Navigating Neurodivergence & Special Needs with Little Superheroes

In today’s episode, Jess Ngaheu shares her journey as a mother to Hawaiki, who has cerebral palsy, and explores the importance of persistence in therapy for children with special needs. Drawing from her own experience and the therapeutic programs she has designed at Little Superheroes , Jess discusses the emotional roller coaster that many parents face and why it’s essential to hold onto hope, eve...

If you’re a parent of a neurodivergent child, you know how tough the therapy journey can be. The exhaustion, the heartache, and the moments where you wonder if you’re doing enough—it can feel overwhelming. But you’re not alone in this. In this episode, Jess Ngaheu shares her own heartfelt experience as a mother, talking about the ups and downs of therapy with her son, Hawaiki. Jess speaks directly...

How can parents of neurodivergent children create a calmer, more communicative home environment while empowering their children and themselves? In this episode of The Jess Ngaheu Podcast, Jess is joined by Gill Sealey, founder of Neurospicy Parenting and a passionate advocate for practical parenting solutions. Gill shares her journey as a parent of a neurodivergent daughter with ADHD, dyslexia, an...

How can massage and touch therapy benefit children with special needs, and how can parents incorporate it into their daily routine?  In this episode of The Jess Ngaheu Podcast, Jess delves into the often overlooked yet deeply nurturing therapy of massage and touch therapy. Drawing from her personal experience as a mother and a massage therapist, Jess shares the profound impact this therapy has had...

How can understanding hormonal cycles help women, especially those with ADHD, navigate motherhood and neurodivergent parenting? In this episode of The Jess Ngaheu Podcast, Jess is joined by Claire Marie, a health coach and Femmway™ trainer. Claire shares her journey of being a late-diagnosed ADHD mom and raising her AUDHD daughter. They discuss the challenges of neurodivergent parenting, the impor...

How do auditory processing disorders differ in autistic children, and what strategies can help parents support their unique needs? Today, we are joined by Sarah Patterson, a paediatric audiologist from Coastal Audiology. In this episode, we discuss the intricacies of auditory processing disorders, particularly in autistic children, and explore effective strategies for parents to support their chil...

How can parents of special needs children manage their own well-being while caring for their kids? In this episode, Jess shares her personal journey of raising a child with special needs, discussing the unique challenges and rewards it brings. She stresses the importance of self-care for parents in similar situations, highlighting that caring for oneself is essential for the well-being of both par...

How can personal experiences shape professional practices in community services? In this episode, Jess Ngaheu welcomes Kay Reeves, who brings a wealth of experience as a Community Support Specialist Manager and Psychosocial Recovery Coach/Mentor at Gypsy Support Services. Kay discusses how her role as a mother to a child with cystic fibrosis and her professional background influence her approach t...

Have you ever wondered how you can better support a child with learning challenges? Today, we dive deep into this crucial topic with a very special guest, Dr. Emily Levy. Dr. Levy has dedicated her life to helping children with learning disabilities reach their full potential. With a background deeply rooted in special education and a passion for individualized learning, she has founded EBL Coachi...

How do you navigate the intense emotional and medical complexities of caring for a child with serious health issues? In today's episode of the Jess Ngaheu Podcast, we dive back into the deeply emotional and challenging medical journey of Hawaiki. Jess opens up about the immense challenges her family has faced while navigating the complex medical landscape for her son, Hawaiki. From managing a...

How can mothers use their skills and passions to support and showcase their children's dreams, especially when facing unique challenges?   In this heartfelt episode, Jess Ngaheu explores how mothers can leverage their skills and passions to support and showcase their children's dreams, even in the face of unique challenges. Our guest, Sophia Louisa Lee, is an award-winning screenwriter a...

In this special episode of the Jess Ngaheu Show, we're joined by Julie Foge, a devoted mother and advocate from Anchorage, Alaska. Julie shares her deeply personal journey through the unexpected challenges of the NICU and the world of special needs parenting following the diagnosis of her daughter, Eliza, with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) in 2016. Dive into this heartfelt conversation as Julie...

Are traditional medical approaches failing our neurodivergent and special needs children? In this episode, Jess Ngaheu delves into the shortcomings of the traditional medical system for neurodivergent and special needs children. She highlights the complexity of multiple appointments, high costs, and the lack of communication between specialists. Jess shares insights on the importance of individual...

Do you know what it takes to stand up against medical negligence, especially when it involves your child? In this moving episode of the Jess Ngaheu podcast, Jess shares her profound journey of advocating for her special needs son, Hawaiki, against medical negligence. She discusses the relentless challenges and emotional struggles of securing the proper care and uncovering the truth about her son’s...

How does one balance a thriving business with raising two special needs children? In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Jessica Bailey, a devoted mother and the founder of Lending Solved. Jessica's son Charlie has a rare genetic condition and is hard of hearing, while her other son, Elliot, was born with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and Chiari malformation, leading to many hosp...

In this heartfelt episode, Jess shares an intense and emotional journey of her son Hawaiki's early health struggles, focusing on his time in the Queensland Children’s Hospital. She details his repeated hospitalizations, a series of intense medical evaluations including MRIs and sleep studies, and the challenges of dealing with his complex medical needs. The narrative provides a deep dive into...

Have you ever considered how embracing a holistic approach might transform the life of a child with neurodiversity? Together with Ange from the Gold Coast Women's Health Networking page, we're tearing down the walls of misinformation about ADHD and autism, guiding families toward a deeper grasp of these neurodevelopmental conditions. This episode isn't just about providing informati...

Join us as we embark on a soul-stirring journey with Lauren from Born Energy.   Lauren shares her journey from a registered neonatal nurse to becoming a baby soul communicator, connecting women with their baby's wisdom from preconception to early childhood, including experiences of loss. Discover how these communications can help parents heal from birth trauma and raise children with special...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to parent a child with special needs?  The unexpected challenges, the heartbreak of medical struggles, the relentless fight for their wellbeing?  Join me for a deeply emotional journey as I share the harrowing story of my son Hawaiki's first few months of life. His difficult birth and extended NICU stay were just the beginning.   Misdiagnosis, medica...

Have you ever thought about the hidden struggles and the silent strength within the journey of becoming a mother? We're diving deep into the raw emotions, the uphill battles, and the sweet victories that come with this journey. The intention is not to sugarcoat the reality of motherhood, but to shed light on its complexities, and in doing so, offer support and solidarity to mothers everywhere...

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Jess shares the harrowing journey of her son, Hawaiki, and their family through the devastating impacts of birth trauma and medical negligence. Through their story of resilience, adversity, advocacy, and the battle for justice, this episode shines a light on the critical issues within the healthcare system and the importance of listening to parents dur...

In this episode, Jess Ngaheu shares her personal experience as a medical mum and special needs mum, highlighting the continual adversity and advocacy required for her son, Hawaiki. She discusses the importance of a specific clinic within the children's hospital to provide the necessary care and support for children with dwarfism, like Hawaiki. Jess reveals that the government has pulled fundi...

Losing a child is the greatest pain anyone can experience. This hard truth echoes throughout human history, resonating with a deep, universal sorrow. It takes an extraordinary person to transform the most profound pain into a beacon of hope for others.  Chey, our guest this week, embodies such resilience. As a birth and postpartum doula, she shares not only her professional expertise but also her...

Special thanks to our fantastic guest! Follow her at: https://www.maternitychoices.org/team-1/azure-rigney https://www.instagram.com/azure.rigney/ https://twitter.com/AzureRigney In this episode, host Jess Ngaheu interviews Azure Rigney, a passionate advocate for mothers and advocate for maternity choices. They discuss the pervasive issue of obstetric violence and the need for systemic reform in m...

In this episode of the Jess Ngaheu podcast, host Jess shares her personal experience with birth trauma and the impact it had on her family. She discusses the unexpected events that occurred during her son’s birth, including a miscommunication with the medical staff and a traumatic delivery. Jess opens up about the emotional toll it took on her and her husband, as well as the long-term effects on h...