Sooo waffly… ;-) I meant to tell you about our Easter Holiday experience… but kind of went off on a tangent (as usual). For the first time, we managed to have some lovely experiences as a family, and I am so proud of our children, and ourselves, for everything we have put in to get to this point. I know some people will have had a really tough time…we certainly have in the past…but I wanted to share that despite the challenges, the way we have adapted our parenting to meet our children where they are…really is the best approach.

Easter Holidays 

This is a quick recording on the back of a discussion we had about looking deeper…and looking for the why…with regard to how people present at surface level. We also share a few updates and reflections. (If you want to read more about learning disabilities, I found this link helpful: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/fa/node/1955 “a learning disability constitutes a condition which affects learning and intelligence across all areas of life, whereas a learning difficulty constitutes a condition which creates an obstacle to a specific form of learning, but does not affect the overall IQ of an individual.” I think people often confuse the two. (And it has been bought to my attention that the definition for this is different globally…so research your area). Because my son can talk, and access some learning with a great deal of support, his learning difficulties are overlooked.)

This is a quick recording on the back of a discussion we had about looking deeper…and looking for the why…with regard to how people present at surface level. We also share a few updates and reflections. (If you want to read more about learning disabilities, I found this link helpful: <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/fa/node/1955" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/fa/node/1955</a> “a learning disability constitutes a condition which affects learning and intelligence across all areas of life, whereas a learning difficulty constitutes a condition which creates an obstacle to a specific form of learning, but does not affect the overall IQ of an individual.” I think people often confuse the two. (And it has been bought to my attention that the definition for this is different globally…so research your area). Because my son can talk, and access some learning with a great deal of support, his learning difficulties are overlooked.)

Looking for the Why!

This is just a little update on how things are going with the children, as well as a few reflections on parenting, school and PDA.

Just a little Update

This is another very disjointed conversation, mainly because I had to keep editing out names and a few incidents between the children, but as always, feel free to have a listen.

Chatting with my Youngest

So this should have been called ‘attempted chat with my eldest’. My eldest child is not conversational, is very easily distracted and often talks over you. I think there is evidence of the three of us doing that here though… ;-) The sound quality is poor, but tune in if you fancy listening to us attempting to have a conversation.

Chatting with my Eldest

If you have some time on your hands and fancy listening to me waffle about having it together…or not… then feel free to tune in!

Have I Got It Together? 

This is a very quick reflection on the Disney film, Turning Red. It’s pretty quick…for me… ;-) There may be more to follow… but then again, there may not… I would love to know your thoughts on the film. Have you watched it? Did you think it was appropriate for children? Did you enjoy it? What were your thoughts overall?

Turning Red

This podcast covers some of my experiences as a late diagnosed autistic, exploring my feelings over how things might have been different had I known I was Neurodivergent.

Being a Late Diagnosed Autistic

This episode discusses some of my experiences with doctors and medical professionals, explaining why I feel anxious about making and attending appointments. I feel it is important that doctors have autism (Neurodiversity) on their radar, and try to treat people with compassion…rather than labelling people as hypochondriacs and denying them the support they need.

Medical Gaslighting

Trigger Warning: Depression. In this episode, (that I say is quick…but winds up not being so) I vent about the challenges we have in our lives, and how these things can impact on our relationships and mental health. Please note, this is a deep and pretty depressing recording…

Mental Health

This podcast will cover a plethora of topics and has been created as a space to celebrate Neurodiversity. It is also a place where we can embrace our Neurodivergence, and unapologetically be ourselves. We are quite political and forthcoming with our opinions. You don’t have to agree with them, but they will be presented here, often quite passionately. Warning: Explicit language may be present in some recordings. Season 1 includes ‘off the cuff recordings’, rather than planned discussions, so they are a little more ‘raw’.

Some people believe that when children aren’t at school, they are at home, doing nothing. And some feel parents are responsible. This does not take in to account the plethora of reasons why children do not attend school, and what a responsibility this places on parents. Somehow, as we went off on a little tangent, I didn’t cover how our child is progressing since being at home… and how our PDAers often thrive when their learning is self and interest led. There is still so much more to say… but we have covered why many children aren’t in school and how the system needs to change!

Why Aren’t All Children In School? (Flaws With The System)

This discussion was triggered by a post from Joe James the Autistic Photographer, explaining how 2-5 is too young to deem an individual as non-verbal. We then went on to discuss how our autistic children develop differently, and are often underestimated. Many professionals ‘write off’ our children, and we feel that in some cases, so much untapped potential is wasted.

Don’t Write Off Our Autistic Children

I was feeling triggered after reading some reports about my eldest child. I will admit, this podcast might present as an incoherent rant, but essentially, I want to communicate how much my son has been let down…and how so many families have been let down. Our system is baffling and in great need of change. How can it be justified that a child who needs such high levels of support has been denied educational, health and social interventions? How many children and families are experiencing the same issues? You need a diagnosis to be considered for specialist provision (and it might not even be adequate), but diagnosis is inaccessible to so many people. Please don’t be afraid to reach out if you are going through the same challenges. It’s emotionally draining and so exhausting. (Apparently I referred to being in 2020 when it is clearly still 2021…just. I meant that when the professional looked at me blankly when I mentioned PDA…it was 2020. Also, the EHCP assessment was applied for in 2020…so it is shocking that in that time, no real efforts have been made to adequately assess and get to know my child.)

Feeling Triggered

This ‘episode’ covers my reflections on what people expect from you, and the impact this can have. In this context, it is in relation to juggling the raising of children, which in my case are children with SEND, and keeping the house together. This topic could be extended into other areas such as the workplace…

Expectations

This is a commentary, with sadly poor audio, about the BBC show Don’t Exclude Me. I have the show on in the background… it might be worth you bringing the show up on your screen so you can follow the events as I speak about them. (At one point I express a boy has £10 in his shoe… I meant bag… I don’t know why I said shoe…)

Don’t Exclude Me Episode 1 

Here we discuss the terms low and high functioning. What started out as a balanced conversation about the terms, admittedly wound up becoming a conversation about the ‘high functioning’ experience. We didn’t intend for the conversation to take this direction, but we hope you can relate to some of the topics we explore. With regard to the terminology, high and low functioning, we express that we feel the terms are inadequate. During the talk, we reference the following: Why everything you know about autism is wrong: Jac den shouting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1AUdaH-EPMEvil Bald Genius: https://unapologeticallyautistic.com/high-functioning-autismLevels of Support: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-high-functioning-autism-5198358https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/50/contents I like to be honest, and I have to confess, I am unwell…and was speaking faster than usual. I didn’t know that was possible either… 😂 Sorry to my husband, who struggled to get a word in.We may need to record a follow up actually dealing with the main issue we intended to cover. Get in touch if there is anything you would like to add...

Here we discuss the terms low and high functioning. What started out as a balanced conversation about the terms, admittedly wound up becoming a conversation about the ‘high functioning’ experience. We didn’t intend for the conversation to take this direction, but we hope you can relate to some of the topics we explore. With regard to the terminology, high and low functioning, we express that we feel the terms are inadequate. During the talk, we reference the following:  Why everything you know about autism is wrong: Jac den shouting <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1AUdaH-EPM" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1AUdaH-EPM</a> Evil Bald Genius: <a href="https://unapologeticallyautistic.com/high-functioning-autism" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://unapologeticallyautistic.com/high-functioning-autism</a> Levels of Support: <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-high-functioning-autism-5198358" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-high-functioning-autism-5198358</a><a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/50/contents" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/50/contents</a>  I like to be honest, and I have to confess, I am unwell…and was speaking faster than usual. I didn’t know that was possible either… 😂 Sorry to my husband, who struggled to get a word in. We may need to record a follow up actually dealing with the main issue we intended to cover. Get in touch if there is anything you would like to add...

Functioning Labels 

This episode addresses the viral post we shared about Doom Boxes. It explores executive dysfunction, neurodiversity and co-existing conditions. During the podcast, I state that executive dysfunction can be ‘caused’ by autism, adhd etc… I couldn’t neatly edit this part out, so I wanted to clarify that what I meant was, executive dysfunction can be experienced by people with adhd, autism, ptsd, and other conditions. It is not exclusive to ADHD. Regarding cause, online sources such as additudemag.com do express that it can be the result of heredity, such as ADHD, but they can also result from damage to the prefrontal cortex, in vitro exposure to substance use, trauma or severe neglect. With this in mind, it might not be far-fetched to suggest that other conditions such as autism, and the way the brain is wired, is responsible for executive function issues, but I worded this very badly in the podcast. I have my own processing issues, and sadly this was one of those times. We hope you enjoy the podcast, and relate to the content.

This episode addresses the viral post we shared about Doom Boxes. It explores executive dysfunction, neurodiversity and co-existing conditions. During the podcast, I state that executive dysfunction can be ‘caused’ by autism, adhd etc… I couldn’t neatly edit this part out, so I wanted to clarify that what I meant was, executive dysfunction can be experienced by people with adhd, autism, ptsd, and other conditions. It is not exclusive to ADHD. Regarding cause, online sources such as <a href="http://additudemag.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">additudemag.com</a> do express that it can be the result of heredity, such as ADHD, but they can also result from damage to the prefrontal cortex, in vitro exposure to substance use, trauma or severe neglect. With this in mind, it might not be far-fetched to suggest that other conditions such as autism, and the way the brain is wired, is responsible for executive function issues, but I worded this very badly in the podcast. I have my own processing issues, and sadly this was one of those times. We hope you enjoy the podcast, and relate to the content.

The Temple of Doom Boxes

This is a (kind of waffly) reflection on schools, acknowledging that not all are equal.

Mainstream School vs Specialist Provision 

This episode covers my communication difficulties, as well as how I am deemed to be ‘high functioning’, quite wrongfully in some situations. It briefly explores masking as well.

Communication 

This was just a quick recording to confirm my personal stance on ABA.

Quick ABA Follow Up

This podcast will cover a plethora of topics and has been created as a space to celebrate Neurodiversity. It is also a place where we can embrace our Neurodivergence, and unapologetically be ourselves. We are quite political and forthcoming with our opinions. You don’t have to agree with them, but they will be presented here, often quite passionately. Warning: Explicit language may be present in some recordings. Season 1 includes ‘off the cuff recordings’, rather than planned discussions, so they are a little more ‘raw’.

Our Neurodivergent Life

The best podcast episodes about true crime. For any thrill seeking podcast listeners who just can't get enough of the captivating stories of murderers and criminals. This topic has all the best episodes from many different true crime podcasts.  Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best True Crime Podcasts

The best podcasts on investing. For anyone interested in the stories in the investing industry, whether it's an interview with Ray Dalio or Ed Thorp to the writer of The Big Short. This topic includes the most fascinating stories from all the best investors. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!