The Autism Mums Podcast

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome SEND dad and advocate, Ricky Du Plessis, to the show. Biography Ricky Du Plessis is a SEND dad, advocate and podcast host on a mission to support the parents and professionals who care for children with special needs in overcoming the associated chronic stress. His son has level-3 autism and an ongoing ARFID assessment, so he lives the c...

If your child is struggling to attend school, you might be wondering what the options are. In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome back Lauren Vermeulen from Victory-us to talk about EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At or In School). Biography Lauren is the founder of Victory-us, an independent SEND Teacher - supporting, empowering and providing EOTAS to send children. Lauren h...

If you've ever felt like your child's Education, Health and Care Plan isn't being properly implemented this episode is for you. In this episode, we're joined by specialist SEND teacher and advocate Lauren Vermeulen, founder of Victory-Us, to break down exactly what parents can do when a school isn't following an EHCP. Biography Lauren is the founder of Victory-us, an independent SEND Teacher - sup...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re talking about ADHD — what it is, how it’s diagnosed in the UK, the traits parents might notice, and how it can interact with autism in real life. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention regulation, impulse control and activity levels. But beyond the clinical definitions from th...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're going back to basics and talking about what autism actually is. We cover what autism is and what it isn't, why the word 'spectrum' is so widely misunderstood, and what it can feel like to hear that word applied to your child for the first time. We also get into some of the phrases that drive every autism parent quietly up the wall and why the...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're talking about the proposed SEND Reforms 2026 and what they could mean for families across the UK. The Government says the changes aim to make mainstream schools more inclusive, reduce EHCP numbers, and introduce new “layers” of support but many parents are concerned about what this could mean for legal protections, specialist provision, and a...

Puberty is a long season of change and for neurodivergent children, that can feel especially overwhelming. In this episode, Victoria and Natalie are joined by Cath Hakanson, sex educator and founder of Sex Ed Rescue, who shares practical, reassuring guidance on talking to autistic and ADHD kids about puberty, bodies, and growing up. Cath is late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD herself, and brings both...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast Natalie is joined by psychotherapist, author and former NHS specialist nurse Caroline Sutton to talk about Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and why so many neurodivergent children experience school as overwhelming or unsafe. When a child can’t go to school, it’s rarely about defiance. Caroline shares over 37 years of professional experienc...

Sensory differences affect up to 95% of autistic people, yet they’re often misunderstood as “fussy” behaviour or being dramatic. In this episode, we break down what sensory processing really is. Key Takeaways The 8 sensory systems (not just the 5 you learned at school) Hypersensitivity vs hyposensitivity Sensory defensiveness Why supermarkets, lunch halls, hand dryers and clothing can feel unbeara...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're talking about what to do when your child is struggling and support feels a long way off. We talk honestly about what it feels like when things start to break down before any formal support is in place, and share the practical things that actually helped us and our children during that difficult waiting period. Key Takeaways You are not alone...

In this episode, Natalie and Victoria talk about raising siblings who have different needs. Key Takeaways How sibling dynamics shift over time, especially as children reach their teens The unique challenges that come with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) in sibling relationships Why it's important to let siblings just be siblings, rather than stepping into a co-parenting role Sensory clashes be...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're returning to the subject of PDA, or Pathological Demand Avoidance. PDA is a profile of autism where the standout feature is demand avoidance - and the behaviours that come with it are often misunderstood, dismissed as naughtiness or stubbornness. We're drawing on guidance from the PDA Society alongside our own lived experience to help you und...

In this 'in case you missed it' episode Victoria and Natalie chat with Julie Green, author of Motherness, to explore the realities of parenting through autism both as a mum to an autistic son and as a woman who discovered her own autism later in life. Biography Julie M. Green is a Canadian writer whose work has been featured in the Washington Post, HuffPost, The Globe and Mail, Today’s Parent, and...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're talking about travelling with autistic children. Whether it's a one night stay, a weekend with grandparents, or a long holiday. Trips that other families might find routine can involve a huge amount of planning, uncertainty, and sensory challenges - different beds and pillows, unfamiliar food, noisy or crowded spaces, and even hidden safety h...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we’re talking about autistic burnout. We share our personal experiences of supporting our children through burnout, from shutdowns and sensory overwhelm to emotional exhaustion and withdrawal. We also open up about how life events (including unexpected changes and disruptions to routine) can tip the balance and lead to burnout. We explore what auti...

In this episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we’re tackling a small daily chore that can become a huge battleground — teeth, toothpaste and trips to the dentist. Using our own stories, we explore why toothbrushing can be so difficult for autistic children: the sensory overload, the disruption of routine, strong reactions to flavors and textures, and how a wobbly tooth or a filling can turn a familia...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast Victoria and Natalie talk about how relationships can shift when your family begins navigating autism, even before a diagnosis is confirmed. As priorities change and the reality of advocating for your child sets in, friendships can evolve, strengthen, or sometimes drift apart. Key Takeaways Raising an autistic child can reshape your priorities and...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Paul Mosson, CEO of the Cost Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB) to the show. Paul identifies as a gay man with ADHD and advocates for inclusive and safe environments where individuals can turn up as their true selves confidently and without fear. Biography Paul (he/him/his) is CEO of the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB), the organisation r...

We wanted to return to the subject of sleep struggles as this is something that touches many of us. We’re joined by the fabulous Maria Moreno, a paediatric sleep consultant and motherhood life coach. With her wealth of experience, Maria shares insights on the unique sleep struggles faced by autistic children and offers practical advice for parents navigating these challenges. From personalised sle...

In this week’s re-released episode of The Autism Mums Podcast , we’re talking about something that so many families raising autistic children will recognise - the exhausting and often disheartening process of dealing with the local authority. This episode is an honest look at how hard it can be to get what your child needs and how important it is to stay organised, persistent and strong. Key Takea...

We're returning to the archives for this episode of The Autism Mums Podcast. We're talking about some of the real challenges families face with the current education system, especially when it comes to supporting autistic children. Key Takeaways Outdated Education System : The current education system is often rigid and not designed to accommodate the diverse needs of neurodivergent children. Impo...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're returning to our earlier episode where we talk about ways to look after yourself when your child is having a tough day. Key Takeaways How supporting our children with their emotions can leave us feeling completely drained. Common mistakes we’ve made when trying to "push through" a tough day. Simple ways we try to carve out moments of calm: me...

We're re-releasing another episode from the archives this week where we talk about the practical ways we can help our autistic children with daily life. We’re sharing some of the things that have helped us make daily life a bit easier with our autistic children. From using timers and visual timetables to experimenting with tooth brushes and finding softer clothing. These are ideas that have worked...

Another episode from the archives this week. We're returning to our episode where we dive into the unique challenges of raising a child with a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile. We're sharing our personal stories, strategies, and reflections to help parents and caregivers better understand and support their children navigating PDA-related behaviours. Key Takeaways PDA is driven by anxiet...

We're returning to the archives again this week to our episode all about EHCP's. We’re talking about the journey to getting an EHCP - what it is, why it matters, and what the process looked like for our families. We’ll share the lessons we learned along the way with the hope that it helps you navigate the process and feel a little more prepared. Key Takeaways An EHCP can provide vital, legally bin...