Episode 72  The myriad of myths swirling surrounding ADHD create needless barriers to help and support for neurodivergent children and their families. As a medical doctor, mother to a child with ADHD, and devoted advocate for neurodiversity, this week I am wading in to bust these harmful misinformed ideas. But unraveling these misconceptions is more than just myth-busting; it's a vital part of understanding and accepting the complexities of this condition. I am covering statements like: -...

Episode 71 Navigating the complex maze of health assessments for neurodevelopmental disorders can be daunting for any parent so our guests this week are here to guide us through it. Jenny Hooper is CEO of The Evolving Mind with 39 years of experience working in SEND education and Dr Dolly Agrawal is a consultant paediatrician with 25+ years working in the NHS and specialism in neurodevelopmental diagnosis. We talk about the difficulties of diagnosing neurodiversity (particularly in...

Episode 70 This week we have the fantastic Rebecca Avern to talk all about acupuncture and how it can help our neurodiverse children! As a doctor trained in the UK, we start our conversation on the discussion on the benefits of using Eastern and Western medicine in conjunction with one another. We discuss how acupuncture offers solace and support, tackling emotional dysregulation, sleep disturbances, and an array of challenges that often accompany neurodiversity. Rebecca shares a number of...

Episode 69 When the road ahead seems shrouded in uncertainty, it's the stories of those who've walked it before us that shed the most light. This week we are joined by Esther Freeman, the visionary behind the SEND Parent Survival Guide, as we traverse the terrain of raising children with SEND. Esther's candid account of her own trials and victories offers a map for parents in the thick of similar struggles – a guide to finding balance between caring for their child and themselves. Through...

Episode 67 This week Dr Olivia is joined by Tamsyn Hendry, back for another bitesize recap! This episode they are revisiting Ep 18 with Rachel Horner, and are discussing our favourite takeaways and most important tips from that episode. For so many families, occupation therapy is truly a kind of magic. While so many may be telling us that there is something "wrong" with our children, occupational therapists meet them where they are at and tailor changes so small and simple, yet with life...

Episode 67 This week we are joined once more by the esteemed Dr Maryhan, in an episode that promises to equip you with the tools to nurture the skill of bouncing back from life's hurdles. The skill of resilience is both crucial to a neurodivergent child's life and simultaneously one that can be more difficult to cultivate due to the extra support our children need. We talk Ginsburg's 7 C's of Resilience (with a focus on 'confidence' and 'competence'),  Embark on a journey to understand...

Episode 66 This week we have the fantastic Kate Steer @nurturedneurokids, a former teacher turned neurodivergent family coach, on the podcast to unravel the complexities of neurodiversity in education. Together, we talk about the changes in the education system that led to Kate's exit from teaching, the stifling pressures on creativity within classrooms, and journey that many families undertake as they step away from mainstream education. We talk about the importance of advocating for and...

Episode 65 This week we are joined by Tina MacGillivray, known as @thepdaparent on instagram and a beacon of resilience and knowledge in parenting. This week we talk to her about the journey of parenting her son with 48 XXYY syndrome, autism, Tourette's, and PDA. This is a heartbreaking yet inspiring episode which tells the story of a parent who has realised that the support she needs just isn't there, and has taken matters into her own hand - an experience help with so many others in this...

Episode 64 This week I sit down with Matt Gupwell, founder of Think Neurodiversity and co-host of ADHD Talks, to discuss finding your passions and thriving within neurodiversity. Diagnosed with ADHD and autism later in life, Matt unveils how this revelation reshaped his understanding of success and spurred his passion to help to make this journey easier for others than it was for him. We talk about medication, the profound effect a diagnosis can have, and learning to re-centre yourself...

Episode 63 Join us this week as I am once more talking with the fantastic Chrissa Wadlow from Sunshine Support as we unravel the complexities of school attendance for neurodivergent children.  From personal trauma to sensory overload, we analyse the reasons behind school avoidance and the essential trust between parents and children that must be preserved to prevent long-term psychological harm. We delve deep into the education system's outdated punitive measures surrounding attendance and...

Episode 62 *CONTENT WARNING* This episode mentions suicidal ideation, gaslighting from social services, and child protective services. This week I sat down with the indefatigable Chrissa Wadlow, founder of Sunshine Support, to talk to her about the journey that brought Chrissa to creating Sunshine. Chrissa's battle against the UK education system to get the support her autistic daughter needed will be both shocking and heartbreakingly familiar for fellow parents of SEND children. We talk...

Episode 61 This week we are talking to the wonderful Lynn Greenberg who, along with her dyslexic son Jonathan, wrote the children's book "Robby the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventure". We talk today all about how the book came to be, its reception, and her journey with her son's dyslexia. As her son is now an adult man, we reflect on how far neurodivergency advocacy has come in the past 15 years, and how much further there still is to go with early screening and intervention. We...

Episode 60 It's time for another bitesize summary episode! Ever witnessed the sheer joy and transformation a child experiences through the simple act of play? This week, Olivia and co-host Tamsyn Hendry review episode 25 with Anna Hodgson and Becky Hill from ClearSky charity. From the huge increases play therapy has in emotional growth and easing peer conflicts, to bridging communication gaps, to guarding child mental health, they recap the magical effects of play therapy. They also look...

Episode 59 As a parent, I've found myself navigating the stormy seas of emotional outbursts and fraught silences, frustrated at my child and disappointed in myself. Enter Sarah Fisher, the mind behind "Connective Parenting," who joins me this week to talk about the Nonviolent Resistance (NVR) approach. Together we discuss how this methodology, inspired by leaders of peace like Gandhi and Mandela, can revolutionise parenting for those with children prone to extreme or even violent emotional...

Episode 58 When the education system doesn't quite fit the mould of your children's needs, where do you turn and how do you change? Caro Giles, author of "12 Moons" and single  mother to four girls joins me this week to uncover the heart of this question. Together, we discuss the complexities of raising children who defy traditional expectations, from the isolating trenches of securing appropriate education to the balancing act of preserving one's identity. We also talk about Carol's memoir,...

Episode 57 Have you ever considered the hidden strengths within a dyslexic mind? This week we sit down with Russell Van Brocklen, a pioneer in dyslexia education. Russell, once challenged by his own dyslexia, now champions a technique that capitalizes on the dyslexic students' unique abilities, turning hurdles into triumphs and helping dyslexic people thrive in academia. This is a fascinating episode in which we are afforded an inside scoop on the inner workings of this pioneering course....

Episode 56 In this podcast, we talk a lot about the hardships those with ADHD undergo - but what about those who have managed to harness the electric energy of hyperfocus and creativity? This week we have the privilege of hosting the incomparable British impressionist Rory Bremner, who provided an intimate view into his life post-ADHD diagnosis.  We talk every angle of his journey with ADHD: from navigating the emotional rollercoaster that comes with a diagnosis as an adult, harnessing...

Episode 55 Rounding out the holiday season we are releasing a final "Bitesize Summary" episode with Olivia and her guest co-host Tamsyn, this time revisiting episode 26 with Dr Maryhan. This episode was all about parenting advice, trusting your own instincts, and containing your child's emotional dysregulation. We underline the importance of self-care for parents, especially those with neurodiverse children, and connecting to your own gut instincts, as well as sharing changes in our own...

Episode 54 Ever wondered if neurodiversity might just be an evolutionary adaptation? This week we are diving into another "BiteSize Summary" episode as we revisit our enlightening conversation with Heidi Mavir, author of 'Your Child is Not Broken', from episode 13. Olivia and her bitesize co-host Tamsyn discuss their favourite points from a wise and hilarious episode, including looking at the origins of neurodiversity, the blame of parenting in neurodiversity, and Olivia and Tamsyn's...

Episode 53  Happy Boxing Day!  This is just a little festive message to say that you to all our listeners and to remind you that even if your holidays have been less than ideal, so often the unpredictable chaos of family gathers can lead to our most hilarious and treasured memories.  Thank you so much for your support: the Send Parenting Podcast has grown into a thriving community of over 13,000 downloads and 2,000 online followers. I express my heartfelt gratitude to every listener,...

Episode 52 *Bitesize* It's time for the second in our 'bitesize' series of episodes in which our host Olivia and returning guest Tamsyn Hendry discuss and summarise past impactful episodes! This week they are revisiting Episodes 16 & 27 with Dr Naomi Fisher on the subject of self-directed learning.  This is an incredibly candid and honest episode in which they discuss the ways Dr Fisher's work has profoundly reshaped their own concepts of schooling and parenting. We talk about moments...

Episode 51 Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe our society discriminates against children? Together with gentle parenting expert Sarah Ockwell-Smith, we unpack this concept of childism and explore the urgent need for empathy, respect, and understanding in raising our children. We also talk all about the importance of changing the political as well as our personal behaviours if we want to elevate to change our parenting for the better. Sarah talks us through how neoliberalism is...

Episode 50 Content Warning: There are brief mentions of violence, murder, and suicide in this episode. You're about to embark on a journey to the heart of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) with our extraordinary guests, Francis and Nquobile to learn all about their dedication to improving lives some of the most impoverished areas of eSwatini. Despite the lack of resources and a struggling healthcare system, they continue to support disabled children, the elderly, and those who are hungry. We...

Episode 49 Have you ever wondered why school detentions and exclusions are escalating in England while Scotland has managed to revamp its policies, significantly reducing such incidents? In this insightful conversation with Dr. Chris Bagley, an experienced psychologist in the education and youth justice sectors, we peel back the layers of the harmful ideologies shaping the uniquely punitive English education system. Tune in as we decode the convoluted dynamics at play, discussing how an...