Neuroshambles

Neuroshambles

A fortnightly podcast about the ludicrous realities of being a parent of neurodivergent kids. Lapsed comedian Mark Allen has three kids - two diagnosed autistic with ADHD and one suspected neurotypical. Each episode, he swaps stories with his guests about the challenges they’ve had dealing with seemingly simple events, such as birthday parties, holidays, mealtimes, and leaving the house.

Episodes

May 8, 2024 80 mins

Mark speaks to Lauren, neurodivergent mother of three boys (One 11-year old diagnosed Autistic/ADHD with a PDA profile), a 9-year old (suspected autistic/ADHD) and a 5-month old (too soon to tell). They delve into the topic of noise sensitivity - from extreme reactions to loud noises and meltdowns when confronted with contrasting noises, to the fascinating topic of misophonia. They swap tales of hand dryers, bonfire night, cat scar...

Mark as Played

Mark welcomes back guest Liam Mullone, parent of twin 13-year old boys (one diagnosed autistic and one suspected autistic/ADHD), as well as an 8-year old girl (suspected neurotypical).

In this episode, they discuss the topic of mealtimes in their respective households - from the faff of getting them all to the dinner table in the first place, to the unmitigated disaster of their attempts to encourage their kids to sit down, use cut...

Mark as Played
April 10, 2024 84 mins

This episode explores how we navigate the maelstrom of emotions in families with a mix of different neurotypes. Mark speaks to Grace Lockrobin, philosopher and fellow parent of neurodivergent boys (one 8-year old, diagnosed autistic, and a 5-year old with suspected ADHD), as they look at how members of their own households handle the contrasting ways that each of them understands, expresses and responds to emotions - both in themse...

Mark as Played
March 27, 2024 76 mins

This episode is all about the relentless faff involved in trying to get our neurodivergent kids out of the house.

Mark talks to comedian Hatty Ashdown, who is a parent of two children (one diagnosed autistic with suspected ADHD and one suspected neurotypical). They compare war stories from their daily attempts to wrangle their kids out of the house, navigating distractions, dysregulation, refusal and all round chaos along the way.

...

Mark as Played
March 13, 2024 73 mins

This episode focuses on the daily struggle to find clothing that our neurodifferent children will tolerate wearing.

Mark talks to Steph Curtis, author and parent of two neurodivergent children (both teenagers, diagnosed autistic - one with a strong PDA profile). They swap tales of regular battles with labels and seams, the nightmare of school clothes and their children's preference for being naked - even in the most inappropriate m...

Mark as Played
February 28, 2024 73 mins

This episode discusses the lighter side of parents of SEND kids being treated as outcasts from polite society.

Mark speaks to Samuel Wilson, 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 4-year old son (undiagnosed neurotypical).

Mark and Sam shine a humorous light on being ostracised by the other parents at sc...

Mark as Played

Mark speaks to Angie Belcher - Comedian in Residence at University of Bristol and the proud owner of a neurodiverse 5-year old boy (diagnosed autistic, with suspected ADHD). In this episode, they discuss how something as seemingly straightforward as walking from A to B, can be an entirely different experience with neurodivergent children.

 

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Incredible Kids, Bristol - www.incrediblekids.org...

Mark as Played
January 31, 2024 81 mins

Mark welcomes back the wonderful Jo Matthews - a fellow parent with a neurodivergent setup (a 16-year old autistic daughter, with sensory processing disorder, and a 20 year old autistic son with ADHD). In this episode, they untangle the knotty concept of social etiquette in relation to neurodifferent kids and see how their own families fare, when faced with the 10 golden rules of social etiquette. Warning - this episode contains so...

Mark as Played
January 17, 2024 85 mins

Mark chats with Jess Meredith - parent of an autistic 6-year old daughter and founder of the wonderful organisation, Differing Minds. Together, they share tales of the absurd amount admin demanded of all parents fighting to get support for their neurodifferent children.  Links to stuff we mention in this episode Differing Minds - https://www.differingminds.co.uk/ "The Explosive Child" by Dr Ross Greene - https://drrossgreene.com/t...

Mark as Played
January 3, 2024 71 mins

Mark chats with Heidi Mavir - Sunday Times Best Selling Author and founder of EOTAS Matters, as they discuss the importance of honesty to our neurodivergent children. This episode also features some worthy neurodiversity champions, some laudable tiny epic wins, and some utterly ridiculous "What the Flip?" moments. Links to stuff we mention in this episode "Your Child is Not Broken", by Heidi Mavir: https://www.heidimavir.com/i-wro...

Mark as Played
December 13, 2023 76 mins

'Tis the season to be fizzy, as Mark welcomes back former guest "Belle", to discuss the additional challenges that Christmas presents to our neurodifferent children. Featuring torrid tales of taking children to visit Santa, performing in school concerts and trying to coax a PDA child into writing a Christmas list. There will also be regular favourite features, such as Neurodiversity Champions, Tiny Epic Wins and some more joyous "W...

Mark as Played
November 29, 2023 63 mins

In this episode, Mark speaks to "Kate", who has a 10-year old girl, who is diagnosed autistic with suspected ADHD. They discuss how their neurodifferent kids navigate the knotty issue of friendships. We also have some more neurodiversity champions, plenty of "what the flip" moments and a couple of tiny wins. Links to stuff we mention in this episode Appeer: https://www.appeer.org.uk/ Overworld: https://overworld-amp.uk/ Contact u...

Mark as Played
November 15, 2023 64 mins

In this episode, host Mark Allen speaks to Liam Mullone, who has twin 12-year old boys - one diagnosed autistic with suspected ADHD and the other suspected autistic/ADHD. They discuss the pros and cons of raising neurodivergent kids with intense special interests, from Pokemon, Greek Mythology and Football, to Thomas the Tank Engine, Rollercoasters and Murder Drones.  Links to stuff we mention in this episode Crealy Family Theme P...

Mark as Played
November 1, 2023 64 mins

In this episode, host Mark Allen speaks to Dr Hildi Mitchell, who has an autistic daughter, aged 19, and another daughter, 22, who is also suspected autistic, with agoraphobia. The topic of this show is “Holidays”. Mark reports back from his holiday in Greece and Dr Mitchell discusses their annual holiday routine, as well as exploring the unique set of challenges posed by going on holiday with a neurodivergent family.  Links to st...

Mark as Played
October 18, 2023 61 mins

Host Mark Allen talks to anonymous guest, “Belle”, who has two neurodivergent kids - an 8-year old autistic girl with sensory processing disorder and PDA, and a 6-year old suspected-autistic boy with Tourette Syndrome. In this episode, they discuss the thorny issue of “Birthday Parties”, as well as looking at more neurodiversity champions and a tiny win. Links to stuff we mention in this episode Gatwick special assistance: https:/...

Mark as Played
October 4, 2023 65 mins

The very first episode of Neuroshambles sees host Mark Allen talking to Jo Matthews - a fellow parent with a neurodivergent setup (a 16-year old autistic daughter, with sensory processing disorder, and a 20 year old autistic son with ADHD). In this show, they discuss the joys and frustrations of camping with neurodifferent kids, as well as looking a some neurodiversity champions, tiny wins and a selection of moments that make you s...

Mark as Played
October 3, 2023 1 min

A trailer previewing Neuroshambles - a fortnightly podcast about the ludicrous realities of parenting neurodivergent kids. If you want to hear a bunch of frazzled parents gleefully swapping tales from the trenches of parenting neurodiverse children and having a laugh at some of the nonsense we have to navigate, this is the podcast for you. Lapsed comedian Mark Allen has three kids - two diagnosed autistic with ADHD and one suspect...

Mark as Played

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