neurotypical kids flourish… but which, for many parents of autistic, ADHD or PDA kids are either a logistical nightmare, a sensory minefield, or a fast track to public meltdown.

Together, they explore the myths, pressures and downright ridiculousness of what “having hobbies” means when you are parenting neurodivergent children.

Nicole shares how she’s reframed success and what helps her child engage without pressure. Mark opens up about the guilt, the frustration and the financial strain of trying to nurture interests that never seem to last past the first session.

They cover what actually works, what definitely doesn’t, and the benefits of learning to follow your neurodifferent child's lead, so you can meet them where they're at, rather than where you want them to be.

It’s an honest, often funny conversation about persistence, passion and letting go of neurotypical timelines.

STUFF WE COVER:

00:00 – Intro & Meet the Guest: Nicole Bateman

03:00 – The fantasy of hobbies vs the reality

08:00 – Issues with trust and accessibility

13:00 – After-school clubs

18:00 – The Summer holiday hobby void

25:00 – Trying to force your neurodivergent children to have a hobby

33:00 – Social disconnect in group settings

39:00 – When your best intentions fail

44:00 - Environmental barriers to adopting a hobby

47:00 – Competitive Sport: Gift or Curse?

53:00 – Caesar-or-Nothing syndrome & hobby avoidance

59:00 – Drop-off disasters

1:07:00 – What *does* work?

1:12:00 – It's not all rubbish: A look at the positives

1:15:00 – Neurodiversity Champions

1:23:00 – Tiny Epic Wins

1:26:00 – What the Flip? Moments

1:29:00 – Wrap-Up & Where to Find Nicole

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Nicole Bateman’s Website – Friendly SEND Advisor and Super Sensory Squad: https://nicolebateman.co.uk/

Conversations with a SEND Mum – Nicole’s podcast: https://conversationswithasendmum.buzzsprout.com/

Super Sensory Squad Book – ‘Buzz’s Birthday’ and other penguin-based sensory tools: https://www.thesupersensorysquad.com/

Cub Scouts: https://www.scouts.org.uk/cubs/being-a-cub/joining-cubs/

Lisa Lloyd reel - Neurotypicals watching what their parents watch: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIzCFBxNzxT

“Why Can’t I Just Enjoy Things?” by Pierre Novellie – Caesar-or-nothing brains and comedy insight: https://amzn.eu/d/dSZA4dC

Minecraft Club - Online Social Group for 7-14 year olds: https://minecraftclub.co.uk/

Press Play - Stop frame animation workshops in Sussex: https://pressplayfilms.co.uk/

Boogie Beat - Music and movement classes: https://boogiebeat.co.uk/

Sam Mills – Disability Tennis Brighton: Email [email protected] for information

📧 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @neuroshambles

🎵 TikTok: @neuroshamblespod

📘 Facebook: Neuroshambles

🧵 Threads: @neuroshambles

CREDITS

🎶 Theme music by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com

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By Mark Allen

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