Parenting Autism and ADHD

Cliff speaks with Dr. Mohita the Founder & CEO of The Cognitome Program. During their conversation they explore an evidence-based approach to supporting children with ADHD and autism. If you're interested in helping your child build cognitive flexibility through mindfulness, movement and creativity, this episode is for you today. Dr Mojito explains how understanding the brain helps us connect, not...

In this episode, Cliff dives into one of the most emotional topics for teens on the spectrum - friendships, dating and how to connect with others in a world that can feel confusing, overwhelming or even isolating. He is joined by Jeff Carroll, author, Comic Book Creator and dating coach, who brings humour, empathy and some seriously powerful advice for building confidence and communication skills....

Today, Cliff is joined by two incredible ladies who know the world of neurodiversity inside and out. They share powerful personal stories, professional insights and practical tools to help families thrive without trying to fix anyone. Together, they explore the power of coaching and community, how mindfulness helps, why supporting neuro-divergent children starts with understanding and why labels s...

Cliff speaks with Karen-Jane (KJ), a parent from Falkirk, Scotland, whose autistic son stands to lose his vital support if the local council moves forward with its imminent plan to close enhanced provision units for the education of children with complex needs. KJ shares her family’s struggles to secure the right educational environment and their battle to fight the closure. The episode highlights...

How do you know if your child is truly thriving in their current school environment—and what can you do if they’re not? Cliff shares his family’s journey of navigating the challenges of mainstream education for Eva and the emotional and practical hurdles of transitioning to a special needs school. He explains how to effectively advocate for your child and navigate the assessment and support proces...

Cliff speaks with Andrew Baker of joined by Andrew Baker, trainer, podcaster and author, who's worked for over 25 years in health, social care and education, he specialised in behaviour management and neuro diversity. Today, they discuss executive function and what really helps children to thrive at home and school. Disclaimer : Please remember this podcast shares professional guidance and lived e...

Cliff is joined by Connor Johnson for part three of their miniseries. Today, the focus is on sensory development. Does your child have shutdowns over clothing labels? Do they struggle with noise, busy environments, bright lights? Do they crave constant movement? If any of this sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Connor and Cliff discuss the different sensory issues a child can have and how t...

Does your child have shutdowns and meltdowns that feel impossible to manage? Does their anxiety creep in at school, or they mask and bring it all home to you, and nobody believes you in school? If any of this sounds familiar, this is for you. Cliff is once again joined by Connor Johnson, an NHS assistant practitioner supporting families with autism and ADHD. In this, the 2nd episode, they move bey...

Are you struggling with behaviours? Do you feel like a bad parent? Can’t cope? Don´t worry it’s not you. This free mini course will help. In Part One of this special 3-part mini-course, NHS practitioner Connor Johnson joins Cliff to discuss the foundational knowledge every parent needs while awaiting or undergoing assessment for autism and ADHD. They explore the importance of sleep, nutrition, and...

Cliff speaks with Victoria Burmeister, a resilient single parent and wheelchair user, who shares her powerful story of raising children diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, and ODD. Victoria opens up about navigating the challenges of parenting with limited support, working through the US school system, advocating for her children’s needs and finding natural remedies that actually made a difference. Disclaim...

Cliff speaks with Tem Ezimokhai, a teacher who is also the host of the brilliant podcast Helping Teachers Thrive. She helps teachers level up and become the best educators they can be. Tem shares some powerful insights into teachers identifying special needs and how parents and teachers can work together more effectively. They also discuss masking, EHCPs, classroom routines and why, often, it´s th...

In this episode, Cliff and Eva sit down together to talk about Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). Whether you’re a parent, educator, or young person navigating life, this episode offers valuable insights and practical understanding of RSD’s daily effects.   Eva and Cliff share personal stories to help you explore the impact RSD has in social settings, at school, and when forming new relationsh...

Cliff speaks with Harry Houghton, a digital forensics examiner, as he shares how online predators work and what parents can do about it. They talk about the reality of digital investigations, including why that school uniform photo might be more dangerous than you think and how groomers use apps like Roblox to target kids. Harry explains when to call 999 for online threats, introduces the CEOP web...

Cliff is joined again by his daughter Eva. They discuss teaching methods in school, including why phonics doesn't work for her and how she actually learns to spell. She explains what makes classrooms work better for her needs and why different methods are effective for neurodivergent students. Eva also talks about her imaginary friends who give her advice, support and can help regulate her. Episod...

Cliff is joined in this episode by his mum to explore three generations of neurodiversity within their family. From his grandmother's unrecognised traits to his daughter Eva's current struggles with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorder, they discuss the hidden patterns that run through families. His mother shares stories about Eva's masking behaviours, the park incident that changed every...

Cliff and Eva talk about memory recall and why it’s common for those with autism and neurodivergence to struggle with memory. Eva shares how memory recall impacts her at school and they discuss the ways they have found to manage it, including with sensory input and making tasks more engaging.     Episode Reveals There are many ways schools can aid students struggling with memory recall, including...

Join Cliff and Chris in the second part of their conversation about how to keep kids safe online. They discuss ways to ensure your child’s safety, including tools you can learn to use and how to foster an open and honest dialogue with your children about online safety. Episode Reveals • The conversations you need to be having with your child to help protect them online • How to engage with the onl...

Cliff is joined by Chris Duff in this episode. In part 1 of their conversation, Chris shares his incredible knowledge about online predators, grooming tactics and the dangers of sextortion. He gives his own experiences and clear examples of how these things happen in reality sharing why it’s so important to stay vigilant and proactive as parents. Episode Reveals • The dangers every child faces onl...

 Cliff and Eva talk about the topic of stimming, including what it is, how it feels and why understanding it is so important. They share their own experiences of stimming and discuss how stimming helps individuals self-regulate, communicate and thrive! Episode Reveals • Common forms of stimming • Why stimming is so regulating for neurodiverse individuals • How stimming can aid learning for many pu...

Most schools and many teachers do not properly understand the challenges and complexities in supporting children with additional needs. In this episode, Cliff and his daughter Eva talk about how systems within schools can inadvertently cause issues for children who are neurodiverse. They also discuss the lack of trust in many mainstream schools and the impact this has on the emotional wellbeing of...

Cliff is joined by  Colin, a standup comedian and parent who shows ADHD brings heart and humour to the ups and downs of life with additional needs.  As neurodivergent parents, Colin and Cliff talk about the challenges they face themselves, the invisible struggles and the ways they try to cope, often with humour helping! They share how they manage situations with themselves and their children, incl...

In this episode, Cliff is joined by his daughter Eva to talk about her recent experiences visiting schools after receiving her EHCP (Educational Health Care Plan).  Eva shares the differences she found between the schools, including teaching styles, class sizes and how things impacted her ability to manage her sensory differences. Episode Reveals The conditions around selecting schools once a chil...

Cliff is joined by his cousin and advocate, Wendy about her own experiences of parenting neurodivergence.  Wendy talks about the challenges she has faced with her children, including delayed diagnosis and the impact of the invisible struggles in education for children who aren’t neurotypical. She shares the tools and mechanisms she has used to manage her family and their challenges and opens up ab...

HOST BIO Cliff Kilmister is a dedicated parent, advocate, and cat whisperer with firsthand experience raising a child with autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Having navigated the challenges of school refusal, meltdowns, and sensory sensitivities. Cliff brings an empathetic, real-world perspective to the podcast. When he's not helping his child thrive, he’s dodging the evil stares...