In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Lisa Lloyd, author of Raising the Sen-Betweeners. Lisa shares her personal journey of raising two very different autistic children and the unique challenges they face navigating mainstream school settings when their needs don't quite fit the criteria for specialist education.

Key Highlights:

• Lisa’s Parenting Journey: Lisa discusses the emotional and practical realities of parenting children who fall between the cracks in the system—kids who struggle in mainstream settings but don’t have high enough care needs for specialist schools.
• The Hope Behind the Book: Lisa reveals her motivation for writing Raising the Sen-Betweeners and how she hopes it will offer comfort and validation to parents in similar situations, letting them know they are not alone in their struggles.
• Humour and Connection: Lisa and Nicole chat about the importance of humour in navigating the ups and downs of SEND life. Lisa shares how she uses her social media platforms, ASD with a G and T, to bring light-hearted moments to the SEN community while still being honest about the challenges.

Follow Lisa on her social media channels ASD with a G and T for more stories, tips, and relatable humour.

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit.

Check out our Season 3 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

In the first episode of Season 3, Nicole Bateman sits down with Michelle Cyril, The Family Sleep Specialist, to discuss how to help neurodivergent children with complex sleep needs. As a nurse with a specialism in paediatric sleep, and a parent navigated sleep challenges with one of her children, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation.

Highlights of the Episode:

1. Michelle’s Personal Journey:
   Michelle shares her experience as a mum of a child with significant sleep challenges. She talks about how her personal struggles motivated her to develop solutions and ultimately led her to specialise in paediatric sleep support.
2. Meeting Sensory Needs for Better Sleep:
   Michelle dives into the role of sensory processing in sleep difficulties, explaining how meeting a child’s sensory needs can greatly impact their ability to settle at night. She offers practical strategies and insights on how parents can create an environment that helps their children feel safe, calm, and ready for rest.
3. Effective Sleep Strategies for Neurodivergent Kids:
   Nicole and Michelle discuss tailored strategies for supporting sleep and emotional regulation in children who are neurodivergent and may have reduced sleep needs. Michelle outlines some simple steps families can take to improve sleep routines, from addressing sensory sensitivities to creating calming bedtime routines.

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit.

Check out our Season 3 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

In the final episode of Season 2, host Nicole Bateman is joined by Matt Hancock, founder of the Accessible Learning Foundation. Together they discuss Matt's experience of school before he knew he was dyslexic, his advocacy work, and the importance of understanding neurodivergent brains in the education and criminal justice systems.

Episode Highlights:

Personal Experience and Late Dyslexia Diagnosis:

• Matt shares his personal experience of being dyslexic and how it shaped his life.
• The significant impact of his late diagnosis at 18, after entering Oxford University.
• The emotional and psychological benefits of understanding one's neurodivergent brain.

Teacher Training and Neurodiversity:

• The need for comprehensive teacher training on neurodiversity and how better understanding of neurodiversity can help teachers manage classroom behaviour and improve educational outcome.

The Accessible Learning Foundation:

• Matt’s initiative to promote early identification of neurodiverse conditions in schools and the criminal justice system.
• The foundation’s dual focus on influencing policy and providing direct support to schools and prisons.
• Success stories, including the implementation of neurodiversity leads in every prison in the UK.
• Encouraging listeners to write to their MPs to support neurodiversity screening and teacher training bills.

Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit.

Check out our Season 3 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad