When you’re a parent of a neurodivergent child, there are times when life can feel impossible. But our truly EPIC guest, Mary-Jane du Toit, is living proof that NOTHING is impossible.Mary-Jane is a mum of a neurodiverse family and founder of Spectrum Connections - a charitable trust that provides peer support for families who have a child or teen that has Autism, Aspergers, ADHD, ADD or any other form of neurodiversity.In this open, honest and truly inspirational podcast which is jam-packed with insights and wisdom, Mary-Jane reveals:🧭 What it feels like to be in it for ‘the long haul’ and how the neurodiversity diagnosis of her sons became a ‘gateway’ to her mission of helping the world become a better place for neurodiverse families.🎓 How her son’s behaviours at school and kindergarten started to lay a trail of clues that something was different about his development, which led to an autism diagnosis.😥 Nothing will ever be ‘normal’ again - The pain that parents can go through when their child receives a neurodiversity diagnosis.🗺️ How ‘the neurodiversity journey’ doesn’t end with a diagnosis…in fact, it’s only the beginning. However, it also gives parents the opportunity to embrace their child’s uniqueness.🔄 The cycle of family change and how it can help parents deal with anger, frustration, overwhelm and the other emotions that arise when parenting a neurodiverse child.🆘 When you're on the parenting journey, how to know when to ‘push through’...and when to ask for help.Plus, you’ll discover MJ’s secret…💡When it feels like the world is against you, how to remember, “this is a bad moment, not a bad life”>>>>> EPIC Families is about creating Extraordinary Parents & Incredible Children. EPIC Families is part of Bay Paediatrics, one of New Zealand’s leading child neurodiversity clinics. Discover more here: https://baypaediatrics.com/Join the free EPIC Families community here. Be seen, be heard and discover strength in neurodiversity.Get your hands on our free resources and guides to give your family the tools to thrive here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Neurodiversity: There Is A Future
Education is such an important part of every child’s life. But for too many neurodiverse families, school is where they feel overlooked and overwhelmed. However, one school in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand is fighting for every child to get the specialised learning support they deserve, so they can create a future to thrive in.This special episode of the EPIC Families Podcast features Mary Woods, Principal of Matahui School in Katikati. She has created a unique education framework that embraces each child’s unique qualities and strengths, celebrates neurodiversity, and aims to build positive self-esteem and a love of learning. Right now, the school’s future is under threat from a number of political and economic challenges, so we are joining this mission to protect the educational future of neurodiverse children.Mary also reveals:🎓 The difficulties that neurodiverse children face in everyday schooling, and how these challenges can show up.😵💫 Why schooling can be so overwhelming for children, and the impacts that can arise if neurodiversity doesn’t get identified early.📝 Tests aren’t everything - why a teacher building a strong relationship with the child can be the most powerful way to understand what is really happening.😃 The one thing every school needs to change in order to improve the learning outcomes of your child.🌺 How being out in nature can have a powerful impact on regulating a child’s emotions and enhancing their learning.🫶 The secret to helping children overcome trauma and confidence issues so they can feel safe and secure.PLUS…🎯 The #1 education TRAVESTY in New Zealand and elsewhere that schools need to fix IMMEDIATELYBay Paediatrics is also supporting the Matahui School Fundraising event on July 26. If you are in the Bay of Plenty we highly recommend you join us for Conversations & Bubbles! Tickets available here: https://events.humanitix.com/conversations-and-bubbles>>>>> EPIC Families is about creating Extraordinary Parents & Incredible Children. EPIC Families is part of Bay Paediatrics, one of New Zealand’s leading child neurodiversity clinics. Discover more here: https://baypaediatrics.com/Join the free EPIC Families community here. Be seen, be heard and discover strength in neurodiversity.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Neurodiversity: Making The Magic Happen
How do you remain calm and composed when trying to manage a neurospicy family, AND you’re a parent with ADHD? It can feel like an impossible task…but we’ve found the neurosuperstar who has cracked the parenting code. Meet Jo Fallowfield, an Occupational Therapist and a mum with ADHD who heads up a neurodiverse family of four.In this thrilling, honest and open episode of EPIC Families, you will discover how neurodiversity can be the thing that brings your family together.Jo reveals…🗺️ How feeling ‘different from the norm’ an early age and ‘stumbling through life’ as she grew up paved the pathway to her own ADHD diagnosis.⚡️ The ‘ADHD difference’ felt so strongly by so many children and their parents…and the power of ‘difference’ being the one thing that neurodiverse families have in common.👂 The challenges of getting professionals to ‘listen’ especially when her children didn’t fit the ‘normal’ description of ADHD.🎓 The power of persistence and how to keep going when it feels like schools and teachers are just labelling your child as ‘naughty’ and refusing to listen when you say they need more help.🤫 The secret to creating empathyand understand in a household that can feel chaotic and overwhelming…especially when emotions are not ‘one size fits all’❤️ How to talk to your children about ADHD and neurodiversity.PLUS🔓 The joys of being a neurodiverse household and how ADHD can unlock the very BEST of your parenting talents.>>>>> EPIC Families is about creating Extraordinary Parents & Incredible Children. EPIC Families is part of Bay Paediatrics, one of New Zealand’s leading child neurodiversity clinics. Discover more here: https://baypaediatrics.com/Join the free EPIC Families community here. Be seen, be heard and discover strength in neurodiversity.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Overwhelmed Parent
From Overwhelmed to Empowered – The Real Truth About Parenting ConfidenceIn this powerful and deeply personal episode of the EPIC Families podcast, Freddie Bennett gets raw and real about something every parent of a neurodiverse child has faced: Overwhelm.If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing as a parent…If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I should be better…”If the mental load, school stress, guilt, and emotional rollercoaster of parenting a child with ADHD or Autism has you running on empty — this episode is for you.Freddie shares his own story as a dad with ADHD, the shame spiral so many parents find themselves in, and why we often let overwhelm hold us back from the confident, connected parenting we dream of.You’ll discover:🫣 The 4 hidden drivers of parenting overwhelm (L.I.F.E.)🚨 The 8 ways overwhelm shows up in everyday life — from procrastination to perfectionism💪 Why confidence isn’t a mystery... it’s a muscle you build by keeping promises to yourself🧠 How to shift your mindset from crisis to clarity — and finally feel like you’re back in controlThis is more than just a podcast — it’s a wake-up call, a mirror, and a warm hug for every parent who feels like they’re not enough.>>>>> EPIC Families is about creating Extraordinary Parents & Incredible Children. EPIC Families is part of Bay Paediatrics, New Zealand’s child neurodiversity centre of excellence. Discover more here: https://baypaediatrics.com/Join the free EPIC Families community here. Be seen, be heard and discover strength in neurodiversity.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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ADHD: In It Together
ADHD can feel overwhelming at times. As an ADHD adult or a parent of a neurodiverse child, there are days when the struggle feels impossible. Whether it’s dealing with emotional meltdowns, rejection, self-sabotage or workplaces & schools that just don’t ‘get it’, ADHD ain’t easy.But you are NEVER alone…and the story told by this week’s guest proves it. We were delighted to welcome Neal Mankey, Chair of ADHD UK, neurodiversity champion and a father who was diagnosed with ADHD in his early 40s. In this raw, open and honest episode of the EPIC Families podcast, Neal reveals how ADHD doesn’t have to be a tripwire…it can be the missing piece of the puzzle:🗺️ The personal journey of undiagnosed ADHD in his younger years that went from ‘hyperactive kid’ to school-leaver with zero qualifications to jumping from job to job and struggling with mental health and alcohol challenges.🔎 How an ADHD diagnosis can help to explain the aspects of our lives that we’ve struggled with for so long, and trigger a vast range of positive lifestyle changes.⚠️ The shocking statistics highlighting the links between ADHD and mental illness in young people and adults, and the strategies that can be put in place to help.👋 Why ‘letting go’ can be the secret to dealing with ADHD-related challenges, and how vulnerability can be your greatest strength.❤️ The importance of creating environment that offer psychological safety and the acceptance to allow people to let their authentic strengths shine.🎓 How to help your children thrive in a learning environment, and why ‘being their authentic selves’ may be easy to talk about…but almost impossible to achieve.PLUS, Neal reveals:💪 How he discovered the secret ‘confidence to not conform’ in the most unlikely of places.>>>>> EPIC Families is about creating Extraordinary Parents & Incredible Children. EPIC Families is part of Bay Paediatrics, one of New Zealand’s leading child neurodiversity clinics. Discover more here: https://baypaediatrics.com/Join the free EPIC Families community here. Be seen, be heard and discover strength in neurodiversity.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We’re on a mission to create EPIC families: Extraordinary Parents. Incredible Children. Families with children (and potentially parents!) who have ADHD, Autism or sit along the neurodiverse spectrum...it's time celebrate the power of thinking differently.The EPIC Families Podcast gives neurodiverse families the certainty, clarity and confidence to build EPIC relationships and live incredible lives though embracing - not fighting against - what makes them unique.We deliver strength in neurodiversity by grabbing the information from experts who have it, and giving it to the families who need it. Our focus is on real-life families and providing them with practical guidance, tools and support. We are proudly and boldly different - we focus on real, chaotic, messy family life, not perfect psychological scenarios and academic case studies.No longer will neurodiverse families feel overlooked, misunderstood, confused, ignored or forgotten. This is where we make a stand and prove to the world that neurodiversity is superpower!EPIC Families is delivered by Bay Paediatrics, one of New Zealand's leading child neurodiversity clinics. Discover more at: https://baypaediatrics.com/The show is hosted by Freddie Bennett, a neurodiverse dad who conquered his mind and became a Guinness World Record holder, crossed the Sahara Desert, and ran the Arctic towards the North Pole. Now he’s on a mission to help every family understand that neurodiversity does not have to be a weakness…it can be your greatest strength.You can also join the free EPIC Families community here .Get the support you need to build strength in neurodiversity. Be seen, be heard and be YOU. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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