Raising Confident Kids with SEN

In today’s episode, Sarah Billingham is joined by Lauren Fenton and Rina Teslica, the hosts of the podcast F**king Normal. In this episode, Lauren and Rina share their journey of navigating the challenges of parenting a child with special educational needs (SEN) while balancing self-compassion and guilt. They explore the importance of seeking outside support, managing the mental load, and the role...

In this week's episode, we’re covering a topic on many parents' minds as the summer approaches: how to avoid the summer holiday meltdown. We'll be sharing essential tips on planning a holiday that prioritises comfort, sleep, nutrition, and physical activity to support your child's well-being, especially for parents of children with special educational needs.  From pre-planning decompression t...

This is a heartfelt and empowering conversation between our host, Sarah Billingham, and special guest, Jo Long. Get ready to delve into the importance of setting boundaries, prioritising self-care, and navigating the unique challenges and joys of parenting children with special educational needs.  You'll hear Jo's personal journey, insights on embracing autism, and practical advice for findin...

Today, Sarah is exploring a topic that's both exciting and daunting for many parents, transitioning to a new school or class. As we approach the end of the academic year, schools and nurseries are gearing up for transition visits, and both parents and children have a whirlwind of feelings to navigate.  In this episode, Sarah explores practical strategies to help your child feel ready and conf...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Raising Confident Kids with SEN. Your host Sarah interviews Suzanne Meill-Ingram, an inspiring mother who has channelled her personal experiences into creating impactful resources and programmes for children with special educational needs. Throughout this episode, you'll hear Suzanne's heartfelt journey of how signing has transformed how she communicates...

In this episode of Raising Confident Kids with SEN, Sarah delves into the crucial topic of preparing for the annual review of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Whether you're approaching your child's first review or looking to better understand this essential process, host Sarah Billingham is here to guide you through every step. This episode addresses key concerns and provides insights t...

In this episode, Sarah had an enlightening conversation with Dr. Amy Moore about the vital world of sleep, nutrition, and emotional regulation for children with ADHD. Dr. Moore highlighted the transformative power of a calming bedtime routine, the need to address chronic stress, and the impact of a healthy diet on our kids' brains.  They also unravelled the complexity of ADHD beyond attention...

Sarah discusses what to do if your child's school or nursery has raised developmental concerns. She empathises with the emotional impact of such feedback and offers reassurance, drawing from her own experiences and those of her clients. She shares insights on navigating the challenges of seeking support, emphasising the importance of having the right strategy, finding the right time to implement i...

Sarah Billingham chats with Emma Cossey, a Freelance Coach, about her personal journey of recognising ADHD traits in her son and her adult ADHD diagnosis. Emma shares the impact it had on their family life, as well as practical changes she made to create a more ADHD-friendly home environment.  Their discussion also touches on the challenges and benefits of freelancing for neurodivergent indiv...

Sarah tackles the outpouring of emotions that many children with special educational needs experience after a long school day. Think of it as the big release after keeping emotions bottled up—this is the time they need us most. Sarah chats about the power of discussing feelings and shares a tool, My Mood Stars, that helped her daughter communicate her anxiety.  Expect tips on how to balance d...

Today Sarah and her guest Amanda Clifford are exploring the foundational concept of co-regulation and its vital importance in raising confident and resilient kids. Amanda Clifford is an experienced neonatal and paediatric occupational therapist. Tune in as they unpack the deeper aspects of how co-regulation supports your child's emotional development. They also discuss sensory regulation and share...

Welcome to the first episode of Raising Confident Kids with SEN, where we explore the complexities of parenting children with special educational needs. Your host Sarah Billingham shares her motivation for creating this podcast. From her experience of working closely with children with special needs, she realised the lack of support available to parents navigating this challenging journey. With pe...

Today we're welcoming Richard Woods to the show. Richard's journey through dyslexia to entrepreneurial success provides an insightful backdrop about the potential within neurodiversity. Your host Sarah discusses with Richard how he and his wife navigated special educational needs with their daughter Poppy. From recognising developmental delays to embracing the positive change a special school has...

Your host Sarah Billingham explores the important topic of choosing a school for a child with special educational needs. She dives into the decision-making process, considerations when visiting schools, and the significance of prioritising a child's individual needs. Sarah shares valuable insights and practical tools to assist parents in making this crucial decision. The episode also addresses the...

Welcome to Raising Confident Kids with SEN, the podcast for parents of 3-8 year olds, who want to understand how their child ticks, help to ease frustration, and experience a calmer day today.  Join us on this insightful journey where we delve into practical tips and tools for navigating the challenges of parenting a child with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Your host Sarah Billingham is a...