SEND Parenting Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Episode 89

Unlock the tools to revolutionize neurodiverse education with our special guest, Davy Jones from OpenGenius. This episode unpacks how Ayoa, an AI-powered mind mapping, planning, and time management app, transforms the way neurodiverse individuals visualize projects, manage tasks, and collaborate. Listen as Davy reveals how Ayoa's features can break the barriers of linear thinking and boost dynamic problem-solving and decision-making.

Discover the real-life impact of assistive technology in education, especially for neurodiverse learners. We discuss the importance of proper training for both students and educators to fully leverage these tools. From personal anecdotes to expert insights, we highlight how AI and mind mapping can offer vital support to students with learning difficulties like dyslexia. Learn why schools need to adopt these innovations to enable all students to unlock their full creative potential.

Lastly, we explore the crucial transition to university life and how early access to assistive technology can make this shift smoother for students with disabilities. Davy shares essential tips for parents and educators, focusing on how Ayoa can enhance memory and productivity through creative mind mapping techniques. We also cover practical pathways for obtaining assistive technology support, whether through university assessments or workplace accommodations, ensuring a seamless academic journey for neurodiverse students. Don't miss out on understanding the powerful role of AI in unlocking educational success for all.

Link to AYOYA 

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Episode 88

Meet the secret weapon that will transform your parenting journey, especially if you're raising neurodiverse children. Join Dr. Olivia Kessel as she shares invaluable insights on the absolute necessity of self-care, particularly  during the high-stress holiday season. Drawing from personal anecdotes, Dr. Kessel explains how neglecting your own well-being can diminish your ability to effectively meet your child's needs. You'll walk away with practical tips for seamlessly integrating self-care into your daily routine, from prioritizing sleep to finding those precious small moments to recharge.

But that's not all—this episode also tackles the insidious impact of alcohol on stress and sleep, offering healthier alternatives like tapping, breathing exercises, and nature walks. As we gear up for a new school year, Dr. Kessel introduces innovative AI tools, like those from OpenGenius, which are designed to help neurodiverse children organize their thoughts and conquer academic challenges. Don't miss next week's deep dive into these AI solutions with a representative from OpenGenius. Tune in to ensure you and your family have a calm and successful start to the school year.

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Episode 79 

This week we are joined by the ADHD coach and advocate, Leanne Maskell to talk all about her journey to late diagnosis and thriving within ADHD. 

Through hearing about Leanne's struggles and journey to a late diagnosis at 25, we illuminate a lot of fascinating, lesser-discussed elements of ADHD like rejection-sensitive dysphoria, ADHD in girls, and the genuine mortal danger of late diagnosis.

Through her work in researching, writing, and educating about ADHD, Leanne shares with us how she has learnt to love and appreciate the true strengths of ADHD, and how it can lead to an authentic and individual life. She also shares practical advice in how to support and coach our ADHD children, and dealing with ADHD when combined with screens and the internet.

This episode promises a wealth of knowledge, empathy, and actionable steps for anyone affected by ADHD and is a must-listen for anyone with a child with ADHD.

www.sendparenting.com

Episode 78

Teaching our children to swim is a vital part of preparing our children for the wider world, but for neurodivergent children it can be an uphill struggle. How can we make the world of water can be friendly and safe for children who don't fit the typical mould?

This week we are joined Nicole Martin from Core Aquatics who has dedicated her career to create and teach inclusive swimming programs that cater to neurodiverse children. We talk about how such initiatives can drastically reduce the worrying statistics of drowning in children with autism, what an autism-friendly swimming pool looks like, candid advice on easing kids into the water, overcoming fears, building confidence, and discovering joy.

Nicole's story is one of adaptation and innovation, providing a beacon of hope for parents seeking the right swimming lessons for their unique little ones. We underscore the value of teaching about different water bodies, the creation of muscle memory for safety maneuvers, and how these skills go beyond the pool to oceans and lakes.

Nicole Martin is fundraising for Alex's Wish (justgiving.com) – Charity Wing Walk
Core Aquatics

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Episode 77

This week I am joined by Olly Stewart, a wonderful speech and language therapist from the Evolving Mind Clinic. This week we are diving into everything about speech and language therapy, what it is, how it works, how you can access it, and parenting tips and tricks from a speech and language perspective.

We dispel the notion that speech and language therapists (SALTs) are only concerned with stammers and lisps, and reveal the transformative role they can have in fostering communication skills vital for children's social development. Olly also shares some practical strategies to enhance children's verbal and non-verbal communication skills, setting the stage for their future success.

Olly's expertise shines a light on the current shortage of SALT professionals and the growing need for their services across diverse contexts, underscoring the collective responsibility to support the communication needs of future generations.

Click here for link to The Evolving Mind Clinic

www.sendparenting.com

Episode 76

Anxiety in general, but especially in young people and children, is on the rise. That's why I'm thrilled to bring you a conversation with the remarkable Nixon sisters, Emma and Laura, who are pioneering the way we support children grappling with anxiety in the classroom. Our dialogue sheds light on the complex factors contributing to this epidemic, highlighting the residual effects of the pandemic, the digital age, and lifestyle changes. But beyond diagnosing the problem, we're here to offer teachers and parents the tools they need, like the Emotional Freedom Technique, to not only manage but to transform the emotional wellbeing of our children.

We talk about teaching emotional awareness and regulation in our children when we are still learning it in ourselves, the importance of addressing anxiety and stress physically, not just mentally, and look at the toolkit they have created for addressing anxiety in schools like Flexit and the Connection Cone.

This is a vital conversation for anyone looking to equip the next generation with the emotional toolkit they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Join us in this enlightening journey toward a future where our children's mental health is not just preserved but flourished.

www.sendparenting.com

Episode 75

This week we are back with another bitesize recap episode, meaning that we are also joined by our fantastic co-host Tamsyn Hendry once more! This week we are having a summary discussion of Episode 35 with Emma Wildgoose on Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as "tapping".

This is honestly such a groundbreaking approach to helping our children emotionally regulate and I hope our discussion helps spread the word to more families! We talk how EFT blends Eastern acupressure and Western psychology to help us and our children label our feelings and handle stress and anxiety. We discuss how impactful parent emotions are on our children, talk about the applicability in our schools, and (as with every bitesize episode) share some stories from home.

Tune in, tap into emotional freedom, and watch the transformation unfold in your family's life!

www.sendparenting.com

Episode 74

This week we are joined by Amber Jayne, whose story of resilience from an abusive relationship and breast cancer to establishing a successful preschool unfolds in our latest episode.

We talk all about Amber's journey and the pivotal role of early childhood education and the empowerment it brings, not just to the children, but to mothers crafting their own entrepreneurial endeavors. We chart the course of nurturing from infancy to the brink of school age, and the transformative impact it holds. We also talk navigating screen time with young ones and how to choose the childcare that works for you, and top tips for starting childcare yourself.

We close the episode on a note of simplicity, reminding us all that amidst the cacophony of parenting advice, the simplest acts of love form the cornerstone of our children's well-being.

Click here for Amber's Website The loving start way

www.sendparenting.com

When my daughter Alexandra was diagnosed with ADHD, it challenged everything I thought I knew, both about the condition itself but also, and more importantly, parenting my child. Having dispelled and debunked all the myths and misinformation there is about ADHD online last week, this episode is a deep dive into the symptoms, issues, and solutions. I approach this subject from the lived experience as a mother to a daughter with ADHD and from a clinical perspective as a doctor. 

I deep dive into some of the lesser known ADHD symptoms (like emotional dysregulation), how they have presented and caused issues in our home life, and the accommodations we have made. I cover all kinds of changes we've made like medication, diet, visual aids, sleep hygiene, and school accommodation. I'm here to offer a roadmap of actionable strategies to bring a sense of hope to your family. 

Join me for an honest, informative session filled with the tools you need to support your neurodiverse child in a world that's just beginning to understand them.

www.sendparenting.com

Episode 72 

The myriad of myths swirling surrounding ADHD create needless barriers to help and support for neurodivergent children and their families. As a medical doctor, mother to a child with ADHD, and devoted advocate for neurodiversity, this week I am wading in to bust these harmful misinformed ideas. But unraveling these misconceptions is more than just myth-busting; it's a vital part of understanding and accepting the complexities of this condition.

I am covering statements like:
- ADHD is caused by bad parenting
- ADHD is caused by too much sugar
- ADHD medication is dangerous
- ADHD is being over diagnosed
- ADHD doesn't exist
- ADHD is just kids being fidgety 
- People with ADHD are dumber than neurotypical people

But I don't just leave it there, I also go into the science behind ADHD, how it functions, what causes it, and share my own family's experience with it. Understanding ADHD fullt is crucial for crafting strategies that support our children's successful transition to adulthood, and this episode is your guide to doing just that. Join me as we champion the journey of neurodivergent children towards a thriving future, armed with knowledge and empathy.

www.sendparenting.com