In this episode of Beneath Behaviour, we take a step back to understand what’s really going on before a child explodes, emotionally, neurologically, and relationally.

This isn’t about control, defiance, or “bad” behaviour. It’s about a nervous system under pressure, and the signs we often miss in the lead-up.

We explore:

• The difference between meltdowns, tantrums, and shutdowns
• How the SUPER framework helps overcome overwhelm
• How your child’s nervous system shapes their reactions
• Why prevention starts outside the moment
• What it means to meet distress with understanding, not urgency

✨ This is part one of a two-part series on meltdowns. In this episode, we focus on the out-of-moment insights that help us prepare. In part two, we’ll dive into what to do in the heat of it.

For more information on our Autism program or other Parenting program, you can go to www.parentalstresscentre.com

KEYWORDS: parenting meltdowns, understanding child behaviour, nervous system and parenting, emotional regulation, autism and meltdowns, highly sensitive kids, parenting overwhelm

Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you’re not “getting it right” as a parent?

You're not alone. Parental guilt, perfectionism, and the constant pressure to do more are stories many of us carry, often without realising it.

In this episode, Jackie and mum Amanda explore:

- Why guilt and perfectionism show up in parenting
- How the pressure to “get it right” affects our nervous system
- How old beliefs shape our reactions — especially when raising neurodivergent kids
- Gentle ways to shift these patterns and meet ourselves with more compassion

Beneath Behaviour is the podcast where we explore what’s really going on - beneath the behaviour.

👇 Subscribe to Beneath Behaviour for more in-depth conversations with parents, experts, and advocates.

For more information about the lenses and what Jackie Hall teaches, you can go to www.parentalstresscentre.com

#ParentingPodcast #ParentalGuilt #ParentingPerfectionism #ParentingPressure #ParentingBurnout #NeurodivergentParenting #MindfulParenting #ParentingStress #BeneathBehaviour #SelfCompassion #autismmum

In this special episode of Beneath Behaviour, host Jackie Hall speaks with Nicci Smith, mother of Tanner Smith, who captured hearts worldwide on Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum. 

In this deeply personal episode, Nicci shares her journey raising an autistic child, from diagnosis to life after the show. They discuss parenting challenges, nurturing independence, sibling dynamics, and how to embrace each child's unique path.

Perfect for autism parents, fans of the show, and anyone navigating parenting a neurodivergent child.

#AutismParenting #LoveOnTheSpectrum #ParentingPodcast #AutismSupport #Neurodiversity #Parenting





They’re not being defiant.
They’re not “just refusing.”
They’re overwhelmed — and their nervous system is calling the shots.

In this solo episode, Jackie Hall dives deep into the emotional and physiological roots of “school can’t” — when a child literally cannot face the school day.

We explore:
– Why school environments can feel traumatic to some children
– The 6 key stress categories that stack until they crack
– How to support safety first — not compliance
– And what to do when you’re being told to “just get them there”

For any parent or educator navigating the heartbreak of school-based anxiety and shutdowns — this episode offers clarity, validation, and a way forward.

🌿 Learn more about our Autism Parenting Program at The Parental Stress Centre

#SchoolCant #BeneathBehaviour #AutisticKids #SchoolAnxiety #NeurodivergentParenting #TraumaInformed #EmotionalSafety #ParentalBurnout #BehaviourUnderstood #ParentingSupport #JackieHall #ParentalStressCentre

What if autism wasn’t the problem — but how we’ve been taught to see it, was?

In this episode, Jackie shares a heartfelt and honest conversation about parenting autistic children through the first two lenses of her SUPER Framework: Self-Awareness and Understanding.

We explore:

• What you believe about autism — and how it can shape your approach to autism

• Why behaviour is communication

• How to shift from the “deficit” model to a neuro-affirming approach to Autism

• How executive functioning, sensory overload, and social differences show up in everyday life

• Why your child’s identity doesn’t need to be reshaped — but their environment might

Whether you’re navigating meltdowns, overwhelm, or just trying to find your feet — this episode is a gentle reset.

It's not teaching you 'another new strategy.' It's giving you a new lens.

🎧 Listen now — and let’s begin with you.

Learn more about our Autism Parenting Program here.

Ever felt like you’re the only family not following the script?
In this episode, Jackie chats with Sarah — a mum of four neurodivergent teens — about what happens when you stop trying to parent “right” and start parenting real.
They explore the early missteps, the power of self-diagnosis, and how burnout became the wake-up call Sarah didn’t know she needed. From ADHD to autism, perfectionism to self-worth, this is one of our most honest episodes yet.
We talk about:
- Recognising your own neurodivergence through your kids
- The chaos of trying to parent like everyone else
- Why flexibility, humour, and self-compassion are essential
- Letting go of who you thought you should be
This is for every parent trying to do it differently — and wondering if they’re doing it wrong.
#BeneathBehaviour #ParentingOutsideTheBox #NeurodivergentParenting #ParentingPodcast #ADHDParent #AutismParent #RealTalkParenting #SelfCompassion #BurnoutSupport #JackieHall #GentleParentingJourney

You keep trying to manage the behaviour.
But what if the real change starts beneath it?

In this episode, I introduce the SUPER Framework — a 5-part lens that helps parents understand what’s really going on when their child is struggling.

We talk about:

• The stress stories behind your reactions

• Why behaviour is never random

• How to support your child with insight, not just strategies

If you’ve ever thought, “Why do they keep doing this?” or “Why do I keep snapping?” — this episode is for you.

Behaviour always makes sense. You just have to know how to look.

For more information about our Autism program or other Parenting Programs please go to: www.parentalstresscentre.com

If you’ve ever had a child who struggles to get to school — or stay there — you’re not alone. In this episode, Jackie talks with Melissa, a parent of two neurodivergent kids, about what it really means when school becomes too much.

We explore the emotional and practical layers of school can’t — from sensory overwhelm and academic pressure to masking, social stress, and nervous system fatigue.

This isn’t a story of defiance. It’s a story of survival — and what happens when we meet our kids with understanding instead of urgency.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or support person, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and a new way to see what's really going on beneath the behaviour.

For more ways to connect with Beneath Behaviour:

https://www.parentalstresscentre.com/beneath-behaviour-podcasts-with-jackie-hall/