The NeuroDADverse is more than just a podcast, it’s a weekly therapy session between two long-time friends reconnecting through the shared highs and lows of neurodivergent parenthood.
Danny is raising a six-year-old, while Ben is navigating life with two teenagers. Between them, their lived experiences span early years and adolescence, offering valuable perspective for any parent on the neurodivergent journey. Their conversations blend lived wisdom, raw honesty, and light-hearted reflection, often with Danny just entering stages that Ben has already faced. This dynamic brings warmth, curiosity, and relatable storytelling that resonates across all ages and stages of parenting.
At its heart, The NeuroDADverse exists because parenting neurodivergent children can feel incredibly isolating. Many of society’s norms simply don’t apply and it’s rare to find someone who truly hears you. This podcast was born from the need to find and grow that tribe. A space where parents can feel seen, heard, and appreciated.
Whether you’re in the thick of meltdowns, laughing uncontrollably with them or even just wondering about diagnoses you’re not alone.
Here, we speak with love, lead though our understanding and share with honesty. This is a space for ideas, laughter, and connection.
Please remember:
You are doing better than you think.
You are enough.
You are not alone.
Welcome to the NeuroDADverse.“
Real talk from two dads raising neurodivergent kids with love, laughter, and plenty of chaos.
Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok and watch us on Youtube @NeuroDadversepodcast
Theme music by Hands Up! https://www.instagram.com/handsuppunk/?hl=en
Show produced by Squid Shack Studios https://www.instagram.com/squidshackstudios/
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A Huge School Win, Confidence Boosts, & A Football Breakthrough
Episode 38
Friday, March 6, 2026 • Duration 49:04
🎙 The NeuroDADverse – Episode 38
This week on the podcast, we celebrate some unexpected parenting wins.
Dan shares a huge moment in Frankie’s school journey, when getting to school finally seemed to feel easier after months of difficult transitions.
For many SEND parents, the hardest part of the day isn’t the classroom… it’s simply getting through the gate.
Meanwhile, Ben shares a brilliant moment of confidence for Mabel after being asked to play for her school football team, stepping up, defending ruthlessly, and even winning Player of the Match.
In this episode, we talk about:
• The anxiety parents feel during school transitions
• When transport works… but the school gate doesn’t
• The importance of supportive school staff
• Building respect and family relationships with grandparents
• Watching your child discover confidence through sport
• Why small moments can feel like huge victories in neurodivergent parenting
• Preparing for the week ahead — from World Book Day costumes to EHCP reviews
From the outside, these might look like small everyday stories.
But inside neurodivergent family life… they’re massive.
hapter Breakdown (49 min)
⏱ 00:00 – Welcome to The NeuroDADverse
Why we share the highs and lows of neurodivergent parenting
⏱ 02:00 – This Week’s Parenting Wins
⏱ 04:30 – Frankie’s School Transport Success
When the transition to school finally starts working
⏱ 09:30 – The Anxiety of Morning Transitions
The emotional load parents carry every school day
⏱ 15:30 – Supportive Schools Make All the Difference
⏱ 19:00 – Why Getting Through the Gate Matters
⏱ 24:00 – Ben’s Family Win: Respect Around the Table
A small but meaningful moment with grandparents
⏱ 30:00 – Mabel’s Football Breakthrough ⚽
First match, strong defending, and Player of the Match
⏱ 35:30 – Confidence in Teenage Years
⏱ 38:40 – Looking Ahead to the Week
World Book Day, school events and busy schedules
⏱ 44:30 – EHCP Reviews & Advocacy for Your Child
⏱ 48:00 – Final Thoughts: Parenting Wins Matter
🎙️ NeuroDADverse Podcast
Real conversations about raising neurodivergent children in a neurotypical world.
Hosted by two UK dads, NeuroDADverse explores autism, ADHD, SEND parenting, mental load, masking, school systems, identity, and the everyday wins and struggles of neurodivergent family life.
If you’re a parent of an autistic child, an ADHD dad, part of a SEND family, or simply looking for honest, relatable parenting conversations — you’re not alone here.
🔔 New episodes weekly
📢 Share, rate, or comment to help more families discover the show
📧 neurodadverse@gmail.com
🌐 All links & platforms:
👉 linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse
🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music • Audible
📺 Watch full episodes & short clips on YouTube
📲 Follow on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn
Autism + Birthday Parties = 3 Transitions,1 Party Bus, No Meltdown | NeuroDADverse Ep 37
Episode 37
Friday, February 27, 2026 • Duration 48:24
🎙️ The NeuroDADverse – Episode 37. What happens when you stack:
• Lunch
• Multiple transitions
• A birthday party bus
• A house full of unfamiliar kids
• A non-speaking autistic child
• And a busy week of solo parenting ahead
Honestly?
We expected it to unravel.
In this episode, Dan shares a surprisingly brilliant autism parenting win, navigating three transitions in one afternoon and watching Frankie slowly integrate into a sensory-filled birthday party.
But that’s only half the story.
Ben shares what’s coming up in his world:
• A performance debut
• Logistical juggling
• A week of near-solo parenting
• And the mental load that comes when one parent is “on duty”
We talk about:
• Why transitions are often harder than the event itself
• The invisible strategy behind “just popping to a party”
• Social pressure from other parents
• Leaving on a high (and why that matters)
• How busy weeks affect regulation — for kids and adults
• Why positive energy before a tricky week is sometimes the best strategy
From the outside, this week might look simple.
From the inside?
Rebuilding confidence, A new connection? & A games day
Episode 36
Friday, February 20, 2026 • Duration 48:04
In Episode 36 of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan reflect on a week full of quiet but powerful wins, where confidence is rebuilding, teens are choosing connection, and safe spaces are doing their job.
This week includes:
Confidence growing in school and sport
Nervousness about tests turning into positive surprises
Repairing self-belief after academic doubt
Teens asking to watch films and game together
Couch co-op gaming as connection (Resident Evil, It Takes Two, Split Fiction)
SEND gym inclusion and the power of adaptive spaces
Safe environments where kids don’t have to explain themselves
Football confidence and school enjoyment
Why mood matters more than metrics
Half-term flexibility and leaving space for spontaneity
Choosing optimism without forcing it
As always, we want to remind you:
You’re doing great.
You are enough.
And you’re definitely not alone.
🎙️NeuroDADverse Podcast
Real conversations about raising neurodivergent children in a neurotypical world.
Hosted by two UK dads, NeuroDADverse explores autism, ADHD, SEND parenting, mental load, masking, school systems, identity, and the everyday wins and struggles of neurodivergent family life.
If you’re a parent of an autistic child, an ADHD dad, part of a SEND family, or simply looking for honest, relatable parenting conversations — you’re not alone here.
🔔 New episodes weekly
📢 Share, rate, or comment to help more families discover the show
End of term exhaustion, sleep struggles, school stress & unexpected wins! | NeuroDADverse Ep35
Episode 35
Friday, February 13, 2026 • Duration 51:07
In Episode 35 of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan navigate the penultimate week of term, and it's a busy one!
Where sleep disruption, school attendance anxiety, and end-of-term exhaustion collide with some genuinely powerful parenting wins.
This week includes:
Sleep struggles and melatonin conversations
Anxiety around school attendance and assessment
Why state education can feel especially complex for neurodivergent families
Managing expectations around punctuality and time
A missed school bus… that didn’t turn into a meltdown
Emotional regulation in the moment
Supportive school staff who understand
Communication progresses through PECS and social stories
The power of lowering parental pressure
A football night that turned into a core memory
Headphones, regulation, and navigating crowds
Letting kids be themselves on dress-up days
Why “just get them to school” sometimes matters more than the clock
This episode is about recognising progress in moments that once would have exploded and learning to trust the growth you’ve already built.
🎙️ Real conversations about raising neurodivergent children in a neurotypical world.
Hosted by two UK dads, NeuroDADverse explores autism, ADHD, SEND parenting, mental load, masking, school systems, identity, and the everyday wins and struggles of neurodivergent family life.
If you’re a parent of an autistic child, an ADHD dad, part of a SEND family, or simply looking for honest, relatable parenting conversations, you’re not alone here.
🔔 New episodes weekly
📢 Share, rate, or comment to help more families discover the show
Parenting ND kids in public is harder than people realise | NeuroDADverse Ep. 34
Episode 34
Friday, February 6, 2026 • Duration 01:00:05
In Episode 34 of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan talk openly about the emotional labour of parenting neurodivergent children in public spaces, where needs are often invisible, judgment is unspoken, and parents are quietly doing everything they can to hold it together.
This week includes a school trip full of transitions, waiting, and unexpected kindness; ongoing school avoidance challenges; and thoughtful reflections on ADHD medication, communication, and supporting independence without withdrawing support too early.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why school trips can be overwhelming for ND children
The pressure parents feel when parenting in public
Invisible disabilities and why help isn’t always offered
Transitions, waiting, and emotional regulation
School avoidance and emotional burnout
Why attendance numbers matter less than experience quality
Supporting siblings through different ND journeys
ADHD medication reflections: benefits, sleep disruption, and communication gains
What it means when children can explain their emotions after the moment
Building independence without removing scaffolding too soon
Letting kids lead transitions at their own pace
Moments of connection that make everything worth it
A house full of laughter — and why that counts as a huge win
🎙️ NeuroDADverse Podcast
Real conversations about raising neurodivergent children in a neurotypical world.
Hosted by two UK dads, NeuroDADverse explores autism, ADHD, SEND parenting, mental load, masking, school systems, identity, and the everyday wins and struggles of neurodivergent family life.
If you’re a parent of an autistic child, an ADHD dad, part of a SEND family, or simply looking for honest, relatable parenting conversations, .
When nothing goes 'wrong' and why that matters & ND parenting reflections | NeuroDADverse Ep 33
Episode 33
Friday, January 30, 2026 • Duration 53:19
In Episode 33 of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan reflect on a week that felt unfamiliar in the best possible way, with no major crises, fewer challenges, and small signs of optimism beginning to return.
This episode explores what it’s like when neurodivergent family life settles temporarily and how hard it can be to trust calm when you’ve spent years braced for the next difficulty.
In this episode, we talk about:
•What it means when challenges don’t dominate the week
•Continued school absence — handled with kindness and patience
•Processing time, delayed progress, and realistic expectations
•Seeing optimism re-emerge after long periods of low self-esteem
•Hearing your child say “I’m good at this” — and why that matters
•Table dinners, shared conversations, and emotional safety
•Respectful disagreement and confidence at home
•When optimism returns quietly, not dramatically
•Parenting without forcing positivity
•Why progress often shows up as calm, not celebration
•Reflecting on how far your child has come — without tempting fate
•Adult neurodivergence, diagnosis curiosity, and workplace adjustments
•The emotional weight of exploring your own neurodivergence as a parent
🎙️ NeuroDADverse Podcast
Real conversations about raising neurodivergent children in a neurotypical world.
Hosted by two UK dads, NeuroDADverse explores autism, ADHD, SEND parenting, mental load, masking, school systems, identity, and the everyday wins and struggles of neurodivergent family life.
Starting ADHD medication, School attendance and Frankie not knowing | NeuroDADverse Ep 32
Episode 32
Friday, January 23, 2026 • Duration 49:58
In Episode 33 of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan have one of their most honest conversations yet, navigating the early days of ADHD medication, school attendance challenges, emotional overwhelm, and the quiet work of protecting a child’s self-esteem.
This episode explores what happens when support does help… but also brings unexpected side effects, emotional floodgates, and difficult parental decisions. It’s about staying steady when everything feels fragile.
We talk about:
Beginning ADHD medication and managing side effects
Lethargy, overstimulation, sleep disruption, and emotional release
When medication removes masking — and everything spills out
School attendance struggles and shifting support needs
The fear of repeating past damage to self-esteem
How delayed processing can look like “regression”
Supporting two ND children with very different needs at the same time
Avoiding shame while still holding boundaries
Communication that builds trust with ND teenagers
Why safe relationships matter more than perfect solutions
Sitting in joy without over-analysing it
Wins that don’t look impressive — but change everything
Chapter Breakdown (≈50 minutes)
00:00 – Intro & Welcome to Episode 33
01:05 – What This Podcast Is Really About
02:20 – Three Words of the Week: Medicate, Educate, Floodgate
05:30 – Side Effects: Lethargy, Dry Mouth & Sleep Issues
ADHD Diagnosis, Identity Realisation & Letting Kids Process at Their Own Pace | NeuroDADverse Ep.31
Episode 31
Friday, January 16, 2026 • Duration 55:11
Welcome to Episode 31 of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan talk openly about what happens after a diagnosis, when clarity arrives, but emotions are still catching up.
This week includes a major family milestone for Ben: a formal ADHD diagnosis, and the complex feelings that follow. Relief. Validation. Grief. Confusion. Pride. And the quiet work of helping a child rebuild their sense of self after years of being told they were “too much” or “not enough.”
In this episode, we discuss:
What an ADHD diagnosis gives (and what it doesn’t)
Why clarity doesn’t instantly equal confidence
How identity is shaped by years of misunderstanding
The emotional impact of clinician questions about self-esteem
Masking, unmasking, and delayed processing
Temperature regulation, sensory overload, and emotional release
Why behaviour is communication
Advocating in clinical settings without taking over
Letting children grieve past experiences in their own time
Medication as a tool — not a cure or a verdict
Celebrating wins gently, without pressure
Sibling connection, shared joy, and thoughtful gift-giving
Cinema trips as safe spaces and regulation anchors
This episode is about holding space rather than rushing solutions, and remembering that diagnosis is not an ending — it’s context.
As always, we want to remind you:
You’re doing great.
You are enough.
And you are definitely not alone.
Chapter Breakdown
A New Year, Big Transitions & a Broken Foot | NeuroDADverse EP.30
Episode 30
Friday, January 9, 2026 • Duration 59:50
Episode 30 🎧
In the NeuroDADverse this week, Ben and Dan return for the first episode of 2026, reflecting on the strange reset that comes with a new year, especially when neurodivergent family life doesn’t pause for calendars.
This week includes a significant medical scare, a broken foot, hospital visits, difficult sensory decisions, and the careful balance between safety, regulation, and trust. Alongside the challenges, the episode becomes a powerful reflection on how far their children and they as parents have come.
In this episode, we talk about:
•The emotional weight of returning to routine after Christmas
•Managing medical situations with ND children
•Pain stimming, safety concerns, and regulation trade-offs
•Hospital visits, advocacy, and processing time
•When independence and vulnerability coexist
•How injuries highlight both progress and ongoing support needs
•Calm wins after chaotic weeks
•Reflecting honestly on the highs and lows of 2025
•Why resilience doesn’t mean “finding things easy”
•Hopes for 2026 that focus on joy, autonomy, and self-belief
•Letting go of pressure and trusting your child’s pace
🎙️ Two dads. One mission. Raising ND kids in a very NT world.
💡 If this episode resonates, whether you’re a zebra, a stripy horse, or still figuring it all out. There’s space for you in the NeuroDADverse.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly real-talk on neurodivergent parenting
📢 Like, share, or leave a comment to help more families find us
Why Christmas Is Harder Than It Looks for Neurodivergent Families | NeuroDADverse Ep.29
Episode 29
Friday, January 2, 2026 • Duration 01:10:44
Episode 29 🎧 This week, Ben and Dan reflect on the strange, in-between days of Christmas and New Year, a time full of transitions, heightened expectations, social pressure, and emotional regulation challenges for neurodivergent children and their families.
This episode explores what Christmas actually feels like inside an ND household: the joy, the overwhelm, the near-meltdowns, the patience required, and the moments of magic that arrive when expectations are softened.
In this episode, we talk about:
•Why “betwixtmas” can be especially dysregulating
•Managing multiple social events and transitions in a short space of time
•The emotional toll of public spaces, crowds, and sensory overload
•Parenting through near-meltdowns — calmly, visibly, and without shame
•When your child feels judged, even if nothing is said
•Letting go of rigid Christmas plans
•Why familiarity matters more than tradition
•Teen independence, first social outings, and trust
•Food wins, surprise flexibility, and regulation through choice
•The power of calm, patience, and kindness (even when you’re being watched)
Chapter Breakdown
00:00 – Intro & Welcome to Betwixtmas
01:48 – A Meaningful Christmas Gift & Facing Anxiety
04:26 – Three Words of the Week: Magic, Patience & Negotiation
08:45 – The Challenge of Transitions Between Events
It was layered, strategic, emotional, and quietly successful.
If you’ve ever:
• Avoided a party because the risk felt too high
• Mentally rehearsed three transitions before leaving the house
• Balanced work, identity and parenting
• Or found yourself solo for the week, wondering how sleep will go…
🎙️ NeuroDADverse Podcast
Real conversations about raising neurodivergent children in a neurotypical world.
Hosted by two UK dads, NeuroDADverse explores autism, ADHD, SEND parenting, mental load, masking, school systems, identity, and the everyday wins and struggles of neurodivergent family life.
If you’re a parent of an autistic child, an ADHD dad, part of a SEND family, or simply looking for honest, relatable parenting conversations — you’re not alone here.
🔔 New episodes weekly
📢 Share, rate, or comment to help more families discover the show
📧 neurodadverse@gmail.com
🌐 All links & platforms:
👉 linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse
🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music • Audible
📺 Watch full episodes & short clips on YouTube
📲 Follow on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn
If you’re a parent of an autistic child, an ADHD dad, part of a SEND family, or simply looking for honest, relatable parenting conversations, you’re not alone here.
🔔 New episodes weekly
📢 Share, rate, or comment to help more families discover the show
📧 neurodadverse@gmail.com
🌐 All links & platforms:
👉 linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse
🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music • Audible
📺 Watch full episodes & short clips on YouTube
📲 Follow on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn
