Navigating Neurodiverse Education Podcast

Send us Fan Mail How Can I Set My Child Up to Thrive Long-Term? So many parents of neurodivergent children worry about the future —   self-advocacy, friendships, high school, independence… and whether they’re doing enough now. In this episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education , we shift the focus away from short-term pressure and toward long-term thriving. You’ll learn: how to build self-advoca...

Send us Fan Mail What Are My Options If the Current School Isn’t Working? When school isn’t working, parents are often left feeling trapped — unsure whether to keep pushing, change schools, explore flexible options, or step away altogether. In this episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education , we talk honestly about what to do when the current school setting isn’t the right fit for your neurodive...

Send us Fan Mail Who Can Support My Child Beyond the Classroom? When school can’t meet every need — and it often can’t — parents are left navigating a confusing world of therapists, tutors, and support services. In this episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education , Ruth Smoker-Cornell helps parents cut through the overwhelm and understand: • what different supports actually help with (OTs, speech...

Send us Fan Mail The holiday season is meant to be joyful — but for many families with neurodivergent children, it can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and anything but relaxing. In this episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education , we talk honestly about why holidays are so hard for neurodivergent kids — and what actually helps. You’ll learn: why changes in routine, noise, and social demands can o...

Send us Fan Mail How Can We Make School Feel Safe? Safety is the number one concern for families of neurodivergent children — and it goes far beyond locked gates and supervision. In this episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education , Ruth Smoker-Cornell explores what real school safety looks like and what parents need to notice when choosing or reviewing a school. This episode unpacks:  • how scho...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education , Ruth Smoker-Cornell tackles a topic every family needs to hear: burnout and how to prevent it. Burnout doesn’t happen because families aren’t trying hard enough — it happens when the emotional, sensory, behavioural, and scheduling demands of school exceed the support available.  And when a neurodivergent child is exhausted or...

Send us Fan Mail The start of a new school year can feel overwhelming for neurodivergent children — and for the parents supporting them. New teachers, new routines, new expectations… and all the uncertainty that comes with Term 1. In this episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education , I break down how to make next year calmer, smoother, and safer for your child by putting the right supports in pla...

Send us Fan Mail End-of-Year School Reports: What Parents Really Need to Look For (and What to Ignore) It’s report review season — and for parents of neurodivergent children, this time of year brings stress, confusion, and a LOT of questions. Does “emerging” mean my child is behind?  Is this report even accurate?  What should I be asking for before the year ends? In this episode of Navigating Neur...

Send us Fan Mail Term 4 is here… and for many neurodivergent children, the final weeks of school feel overwhelming.  Sensory overload, unpredictable routines, assemblies, excursions, tired teachers, and emotional burnout combine into the perfect storm — leaving parents exhausted, kids dysregulated, and homes feeling tense. In this episode, I share practical, compassionate, real-life strategies to...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we sit down with Cassie Olguin — an inspiring mum of three and a passionate advocate for education choice. With 11 years of homeschooling experience, including supporting a neurodiverse learner, Cassie has seen firsthand how tailoring education to a child’s strengths can transform their confidence and engagement. Now the Alternative Education Content & Event Manager...

Send us Fan Mail Has Your Child’s Teacher Suddenly Stopped “Getting” Them? When teacher–student connection breaks, everything can feel harder — behaviour escalates, confidence drops, and school starts to feel like a battle. But there are ways to rebuild understanding and support. In this episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education, we share 3 powerful, practical strategies parents can use to help...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Podcast Episode 56: Tracking Your Child’s Growth – Academic, Social & Emotional Progress Wondering how to know if your neurodivergent child is truly thriving — academically, socially, and emotionally? In this episode, Ruth walks you through practical strategies to track your child’s progress, spot areas that need extra support, and confidently advocate for the adjustments t...

Send us Fan Mail Do you know how to spot subtle changes in your neurodivergent child that could signal emotional or mental health challenges? In this episode, Ruth shares both her own a real-life story and another of Emma and her 9-year-old autistic son, Luca, who started showing small but meaningful signs of distress. Learn how to notice shifts in mood, behaviour, sleep, or interests — and how to...

Send us Fan Mail  “Understanding PDA: Supporting Your Child to Thrive in Any Learning Environment” Do you have a child who struggles with small requests, sudden meltdowns, or school refusal? They might have a PDA profile — and it’s not defiance, it’s anxiety in action. In this episode, we cover:  ✅ What PDA really is and how it affects behaviour ✅ How school expectations can feel overwhelming fo...

Send us Fan Mail   Transitioning Schools: What Parents Need to Know! Changing schools can be stressful for both kids and parents—especially for neurodivergent children. In this episode, I share:  ✅ Key steps to make the transition smoother  ✅ What to watch out for when choosing a new school  ✅ How to support your child emotionally and academically  ✅ Practical tips to set them up for success f...

Send us Fan Mail Finding the Right Tutor for Your Neurodivergent Child Key questions to ask—and how the right tutor can build your child’s confidence. Finding the right tutor for your neurodivergent child can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, The Right Tutor for Your Neurodivergent Child: What Parents Need to Know Before Choosing , I walk you through the key qualities t...

Send us Fan Mail From Struggle to Success:  How Tutoring Empowers Neurodivergent Kids  Discover how personalised tutoring in Literacy & Numeracy, builds confidence, skills, and independence.  Is your child bright, curious, and creative—but struggling with reading, writing, or maths? You’re not alone. For many neurodivergent kids, traditional classrooms don’t always give them the tools or confi...

Send us Fan Mail Interview with Guest Speaker- Andrew Fuller  Author of the book Neuroadvantage- The Strengthens-based Approach to Neurodivergence. In this interview, I’m joined by my our guest speaker Andrew Fuller  —  a clinical psychologist, ffamily therapist, and author who has worked with over 3,500 schools and thousands of young people and families across Australia and internationally. He sp...

Send us Fan Mail Why We’re Losing Neurodiverse Teachers – And Why We Can’t Afford To Teaching is tough—but for neurodiverse teachers, the system can be unbearable. More and more autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, and otherwise neurodivergent educators are leaving the profession due to burnout. And it’s not just a loss for them—it’s a loss for our kids. In this powerful episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Ed...

Send us Fan Mail Is it really refusal—or is it survival? If your neurodivergent child melts down at the school gate, begs to stay home, or simply shuts down when school is mentioned, you’re not alone. In this powerful episode, we dive deep into school avoidance—not as defiance, but as a communication of distress. We explore:  🔍 What avoidant behaviours really mean for kids with autism, ADHD, trau...

Send us Fan Mail Do you know what reasonable adjustments really mean—and how they can transform your neurodivergent child’s school experience? In this essential episode, we break down everything parents and educators need to understand about reasonable adjustments, accommodations, and supports that help neurodivergent kids access learning, participation, and safety—without lowering expectations or...

Send us Fan Mail Is socialising always good for neurodivergent children? Not exactly. In this thought-provoking episode, we unpack one of the most misunderstood issues in neurodivergent support: why socialising helps some children thrive—but overwhelms or harms others. Whether you're a parent, teacher, therapist, or carer, this is a must-listen. Inside Episode 46, we explore:  🧩 Why “social...

Send us Fan Mail For families raising children with multiple diagnoses, high support needs, or significant sensory and emotional regulation challenges, every day can feel like a battle between meltdowns and milestones. In this episode, we explore what progress really looks like for complex neurodivergent kids—and how to find the balance between formal learning and essential life skills. You’ll lea...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 44 – Not Just Grades: Raising Confident Kids Who Learn Differently So many neurodivergent kids are judged by grades — but what they really need is to feel seen and safe in their learning. In this episode, Ruth dives into what it really means to learn differently and how to support children with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, PDA, and other learning profiles without sacrificing th...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 43 – Helping, Not Hovering: 3 Tips to Raise a More Independent Neurodivergent Child   We all want to raise confident, capable kids — but how do we support without hovering ? In this episode, Ruth shares three powerful, practical strategies to gently guide neurodivergent children toward greater independence — without overwhelming them. From teaching one small step at a time...