The reality of a neurodivergent household with Greer Jones, Host of The Unfinished Podcast
Two mothers, both podcast hosts, both raising neurodivergent children in the UK, come together for an honest conversation about the realities that many parents never see coming. Dr. Olivia Kessel (SEND Parenting Podcast) and Greer Jones (The Unfinished Idea) share their raw, unfiltered experiences navigating a system that often feels designed to exclude rather than support.From the moment Greer's son started school and was immediately restricted to two-hour days, to Olivia's shocking discovery of local authority deception through a subject access request during her daughter's EHCP process, these stories highlight the extraordinary lengths parents must go to secure appropriate education for their children. Both women speak candidly about the emotional toll – the isolation, the constant advocacy, and the financial strain that comes with fighting for services most families take for granted.But this conversation offers more than commiseration. Drawing from her medical background, Olivia explains how understanding neurodevelopmental differences transforms parenting approaches. Together, they share practical strategies that actually work: using sticky notes to externalize executive functioning, setting up visual timetables, and even programming Alexa to provide reminders that don't trigger the resistance that parental instructions might.Most powerfully, they discuss finding community amidst the struggle. "We are normal," Olivia emphasizes, noting that 20% of the world is neurodiverse. "Our differences are what make us special." They remind listeners that traditional parenting methods often fail neurodivergent children not because the children are broken, but because those methods weren't designed for their beautifully different brains.Whether you're raising a neurodivergent child or simply want to better understand and support the families around you, this episode offers valuable insights into turning challenges into opportunities for growth, connection, and yes – even joy. Ready to rewrite the parenting rulebook on terms that actually work for your family?www.sendparenting.com
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Caregivers self-care guide with Eleonora Magri, founder of Inclusi
Dr. Olivia Kessel explores the essential yet often overlooked topic of caregiver self-care with behavior analyst Eleanor Magri, revealing how nurturing ourselves is not selfish but necessary for effectively supporting our neurodivergent children.• Neurodiversity family specialist Eleanor Magri introduces the concept of holistic support that includes caring for the caregiver• Parents often feel guilty prioritizing their needs, viewing self-care as selfish rather than necessary• Simple sensory self-care strategies like spending time in a darkened room or using calming sounds can regulate the nervous system• Building sustainable self-care habits by "stacking" them with existing routines (like adding a breathing exercise before brushing teeth)• A case study demonstrating how parental self-regulation led to improved communication and fewer crises with a neurodivergent adult daughter• The importance of creating awareness about burnout symptoms and recognizing when intervention is needed• Understanding that between two hard paths, consistent self-care offers better long-term outcomes• A free "Caregiver Balance Sheet" resource to help visualize time invested in children versus oneselfJoin our private SEND Parenting WhatsApp community for support, insights and connections with like-minded parents who truly understand. The link is available in the show notes.Click here for Free Caregiver Balance Sheetwww.inclusi.org/caregiverbalancesheetwww.sendparenting.com
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40:26
Navigating neurodiversity as a father with Ross Jones of Skoolio
Ross Jones shares his profound journey of discovering his ADHD at age 36 and how this diagnosis transformed his understanding of himself, his relationships, and his approach to parenting his neurodivergent children.• Learning to recognize the difference between tasks you don't like versus tasks that are genuinely challenging for your neurodivergent brain• Navigating the complex emotions that come with receiving an adult ADHD diagnosis• Understanding how ADHD affects relationships and finding better ways to communicate needs• Creating systems to manage household conflicts around different needs for order and organization• Supporting neurodivergent children by validating their experiences while helping them develop self-compassion• How Ross's personal journey inspired him to create Schoolio, an AI-powered educational platform designed specifically for neurodivergent learners• Using technology to cultivate curiosity and eliminate judgment from the learning process• The importance of helping children recognize that challenges don't define their worth• Developing self-awareness as a parent to avoid triggering emotional dysregulation in your children• Finding your authentic self after years of masking and people-pleasingIf you're looking for a safe space to connect with other parents navigating their neurodiverse journey, our private WhatsApp community offers support, insights and real conversations with like-minded parents who truly understand. Join the conversation today. You can find the link in the show notes.The link to Skoolio.xyz - the sign up for the beta test is right in the header of the site www.sendparenting.com
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Sensory Processing Disorder with Julie Davis of Future Steps
We dive deep into sensory processing difficulties in neurodivergent children with Julie Davis, an occupational therapy expert with over 35 years' experience and founder of Future Steps. This conversation explores how sensory processing shapes development, influences behavior, and impacts daily functioning in ways many parents might not recognize.• Understanding the difference between sensory processing issues and behavioral problems• How sensory processing affects everyday activities like getting dressed, eating, and learning• Red flags parents should watch for that might indicate sensory processing challenges• Environmental factors that can overwhelm children with sensory sensitivities• Why repetition and targeting the root causes create lasting improvement• Practical approaches for parents to support their child's sensory development• Different types of sensory challenges including tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, and auditory processing• The importance of building neural pathways through appropriate sensory input• Why shame and punishment are counterproductive for sensory processing issues• Success stories of children overcoming significant sensory challengesJoin the conversation in our private WhatsApp community. You can find the link in the show notes.www.sendparenting.com
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Parenting while autistic with Jessica Whalley, author of The Autistic Mom
This episode provides a deep dive into the raw and insightful journey of Jessica Whalley as a neurodivergent parent navigating the complexities of raising her nonverbal autistic son. Jessica's personal revelations about her own diagnoses of autism and ADHD offer a profound perspective into the world of neurodiversity while providing support for other parents facing similar challenges. - Jessica's journey began with her son Jude's autism diagnosis - The emotional and practical challenges of securing support within the education system - Importance of parenting self-care and maintaining personal well-being - Embracing individuality and redefining success for neurodivergent children - The role of community support in shared parenting experiences - Insights into the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent women Join our community today and share your journey with like-minded parents!Click here for The Autistic Mom by Jessica Whalleywww.sendparenting.com
Welcome to the Send Parenting Podcast. I'm your neurodiverse host, Dr Olivia Kessel, and, more importantly, I am a mother to my wonderfully neurodivergent daughter, Alexandra, who really inspired this podcast. As a veteran in navigating the world of neurodiversity, I have uncovered a wealth of misinformation, alongside many answers and solutions that were never taught to me in medical school or in any of the parenting handbooks.Each week on this podcast, I will be bringing the experts to your ears to empower you on your parenting crusade.
New Zealand