The Autism Mums Podcast

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast Victoria and Natalie open up about the often-overlooked challenges that school holidays bring for families of autistic children. While many look forward to summer as a time to unwind, for SEND families, it can mean disrupted routines, inaccessible childcare, and emotional overload for both children and parents. Key Takeaways The change in routine o...

In this episode we’re joined by 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 sleep plans to sensory considerations, this conversation is packed with valuable information to help...

In this inspiring episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re joined by Mark Fleming, an autistic fitness coach and founder of a fitness brand dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals. Mark shares how sport and movement helped him regulate his own system growing up and how he now empowers others through exercise. From working with Special Olympics athletes to seeing remarkable transformati...

 This week we are discussing Jamie Oliver's Channel four documentary Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution. We found this programme hugely impactful and we felt compelled to discuss the critical issues it raises about dyslexia, the shortcomings of our education system and how it affects neurodivergent children. Key Takeaways Dyslexia as a Brain Difference : Understanding that dyslexia is a brain difference...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome, Claire Grayshan, business coach and mother to three neurodivergent children to the show. Claire opens up about her journey to receiving both an autism and ADHD diagnosis later in life, how it transformed her parenting and why recognising your strengths can be the key to building a life that truly works for you. Biography Claire is a lat...

 Today we're exploring a topic that many parents of autistic children can relate to: Sleep struggles. We'll explore the challenges surrounding sleepless nights. We are sharing our personal experiences and discussing strategies that have helped us navigate this exhausting journey. Key Takeaways Common Sleep Struggles : Many parents of autistic children face significant sleep challenges, often exace...

In this week’s 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 Takeaways Keeping...

In this week's 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. Importance of Flexibility : Th...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Whitney Price, founder of Unpuzzled Parents Connect, to the show. Whitney shares the emotional and financial struggles she and her husband faced navigating early signs of autism with their son, Connor, the pandemic’s impact on access to services, and the turning point that led her to create a vital support network for families like hers....

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Carl Draper, student mental health nurse, award-winning photographer and father to Bodhi, an autistic child with a powerful story. Carl opens up about the early signs of autism in his son, facing expulsion from nursery on day one and the intense stress of parenting a non-verbal child with little sleep or support. He shares how a pivotal...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast Victoria and Natalie dive in to the topic of anxiety in autistic children. Drawing from their personal experiences as mums of autistic boys, they explore the many ways anxiety can present itself - from meltdowns and shutdowns to avoidance, ritualistic behaviour, physical symptoms, and anger. They offer a compassionate look at how anxiety impacts da...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, Victoria and Natalie dive into the unique challenges of raising a child with a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile. They share personal stories, strategies, and reflections to help parents and caregivers better understand and support their children navigating PDA-related behaviors. Key Takeaways PDA is driven by anxiety and a need for cont...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're talking 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: meditation, breathing space, and gentle r...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast 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 for us, they might...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast 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 binding support You don't need a f...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast Victoria opens up about her son's journey to an autism diagnosis. From the early signs that were missed, to the struggles at school, to the moment the diagnosis finally came. Key Takeaways Autism signs can often be masked or misunderstood, especially in young children. Building a support network of other parents is crucial. Professionals may miss s...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we dive deep into one of the most emotional milestones for parents: the journey toward an autism diagnosis. We share Natalie's story with her son, from the first signs that something was wrong at nursery to the long road of assessments and support. Key Takeaways Early signs aren't always obvious: It's common to realize things only in hindsight. Not...

Welcome to The Autism Mums Podcast — a space created for parents and carers navigating life with autistic children. We’re your hosts, Victoria and Natalie — two sisters raising autistic children ourselves. We understand the joys, the challenges, and the thousand tiny moments that no one else quite gets. In this podcast, we’ll bring you: Real talk about everyday life Shared strength from a supporti...