Beneath Behaviour

Supporting an autistic child can be challenging, especially when our own beliefs get in the way. In this episode, Jackie Hall explores how our expectations affect understanding autism and parenting. We cover: • Hidden beliefs shaping our responses • Social communication challenges • How needs evolve over time and why we must adjust expectations • Conflict resolution without perfection • Why you do...

When everything is too much, how do we meet that moment with compassion, not control? In this episode of  Beneath Behaviour , Jackie Hall guides you through what to do  during  a meltdown, when your child’s emotions are big, their nervous system is flooded, and everything feels chaotic. We explore: The stages of a meltdown, and how to respond to each What co-regulation really means in practice How...

In this episode of  Beneath Behaviour , we take a step back to understand what’s really going on  before  a child explodes, emotionally, neurologically, and relationally. This isn’t about control, defiance, or “bad” behaviour. It’s about a nervous system under pressure, and the signs we often miss in the lead-up. We explore: The difference between meltdowns, tantrums, and shutdowns How the SUPER f...

Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you’re not “getting it right” as a parent? You're not alone. Parental guilt, perfectionism, and the constant pressure to do more are stories many of us carry,  often without realising it. In this episode, Jackie and mum Amanda explore: - Why guilt and perfectionism show up in parenting - How the pressure to “get it right” affects our nervous system...

In this special episode of  Beneath Behaviour , host  Jackie Hall  speaks with  Nicci Smith , mother of  Tanner Smith , who captured hearts worldwide on Netflix’s  Love on the Spectrum .  In this deeply personal episode, Nicci shares her journey raising an autistic child, from diagnosis to life after the show. They discuss parenting challenges, nurturing independence, sibling dynamics, and ho...

They’re not being defiant. They’re not “just refusing.” They’re overwhelmed — and their nervous system is calling the shots. In this solo episode, Jackie Hall dives deep into the emotional and physiological roots of “school can’t” — when a child  literally  cannot face the school day. We explore: – Why school environments can feel traumatic to some children – The 6 key stress categories that stack...

What if autism wasn’t the problem — but how we’ve been taught to see it, was? In this episode, Jackie shares a heartfelt and honest conversation about parenting autistic children through the first two lenses of her SUPER Framework: Self-Awareness and Understanding . We explore: What you believe about autism — and how it can shape your approach to autism Why behaviour is communication How to shift...

Ever felt like you’re the only family not following the script? In this episode, Jackie chats with Sarah — a mum of four neurodivergent teens — about what happens when you stop trying to parent “right” and start parenting real. They explore the early missteps, the power of self-diagnosis, and how burnout became the wake-up call Sarah didn’t know she needed. From ADHD to autism, perfectionism to se...

You keep trying to manage the behaviour. But what if the real change starts  beneath  it? In this episode, I introduce the  SUPER Framework  — a 5-part lens that helps parents understand what’s really going on when their child is struggling. We talk about: The stress stories behind your reactions Why behaviour is never random How to support your child with insight, not just strategies If you’ve ev...

If you’ve ever had a child who struggles to get to school — or stay there — you’re not alone. In this episode, Jackie talks with Melissa, a parent of two neurodivergent kids, about what it really means when school becomes too much. We explore the emotional and practical layers of school can’t — from sensory overwhelm and academic pressure to masking, social stress, and nervous system fatigue. This...

Whether you're quietly struggling yourself, or supporting someone who is, this episode of the Beneath Behaviour Podcast helps you understand what depression can really look and feel like beneath the surface. Because not everyone with depression looks sad. Some keep functioning. Some keep smiling. Some just go quiet. Jackie Hall takes you beyond the surface — into the hidden inner world of depressi...

In this heartfelt episode, Jackie sits down with Francesca, a mum navigating life after her 12-year-old daughter’s recent autism diagnosis. As her daughter begins to seek more independence, Francesca finds herself caught between supporting that need and managing the emotional meltdowns that sometimes follow. Together, they explore the challenges of growing independence during the teenage years, wh...

What do you do when life doesn’t go to plan—when parenting feels overwhelming, messy, or like you’re just not measuring up? In this heartfelt episode, Jackie Hall gently unpacks how we can shift our mindset in those hard moments—not by pretending they’re easy, but by learning how to meet them differently. With warmth, humor, and real-life examples, Jackie introduces the “upgrades”—simple but power...

In this deeply personal first episode, Jackie Hall opens up about the moment that changed everything — a breaking point that would eventually lead to the work she’s known for today. Joined by long-time friend and colleague Kristy, Jacqui shares the raw, emotional beginnings of her parenting journey, the spiral of stress, guilt and anger she found herself in, and the powerful shift that helped her...

You promise yourself you’ll stay calm. You’ll be patient. You won’t yell this time. But then something sets you off. The chaos, the resistance, the backtalk. And before you know it, you’ve snapped again. The guilt creeps in. The shame follows. And you’re left wondering why it feels impossible to break the cycle. In this episode, we take a deeper look at what’s really going on beneath those intense...

What if your parenting stress is coming from the lenses you’re looking through? Ever found yourself snapping, spiralling or stuck in guilt — and not really sure why? It might not be about what’s happening, but how your mind is seeing what’s happening. In this episode, we unpack the four hidden thought lenses that shape how you experience parenting — the ones quietly fuelling your reactions, your s...

In this heartfelt episode, Jackie sits down with Emma, a mum who’s navigating the emotional distance in her relationship with her 21-year-old daughter. Over the years, their connection has become strained, and Emma is searching for a way to repair the rupture and rebuild trust. Together, they explore the layers that often sit beneath relationship breakdowns — the stories we tell ourselves, the gui...

A quick two minute video highlighting what the beneath behaviour podcast is about.