In this episode, Dr. Inyang Takon talks to Dr. Jess Morgan, a former NHS paediatrician who retrained as a primary school teacher and is also a mum of two girls. Jess has seen children in the clinic, in the classroom and at home, and she shares clear, practical ways to help autistic and ADHD children understand their changing bodies, feel safe and ask for help.

In this episode you will learn:

• What is happening in your child's body and brain during puberty, and why big feelings arrive before the ability to "put the brakes on"
• Why waiting to talk about puberty can leave neurodivergent children more vulnerable, and how to start early
• Simple, hands-on ways to prepare your child for periods, shaving and other changes before they happen
• Why a child can seem fine at school and fall apart at home, and when it is time to ask for support
• How friendships and unwritten social rules change in the teenage years
• How schools can teach puberty in a way that is clear, concrete and accessible
• How to teach public and private, consent and asking for help without fear or shame
• Three things parents and teachers can start doing today

About Dr. Jess Morgan:

Jess is a former clinical paediatrician with over a decade of experience working in the NHS, where she developed a deep understanding of what children and families face in healthcare systems. She witnessed children struggling, families desperate for support, and systems that couldn't quite connect the dots. In 2019, she made an unconventional decision to retrain as a primary school teacher.

That transition showed Jess the other side of the picture. She came to understand the pressures educators carry, the expectations placed on schools and the reality of parents having to bridge the gap between healthcare and education themselves. Seeing both sides shaped her belief that meaningful change happens when we bring different perspectives together, rather than working in isolation.

Resources mentioned:

• NSPCC guidance on responding to sexualised behaviour in children, using a "traffic light" approach [confirm exact name and link with Jess]
• Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health data on children and young people attending A&E with mental health concerns
• Brené Brown's work on listening to and believing other people's experiences
• Social stories, visual timetables and public/private sorting games for teaching puberty, privacy and consent
• Children's books and BBC dramas with neurodivergent main characters

Connect with Dr. Jess Morgan:

Website: https://drjessmorgan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-morgan-832177241/

Instagram: @jessmorgan_

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: eim@drtakon.com
Guest enquiries: podcast@drtakon.com

In this episode, Dr. Inyang Takon talks with John Greenall, Consultant Community Paediatrician, coach, father of four and author of Connected Dad. Together they look at why dads can seem distant or reluctant during an autism or ADHD assessment, what is really going on underneath, and how parents and clinicians can bring dads back into the picture.

In this episode you will learn:

• Why dads often see their child's difficulties differently, and why that view still matters
• What John means by "fatherhood is an identity before it's a performance"
• John's three-step framework for dads: calm, confidence, connection
• How to handle disagreements as parents: back each other publicly, talk it through privately
• Why looking after your relationship as a couple is good for your child
• The difference between being given advice and being coached to find your own answers
• Practical ways clinicians can include dads before, during and after an assessment

ABOUT JOHN GREENALL

John Greenall is a Consultant Community Paediatrician, author, coach and father of four, with over 20 years' experience working with children, young people and families. His clinical experience spans neonatal, acute and community paediatrics, with particular interests in neurodevelopment, behaviour, safeguarding and family stress.

Alongside his clinical work, John writes and speaks about fatherhood, parenting and family life, particularly where neurodiversity and additional needs make family life more complex. His book, Connected Dad, helps fathers become calmer, more confident and more connected with their children.

TIMESTAMPS
00:56 Introduction
01:58 Meet John Greenall
03:20 The dad who fainted: how Connected Dad began
06:28 When dads are missing from the clinic room
09:52 Fatherhood is an identity before it's a performance
12:13 Calm, confidence, connection
14:56 When parents disagree about what they are seeing
17:27 Looking after yourselves and your relationship
19:37 Coaching versus advice: you are the expert on your child
22:38 One or two questions clinicians can ask
24:10 Why dads are reluctant to ask for help
26:23 How clinicians can include dads in the assessment
30:08 John's book, Connected Dad
32:14 What's next: While You Wait
34:41 Where to find John
35:10 A message to dads: we do see you

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Connected Dad by John Greenall

Are you a dad (or know a dad) who wants to make a difference but isn't always sure how? Rooted in real stories, clinical experience and evidence-based insight, 'Connected Dad' gives practical tools and a clear framework to help dads grow in confidence and strengthen their relationship with their child as they grow.

Get the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Connected-Dad-Becoming-Father-PublishU/dp/1917829906

Also mentioned:

While You Wait, John's forthcoming co-authored book with Jessica Kingsley Publishers, for families waiting for an ADHD or autism assessment

Dr. Takon's Waiting Well series for parents - find it on www.braindiverse.org

CONNECT WITH JOHN GREENALL
Website: https://www.connected-dad.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjohngreenall/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tallmedic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.greenall.357 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johngreenall9461 Connected Dad on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Connected-Dad-Becoming-Father-PublishU/dp/1917829906

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: eim@drtakon.com
Guest enquiries: podcast@drtakon.com

Doctors told Jeaneen Tang her son might never walk or talk. He is 12 now, and he loves to sing and hold a conversation.

Jeaneen is a speech-language pathologist with 25 years of experience and the author of Play Dumb and Sabotage. In this conversation with Dr Inyang Takon, she shares the simple, everyday strategies parents can start using at home, especially while they are waiting to see a speech therapist.

You will hear what to expect from your child's speech from birth to three, the signs that mean it is time to ask for help, how snack time and bubbles can become daily speech practice and more.

Timestamps:
00:56 Welcome and introduction
02:05 Jeaneen's journey: Hawaii, Los Angeles and 25 years in speech therapy
03:25 Why late talkers often have very caring parents
04:16 Her son's fall, brain bleed and stroke
05:02 How he is doing today, and how music helps his language
06:45 Turning every interaction into speech practice
09:13 Long waiting lists and missed opportunities
10:32 "You don't know what you don't know": why parents wait
15:24 Speech milestones from birth to three, and red flags
20:39 What early intervention looks like: structured play
24:50 Don't ask a yes/no question unless you will honour the "no"
28:42 What to do while you wait: choices, snack time and bubbles
34:47 The progress children make when parents are involved
38:17 Late talker or something more?
40:14 The book: Play Dumb and Sabotage
45:27 Where to find the book and contact Jeaneen
47:39 Jeaneen's final message: don't be afraid to ask for help

Bio:
Jeaneen Tang, speech-language pathologist and mother of a special needs child. Along with her over 24 years of experience working with children and adults with neurodiversity, she also has an 13 year old son who is neurodivergent. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and stroke at 13 months old. Her personal and professional relationship with this amazing population has forever changed her. She hopes to change their world too.

Resources
She recently published her first book called PLAY DUMB & SABOTAGE. It addresses early language development and is meant to be helpful for parents, caregivers, and educators to work with young children and hopefully decrease the number of children needing speech therapy. Through preventative training, she believes we can achieve success and raise confident communicators.

IG personal: @jt808
IG business: @playdumbandsabotage
https://www.playdumbandsabotage.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeaneen-tang-707a6730

Her Book: Play Dumb & Sabotage: Mindfully under-anticipating the child’s needs and creating opportunities to practice language

Check it out on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8WgnAsP

This episode is for general information and does not replace advice from your own health professional. If you are worried about your child's speech, please ask for a referral.

Support the show

Resources & Connect with Dr. Inyang Takon:

(NEW!): https://braindiverse.org

A Resource Library of tools, tips, tutorials, Apps & Training for Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals

Other links:
Website: https://www.drtakon.com
General Information for Parents and Teachers: https://www.school-doctor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inyang-takon-paeds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/early_interventionmatters/
Subscribe: https://neuropaeddoc.substack.com/
Read: https://braindiverse.substack.com/
Questions? Email: eim@drtakon.com
Guest enquiries: podcast@drtakon.com