Two mothers, both podcast hosts, both raising neurodivergent children in the UK, come together for an honest conversation about the realities that many parents never see coming. Dr. Olivia Kessel (SEND Parenting Podcast) and Greer Jones (The Unfinished Idea) share their raw, unfiltered experiences navigating a system that often feels designed to exclude rather than support.

From the moment Greer's son started school and was immediately restricted to two-hour days, to Olivia's shocking discovery of local authority deception through a subject access request during her daughter's EHCP process, these stories highlight the extraordinary lengths parents must go to secure appropriate education for their children. Both women speak candidly about the emotional toll – the isolation, the constant advocacy, and the financial strain that comes with fighting for services most families take for granted.

But this conversation offers more than commiseration. Drawing from her medical background, Olivia explains how understanding neurodevelopmental differences transforms parenting approaches. Together, they share practical strategies that actually work: using sticky notes to externalize executive functioning, setting up visual timetables, and even programming Alexa to provide reminders that don't trigger the resistance that parental instructions might.

Most powerfully, they discuss finding community amidst the struggle. "We are normal," Olivia emphasizes, noting that 20% of the world is neurodiverse. "Our differences are what make us special." They remind listeners that traditional parenting methods often fail neurodivergent children not because the children are broken, but because those methods weren't designed for their beautifully different brains.

Whether you're raising a neurodivergent child or simply want to better understand and support the families around you, this episode offers valuable insights into turning challenges into opportunities for growth, connection, and yes – even joy. Ready to rewrite the parenting rulebook on terms that actually work for your family?

www.sendparenting.com