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

In Season 2, Episode 13 of "Conversations with a SEND Mum," host Nicole Bateman chats with Caroline Wallace, founder of The SEN Business Mum, about her experiences with adoption and raising a son with XYY syndrome. They discuss the adoption process, the unique challenges of supporting a child with XYY syndrome, and Caroline's emotional journey, including a desperate moment when she was turned away by a GP.

Episode Highlights:

• The Adoption Process: Caroline shares her adoption story, detailing the steps and emotional journey she underwent to bring her son into her family. She discusses the joys and challenges of adoption, offering insights and advice for other parents considering or going through the process.
• Supporting a Child with XYY Syndrome: Nicole and Caroline delve into what XYY syndrome is and how it impacts her son. Caroline shares strategies that have helped her support her son's development and well-being.
• A Point of Desperation: Caroline recounts a particularly challenging experience when she reached out for help and was turned away by a GP while sobbing. She discusses the emotional toll it took on her and how she found the strength to keep advocating for her son despite the setback. This segment underscores the importance of accessible and compassionate healthcare support for parents and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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 Season 2, Episode 12 of "Conversations with a SEND Mum," host Nicole Bateman sits down with Aisling Owens Nash to discuss the critical importance of parent mental health. They delve into Aisling's experiences parenting neurodivergent children, making strategies fun for the whole family, and a terrifying freeze moment that profoundly impacted her life.

Episode Highlights:

• Parenting Neurodivergent Children: Aisling shares her journey of raising neurodivergent children. She discusses the unique challenges and joys, and how her approach to parenting has evolved over time to meet her children's needs.
• Making Strategies Fun: Nicole and Aisling talk about the innovative and engaging strategies Aisling has implemented to support her children's development. They discuss how to turn everyday activities into fun and therapeutic experiences, making the process enjoyable for both parents and children.
• A Life-Changing Freeze Moment: Aisling recounts a terrifying freeze moment that changed everything for her. She opens up about the emotional and mental impact of this experience and how it led her to prioritise her own mental health. This segment underscores the importance of parent mental health and the ripple effect it has on the entire family.

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 Season 2, Episode 11 of "Conversations with a SEND Mum," host Nicole Bateman chats with Louisa Stanley about her new book "Parenting on a Different Path." Louisa's book brings together 26 stories of parenting children with complex needs. They discuss the common themes and unique aspects of these stories, and Louisa shares her personal journey of parenting her daughter with a genetic syndrome.

Episode Highlights:

• Parenting on a Different Path: Louisa introduces her book, "Parenting on a Different Path" which compiles 26 heartfelt stories from parents of children with complex needs. She explains the inspiration behind the book and the process of gathering and curating these powerful narratives.
• Common Themes and Unique Aspects: Nicole and Louisa explore the similarities and unique aspects of the stories in the book. They discuss common themes such as resilience, advocacy, and the emotional journey of parenting children with complex needs, while also highlighting the diverse experiences and challenges faced by each family.
• Louisa's Personal Journey: Louisa opens up about her own journey of parenting her daughter with a genetic syndrome. She shares the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way, providing insight and encouragement to other parents navigating similar paths.

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 Season 2, Episode 10 of "Conversations with a SEND Mum," host Nicole Bateman sits down with Georgina Durrant from The SEN Resources Blog. They discuss the systemic challenges faced by children with SEND, how to channel frustration into positive action, and strategies from Georgina's upcoming book "SEND Strategies for Primary Years."

Episode Highlights:

• Systemic Challenges in SEND: Nicole and Georgina delve into how children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are often let down by the system. They discuss the common issues and frustrations faced by parents and educators, and the impact these challenges have on children’s development and education.
• Turning Frustration into Positive Action: The conversation shifts to how parents and educators can turn their frustration with the system into positive action. Georgina shares inspiring stories and proactive steps to support children with SEND.
• SEND Strategies for Primary Years: Georgina introduces her new book, "SEND Strategies for Primary Years," which is set to release on June 6th. She provides a sneak peek into the book’s content, highlighting effective strategies that can be implemented at home and in school to support children with SEND. The discussion includes practical tips on creating an inclusive learning environment and fostering positive outcomes for all students.

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 this special episode of "Conversations with a SEND Mum," host Nicole Bateman sits down with Ana Bonasera to discuss the crucial topic of parent carer mental health. Ana shares her personal journey with mental health, the importance of sleep, and why having regulation strategies is vital for parent carers.

Episode Highlights:

• Ana's Mental Health Journey: Ana opens up about her personal experiences with mental health as a parent carer. She discusses the challenges she has faced, the moments of vulnerability, and the steps she has taken towards better mental health and self-care.
• The Importance of Sleep: Nicole and Ana delve into the significance of sleep for parent carers. They discuss how sleep deprivation can impact mental and physical health, and share tips and strategies for improving sleep quality and establishing a better sleep routine amidst the demands of caregiving.
• Regulation Strategies for Parent Carers: The conversation shifts to the importance of having regulation strategies to manage stress and maintain mental well-being. Ana shares practical techniques and practices that have helped her and how you can get involved in her parent/carer mental health summit. www.parentcarerconnect.com

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