Attendance Letters, Festive Anxiety & Holding It Together as ND Parents| NeuroDADverse Ep.28

Episode 28 🎧Welcome to The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan sit down for a festive end-of-term reflection unpacking a week filled with school pressure, academic anxiety, sensory challenges, and unexpectedly joyful family moments.As Christmas approaches, they talk honestly about how neurodivergent children experience transitions, expectations, and traditions very differently and why calm, familiarity, and flexibility matter more than “doing Christmas right.”In this episode, we discuss:The emotional weight of school attendance lettersWhen children say “I don’t want to go” — and what that might really meanAcademic pressure vs mental health for ND kidsWhy uncertainty is often harder than bad newsSensory overload, dentists, and unexpected regulation winsHow patience and the right professionals make all the differenceBuilding flexible, ND-friendly Christmas traditionsThe magic of familiar places, routines, and shared joyConfidence returning after a wobbleCelebrating progress without tempting fateLetting go of pressure and embracing calm where it shows upThis episode is about ending the year gently, recognising growth, naming challenges honestly, and allowing yourself to enjoy the wins without over-analysing them.YouTube Chapter Breakdown00:00 – Intro & Welcome to The NeuroDADverse00:44 – Christmas, Time Off & Parental Gratitude02:18 – What This Podcast Is (and Isn’t)03:12 – Three Words of the Week: Academics, Return & Traditions04:36 – Final Week of School & Big Days for ND Kids05:30 – Cinema Trips, Christmas Lights & Social Energy06:27 – Biggest Challenge: Sleep, Routine & Regulation07:25 – Seasonal Changes & Their Impact on ND Children09:01 – Dentist Anxiety & New Environments10:14 – When Things Go Well… Until They Don’t12:48 – Double Transitions & Why “Quick Drop-Ins” Can Backfire14:06 – Regulation Over Social Expectations15:04 – Why ND Reasoning Is Often Misunderstood17:23 – Loud Noises, First Experiences & Learning Over Time19:14 – Academics, Attendance & School Pressure20:09 – Receiving “The Letter” & Emotional Reactions21:20 – When Kids Can’t Narrate Their School Experience22:52 – Zooming Out to See Progress24:40 – Break25:07 – Festive Reset & Returning With Wins25:33 – WIN: Dentist Visit Success (Years in the Making)29:25 – The Power of Patience & the Right Professionals31:30 – Christmas Decorations as Regulation36:16 – Letting Kids Enjoy the Changes38:54 – Traditions That Grow With Your Family41:00 – The “Franken-Tree” & ND Creativity42:17 – Making Your Own Christmas Traditions43:48 – Cinema Trips as Safe Spaces44:58 – Confidence Returning: Football & Belonging46:20 – Managing Expectations With Visiting Family47:06 – Being “In Charge of the Chaos”47:19 – Looking Ahead to the Christmas Week49:03 – Boxing Day, Friends & Full Houses52:04 – Flooded Pubs, Flexibility & Letting Go53:08 – Do We Need a Bath-Time Score Every Week?54:39 – Chronicling Joy Without Forcing Drama55:57 – Surprise Gifts & Stepping Outside Comfort Zones58:33 – A Quick Reality Check on Challenges59:19 – Dentist Trauma & Repairing Trust01:01:02 – Festive Sign-Off & Final Reflections01:02:11 – You’re Doing Great. You Are Enough. 🎙️ 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📧 Get in touch: [e-mail]🌐 Find us in all the usual places:linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse🎧 Listen on:•Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/NeuroDADverseApple📺 Watch full episodes + clips:Spotify: bit.ly/NeuroDADverseSpotifyYouTube: youtube.com/@NeuroDADversePodcast#NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #AutismAdvocacy #ParentingPodcast#NeuroDadverse #DifferentNotLess #ADHDDads #AutismFamily Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.