The Sensational Kids Show

Exams are something that can be a real challenge for neurodiverse individuals, particularly those with ADHD. In this episode, Aniesa talks about this topic and the role exams currently play in schooling, education and our children's lives. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Those with ADHD may need different preparations for exams. What do exams prepare our children for, dealing with failure or stress? Are exams real...

Kerry is a Senco at a preschool and joins Aniesa in this episode to give some insight into her role including why relationships with the child and families are so important and the tremendous value in getting support in at the early years stage for children with special educational needs. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Part of Kerry’s role is to look for earlier identifiers of children who may have additional nee...

A few difficult weeks including a bereavement has meant that Aniesa has been reflecting on the relationships in her life, recognising the people that validate her emotions and feelings and that we all need to be doing this for young people in our care too. KEY TAKEAWAYS  We need to validate and acknowledge when kids are struggling, allowing them to feel seen. Simply by saying we know something is...

In this episode, Aniesa wants to talk about the lengths we all go to in order to fit in. Everyone, regardless of whether they are neurodiverse or neurotypical mask to some extent in order to fit in and Aniesa talks about why she thinks this may be. KEY TAKEAWAYS  There are countless examples of us all trying to fit in, from styling our clothes to putting on a smile at a job we hate. There are thin...

Chantal is a mum of four children, all of whom are neurodiverse. Chantal joins Aniesa to talk about life with multiple children with additional needs, including seeking a diagnosis, coping with the mental health implications and how to advocate for your neurodiverse child, especially when you aren’t believed by professionals. Chantal also opens up about receiving her own diagnosis and the impact t...

It can be a challenge being on holiday with our children and in this episode, Aniesa reminisces about some of the frustrating as well as funny things her children have complained about and how sometimes, kids are annoying! KEY TAKEAWAYS  We can easily forget the frustrating things our children do when they no longer live with us or when we are spending more time with them. Sometimes children just...

Decision-making isn’t always easy, particularly when we are presented with too many choices. It can lead to stress, exhaustion and even depression. In this episode, Aniesa talks about the impact of having choice overload and what we can do to either prevent it from happening or to minimise its effects. KEY TAKEAWAYS  We can mistakenly think having more choices is better but as humans, we find it m...

This is an interview episode with Aniesa Ally, whom Aniesa has known her entire life! Aniesa talks to Aniesa all about Biodanza, what it is and why she has such a passion for it. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Biodanza is a personal development modality that uses music and movement. It was developed back in the 60s and was founded upon humans engaging with each other on an instinctual level through music and move...

In this episode, Aniesa wants to talk about how we can teach children to lose and how to teach them to do that in the right way, exploring the best techniques and methods to help them build resilience and skills for the future. KEY TAKEAWAYS  It isn’t easy for children to lose but teaching them to do so gracefully is helping set them up to build resilience. The best way to teach children how to lo...

In this week's episode, Aniesa talks about trust. Why whether you have or don't have trust has such a big impact on how happy and content with life you are. That is why it is important that you talk to kids about trust, define it, and help them to learn to trust others and be trustworthy themselves. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Being able to trust people is important, it plays a big role in how happy and conten...

Content Warning: Those who have experienced trauma and gaslighting should listen with caution.  For this episode, Aniesa returns once again to the subject of gaslighting. This time looking at how children can do it to their parents, either deliberately or unconsciously. She provides examples to help you to recognise the signs and explains how to tackle this issue effectively. KEY TAKEAWAYS  The si...

Content Warning: Those who have experienced trauma and gaslighting should listen with caution. Aniesa hasn’t always recognised parental gaslighting but has discovered that it is something that is more common than many of us realise and can even come from a place of misguided care. In this episode, Aniesa explores the role of gaslighting in parenting, how it frequently occurs, how to recognise it a...

There have been many difficult news stories over the past couple of weeks which has made Aniesa consider the best ways to talk to our children about these types of subjects. In this episode, Aniesa gives some strategies for helping adults talk to children appropriately and compassionately about difficult topics. KEY TAKEAWAYS  The right approach to explaining difficult topics can make all the diff...

In this episode, Aniesa gives a few short and simple tips for getting your child to take medication, this will be particularly helpful if you have a child who has difficulties with sensory activities.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  Use a visual schedule that shows the steps involved in taking their medication, including when and how much. Try offering choices: it is really beneficial to give children who struggl...

Self-advocacy is the act of speaking up for oneself and expressing one's needs, but how can we teach our kids, especially those who are neurodiverse, to self-advocate? In this episode, Aniesa gives practical ways you can start to teach your child this essential skill in life to help empower and build confidence within themselves. KEY TAKEAWAYS It can be particularly challenging for those who are n...

In this episode, Aniesa discusses two parenting styles that have been up for big debate in the past few years: helicopter parenting and free-range parenting. Aniesa explores what these approaches to child raising are, the advantages and disadvantages to both, giving a balanced view of these parenting styles and also talks about why any parenting is never just about the child.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Helic...

As Aniesa observes children at play on her trip to Johannesburg, she asks the question, “How often do your children play barefoot?” KEY TAKEAWAYS  When children spend more of their time barefoot, they generally have much better balance and coordination. Being barefoot builds stronger foot muscles. Wearing shoes can compress the foot arch, leading to flat feet. Children who spend much of their time...

In this week’s episode, Aniesa explores after-school clubs and how pushing kids to partake in extracurricular activities can cause burnout, stress, and feelings of inadequacy for all involved. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Many parents feel they need to push their children into participating in after-school clubs to help them socialise and prepare them for new experiences. However, this can often cause stress an...

In today’s episode, Aniesa discusses how you can help children set realistic and achievable goals. KEY TAKEAWAYS It’s never too early to start teaching your children how to set goals. Make goal-setting a habit and lead by example by making them part of your daily, weekly, or monthly routines. Set SMART - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound - goals to increase their chance of...

It’s the last show of 2022! Save yourself from festive burnout with Aniesa’s tips to get you through the holiday season. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Plan time to rest, to sit in your pyjamas and do nothing. You know yourself and your family best, so plan to ensure everyone gets the time off they need. Take a moment every day to get outside, even if it’s just to stand in your garden, and find time to go for a w...

Rest is more than simply taking a nap. In today’s episode, Aniesa discusses the six types of rest and how you can relax and recharge without having to close your eyes to sleep. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Mental rest: when you feel like there’s too much going on and you need a break, find a simple task you can do to give yourself a mental rest. Sensory rest: bright lights, groups of people, and loud music can...

In this week’s episode, Aniesa discusses ‘Christmas Overwhelm’ and how the festive season can affect our routine and mental health. The next few weeks can be exhausting for many, so take the time to set boundaries and expectations, and find ways to regulate and relax. KEY TAKEAWAYS  The Christmas season can become overwhelming, especially in a school, with the change in routine, rehearsals, singin...

Following on from last week’s discussion about masking, Aniesa describes the symptoms and causes of burnout, both in neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals and what we can do to understand and support those who are suffering. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Masking, covered in last week’s episode, often goes hand in hand with burnout. Fatigue, headaches, dissatisfaction, dietary changes, and issues with sleep...

This week, Aniesa discusses masking - what it means, how it’s used as a coping mechanism, and the effects it can have on neurodivergent adults and children. KEY TAKEAWAYS Neurodivergent adults and children, such as those with autism, or ADHD, may be inclined to hide aspects of their true selves. This is called ‘masking’. Masking is used as a survival tool, as a way of protecting one's self from di...

In this week’s episode, Aniesa discusses Spoon Theory, first coined by Christine Miserandino, and how energy levels in neurodivergent people can be affected differently and what can be done to help manage them. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Christine Miserandino first coined Spoon Theory when describing her chronic illness to a friend, using physical spoons as a unit of energy. For each activity her friend liste...