SEND Parenting Podcast

Episode 45 In celebration of the final day of ADHD Awareness month this week's guest Dr Giovanni Giaroli joins us to talk us thoroughly through all the questions we could possibly have around ADHD medication and treatment. A highly respected consultant and psychiatrist specialising in neurodevelopmental conditions, Dr Giovanni Giaroli shares his wisdom and expertise on a number of topics. Fro...

Episode 44 TW: Some references to self-harm. How has the UK education system been designed? With up-to-date data on the nature of learning in mind? Or based on the outdated policies of the past? We'll let you take a wild guess. Adele Bates, an esteemed behaviour and educational specialist teacher and author, shares her expertise with us on current antiquated behavioural policies and how we ca...

Episode 43  This week we are introducing an episode of our bitesize podcast in which our host Olivia and SEN advisor Tamsyn Hendry sit down for a short discussion of the top takeaways from some of our favourite episodes. For this bitesize episode we're thrilled to discuss the significant themes from episodes 22 and 23 with Ellie Costello. We're reminding ourselves of some of our favourit...

Episode 42 Get ready to be swept off your feet by Emma and Pippa, the brainy duet behind EWE Talk, a non-profit like no other. Armed with a flock of sheep and a passion for mental wellness, they're breaking barriers in the most heartwarming way. Their work is focused on using the calming nature of sheep therapy and the power of outdoor environments to help neurodiverse children and those grap...

Episode 41 What if we told you that happiness could be at the heart of our children's education? Join us for this eye-opening conversation with Adrian Bethune, teacher and founder of Teach Happy, as we explore the importance of well-being in schools and how this can lead to more engaged, motivated learners. We dive into all sorts of topics in this episode: creating autonomy in students, foste...

Episode 40 Ever feel like you're wandering in a maze trying to understand the UK educational system for your neurodiverse child? Join us in this enlightening episode as Catherine, a fellow parent, and I take a deep dive into our personal journeys, grappling with the complexities of private assessments for children with special educational needs. We bring our experiences to the table, highligh...

Episode 39 Have you ever wondered how neurodivergence impacts individuals in the sports world? Imagine trying to strive for excellence in an environment where you're constantly misunderstood and scrutinized, both physically and mentally. That's the challenging journey our guest, ex-Olympian rower Caragh McMurtry, has navigated. Diagnosed with later in life with autism, Caragh opens up ab...

Episode 28 Ever wondered how our diet could influence our brain? Can nutrition be a game-changer in managing ADHD?  This week Lucinda Miller, ADHD-er and naturopath with over two decades of experience in pediatric nutrition, joins us to illuminate the intriguing connection between nutrition and ADHD. Did you know the brain needs essential nutrients to regulate dopamine levels, which are critical i...

Episode 37 Struggling to navigate SEND provision in mainstream schools for your child? Fear not, as this week SEND Consultant Tamsyn Hendry returns to provide valuable insights and advice on everything SEND support related. Tamsyn provides us a thorough overview of everything you need to know concerning supporting your SEND child through mainstream schools. From useful resources all parents should...

Episode 36 Join us for a captivating conversation with seasoned teacher and SENDCO, Ginny Bootman, as we follow her journey from head teacher to being the SENDCO of four primary schools and the advice she has along the way. Ginny, a beacon of knowledge and experience, underscores and offers advice for the crucial role of fostering strong rapport between parents, children, and teachers, urging the...

Episode 35 What if there was a simple technique at your fingertips that could help manage your emotions and assist your neurodiverse child in navigating their own? Ever hear of Emotional Freedom Technique? Join us this week as we delve into an intriguing conversation with seasoned nutritionist, coach and Emotional Freedom Technique therapist, Emma Wildgoose. We explore the fascinating realm of EFT...

Episode 34 What is the purpose of education? Can schooling really meet the unique needs of every learner? What happens when the system that's supposed to educate us all, falls short? This week Dr. Olivia Kessel rolls up her sleeves with guest Dr. Chris Bagley to dissect the challenges of our current cookie-cutter education system. Bagley helps us unmask the stark realities of a system designe...

Episode 33 Ever wonder how to balance the demands of parenthood while still prioritising self-care? Struggling to find a minute for yourself amidst a whirlwind of responsibilities? Let me introduce you to our latest guest, Kate Flowerdew - a wellbeing specialist and the mastermind behind the Self-Care Accelerator for busy moms. Kate sheds light on the utmost importance of self-care for parents, pa...

Episode 32 Have you ever felt like your child's needs were being dismissed by the education system? This week we talk to Nikita, a warrior mom who trusted her instincts and fought for her son Dexter's rights. From successfully fighting for a dyslexia diagnosis and support for her young son, to applying for and (eventually) receiving an EHCP for Dexter on her own, Nikita has a wealth of e...

Episode 31 Are you ready to transform the way you approach summer holidays with your neurodiverse child? Can you imagine a vacation that's enjoyable, stress-free, and tailored to your family's unique needs? I'm here, alongside SEND Advisor and seasoned expert, Tamsyn Hendry, to guide you towards making that dream a reality. Our conversation touches on everything from the stressors p...

Episode 30 It's the 30th episode of the SEND Parenting Podcast, which means it's also time for a personal update! Today I'm talking about the journey of receiving an ADHD diagnosis for my daughter. I talk recognising signs of ADHD in Alexandra, the decision to seek an assessment, and the concerns I faced along the way. As well as our journey in getting a diagnosis, I talk about the...

Episode 29 TW: The following episode contains a discussion around eating disorders that may be upsetting or triggering. So listener's discretion is advised. If you suffer from or know anyone who has eating disorders, please visit National Centre for Eating Disorders - Their website is https://eating-disorders.org.uk . How can we support neurodivergent children with disordered eating habits? T...

Episode 28 Struggling to find the right support for your neurodiverse child? Discover how Polly Elworthy, founder of Send Unlocked, turned her personal journey with her son into a powerful resource that's helping families like yours. We talk about Polly's infuriating, yet all too familiar, struggle to get her son the support he needs in school and how that lead to a desire to help other...

Episode 27 Have you ever felt like the current schooling system just does not suit or help your child? This week we talk to the enlightening Dr. Naomi Fisher, psychiatrist and author of A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education, about how to think about educating and parenting our neurodiverse children differently.   Dr. Fisher shares her expertise on the detrimental eff...

Episode 26 Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by the abundance of parenting advice out there? Sometimes, it can feel like you're drowning in a sea of conflicting opinions. Join me as I chat with Dr. Maryhan, a world-renowned parenting expert and psychologist, about how to navigate these murky waters and find the advice that truly fits your unique family dynamic. We are such fans of Dr M...

Episode 25 Have you ever wondered how play therapy can have a life-changing impact on children's mental health? Join us in a riveting conversation with Anna Hodgson, Captain of ClearSky, and Becky Hill, Head of Therapeutic Thinking, as we uncover the secrets of play therapy and creative therapy for children aged 3 to 18. Discover how ClearSky's work in primary schools leads to outstandin...

Episode 24 In this episode we will be joined by Tamsyn Hendry, who takes us through her top 10 parenting tips for parenting a neurodivergent child. Tamsyn runs a Montessori nursery school and works as a consultant, offering advice and support to other SEND parents. Tamsyn's wealth of practical knowledge comes not only from her earlier professional career as a SENCO, but also from her own expe...

Episode 23 This episode is part two of a two part series in which we speak with Ellie Costello, Director of the Square Pegs charity and author of the book 'Square Pegs: Inclusivity, Compassion and Fitting In - a Guide for Schools'.  Starting where we left off last week, we delve into school-based anxiety in children and the woefully ill-equipped interventions that schools are currently i...

Episode 22 This episode is part one of a two part series in which we speak with Ellie Costello, Director of the Square Pegs charity and author of the book 'Square Pegs: Inclusivity, Compassion and Fitting In - a Guide for Schools'.  In this episode, we discuss the impact of UK politics and economics on the care of SEND children and their families through the lens of Ellie's journey...

Episode 21 In this episode we speak with Craig Henderson, the brilliant Bolton-based barber who is dedicated to making haircuts accessible to all neurodiverse children. He tells us about what lead him to this specialisation and also gives us some of his top tips on how to navigate grooming with your child at home. Craig's patience, kindness and dedication to addressing his client's needs...