NDV Podcast: A project by Neurodiverse Voices

In the Season 5 finale of the NDV Podcast, Andreia speakswith Dr. Simona Skripkauskaite, an Economic and Social Research Council and Administrative Data Research UK Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Department of Experimental Psychology and lecturer in Clinical Psychology at theUniversity of Surrey. Simona’s research focuses on neurodiversity-informed childand adolescent mental health, explorin...

In this special episode of the Neurodiverse Voices (NDV) Podcast , we bring you a live recording of a public talk hosted by Andreia Costa, Founder and Managing Director of Neurodiverse Voices Connect and founder of the NDV Podcast, alongside her role as Project Manager for Training & Academic Career Development at the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre. This podcast-style panel brin...

Welcome to a very special episode of the NDV Podcast, recorded live at the incredible KatieFest 2026 on Saturday, 25th April 2026 at Wallingford Rugby Club — a celebration of inclusive sport, community, and connection. This episode is a little different (and very on-brand 😅).Due to some classic Andreia technical moments , a few interviews were recorded on the phone… and yes, you might even spot p...

In this episode of the NDV Podcast, Andreia speaks with Joanna Gibbs, founder and CEO of SENsational Tutors , a specialist tutoring service supporting children and young people with SEND. Joanna shares her unique journey through education across the world—from working in the NHS and teaching internationally to building a company dedicated to truly understanding and supporting neurodivergent learne...

In this heartfelt episode of the NDV Podcast, host Andreiais joined once again by Leandra Hamblin — a parent, advocate, and founder of SENtipede — for an honest and powerful conversation about neurodivergent family life,resilience, and community. Leandra shares her lived experience as a parent to threeneurodivergent children, reflecting on early signs of autism and ADHD, the realities of navigatin...

In this deeply honest and compassionate episode of the NDVPodcast, Andreia is joined by Laura Ellis, founder of Sensory Mother , teacher, coach, and parent to neurodivergent children. Laura shares her personal journey through parental burnout,survival mode, and overwhelming shame — and how years of misunderstanding her son’s meltdowns as “behaviour” led her to hit rock bottom. From that place, Lau...

In this episode of the NDV Podcast, Andreia Costa is joined by novelist, blogger, and autistic advocate Harriet Bueno de Mesquita for a deeply reflective conversation about identity, creativity, and late autism diagnosis. Harriet shares her journey of being diagnosed autistic at 36, how writing became a vital form of self-expression, and why she is passionate about representing autistic women in f...

In this episode of the Neurodiverse Voices podcast, hostAndreia Costa interviews comedian Matt Richardson, who shares his experiences growing up in a neurodiverse family. Matt discusses his late diagnosis of ADHD, the dynamics of supporting his brother Alex, who is autistic, and how their family navigated these challenges. He reflects on the importance of patience, understanding, and the role of h...

In this episode of the Neurodiverse Voices podcast, hostAndreia Costa speaks with Ana Bonasera, a certified ADHD coach and mother of five neurodivergent children. Ana shares her personal journey navigating ADHD and autism assessments, the challenges of parenting neurodivergent children, and the importance of mental health. The conversation explores the daily dynamics of a busy household, the joys...

In this episode of the NDV Podcast, Nicole Wareing sharesher personal and professional journey with dyslexia, discussing the challenges she faced in education, the importance of support systems, and her passion formental health advocacy. She highlights the need for understanding and accommodations for neurodivergent individuals, the resilience she developedthrough adversity, and her aspirations to...

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, we’re joined by Kay Louise Aldred, Development Lead at Neurodiverse Connection, who shares her journey of late diagnosis, self-understanding, and holistic healing. Diagnosed as autistic at 47 and meeting the criteria for ADHD, Kay reflects on how her children’s diagnoses led her to seek her own — validating years of challenges and finally helping her...

In this episode, I’m joined by John Clark — afilmmaker, scriptwriter, director, and advocate with lived experience of autism. Diagnosed with Asperger’s at just four years old, John’s journey has been one of self-discovery, resilience, and creative expression. John shares how, as a child, he struggled with socialinteraction and masking, often feeling “weird” or isolated until open conversations wit...

In this episode of the NDV Podcast, I sit down with MandyRichardson , who shares her journey as the mum of Alex, a neurodivergentyoung man and past guest of the podcast. Mandy reflects on what it was like raising Alex more than 20years ago, when there was little understanding of autism and very limited information available. She talks about the challenges of navigating sensory issues, advocating f...

When her son Mike was diagnosed as autistic, KasiaMcGavigan’s world shifted overnight. Overwhelmed and determined to help, she poured herself into therapies—until burnout made her rethink everything. Inthis heartfelt conversation, Kasia shares how letting go of constant demands and allowing Mike to grow at his own pace transformed both their lives. Inspired by Mike’s sensory needs and the challeng...

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with KimAshwin, a neurodivergent leader, parent, and advocate who’s making real changethrough her work as CEO of Autism Oxford UK. We recorded this conversationright from the heart of Autism Oxford, and it’s one that really stayed with me. Kim shared her powerful story — from being a teen mum tofounding an organisation that listens, validates, and s...

In this episode, I sit down with Craig Henderson ,also known as The Neurodivergent Barber , to hear the inspiring storybehind Craig’s Barbershop —a sensory-friendly, inclusive space that’sbeen featured in The Sunday Times , BBC North West Tonight , TheMirror , and Bolton News . Craig shares how his own experiences shaped the way hesupports neurodivergent clients, especially those with sensory proc...

In this episode of the NDV Podcast: Neurodiverse Voices , I had the pleasure of speaking with Susan Liverman – a late diagnosed autistic and ADHD woman, parent to neurodivergent children, and founder of The Kindful , a Community Interest Company focused on wellbeing and mindful support. We recorded this conversation at the Phoenix Picturehouse , and it was a deeply reflective and honest discussion...

In this special episode of the NDV Podcast: Neurodiverse Voices, I return to KatieFest, held this year at Witney RFC, for the second consecutive time. This heartfelt event honours the memory of Katie Peel, whose legacy inspired the creation of the SEND Friendly Rugby Sessions—a community initiative close to many hearts, especially her father, a dedicated rugby coach. I was honoured to be invited b...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the NDVPodcast: Neurodiverse Voices , I sit down with Jack Newton, founder and host of Auticast , for an open and honest conversation about self-acceptance,advocacy, and what it means to finally feel seen. Jack, who was diagnosed as autistic later in life, shared how that moment of clarity helped him make senseof years of feeling different and disconnected...

In this episode of the NDV Podcast: Neurodiverse Voices , Andreia welcomes Talia Zamora, a Neurodivergent Business & Family Coach. Faced with the challenges of office life and supporting her children through diagnosis,Talia started her own business to help other neurodivergent families. She applies a bespoke coaching approach, empowering clients to build confidence, set realistic goals, and re...

In this episode of NDV Podcast: Neurodiverse Voices, wewelcome Dr Alex Lau-Zhu, a Clinical Psychologist, MRC Fellow, and researcher at the University of Oxford’s Department of Experimental Psychology. Alex studies the role of mental imagery in anxiety and trauma, particularly in autistic young people—an area with little existing research but profound implications. We discuss how mental imagery—our...

I'm excited to share a special episode for Autism Acceptance Day! My Season 2 guest, Alex Richardson — who has lived experience of autism and serves as an ambassador for the National Autistic Society — and I reunited for this year's Stream for #TeamAutism . This incredible initiative by the National Autistic Society helps raise funds to support autistic people and their families. We went l...

In this episode of the Neurodiverse Voices Podcast , I sit down with the incredible Rachel Rea , a passionate advocate for children and families in her community. Rachel is the lead children and family worker at Kidlinks , where she runs SEN Squirrels , a weekly session tailored for children with special educational needs. She also plays a key role in the SEND-friendly rugby sessions at Gosford Al...

In this enlightening episode of the NDV Podcast, Professor Clare Mackay shares her journey of discovery into neurodiversity and her lived experience with body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs). Clare explains the science behind BFRBs such as trichotillomania (hair pulling), dermatillomania (skin picking), and nail-biting, and discusses how these behaviours are often misunderstood and stigmatis...

Imogen Bramwell, a 16-year-old autistic young woman, shares her journey from feeling like an “alien on the wrong planet” to embracing her identity. Diagnosed at 14, years after her brother’s early diagnosis, Imogen highlights the challenges autistic girls face, including misconceptions, late diagnoses, bullying, and lack of support in schools. She recounts her struggles with mental health, school...