SEND Parenting Podcast

20th Episode of SEND Parenting podcast! In this episode, I share a candid personal update on my journey as a parent to my daughter Alexandra. I look back at all the incredible things that she has achieved against the odds, and I talk to her about her difficulties, struggles and triumphs (including writing the song 'Never Give Up', which we use as the intro to this podcast).  However, it&...

Episode 19: In this episode we will be speaking with Olivia Gordon author of 'The First Breath' about  her experience with her first child Joel, who was born prematurely at 32 weeks with a fetal condition that would effect the rest of his life: hydrops fetalis. This episode will resonate with all parents who have spent prolonged time on a neonatal ward and struggled to move beyond the li...

Episode 18 In this episode we will be joined by Rachael Horner who will explain what is an occupational therapist and how can they help your ND kids with activities of daily living in the home and at school. She will give us practical tips and advice looking at challenge with handwriting, attention and focus and personal care skills like getting dressed.  The key is to breaking down activities int...

Episode 17 In this episode we will be speaking with Kate Bodle, a SENCO and mother to three ND children. She will be sharing with us her top ten tips on how to make a classroom accessible for all children. Ignatio Estrada a 21st century educator said “ If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” Kate provides in this podcast simple and easy ways to chan...

Episode 16: School starts back on Monday and for many neurodiverse children this can lead to feelings of dread and anxiety and a desire not to ever go back to school. The child’s anxiety is often looked upon as the problem rather than looking at the potential that the school is not the right environment for the child.  In this episode we will speak Dr Naomi Fisher a clinical psychologist who speci...

Episode 15: It’s the Easter holidays and the kids are at home which can be very stressful for all parents but is particularly intense for parents of neurodiverse kids. If you are feeling the pressure this holiday season this is the episode for you to decompress and pick up some valuable tips to move forward and not feel so alone. In this episode we will be talking to Emma Salt author of Square Peg...

Episode 14: Have you wondered about the role of the SENCO (special education needs coordinator) at your school and how they can help support your child in school. In this episode we will be joined by Mrs Alexandra Foster, SENCO at The Unicorn. We will learn more about the role of SENCO, how to navigate working together as part of your child’s support team and their link with acquiring and implemen...

Episode 13: Has your child started struggling at school later in their childhood perhaps after moving school environment or starting secondary school? Or if your child has diagnosis and you have wondered if you are just like them? In this In this episode we will be joined by Heidi Mavir bestselling author of Your Child is not Broken.  She will share with us her journey of late discovery of an ASD/...

Episode 12: If you are wondering if you or your child has dyslexia or if you are struggling to get the right supports in place for their dyslexia in school this is the podcast for you. In this episode we will speaking with Andy Cook Chief Executive of the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity which provides holistic dyslexic support for  parents, children, teachers, employers and adults struggling in educ...

Episode 11: In this episode we will be speaking with Matt Davis about his autistic son Isaac. This candid chat from a dad’s perspective from diagnosis, education, to the positive power of social media and technology,  to letting go of football.  Matt takes us beyond the ASD label to the potential. Please check out Matt's blog and Isaac's YouTube  at www.mysonissac.net 📚 New Book — Out N...

Episode 10: We are celebrating the Tenth Episode of the SEND Parenting podcast with over 500 downloads!!!! Have you wondered why I started the SEND Parenting Podcast…well this episode reveals all….. In this episode, we are going to do things a little bit differently. Instead of having a guest on the show, I am going to interview myself and share with you a bit of my journey and how it led me to cr...

Episode 9: 50-60% of children with neurodiversity have a neurodiverse parent. In this episode we welcome Victoria, a dyslexic mother of twins. She shares with us her journey of discovery and realising that one of her daughters struggles mirrored her own life challenges. In this open and warm episode Victoria brings her personal experience alongside her knowledge as a dyslexic assessor.  📚 New Boo...

Episode 8: Does your child struggle with reading or writing? Technology may be able to provide a bridge for your child to overcome those struggles. In this episode Sallie Greenhalgh,  Academic and digital lead at the Unicorn School, will describe how Microsoft technology can break down the barriers to learning and empower children to reach their potential.   I am truly thankful as someone with neu...

Episode 7: Have you ever wondered if your child needs and EHCP or Educational Health Care Plan?  In this episode, we welcome back Adam Friel, partner and head of Education Law at Geldards. He will demystify whether your child can apply for an EHCP, what the first steps are, and provide valuable insights on how to navigate the barriers and challenges you will face with your local authority.  I real...

Have you ever wondered if your child needs an educational psychological assessment or what is an educational psychological assessment and how can it help your child, if have this is the podcast for you.  In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jemma Levy, educational and child psychologist who trained at the University College of London. She provides psychological support to children and young adult...

Episode 5: In this episode, we will be joined by Catherine working mom of three, who has kindly agreed to share with us her daughter's journey to eventual diagnosis of autism and ADHD. She will take us through how she felt when she first got confirmation of Coco's diagnosis, her experience of wondering why me? did I cause this? What does this mean for Coco's future? Will she be inde...

Episode 4: In this episode, we will be speaking with Dr. Natalie-Jane McDonald, gaining her perspective, knowledge, and expertise in advocating for  your child in the current education system.  Her breath of experience ranges from being a chief executive of Acorn Care and Education for children who have special education needs to working in the NHS to getting  MBE while raising three children. She...

Episode 3: Have you been struggling with the question of whether your child needs an educational health care plan (EHCP)? It was a question I struggled to answer for my daughter. In this episode, Adam Friel, partner and Head of Education Law at Geldards. He'll give us his unique lens on this question of whether your child needs an EHCP. He will share with us his personal journey as a dyslexic...

Episode 2: In this episode we are going to speak with Mr Andrew Day Head of the Unicorn School since 2015. The Unicorn is a specialist, independent day school for children  aged 7 to 16 years who have Specific Educational Needs. They offer both primary and secondary education including our GCSE programme. Mr. Day has a passion for supporting children who struggle at school.  His teaching career sp...

Welcome to the S.E.N.D. Parenting podcast focused on empowering and supporting parents and their neurodiverse children.  Dr Olivia Kessel, your neurodiverse host, will be interviewing experts and parents to understand how to navigate life with neurodiversity from diagnosis to education, to overcoming legal barriers, to utilizing technology, socialization, acceptance and much, much, more..  There i...