Beyond the Labels

In this episode of  Beyond The Labels , we sit down with emotional regulation therapist  Amy Winters  to unpack what burnout really looks like — from the early warning signs to the full emotional crash. Amy shares practical tools for managing stress, fostering mindfulness, and building emotional resilience. Whether you’re feeling drained or simply seeking balance, this episode offer...

She’s back! In this special Q&A episode, Ciara welcomes disability law solicitor  Niamh Maher  of Healy Law — and this time, it’s all about  your  questions. From navigating legal systems to advocating for your rights, Niamh brings her passion, expertise, and clarity to every listener question. Together, we unpack real-world scenarios, break down complex legal jargon, and e...

We're back! In the latest episode, we meet the brilliant and bubbly Emily McPhillips Sheridan! After years of feeling misunderstood in school and fighting for the diagnosis that clarified and changed everything, Emily is now channelling her lived experience into action. Despite all odds, Emily completed her Leaving Certificate and is now studying Social Care at one of Ireland's leading institutes,...

In this episode of  Beyond The Labels , we’re joined by Sinead from Sinead Speech, a trailblazing speech and language therapist specialising in Gestalt Language Processing and Autism. Sinead shares how she’s reshaping traditional approaches with data-driven, parent-inclusive therapy that meets children where they’re at, and takes them further. Whether you're a parent, educator,...

What does  life after school  look like when you're neurodivergent — and nobody hands you a map? In this episode of  Beyond The Labels , Ciara chats with Cathy Murphy, founder of  The Next Step  — a personalised support service helping neurodivergent adults navigate education, work, and the tricky in-betweens of everyday life. With a focus on meeting people where they’re a...

In this eye-opening episode of  Beyond The Labels , we sit down with  Rachel Martin , a passionate activist, parent and founding representative from FUSS Ireland. FUSS is a grassroots movement calling for change and demanding real support for parents and their children with additional needs. Rachel takes us behind the scenes of her ongoing fight for change, exposing just how deeply broke...

We've reached our 10th episode! For this instalment of Beyond The Labels, we sit down with Amanda Masterson, the heart behind Daydreamers Sensory Barbering Room  in Walkinstown, Dublin — a truly one-of-a-kind space designed specifically for neurodivergent children. Drawing from over two decades of experience in the hairdressing and barbering industry, as well as her personal journey as a...

In this uplifting and lighthearted episode of Beyond The Labels, we explore the transformative power of equine-assisted therapy with the team at Ballyhara Equine Assisted Therapy . Discover the incredible science behind this amazing therapeutic method, and how it can help people heal—emotionally, mentally, and physically—in a serene, supportive setting. From anxiety and trauma recovery to building...

In this heartfelt episode of  Beyond The Label , we sit down with Fiona Griffin from Cottage Autism Network (CAN) to hear her powerful story as a mother navigating the challenges and joys of raising a neurodiverse family. Fiona opens up about the emotional highs and lows—from laugh-out-loud moments to the frustrations of battling for basic support. She also shares how her personal journey led...

What happens when the demands of everyday life feel like a threat to your very sense of self? In this eye-opening episode conducted via Zoom, I sit down with occupational therapist Sorcha Rice to unpack PDA—known as Pathological Demand Avoidance, but Sorcha reframes it as a Persistent Drive for Autonomy. With deep expertise and compassion, Sorcha talks us through how PDA shows up in real life, how...

In this powerful and inspiring episode, I chat with Nicola Vaughan, whose son Cian has the rare condition Smith-Magenis Syndrome. With only around 10 known cases in Ireland, Nicola shares her challenging journey of navigating the system to secure the vital support, resources, and school placements Cian needs. From battling bureaucracy to advocating for her son’s future, this conversation highlight...

In this raw and emotional episode, I chat with Charlotte Cahill, a Dublin-based parent and disability activist, about her relentless two-year battle to find a school for her daughter with additional needs. After facing rejection from over 60 schools, Charlotte shares her heartbreaking experience with neglect and the extreme steps she’s taken, including taking her fight to the Dáil. This conversati...

In this episode, I sit down with  Niamh Maher , a solicitor dedicated to  disability rights , to break down the Assessment of Need  process for children with disabilities in Ireland. We discuss the  challenges families face , the  legal side of the process , and what parents  need to know  to advocate for their children’s rights. If you're navigating the system o...

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend  Nicola Coleman , who I had the privilege of working with in an  autistic preschool . We reflect on our experiences supporting young autistic children, the incredible parents we worked with, and the importance of  early intervention . We also get personal—talking about my own  diagnosis journey  and what it’s like navigating...

In this episode, we chat with  Amy Winter , an emotional regulation therapist and the founder of  Little Kneaders . We dive into the realities of  autistic and ADHD burnout , the struggles within the  education system , and the heartbreaking ways our  health services are failing neurodivergent children  when it comes to mental health support. This is an eye-opening an...

In our very first episode, we sit down with Jeannette from TSK Academy to talk about life as an ADHD businesswoman and the unique challenges (and strengths!) that come with it. We also dive into her work helping workplaces create truly supportive environments for neurodivergent employees and discuss the exciting  Neurodiversity at Work Conference  happening this March. Tune in for an ins...