Mark chats to the magnificent Lisa Lloyd about the judgement they regularly receive from outsiders as parents of neurodivergent kids. Lisa has two children - an 11-year old boy (diagnosed autistic) and a 7-year old girl (diagnosed autistic, with a PDA profile) and, as a prominent content creator on social media (@asd_with_a_g_and_t), she is no stranger to being judged by people who don't have a neurodivergent child, much less a clue about how to raise one.

Mark and Lisa swap tales about comments they receive from people judging their children ("He's not autistic, he's just naughty"), judging their parenting ("He wouldn't act like that if he was my son") and judging the entire concept of neurodivergency ("It's just a label"). They discuss the misconceptions that cause people to act this way, as well as the appropriate responses you can give them in return.

This is a great one to listen to if you've ever been told that "He doesn't look autistic" or "Everyone's a bit on the spectrum".

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Raising the Sen-Betweeners, Lisa Lloyd - https://amzn.eu/d/4hm6Sb0

SEND Reform England - https://www.sendreformengland.com/

Lisa Lloyd Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/asd_with_a_g_and_t/

Lisa Lloyd TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@asd.with.a.g.and.t

Lisa Lloyd Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ASDwithGandT

CONTACT US

If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles

TikTok:https: www.tiktok.com/@neuroshamblespod

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles

Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles CREDITS

The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/

Mark discusses the innate human desire to "keep up with the Joneses" with returning guest Samuel Wilson, who is an author and parent of two children: an 8-year old daughter (on the autism pathway, with Cerebral Palsy, Cerebral Visual Impairment and Sensory Processing Disorder) and a 5-year old son (suspected neurotypical).

They discuss how unhelpful that can be in the early days of your diagnosis journey and how liberating it is when you finally let go of the expectations of being "normal" and embrace your family in all of their neuroshambolic glory.

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Simpsons clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=784seqWxsMk&t=469s

Dad La Soul - https://www.dadlasoul.com/

BBC Woman’s Hour - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0022ss7

India Croc replacement saga - https://www.instagram.com/p/C9hLMewpBH6/

"Lend a Hand", Samuel Wilson's book - www.littlestepspublishing.co.uk/books/lend-a-hand

CONTACT US

If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles

Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles CREDITS

The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/

A potentially controversial episode, this one, where Mark chats to an old friend, Kate Ebbutt (Mum to 11 year-old neurotypical and 9-year old diagnosed ADHD/suspected autistic humans). They talk candidly about something they've both found themselves worrying about in their darker moments - am I raising an arsehole? They dissect the behaviours that qualify someone as being "an arsehole" and discuss to what extent they can be fairly applied to our neurodivergent kids.

They also discuss to what extent the gentle parenting approach could be contributing to this behaviour, as well as recounting experiences of times where they've had to explain their parenting choices to neurotypicals who struggle to understand their approach.

Please note, if you are offended by the word arsehole, it is sprinkled liberally throughout the episode, so this one might not be for you.

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

"The Explosive Child" book - https://drrossgreene.com/the-explosive-child.htm

Gentle Parenting - https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/style/what-is-gentle-parenting/

National Trust - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

RAM (Random Access Memory) - https://www.ign.com/articles/what-is-ram

Sheffield Queer Parents - https://sites.google.com/view/sheffield-queer-parents

Angling 4 Education - https://www.angling4education.com/

CONTACT US

If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles

Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles CREDITS

The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/

Mark chats to the inspirational Kieran Rose. As well as being autistic/ADHD himself, Kieran has three autistic/ADHD children (11, 14 and 15) as well as an autistic wife.

Kieran is an author, academic, trainer, consultant and all round font of knowledge on autism, so this episode contains some fascinating insights into the different communication styles between neurodivergents and neurotypicals when having a conversation.

As well as topics such as situational mutism, hyperverbalism and monotropism, Mark and Kieran swap tales about the fact they're never able to finish a conversation without being interrupted and discuss the perils of group conversation and their very different takes on the ridiculous neurotypical habit of engaging in small talk.

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Neurodive Podcast - https://soundcloud.com/neurodivepod/kieranrose

Kieran's website - https://theautisticadvocate.com/

Maori word for autism - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-40493398

KIERAN'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER READING:

CONTACT US

If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles

Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles CREDITS

The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/

Kicking off season 2 of Neuroshambles, Mark chats to the wonderful Dee McMahon who also has three neurodivergent children: a 16-year old boy, (diagnosed Autistic/ADHD with anxiety disorder) a 13-year old girl (diagnosed ADHD with Dyslexia/Dyscalculia) and a 9-year old boy (diagnosed Autistic with ARFID).

Mark and Dee take a deep dive into the soul crushing nightmare of trying to feed their neurodifferent kids something remotely resembling a balanced diet. From the trauma of putting together meal plans and shopping lists, to the sense of nervous trepidation when trying to introduce their kids to new foods and the wounded pride they experience when food they've slaved away at is dismissed without even being tried.

They also take an in-depth look at the more serious side of food issues, when they discuss Dee's personal account of her boy's recent diagnosis of ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder).

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

ARFID - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avoidant/restrictive_food_intake_disorder

ARFID Community Facebook Group - www.facebook.com/groups/arfid/

mASCot website: https://www.asc-mascot.com/

mASCot Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/221337174595596/

To make a donation to mASCot, so they can continue their amazing work: https://www.givey.com/mascot

Evelina Clinic, London - www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk

Sainsbury's pasta stars - https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/sainsburys-stars-500g?

Spruce tips - www.foragerchef.com/spruce-tips/

CONTACT US

If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles

Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles CREDITS

The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/

In the final episode of this season, Mark chats with Claire Quigley Ward, who is an ADHD Coach and host of the All Aboard ADHD podcast. As well as being diagnosed ADHD herself, Claire has two neurodivergent children - a 13-year old boy (diagnosed ADHD) and an 8-year old girl (suspected ADHD with PDA traits). They discuss the absolute nightmare of trying to take a "normal" photo of our kids - from the challenges of getting them to stay still and not be distracted, to their inability to pose for the camera and the inevitable dread of seeing how they stand out for all the wrong reasons in the annual school photo.

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

All Aboard ADHD podcast - https://www.allaboardadhd.com/podcast

All Aboard ADHD coaching - https://www.allaboardadhd.com/coaching

Apple Live Photo feature - https://support.apple.com/en-gb/104966

Google Best Take feature - https://blog.google/products/photos/how-google-photos-best-take-works/

SenLife App - https://mysenlife.com/

Kate Peers - https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/adhd-children-diagnosis-special-needs-school-funding-a9163761.html

CONTACT US

If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles

Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles CREDITS

The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/

Mark speaks to the wonderful Jess Cain - a prolific advocate for neurodivergent families and the driving force of Send Family Instincts. She is an autistic/ADHD/PDA lone parent of five children: a 15-year old boy (self-diagnosed autistic/PDA), another 15-year old boy (fostered, with SEMH needs), a 12-year old girl (self-diagnosed autistic) and twin 9-year old boys (one diagnosed autistic/ADHD/PDA and one allegedly neurotypical). In short, there is no-one better to explore this week's topic with, which is how on earth parents of neurodivergent kids juggle the competing needs of siblings. Mark and Jess share anecdotes about the difficulties they face when trying to balance the wildly different needs of all of their children, whilst somehow trying to remain positive and upbeat. From avoiding conflict, the importance of discussing everyone's needs openly, and learning how to prioritise their own needs in the midst of the mayhem.

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Send Family Instincts Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sendfamilyinstincts/

Send Family Instincts Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SendFamilyInstincts/

Send Family Instincts website - https://sendfamilymagic.mykajabi.com/

Eliza Fricker - https://www.instagram.com/elizafricker_missingthemark/

Charlie Gray (My Neurodivergent Adventure) - https://myneurodivergentadventure.co.uk/

Laura Kerbey (P-AST) - https://p-ast.co.uk/

Brighton Fringe (Neurodiverse Performer Award) - https://www.brightonfringe.org/brighton-fringe-awards-ceremony/

Sara Jane Harvey (Agony Autie) - https://www.instagram.com/agonyautie/ CONTACT US

If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles

Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles CREDITS

The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/

Mark speaks to the magnificent Lisa Galley, who is an autism consultant and mother of three grown-up neurodivergent children - one 29-year old boy (diagnosed Autistic with a PDA profile), a 25-year old girl (suspected autistic) and a 20-year old boy (diagnosed autistic). In this fun, candid and thought-provoking episode, they discuss the challenges of helping our neurodivergent kids acquire the life skills they need to be able to live independently. As they cover the diverse range of topics under the umbrella of life skills, Lisa offers some valuable (and occasionally comforting) insights into how her kids have acquired skills, such as getting a job, navigating self care, managing money, learning to drive and, ultimately living away from home. LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Lisa Galley Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/school_run_mum_autism/

Roblox "Find The Markers" - https://www.roblox.com/games/7896264844/Find-The-Markers-237

Metro Bank - https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/about-us/kids-zone/

Toren Wolf on Learning to Drive - https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6PndheP02Z/

Danielle Jata-Hall (PDA Parenting) - https://www.instagram.com/pdaparenting/

Sara Jane Harvey (Agony Autie) - https://www.instagram.com/agonyautie/

Lisa Galley's Website: https://www.lisagalley.com/ CONTACT US

If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles

Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles CREDITS

The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/