SEND Parenting Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

What if the problem isn't your child—it's the system?

If school mornings feel like a battlefield and your child is shrinking under constant pressure, this episode offers hope. Dr. Olivia sits down with Cassie Olguin—homeschooling mother of three (including neurodivergent twins) and Outschool education lead—to explore what learning looks like when you step outside the traditional classroom.

Cassie's Journey: From early motor delays and night terrors to navigating autism, ADHD, OCD, and anxiety, Cassie shares the messy, real path many families walk. You'll discover how labels became tools for changing the environment—not verdicts on her daughter's potential.

What You'll Learn: ✨ Charter homeschooling demystified – How oversight works without rigid timetables
✨ Personal pace over grade levels – Why your child doesn't need to "keep up"
✨ Practical strategies that worked – Delaying reading until readiness, reframing maths as everyday numeracy, using interest-led classes
✨ Outschool's magic – Live sessions with expert tutors (think: veterinary science with a practicing vet, maths through Minecraft, virtual history escape rooms)
✨ Redefining success – Why standardised tests don't measure intelligence, creativity, or resilience

The Twin Perspective: Perhaps most moving: Cassie's twins are taking completely different educational paths through adolescence. One thrives with college-level work; the other flourishes at a gentler pace. Different tracks, equal worth.

Key Takeaways for Parents:

• Start without decision paralysis—you don't need to figure it all out at once
• Find your support network and share resources
• Outsource subjects you don't love (yes, really!)
• Mastery-based learning vs. arbitrary grade levels
• Small online classes that respect sensory needs and attention spans

If your child is struggling, this conversation offers relief, clarity, and a roadmap forward.

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📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you w...

Half-term chaos, slammed doors, sharp words—if that sounds familiar, you are not alone. In this episode, Dr Olivia Kessel sits down with teen expert Kim McCabe to unpack why your once-snuggly child suddenly bristles at “How was your day?” and how to respond without losing your cool or your connection. From the teenage brain’s rebuild to the unique load neurodiverse teens carry, we explore what is really happening under the surface—and the simple shifts that can change everything at home.

Kim explains why after-school meltdowns often land on parents, how masking drains emotional capacity, and what co-regulation looks like in real life. Together, we cover how to use short validating phrases instead of lectures, hold boundaries that reflect your core values, and create safe outlets for big feelings that do not harm anyone. You will hear why permissiveness can feel like indifference to teens, how to choose a few non-negotiables, and when to step back so your young person can save face and recover their balance.

We also share low-pressure ways to rebuild closeness: monthly parent–teen “dates,” visiting their world first—whether that is gaming, football, memes, or TikTok—without judgment, and narrating your own self-regulation to model coping. Whether you are parenting girls or boys, mums or dads, neurotypical or neurodiverse, the principles hold true: be the parent, team up with other adults, and protect your own capacity. Calm and loving is your superpower—but it needs fuel.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a parent who needs a boost, and leave a quick review so more families can find these tools. And if you are ready for deeper support, check the show notes for details on the Recharge and Connect SEND Summit—join us in person or via live stream.

💬 Resources Mentioned in This Episode

If today’s conversation with Kim McCabe resonated with you, you can find out more about her work at Rites for Girls
, where she supports parents and teens through the transitions of adolescence.
Explore her brilliant book, From Daughter to Woman: Parenting Girls Safely Through Their Teens
, and discover her Weekend Retreat for Mothers of Daughters
— a beautiful space to reconnect, reflect, and parent with greater awareness and ease.

📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you w...

Click here for the ADHD Sleep Guide - 30 days to better sleep

Sleep deprivation became our unwelcome companion for eleven long years. My daughter Alexandra would lie awake for hours, plagued by anxious thoughts that seemed to intensify as darkness fell. When sleep finally came, it was fragmented – she'd wake repeatedly, finding her way to my bed most nights seeking reassurance. For families navigating ADHD, this scenario might sound painfully familiar.

In this deeply personal conversation, Alexandra courageously shares what those nights felt like from her perspective: "Sleep was like a nightmare." She describes overwhelming anxiety that made sleepovers impossible, prevented me from having evenings out, and left us both perpetually exhausted. We candidly discuss how sleep deprivation amplified our challenges, leading to what Alexandra perfectly describes as "explosion time" – when our emotional regulation skills would crumble under the weight of fatigue.

The turning point in our journey came unexpectedly. After trying countless strategies, from elaborate bedtime routines to consultations with sleep specialists, we finally found our answer in prescription melatonin. Alexandra describes the transformation as nothing short of miraculous – from hours of bedtime struggles to falling asleep within minutes. We explore the complementary approaches that support her sleep hygiene now, including technology boundaries, weighted blankets, meditation, and Emotional Freedom Technique for anxiety. Most touchingly, Alexandra shares how quality sleep has expanded her world, enabling her to manage overnight stays and wake feeling "recharged and ready for the day."

Whether you're a parent, educator, or healthcare provider supporting a child with ADHD, this conversation offers both practical strategies and genuine hope. Download our free sleep resource sheet at sendparenting.com/sleep to begin implementing these life-changing techniques today. Because when sleep improves, everything else follows.

Click here for the ADHD Sleep Guide - 30 days to better sleep

📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you w...

Episode 45

In celebration of the final day of ADHD Awareness month this week's guest Dr Giovanni Giaroli joins us to talk us thoroughly through all the questions we could possibly have around ADHD medication and treatment.

A highly respected consultant and psychiatrist specialising in neurodevelopmental conditions, Dr Giovanni Giaroli shares his wisdom and expertise on a number of topics. From the controversy surrounding assessment and medication, the different types and how they work, the importance of personalised medication and dosage, and more! We also talk the comorbidity of anxiety with ADHD and autism, and why it's wise to try therapy before reaching for medication in these situations.

If you have ever felt nervous or confused about the prescription of medication for you or your child with ADHD - this is the episode for you! We promise you will walk away with a deeper understanding of ADHD treatment, the options, the dangers, and the exciting differences they can make in the day-to-day of your life. 

Link to the Giaroli Centre 

📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you w...

Episode 44

TW: Some references to self-harm.

How has the UK education system been designed? With up-to-date data on the nature of learning in mind? Or based on the outdated policies of the past? We'll let you take a wild guess. Adele Bates, an esteemed behaviour and educational specialist teacher and author, shares her expertise with us on current antiquated behavioural policies and how we can change them.

This is a fascinating, illuminating, and hopeful discussion. We discuss so much: insufficient funding and training in schools, relationship-based approaches to behavioural policies, the trauma of isolation, and tailoring our classrooms to the behaviour needs of students.

Adele also shares priceless tips on fostering trust and connection with students, and we touch upon her book, "Miss, I Don't Give A Sh*t", and its emphasis on challenging behaviour in school. This episode serves as a crucial guide for anyone wanting to foster a supportive and understanding atmosphere in their educational environment.

Click here to link to Adele's website and book

📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you w...

Episode 43 

This week we are introducing an episode of our bitesize podcast in which our host Olivia and SEN advisor Tamsyn Hendry sit down for a short discussion of the top takeaways from some of our favourite episodes.

For this bitesize episode we're thrilled to discuss the significant themes from episodes 22 and 23 with Ellie Costello. We're reminding ourselves of some of our favourite wisdom from these episodes about dealing with the education system: dealing with the infamous label of "anxious mothers", the loss of identity and respect as parents, and the clashing medical and social models of education. 

We hope to be releasing some more episodes like this scattered throughout the year, providing a short digestible format to summarise the insights of all our incredible guests. But we're not stopping there - we want your thoughts on the episode! Remember, you're part of a supportive parenting tribe, and your voice matters.

📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you w...

Episode 42

Get ready to be swept off your feet by Emma and Pippa, the brainy duet behind EWE Talk, a non-profit like no other. Armed with a flock of sheep and a passion for mental wellness, they're breaking barriers in the most heartwarming way. Their work is focused on using the calming nature of sheep therapy and the power of outdoor environments to help neurodiverse children and those grappling with mental health issues.

Join us as we discuss the incredible power of nature to aid those who find the norms of the everyday difficult to navigate. This isn't a fluffy farm story, but a groundbreaking mission to harness the flock instinct of sheep to aid self-regulation. From how stroking animals lowers cortisol to stories of individuals who have, with the help of the flock, uncovered their untapped potential and formed meaningful connections.

So, join us for this inspiring conversation as we reshape our views on therapeutic intervention!

Click here for link to EWE Talk

📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you w...

Episode 41

What if we told you that happiness could be at the heart of our children's education? Join us for this eye-opening conversation with Adrian Bethune, teacher and founder of Teach Happy, as we explore the importance of well-being in schools and how this can lead to more engaged, motivated learners.

We dive into all sorts of topics in this episode: creating autonomy in students, fostering strong relationships between teachers and parents, the three pillars of intrinsic motivation, and creating a sense of belonging in the full diversity of minds in the classroom.

Don't miss this inspiring episode that will challenge your perception of education, empower teachers, and help parents work closely with schools to create a fulfilling, happier learning experience for all children.

Click here to access Teach Happy

📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you w...

Episode 40

Ever feel like you're wandering in a maze trying to understand the UK educational system for your neurodiverse child? Join us in this enlightening episode as Catherine, a fellow parent, and I take a deep dive into our personal journeys, grappling with the complexities of private assessments for children with special educational needs. We bring our experiences to the table, highlighting the process, the rational, cost, value and limitations of a private assessment. If you have been wondering if a private assessment is the right path for you and your child this is the podcast to empower you with information so you can make an informed decision.

We also discuss the more emotionally complicated sides of seeking diagnoses - when and how should we disclose it to our children themselves? Tune in, as are two parents sharing our personal experiences and hard-earned wisdom to lighten the burden for you.

📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you w...

Episode 39

Have you ever wondered how neurodivergence impacts individuals in the sports world? Imagine trying to strive for excellence in an environment where you're constantly misunderstood and scrutinized, both physically and mentally. That's the challenging journey our guest, ex-Olympian rower Caragh McMurtry, has navigated. Diagnosed with later in life with autism, Caragh opens up about her battles, including being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, overmedication, and her struggle to fit into a restrictive mold within the sports realm. Listen in, as she shares the inspiration behind Neurodiverse Sport -- her platform advocating, supporting, and educating about neurodiversity in sports.

We also dive deep into how to foster growth and independence among neurodivergent children within a sports setting and Caragh shares valuable advice on how to encourage resilience and self-reliance among children, allowing them to embrace their uniqueness and flourish. Join us for this enlightening discussion that offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities for neurodivergent athletes in the sports world. Don't miss out on this eye-opening conversation that could change how you view sports, coaching, and neurodiversity.

Link to Neurodiverse sport founded by Caragh McMurtry

📚 New Book — Out May 7  👉 Order your copy
Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls
A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter.

💬 Connect with Us

🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life.

⚡ Ready to go deeper?
Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone.

📩 Contact Me
If you w...