Neurodivergent Conversations | Autism Spectrum, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, Emotional Regulation, Neurodivergent parent Podcast Por That Sounds Fun Network arte de portada

Neurodivergent Conversations | Autism Spectrum, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, Emotional Regulation, Neurodivergent parent

Neurodivergent Conversations | Autism Spectrum, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, Emotional Regulation, Neurodivergent parent

De: That Sounds Fun Network
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What’s it really like parenting a child with ADHD and autism? How can parents, teachers, and communities better support neurodivergent children? How do autistic and ADHD individuals experience the world? Each week, we explore these questions with practical strategies, emotional insight, and real stories. I’m Greer — a mum of two boys (and two dogs!) raising a child with special educational needs (SEN) alongside my husband. Our daily life looks different from the norm, but it’s full of love, advocacy, and growth. I started this podcast to create a space for parents of neurodivergent kids, educators, and allies to learn, connect, and build understanding together. You’ll hear parenting tips, advocacy guidance, sensory strategies, and personal reflections that shine a light on both the joys and challenges of neurodivergent parenting. Through heartfelt solo episodes and guest interviews, we’ll talk about EHCP or IEP processes, school support, emotional regulation, and the big feelings that come with raising ND kids. Whether you’re here as a parent of an autistic or ADHD child, a late-diagnosed adult, a teacher seeking insight, or someone wanting to understand the neurodivergent world, this podcast is your space to grow, connect, and know you’re not alone. Welcome to The Unfinished Idea — a podcast all about parenting, autism, ADHD, and life in a neurodivergent family. Here, we open up honest conversations about neurodiversity, raising neurodivergent children, and navigating the everyday realities of SEN parenting.That Sounds Fun Network 2024 Ciencias Sociales Crianza y Familias Relaciones
Episodios
  • Respond, Don’t React: Staying Grounded as an Autism Mom When Everything Feels Like Too Much

    Respond, Don’t React: Staying Grounded as an Autism Mom When Everything Feels Like Too Much
    Apr 16 2026
    If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I stay calm when my child is melting down?”—this episode wraps you in so much compassion, without letting you off the hook in a shame-y way. Greer Jones is joined by Lisa Candera, an autism mom of 18 years who built the kind of support she couldn’t find anywhere: support that starts with the parent’s regulation first—because (as Lisa says) we are our children’s environment, and emotions are contagious. Together, they talk about the real reason “just be consistent” isn’t enough when you’re parenting a neurodivergent child: you’re often living in a hyper-vigilant state, your nervous system is already on high alert, and the moment things go sideways, your brain goes straight into default mode. Lisa shares a powerful starting point that’s simple-but-not-easy: do less. Pause. Stop jumping in to fix it. Create space between what’s happening and your response so you can respond with intention instead of reacting from fear (fear of judgment, fear about the future, fear you’re “doing it wrong”). They also reframe meltdowns in a way that’s honestly a relief: the meltdown isn’t proof you failed—it’s information. A sign that something was a “bridge too far” that day. And from there, you can get curious instead of personal. You’ll walk away with grounded, in-the-moment tools (like deep breathing and tapping/EFT) and a deeper reminder: neurodivergent is not just a label—it’s a whole different operating system. Respecting that changes everything. GUEST LINKS: GET THE LINKS⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea WebsiteJoin the Unfinished Community Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FACEBOOK⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 m
  • Buddy Dogs: How the Right Dog Can Build Confidence, Connection, and Calm for Kids With Vision Impairments

    Buddy Dogs: How the Right Dog Can Build Confidence, Connection, and Calm for Kids With Vision Impairments
    Apr 9 2026
    What if the first positive thing connected to your child’s diagnosis was… a dog in a little jacket that makes people smile? In this episode, Greer talks with Robbie Campbell from Buddy Dogs, a service within Guide Dogs UK that places specially matched dogs with children who have vision impairments—often alongside other complex needs. Robbie explains why Buddy Dogs exists: guide dogs are trained for mobility and require a level of independence that simply isn’t realistic for most children. But the companionship, confidence, and connection that dogs bring? That can be life-changing for kids and families. Robbie shares what he sees again and again: dogs becoming an “icebreaker” in public, helping kids feel more confident talking to others, and even opening doors for children to speak about their vision impairment in a new way—sometimes for the very first time. For some families, the Buddy Dog becomes a shift in the emotional story: instead of isolation and heavy equipment drawing stares, there’s a warm, inviting focus that brings people closer. You’ll also hear how Buddy Dogs are different from guide dogs: Buddy Dogs aren’t trained for mobility tasks. They’re placed for companionship and day-to-day confidence-building—and they’re typically dogs who didn’t continue down the guide dog route, but are still beautifully suited for family life. Matching is taken seriously, including what a particular dog needs and what each family’s lifestyle can support, with training and ongoing check-ins to make sure the partnership stays strong. The conversation also touches on neurodivergent families: many kids in the programme are also autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent. Robbie describes how dogs often become natural regulators—helping with transitions, reducing anxiety, and bringing grounding presence (without being “task trained” like some assistance dogs). One story stands out: a child who arrived at a session as a whirlwind of anxiety and energy, then settled and connected once the dog entered the room—and after being matched, showed a remarkable shift in focus, communication, and calm. Greer also shares her own experience: how giving her son simple dog-care “jobs” after school (feeding, playing, petting) has helped soften the tricky transition from school to home—because sometimes that repetitive, comforting connection is exactly what a nervous system needs. This episode is a reminder that so much of disability and neurodivergence is invisible—and we never fully know what someone is carrying. Robbie’s takeaway is simple and powerful: be open, be curious, and be willing to support people as they are. GUEST LINKS: GET THE LINKS⁠⁠⁠The Unfinished Idea WebsiteJoin the Unfinished Community Follow me on socials: ⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FACEBOOK⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 m
  • You Might Also Like: Everyone Gets a Juice Box, from Understood.org

    You Might Also Like: Everyone Gets a Juice Box, from Understood.org
    Apr 2 2026
    You Might Also Like.... Check out Everyone Gets a Juice Box here Some kids don’t fall apart at school or out in public. They hold it together all day… and then unravel the second they walk through the front door—because home is the safest place their nervous system knows. In this episode, Dr. Arielle Schwartz (psychologist, author, and mom) shares the story of how she “followed the clues” to understand what was really going on for her son—starting long before the word dyslexia ever entered the picture. She takes us back to early signs like sensory processing challenges, a highly sensitive nervous system, and delayed language development—plus the frustration of having a bright mind with big feelings and not enough ways to get it all out. As school demands increased, the gaps became more visible—especially around reading. Arielle describes the heartbreaking moment when her son didn’t just avoid books… he hid from them—and how the shame of feeling “different” can show up shockingly early. One turning point came from an unexpected place: a film about dyslexia that helped her finally name what she was seeing and pursue a full evaluation. From there, she opens up about what the diagnosis clarified (and what it didn’t), how hard it can be to find the right interventionist (not just the most qualified on paper), and why felt safety is everything for kids who freeze, shut down, or hide when learning feels threatening. She also shares how advocacy with schools can be both exhausting and necessary—and how one committed teacher chose to learn, grow, and become part of the solution. And then comes the hope-filled part: the “game changers” that helped her son begin to see himself differently—community, mentorship, movement, and being surrounded by people who reflected back what was possible. You’ll hear why programs like Project Eye to Eye mattered so much, why some kids need parents out of the homework battle to protect the relationship, and how a few key supports can slowly unwind years of shame. This conversation is tender, honest, and deeply reassuring—especially if you’re in that phase of parenting where you’re thinking, Is it my instinct… or am I overreacting? Arielle’s story is a reminder: your noticing matters. And with the right support, your child’s future can look so much brighter than it feels right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 m
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