The Autism Mums Podcast

In this week’s encore episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, Victoria reveals the emotional journey of her son’s autism diagnosis. She reflects on the early signs that were often misunderstood and the battles faced in educational settings, culminating in the significant moment of receiving an official diagnosis. As one of our most popular episodes, we wanted to share this again as there are so many o...

In this week’s encore episode of The Autism Mums Podcast , we are revisiting our look into the journey toward an autism diagnosis. Natalie opens up about her experiences with her son, reflecting on the subtle early signs and the drawn-out process of seeking support. Key Takeaways Early signs aren't always obvious: It's common to realize things only in hindsight. Not all settings impact children th...

In this week’s encore episode of The Autism Mums Podcast , join us as we navigate the complex landscape of anxiety in autistic children. We share our personal insights and experiences, exploring the diverse ways anxiety can manifest, including meltdowns, shutdowns, and sensory overloads. Whether you're early on in your autism journey or navigating school-age challenges, this episode offers reassur...

In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast , we welcome back Carl Draper for part two of our conversation. In the first part, Carl shares his personal experiences as a parent, how his understanding of behaviour has changed over time, and why unmet needs and stress responses are so often misunderstood. In this second part, Carl reflects on the challenges we can’t always predict or prevent, t...

In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast , we welcome back Carl Draper for part one of a two-part conversation. His last episode, learning to hear a child who doesn't speak, sparked so many questions from listeners, that we invited Carl back to talk more about the topic of challenging behaviours and autism. In this first part, Carl shares his personal experiences as a parent, how his unde...

In today’s episode, of The Autism Mums Podcast, Victoria is hosting solo as Nat is home with an unwell little one. She’s joined by the wonderful Carla Wainwright, a Holistic Wellness Coach and Relationship Transformation specialist who supports parents and couples navigating the stress, overwhelm, and emotional load that can come when a child’s health or development needs extra support. Carla Wain...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast  we're talking about something that many families find really tough, the Christmas season. It's a time that's meant to feel magical, but for many of our autistic children, it can actually be really overwhelming, unpredictable, and stressful. Key Takeaways Understanding Christmas Overwhelm : Many autistic children find the Christmas season stressful...

Toileting challenges can feel overwhelming for parents of neurodivergent children, especially when withholding, accidents, or anxiety become part of everyday life. In this episode, we’re joined by the compassionate and highly experienced Charmaine Champ, who brings over 30 years of professional and lived experience to help families understand what’s really happening inside their child’s body. Char...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Karen Mason to the show. Biography Karen Mason grew up in Hertfordshire with five brothers and built a 35-year career with Bourne Leisure, one of the UK’s leading holiday park operators. Alongside her professional journey, she supported three neurodivergent family members and cared for her father through dementia. These personal experien...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast reflect on attending the peaceful protest Every Pair Tells a Story , led by The SEND Sanctuary. Key Takeaways The Every Pair Tells a Story protest shone a light on thousands of children across the UK who have been left without the education or support they deserve. Each pair of shoes represented a child and the pain, resilience, and determination o...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we discuss the challenges faced by parents navigating the waiting period for their child's autism diagnosis. We explore strategies for gathering evidence, advocating for support, and managing the differences in behaviour between home and school settings. With practical tips and personal insights, we aim to empower parents to take proactive steps d...

In this 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 Chatelaine. She has app...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Greer Jones to the show. Biography Greer Jones is a speaker, writer, and podcast host passionate about building understanding and connection in the neurodiverse world. As a mom raising an autistic and ADHD child, and part of a neurodivergent couple herself, she brings honesty, empathy, and lived experience to her work. She is the creator...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're reflecting on the Panorama documentary, EHCPs and everyday struggles from socks to lunch boxes. Key Takeaways The reality behind EHCPs – why the process can be emotionally draining, time-consuming, and often leaves families feeling powerless. When inclusion isn’t inclusion – the difference between being in school and actually being supported...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Talia Zamora to the show. Biography Talia Zamora, Award-Winning Coach and bestselling co-author, encourages and uplifts women from Neurodivergent families who are struggling to find balance, clarity, and direction through bespoke one-to-one coaching. With a supportive, accepting, and inclusive approach, she helps clients reconnect with t...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Kimberley Guche to the show. Kim explains how our children read our inner signals (even when we’re 'holding it together), why we can’t think our way out of overwhelm and the simple, compassionate resets that help us move from chaos to calm. Kimberley's Biography Kim Guche is a pediatric speech-language pathologist, certified hypnotherapi...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast  we wanted to share with you our experiences of attending the fight for Ordinary Send Rally at Parliament Square Gardens in London last Monday, the 15th September. Key Takeaways Community Support: The rally highlighted the importance of community and connection among parents and advocates in the SEND space, fostering a sense of solidarity. The Impo...

In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we talk openly about what happens when eating stops feeling simple and starts feeling scary. We unpack ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and explore how it differs from 'picky eating, sharing our real-life experiences. Key Takeaways Identical packaging and familiar brands can build trust. Safe foods can be very limited, for some ch...

In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re talking about the UK Government's proposed SEND reforms and what they might mean for families like ours. Key Takeaways Understanding EHCPs : An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is a legal document that outlines a child's special educational needs and the necessary support for their educational journey. Rising Demand : The number of EHC...

In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re talking about the big transition back to school after the summer holidays. Key Takeaways Early signs of school anxiety often show up in unexpected ways, like food refusal or “I’m not going back” language. Preparation can be supportive—but too much talk or change too far in advance can fuel anxiety instead. Creating “worry boundaries” helps k...

We're so grateful this week to be joined by Kate Lynch. Kate is a somatic mindfulness coach dedicated to creating a kinder, more inclusive future for all families. Since 2002, she has supported thousands of parents around the world with mindfulness, self-compassion, and somatic movement, helping them avoid burnout while raising their neurodivergent children. Kate shares some really valuable insigh...

In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re diving into the reality of summer holidays when your autistic child thrives on school routine. Natalie shares how her son, who has been doing brilliantly during term time, has found the transition to the long break unexpectedly tough - from meltdowns and aggressive behaviours to disrupted sleep during a melatonin break. We talk about pacing...

We're joined by a really special guest this week, Tanya Kemp. Tanya is a registered counsellor and parent consultant specialising in neurodiversity trauma and the parent Child Connection. Tanya's own journey has equipped her with unique insights on supporting autistic children. Biography Tanya Kemp is a registered counsellor and parent consultant, specialising in neurodiversity, trauma, and parent...

In this episode of The Autism Mums Podcast , Victoria and Natalie share how they navigated their dad’s 80th birthday, which included family gatherings that came with lots of excitement, and its fair share of sensory challenges. If family events sometimes leave you feeling anxious or wondering if it’s even worth the effort, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways How preparing in advance can ease an...

In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast , we’re exploring the powerful connection between nutrition and wellbeing with the incredibly insightful Lisa Katz, mum, nutritional practitioner, and passionate advocate for holistic autism support. Biography Lisa Katz is a passionate advocate, devoted mum, and inspirational voice for families navigating the unique journey of severe Autism. As the...