Mark chats with the inspirational Dan Clark, of MindJam. Dan is dad to two neurodifferent kids -  one 17-year old girl (diagnosed Autistic) and a 14-year old boy (diagnosed autistic/ADHD with a PDA profile). They discuss the minefield that is playing family games with neurodivergent kids, from their desperate search to find a board game that doesn't end in full scale meltdowns and the strategies they employ to keep the peace. They also discuss the hugely beneficial role that both video games...

Mark speaks to Lauren, neurodivergent mother of three boys (One 11-year old diagnosed Autistic/ADHD with a PDA profile), a 9-year old (suspected autistic/ADHD) and a 5-month old (too soon to tell). They delve into the topic of noise sensitivity - from extreme reactions to loud noises and meltdowns when confronted with contrasting noises, to the fascinating topic of misophonia. They swap tales of hand dryers, bonfire night, cat scarers and an unexpected cavalcade of motorcycling Santas. This...

Mark welcomes back guest Liam Mullone, parent of twin 13-year old boys (one diagnosed autistic and one suspected autistic/ADHD), as well as an 8-year old girl (suspected neurotypical). In this episode, they discuss the topic of mealtimes in their respective households - from the faff of getting them all to the dinner table in the first place, to the unmitigated disaster of their attempts to encourage their kids to sit down, use cutlery and exercise some form of table manners.   LINKS TO STUFF...

This episode explores how we navigate the maelstrom of emotions in families with a mix of different neurotypes. Mark speaks to Grace Lockrobin, philosopher and fellow parent of neurodivergent boys (one 8-year old, diagnosed autistic, and a 5-year old with suspected ADHD), as they look at how members of their own households handle the contrasting ways that each of them understands, expresses and responds to emotions - both in themselves and in others. Mark and Grace also discuss how they deal...

This episode is all about the relentless faff involved in trying to get our neurodivergent kids out of the house. Mark talks to comedian Hatty Ashdown, who is a parent of two children (one diagnosed autistic with suspected ADHD and one suspected neurotypical). They compare war stories from their daily attempts to wrangle their kids out of the house, navigating distractions, dysregulation, refusal and all round chaos along the way.   LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE: Gorilla Gym -...

This episode focuses on the daily struggle to find clothing that our neurodifferent children will tolerate wearing. Mark talks to Steph Curtis, author and parent of two neurodivergent children (both teenagers, diagnosed autistic - one with a strong PDA profile). They swap tales of regular battles with labels and seams, the nightmare of school clothes and their children's preference for being naked - even in the most inappropriate moments.   LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE: “PDA in...

This episode discusses the lighter side of parents of SEND kids being treated as outcasts from polite society. Mark speaks to Samuel Wilson, author and parent of two children: an 8-year old daughter (on the autism pathway, with Cerebral Palsy, Cerebral Visual Impairment and Sensory Processing Disorder) and a 4-year old son (undiagnosed neurotypical). Mark and Sam shine a humorous light on being ostracised by the other parents at school, alienated from WhatsApp groups and treated as a social...

Mark speaks to Angie Belcher - Comedian in Residence at University of Bristol and the proud owner of a neurodiverse 5-year old boy (diagnosed autistic, with suspected ADHD). In this episode, they discuss how something as seemingly straightforward as walking from A to B, can be an entirely different experience with neurodivergent children.   LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE: Incredible Kids, Bristol - www.incrediblekids.org.ukBristol Autism Project -...

Mark welcomes back the wonderful Jo Matthews - a fellow parent with a neurodivergent setup (a 16-year old autistic daughter, with sensory processing disorder, and a 20 year old autistic son with ADHD). In this episode, they untangle the knotty concept of social etiquette in relation to neurodifferent kids and see how their own families fare, when faced with the 10 golden rules of social etiquette. Warning - this episode contains socially unacceptable behaviour.   LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN...

Mark chats with Jess Meredith - parent of an autistic 6-year old daughter and founder of the wonderful organisation, Differing Minds. Together, they share tales of the absurd amount admin demanded of all parents fighting to get support for their neurodifferent children. Links to stuff we mention in this episodeDiffering Minds - https://www.differingminds.co.uk/"The Explosive Child" by Dr Ross Greene - https://drrossgreene.com/the-explosive-child.htmSEND Family Instincts -...

Mark chats with Heidi Mavir - Sunday Times Best Selling Author and founder of EOTAS Matters, as they discuss the importance of honesty to our neurodivergent children. This episode also features some worthy neurodiversity champions, some laudable tiny epic wins, and some utterly ridiculous "What the Flip?" moments.Links to stuff we mention in this episode"Your Child is Not Broken", by Heidi Mavir: https://www.heidimavir.com/i-wrote-a-bookEOTAS Matters resources:...

'Tis the season to be fizzy, as Mark welcomes back former guest "Belle", to discuss the additional challenges that Christmas presents to our neurodifferent children. Featuring torrid tales of taking children to visit Santa, performing in school concerts and trying to coax a PDA child into writing a Christmas list. There will also be regular favourite features, such as Neurodiversity Champions, Tiny Epic Wins and some more joyous "What the flip?" moments.Links to stuff we mention in this...

About this episodeIn this episode, Mark speaks to "Kate", who has a 10-year old girl, who is diagnosed autistic with suspected ADHD. They discuss how their neurodifferent kids navigate the knotty issue of friendships. We also have some more neurodiversity champions, plenty of "what the flip" moments and a couple of tiny wins.Links to stuff we mention in this episodeAppeer: https://www.appeer.org.uk/Overworld: https://overworld-amp.uk/Contact usIf you have any feedback about the show, ideas...

About this episodeIn this episode, host Mark Allen speaks to Liam Mullone, who has twin 12-year old boys - one diagnosed autistic with suspected ADHD and the other suspected autistic/ADHD. They discuss the pros and cons of raising neurodivergent kids with intense special interests, from Pokemon, Greek Mythology and Football, to Thomas the Tank Engine, Rollercoasters and Murder Drones. Links to stuff we mention in this episodeCrealy Family Theme Park: https://www.crealy.co.uk/Murder Drones:...

In this episode, host Mark Allen speaks to Dr Hildi Mitchell, who has an autistic daughter, aged 19, and another daughter, 22, who is also suspected autistic, with agoraphobia. The topic of this show is “Holidays”. Mark reports back from his recent holiday in Greece and Dr Mitchell discusses their annual holiday routine, as well as exploring the unique set of challenges posed by going on holiday with a neurodivergent family.

Host Mark Allen talks to anonymous guest, “Belle”, who has two neurodivergent kids (an 8-year old autistic girl with PDA, and a 6-year old suspected-autistic boy with Tourettes). In this episode, they discuss the thorny issue of “Birthday Parties”, as well as looking a more neurodiversity champions and a tiny win.

The very first episode of Neuroshambles sees host Mark Allen talking to Jo Matthews - a fellow parent with a neurodivergent setup (a 16-year old autistic daughter, with sensory processing disorder, and a 20 year old autistic son with ADHD). In this show, they discuss the joys and frustrations of camping with neurodifferent kids, as well as looking a some neurodiversity champions, tiny wins and a selection of moments that make you say ”what the flip?”.

A trailer previewing Neuroshambles - a fortnightly podcast about the ludicrous realities of parenting neurodivergent kids. If you want to hear a bunch of frazzled parents gleefully swapping tales from the trenches of parenting neurodiverse children and having a laugh at some of the nonsense we have to navigate, this is the podcast for you. Lapsed comedian Mark Allen has three kids - two diagnosed autistic with ADHD and one suspected neurotypical. Each episode, he speaks to other parents of...