Episodes — SEND Parenting

Episode 36: Building strong relationships with wonderfully wired children as a SENDCO discussion with Ginny Bootman

Join us for a captivating conversation with seasoned teacher and SENCO, Ginny Bootman, as we traipse through her journey from head teacher to being the Senko of four primary schools. Ginny, a beacon of knowledge and experience, underscores the crucial role of fostering strong rapport between parents, children, and teachers, urging the necessity of Senko training. Tune in to learn how her hands-on approach in the classroom and strategic systems ensure that no child's needs are overlooked.

Episode 35: Unlocking EFT Therapy: unveiling the potential in Neurodiverse Parenting and Child Development

What if there was a simple technique at your fingertips that could help manage your emotions and assist your neurodiverse child in navigating their own? If this piques your interest, then join me, Dr. Olivia Kessel, as I delve into an intriguing conversation with seasoned nutritionist, coach and Emotional Freedom Technique therapist, Emma Wildgoose. We explore the fascinating realm of EFT, and how it can facilitate emotional well-being for both parents and children. Emma unveils the power of EFT and how it works, underscoring the vital role that parents' emotional health plays in the effectiveness of this approach.

Episode 34: Rethinking Education: Unmasking Failures and Embracing Innovation with Dr. Chris Bagley

Can schooling really meet the unique needs of every learner? What happens when the system that's supposed to educate us all, falls short? As your host, Dr. Olivia Kessel, I'm rolling up my sleeves with Dr. Chris Bagley to dissect the challenges with a cookie-cutter education system. Bagley, renowned for his expertise in educational transformation, helps us unmask the stark realities of a system designed to fail a third of its students.

Episode 33: Guidance for Mums on How to Achieve Self-Care even in the Holidays

Ever wonder how to balance the demands of parenthood while still prioritizing self-care? Struggling to find a minute for yourself amidst a whirlwind of responsibilities? Let me introduce you to our latest guest, Kate Flowerdew - a nutritionist and the mastermind behind the Self-Care Accelerator for busy moms. Kate sheds light on the holistic approach to self-care, emphasizing the connection between what we eat and how it nourishes us, and the life-changing importance of adequate sleep and mindfulness.

Episode 32: Advocating for Your Child Against the Odds

Have you ever felt like your child's needs were being dismissed by the education system? This week we talk to Nikita, a warrior mom who trusted her instincts and fought for her son Dexter's rights. From successfully fighting for a dyslexia diagnosis and support for her young son, to applying for and (eventually) receiving an EHCP for Dexter on her own, Nikita has a wealth of experience in advocating for her child when the system won't.

Episode 31: Summer Holidays: Tips for Neurodiverse Families

Are you ready to transform the way you approach summer holidays with your neurodiverse child? Can you imagine a vacation that's enjoyable, stress-free, and tailored to your family's unique needs? I'm here, alongside SEND Advisor and seasoned expert, Tamsyn Hendry, to guide you towards making that dream a reality.

Episode 30: Supporting Children with ADHD

It's the 30th episode of the SEND Parenting Podcast, which means it's also time for a personal update! Today I'm talking about the journey of receiving an ADHD diagnosis for my daughter. I talk recognising signs of ADHD in Alexandra, the decision to seek an assessment, and the concerns I faced along the way. As well as our journey in getting a diagnosis, I talk about the importance of identifying (as well as the dangers of not identifying) ADHD and the huge strengths ADHD brings. Remembering that ADHD is not a problem, just a part of what makes my daughter the magical person she is, I talk about how I tried to introduce it to her in as positive a light as possible.

Episode 29: Eating Disorders and Neurodiversity with Bernie Wright and Lisa Smith from NEDDE

TW: The following episode contains a discussion around eating disorders that may be upsetting or triggering. So listener's discretion is advised. If you suffer from or know anyone who has eating disorders, please visit National Centre for Eating Disorders - Their website is https://eating-disorders.org.uk.

How can we support neurodivergent children with disordered eating habits? This is the main question we navigate this week with our insightful guests, Bernie Wright and Lisa Smith, co-founders of NEDDE (Neurodiversity and Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating).

The episode revolves around the intersection between neurodivergence and disordered eating: how it occurs, how we treat it, and how we can prevent it. We discuss why so many people with eating disorders are neurodivergent, the fascinating link between the gut-mind health, and how important our own actions are in clear communication with our children about food.

Bernie and Lisa are both experts in their field and their dual approach of therapy and nutrition bring fascinating insights and comforting knowledge to a very difficult subject. All in all, it's an insightful journey for parents who are navigating this challenging terrain, providing a comprehensive guide replete with useful advice, book recommendations and much more.

Episode 28: Empowering Neurodiverse Parents with Free Access to the SEND Unlocked directory

Struggling to find the right support for your neurodiverse child? Discover how Polly Elworthy, founder of Send Unlocked, turned her personal journey with her son into a powerful resource that's helping families like yours. We talk about Polly's infuriating, yet all too familiar, struggle to get her son the support he needs in school and how that lead to a desire to help other parents like her. We talk about the power of harnessing the collective knowledge of SEND parents across the country and how Send Unlocked is helping do that.

Polly shares how the organisation is not only empowering neurodivergent families in their care decisions, but is also able to use the data to question relevant government departments. We discuss the importance of accessibility, how she in ensuring that the platform remains free for end users and having the directory in an app format for those without access to computers. This episode is an inspiring conversation with a parent who has stepped up to the plate to make life easier for all.

Click to register for free access to SEND Unlocked Directory

www.sendparenting.com

Episode 27: Dr. Fisher: The Power of Self-Directed Education: Benefits for Parenting and Education

Are you ready to challenge the status quo of education and embrace neurodiversity in your child's learning journey? In our enlightening conversation with Dr. Naomi Fisher, author of A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education, we discuss the importance of accepting our children as they are and working collaboratively to encourage behavior change. Dr. Fisher shares her expertise on the beliefs that children form about themselves and the impact of the language used by adults when children are not meeting expectations.

The traditional education system can be detrimental to young people's self-esteem and mental health, especially when it comes to exams. Together with Dr. Fisher, we explore the pressure and anxiety that this system puts on both children and their parents, and discuss ways to best support our young people in finding success in their own way. We also delve into the significance of nurturing our children's strengths and creating an environment that fosters confidence and self-worth.

Finally, we examine the powerful concept of self-directed education, which allows children to follow their own passions and interests. Dr. Fisher provides invaluable insights on how this approach can be especially beneficial for children with non-standard developmental trajectories. Tune in to discover how you can empower your child by creating an environment that offers opportunities for exploration, autonomy, and critical thinking, while avoiding the pitfalls of over-controlling their learning experience.

Episode 26: Navigating the Sea of Parenting Advice: Reflection, Emotional Regulation and Self-Care for Neurodiverse Families

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by the abundance of parenting advice out there? Sometimes, it can feel like you're drowning in a sea of conflicting opinions. Join me as I chat with Dr. Maryhan, a world-renowned parenting expert and psychologist, about how to navigate these murky waters and find the advice that truly fits your unique family dynamic. We discuss the importance of approaching parenting advice with a reflective lens, understanding the individuality of every family, and reconnecting with our own gut instincts to ensure the advice we take is fit for purpose.

Emotional regulation is crucial for both parents and children, and self-care plays a major role in achieving that balance. Dr. Maryhan emphasizes the importance of self-care for ourselves and our children, particularly when parenting neurodiverse kids. We dive into the emotional bucket metaphor, exploring how one more drop can cause dysregulation for our children and ourselves. Learn about the potential pitfalls of numbing emotions, and how to create a space for children to experience and work through their feelings. Don't miss this invaluable conversation filled with insights and advice for navigating the world of parenting, especially for those with neurodiverse children.

Episode 25: The Power of Play Therapy

Have you ever wondered how play therapy can have a life-changing impact on children's mental health? Join us in a riveting conversation with Anna Hodgson, Captain of ClearSky, and Becky Hill, Head of Therapeutic Thinking, as we uncover the secrets of play therapy and creative therapy for children aged 3 to 18. Discover how ClearSky's work in primary schools leads to outstanding outcomes for children's mental well-being and their overall health.

We also dive into the world of parenting programs developed by Becky Hill, designed to support parents and caregivers of children with neurodiverse needs, trauma, and other challenges. Learn about the crucial role of building strong relationships and secure attachments, and the importance of emotional regulation and reflective functioning for parents. Plus, we'll explore three tailored interventions that cater to different developmental stages.

But that's not all! Anna Hodgson shares invaluable insights on the significance of co-regulation in parenting and caring for children with special needs. Learn how to create moments of calm, stay present during distress, recognize when a child needs co-regulation, and provide that much-needed support. Get ready to be enlightened by the power of play therapy and its incredible benefits on children's mental health.

Click here to access Clear Sky

Episode 24: Ten High Impacting Parenting Tips for Neurodiverse Children

In this episode we will be joined by Tamsyn Hendry who was a SENCO, runs a Montessori nursery school and is a SEND support advisor who utilizes her experience not only professionally but also her journey with her autistic son. I personally have found Tamsyn’s advice to be incredibly practical and easy to implement not to mention helping when I couldn’t see the woods for the trees on my parenting journey.

Tamsyn will take us through her top ten high impact parenting tips, her tips are simple and easy and she illustrates them from her own personal experience and journey.

Episode 23: Anxiety in School & Isolation as a Behavioural Intervention

This episode is part one of a two part series in which we speak with Ellie Costello, Director of the Square Pegs charity and author of the book 'Square Pegs: Inclusivity, Compassion and Fitting In - a Guide for Schools'.

In this episode, we discuss the impact of UK politics and economics on the care of SEND children and their families through the lens of Ellie's journey with her son. We unpick what happens to families for whom the systems fail, how they are labelled, new identities they assume, and the unsung exhausting work they take on.

Episode 22: "Anxious Mothers" and the UK System of Care

This episode is part one of a two part series in which we speak with Ellie Costello, Director of the Square Pegs charity and author of the book 'Square Pegs: Inclusivity, Compassion and Fitting In - a Guide for Schools'.

In this episode, we discuss the impact of UK politics and economics on the care of SEND children and their families through the lens of Ellie's journey with her son. We unpick what happens to families for whom the systems fail, how they are labelled, new identities they assume, and the unsung exhausting work they take on.

Episode 21: Craig Henderson: The Neurodivergent Barber

In this episode we speak with Craig Henderson, the brilliant Bolton-based barber who is dedicated to making haircuts accessible to all neurodiverse children.

He tells us about what lead him to this specialisation and also gives us some of his top tips on how to navigate grooming with your child at home. Craig's patience, kindness and dedication to addressing his client's needs is an inspiration and a delight to listen to.

Episode 20: Never Give Up

In this episode, I share a candid personal update on my journey as a parent to my daughter Alexandra. I look back at all the incredible things that she has achieved against the odds, and I talk to her about her difficulties, struggles and triumphs (including writing the song 'Never Give Up', which we use as the intro to this podcast).

However, it's not all sunshine and roses. I also share my personal struggle to never give up as a parent even when it is really, really, really hard. My three top tips:

1. Never give up

2. Find the support you need to decompress and find solutions

3. Be kind to yourself - fill up your emotional batteries so you can be there for your child

Episode 19: Moving beyond a life changing diagnosis

In this episode we will be speaking with Olivia Gordon author of The first breath who will share with us her experience of Veering off course of a normal pregnancy and taking a different parenting path

This episode will resonate with all parents who have been faced with a life changing diagnosis and the struggle to move beyond the diagnosis and the fear that evokes to the realization of the amazing, wonderful child in front of you.

Episode 18: The value of occupational therapy for neurodiverse children

In this episode we will be joined by Rachael Horner who will explain what an occupational therapist is and how can they help your ND kids with activities of daily living in the home and at school. She will give us practical tips and advice looking at challenge with handwriting, attention and focus and personal care skills like getting dressed.

The key is to breaking down activities into simple blocks – making it into just right challenge to maintain your child’s motivation

Episode 17: Tips to create an accessible classroom

In this episode we will be speaking with Kate Bodle, a SENCO and mother to three ND children. She will be sharing with us her top ten tips on how to make a classroom accessible for all children.

Ignatio Estrada a 21st century educator said “ If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”

Kate provides in this podcast simple and easy ways to change the classroom to teach the way children learn.