🎧 Episode 19: The NeuroDADverse Podcast

This week’s episode dives into one of Dan’s toughest parenting moments yet, where the process of a 'simple' haircut spirals into heartbreak.

Also in this raw, honest episode, Ben discusses another week of having 'tough' topic conversations with Oscar after an incident on the way to school. Another week of tales where parenting neurodivergent and things don’t go to plan.

Ben and Dan explore:

•When everyday moments become emotional landmines

•Frankie’s haircut meltdown and how it really went down

•The invisible toll of routines, regulation, and trust

•Sunday dread and school prep anxiety

•The pressure of solo parenting and staying composed

•Why “showing up” is sometimes the only win

YouTube Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 19

01:20 – Three-Word Week (Tennis Style)

03:00 – School attendance pressure vs real-life chaos

05:50 – Frankie and the haircut: what really happened

09:30 – Emotional fallout and unexpected grief

13:15 – The struggle to balance calm with chaos

16:00 – Regrouping after a meltdown

18:30 – Why ND kids need control of their body

21:15 – Sundays and emotional resets

24:10 – Morning routine stress: the “bus soon” problem

27:00 – Oscar’s sensory needs and emotional cues

30:00 – The loneliness of solo parenting

33:20 – Support systems (or lack thereof)

37:10 – Processing vs reacting: learning as you go

40:15 – The need for emotional safety in school settings

44:00 – Trust, trauma, and the long game

49:00 – Holding space for the hard stuff

53:30 – Bath-time regulation and routine

60:00 – Wrapping up: honesty over perfection

Like what you heard?

Join us in the NeuroDADverse in all the usual places in our link tree:

https://linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/neurodadverse/id1828520219

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0dcFZNbAX4eixDu3vLLPWF?si=ee285ea2e8ab4fb7

#NeuroDadverse #NeurodivergentParenting #SENDParenting #AutismDad #ADHDParent #FatherhoodUnfiltered #ParentingWins #NeurodiversityAwareness #DadPodcast #SpecialNeedsParenting

#AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #AutismParenting #AutismCommunity #AutismJourney #ParentingAutism #AutismSupport #AutismDads #PodcastCommunity #autism #neurodiversity #autismparenting #Neurodivergent #autismacceptance #autismcommunity #adhd #adhdparenting #adhdawareness #adhdsupport #adhdlife #autismparents #autisticparenting #actuallyautistic #SpecialNeedsParenting #parentingautism #parentingtips #dadsofinstagram #fatherhood #PodcastCommunity #dadspodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 18 🎧

This week in the NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan share the emotional chaos, quiet victories, and the messy beauty of raising neurodivergent kids. From last-minute school appointments to bath time breakthroughs, it’s a week full of real-life parenting moments where nothing goes to plan—but everything somehow comes together.

🎙️ Highlights include:

• Ben’s solo-parenting chaos (and cuddles)
• Mabel’s blood test win and anxiety management
• Oscar’s info-dump and the Pacific vs. Specific showdown
• Managing transitions, transport, and tangled routines
• Why boring bath times are the ultimate success story

00:00 – Welcome to The NeuroDADverse

03:00 – This Week in our NeuroDADverse

08:54 – A Small but Mighty Win for Mabel

16:59 – Mornings, Trust, and Unexpected Growth

25:28 – Turning Meltdowns into Moments (Parent Tricks)

30:24 – Oscar’s Bus Routine and Growing Independence

35:00 – “Pacific vs. Specific” – The Funniest Bedtime Ever

36:49 – Horror Films, My Little Pony, and DVD Nostalgia

42:03 – Seeing Acceptance in the Playground

48:09 – Looking Ahead: Doctor’s Appointments & Term End

56:45 – Bath Time Wins: From Dysregulation to Routine

01:04:03 – Wrap-Up: Lots of Little Wins Add Up

01:04:43 – Final Sign-Off

💡 If this episode resonates with you, whether you’re a zebra or a stripy horse or just figuring it out, there’s space for you in the NeuroDADverse.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting chats

👍 Like & share and leave a comment to help more parents find us

📧 Contact: neurodadverse@gmail.com

📲 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

Join us in the NeuroDADverse in all the usual places in our link tree:

https://linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse

🎧Listen to us on:

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/neurodadverse/id1828520219

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0dcFZNbAX4eixDu3vLLPWF?si=ee285ea2e8ab4fb

🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #ADHDAwareness #AutismAdvocacy #RejectionSensitivity #ParentingPodcast #EmotionalRegulation #NDLife #NeuroDadverse #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #ADHD #autismawareness #autismacceptance #actuallyautistic #neurodiverse #sensoryprocessingdisorder #ADHDparenting #autismfamily #autismlife #adhdlife #differentnotless #inclusion

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 17 🎧

In this powerful and emotionally grounded episode, Ben and Dan dive deep into one of the most difficult parenting moments they’ve faced yet: discussing the recent misinformation spreading online about the causes of autism, specifically, false claims linking paracetamol during pregnancy to autism.

We explore:

•How Ben approached this sensitive topic with his childern Oscar and Mabel.

•The emotional reactions it sparked at home.

•The struggle to share facts without inflaming fears.

Beyond this, the episode shares some hopeful wins:

•Mabel’s gradual return to school despite emotionally based school avoidance.

•Oscar’s self-awareness of needing a mental health break.

•How teamwork with schools and family communication can pave the way for small but significant victories.

A heartfelt reminder that raising neurodivergent children brings a unique rhythm—and in that rhythm, both challenges and joys coexist.

⏱️ YouTube Chapter Timestamps

00:00: Welcome & Introduction

03:00: “Week in Three Words"

06:00: Challenges at Home: Meltdowns & Miscommunication

12:00: The School Environment & Parent-School Relationships

17:00: Recognising Unseen Dangers & Building Independence

19:00: The Big Conversation: What Causes Autism?

25:00: Mabel’s Response: Anger, Curiosity & Critical Thinking

30:00: Navigating Misinformation in a Neurodivergent Household

35:00: A Win: Mabel’s Emotional Growth and Return to School

40:00: Framing a “Win” When the World Measures Differently

45:00: Oscar’s Mental Health Break & Emotional Burnout

50:00: Parenting Through a Political Minefield

55:00: Final Reflections: Kindness, Communication & Teamwork

01:00:00 – Outro: Looking Ahead & Staying Connected

💡 If this episode resonates with you, whether you’re a zebra or a stripy horse or just figuring it out, there’s space for you in the NeuroDADverse.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting chats

👍 Like & share and leave a comment to help more parents find us

📧 Contact: neurodadverse@gmail.com

📲 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

Join us in the NeuroDADverse in all the usual places in our link tree:

https://linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse

🎧Listen to us on:

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/neurodadverse/id1828520219

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0dcFZNbAX4eixDu3vLLPWF?si=ee285ea2e8ab4fb

🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #ADHDAwareness #AutismAdvocacy #RejectionSensitivity #ParentingPodcast #EmotionalRegulation #NDLife #NeuroDadverse #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #ADHD #autismawareness #autismacceptance #actuallyautistic #neurodiverse #sensoryprocessingdisorder #ADHDparenting #autismfamily #autismlife #adhdlife #differentnotless #inclusion

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 16 🎧

This week’s episode is a “breakfast bar” edition, recorded early doors and full of raw honesty. Ben opens up about a particularly emotional parenting moment involving boundaries, teenage exploration, and sober reflection. Meanwhile, Dan talks about the sudden arrival of the “Week 4 Wobble” and how Frankie’s eating and sleep patterns are shifting as he adjusts to school routines.

Other highlights include:

• Nanny and Grandad sleepover wins
• SEND babysitter trials
• Unexpected lice but unexpected progress
• The quiet pride in bath-time breakthroughs

00:00 - Intro & Welcome from the Breakfast Bar

01:35 - Three-Word Weekly Summary (with wordplay!)

03:30 - Ben’s Challenge: Teenage Troubles & Emotional Regulation

13:40 - School Struggles, Masking & Late Diagnoses

18:00 - Frankie’s Week 4 Wobble: Eating, Sleep & Deregulation

24:40 - Wins Begin: Sleepovers, Friendships & Wee Progress

29:00 - Dan’s Win: Nits, Hygiene & Hair-Washing Triumph

37:00 - Independence, Advocacy & Comb-through Calm

43:00 - Two Baths in a Week? A Shocking Plot Twist

46:20 - The Week Ahead: SEND Babysitters & Social Plans

50:30 - Bath Time Scores: Data Trends & Sudsy Success

55:40 - Wrapping Up: Calm Weeks, Good Energy & Franchise Sequels

59:10 - Outro & Ways to Get Involved

💡 If this episode resonates with you, whether you’re a zebra or a stripy horse or just figuring it out, there’s space for you in the NeuroDADverse.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting chats

👍 Like & share and leave a comment to help more parents find us

📧 Contact: neurodadverse@gmail.com

📲 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

Join us in the NeuroDADverse in all the usual places in our link tree:

https://linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse

🎧Listen to us on:

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/neurodadverse/id1828520219

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0dcFZNbAX4eixDu3vLLPWF?si=ee285ea2e8ab4fb

🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #ADHDAwareness #AutismAdvocacy #RejectionSensitivity #ParentingPodcast #EmotionalRegulation #NDLife #NeuroDadverse #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #ADHD #autismawareness #autismacceptance #actuallyautistic #neurodiverse #sensoryprocessingdisorder #ADHDparenting #autismfamily #autismlife #adhdlife #differentnotless #inclusion

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode 15

This week, Ben and Dan explore the emotional tightrope of raising neurodivergent teens during school term chaos. Ben shares the heavy emotional load of supporting Mabel through school-related overwhelm, where advocacy, compassion, and a newly diagnosed ADHD perspective all collide. There’s honest discussion about balancing being a teacher and a parent — and how not every school interaction needs to be a battleground.

Meanwhile, Dan celebrates some unexpected strides in Frankie’s social and language development — including a newfound confidence at school drop-off. Plus: Oscar introduces a DVD bartering system with Mabel (aka “Blockbuster”), and bedtime tech management finally starts to click.

As always, the episode ends with candid bath-time scores and family in-jokes involving “Bum Back” and “Sleepy Night-Nights.” It’s an episode full of heart, laughter, emotional maturity — and just a hint of Palmolive.

💬 Topics Covered This Episode

• Supporting teens with school avoidance and emotional overwhelm

• Balancing ND advocacy with professional boundaries

• Laura’s ADHD diagnosis is helping shape family understanding

• Mabel and Oscar’s sibling bond and gentle leadership

• Frankie’s social breakthroughs and naming moments

• Screens vs. DVDs: Neurodivergent bedtime management

• Blockbuster DVD swaps and parenting nostalgia

• Solo parenting wins and the pressure of the “perfect” week

• Bath-time routines, sensory wins & hygiene breakthroughs

• Family language quirks and neurodivergent household humour

⏱️ YouTube Chapter Timestamps

00:43 – 🐴 Welcome to the Paddock

02:03 – 🧠 Ben’s Delayed Headspace & Rescheduling

02:48 – 🔤 Ben’s Week in 3 Words: Maturity, Siblings, Sadness

04:10 – 📉 Challenge of the Week: Mabel’s Tough School Transition

09:36 – 🤝 Advocating While Parenting: Teacher Hat vs. Parent Hat

13:00 – ✊ Fight for Ordinary Rally Reflections

16:42 – ✨ Win of the Week: Oscar’s Flexibility & Independence

23:20 – 🗣️ Frankie Says What?! A Language Leap

25:30 – 📀 Blockbuster Swap: The Sibling DVD System

30:00 – ❤️ Emotional Sibling Support & Advocacy

33:24 – 🔭 Looking Ahead to the Week Ahead

36:15 – 🎉 Event Flashbacks: Weddings, Parties & Trains in the Collection Plate

43:00 – 🛁 Bath Time Scores & Puberty Talk

47:00 – 🧼 Frankie’s Hygiene Win & Hair-Drying Triumph

50:00 – 🧂 Classic Family Mispronunciations: Bum Back & Sleepy Night Nights

54:00 – 🤣 Guess the Phrase Game Begins

57:00 – 💌 Listener Call-Out: Send Us Your Weird Family Words

58:12 – 🎧 Outro & Final Message

If this episode resonates with you, whether you’re a zebra or a stripy horse or just figuring it out, there’s space for you in the NeuroDADverse.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting chats

👍 Like & share and leave a comment to help more parents find us

📧 Contact: neurodadverse@gmail.com

📲 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

Join us in the NeuroDADverse in all the usual places in our link tree:

https://linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse

🎧Listen to us on:

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/neurodadverse/id1828520219

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0dcFZNbAX4eixDu3vLLPWF?si=ee285ea2e8ab4fb

#NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #AutismAdvocacy #ParentingPodcast #EmotionalRegulation #NeuroDadverse #autismawareness #autismacceptance #autismfamily #autismlife #adhdlife #differentnotless #inclusion #TeenageMentalHealth #AutisticTeens #SENDSupport #SiblingSupport #ParentingWins #NeuroSpicyLife #NeurodiversePodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode 14 – Development wins, School Wobbles & Hair Hammocks

This week, Ben and Dan unpack another emotional rollercoaster in the NeuroDadverse. From Oscar's snack-time independence (and a perfectly sassy strut) to Mabel navigating school photo overwhelm and GCSE prep, this one’s full of vulnerability, advocacy, and the everyday nuance of neurodivergent parenting.

Meanwhile, Dan reflects on quiet but meaningful wins with Frankie, making strides in his toilet journey and growing more confident around spiders.

It’s a week of celebrating progress that doesn’t always shout but matters deeply.

There’s also a difficult medical appointment, a bath-time product trial (hello hair hammock!), and the ever-present challenge of balancing encouragement with emotional regulation. But there are also wins, from Oscar processing emotions out loud to paperwork milestones for Mabel’s EHCP process.

As always, the podcast is equal parts chaos, catharsis, and community. Let’s go again.

• Emotional regulation & overwhelm at school photos
• Mabel's GCSE prep and school-based anxiety
• Communicating with schools as ND parents
• Advocating for EHCP support and access
• Oscar’s snack-time standoff & learning emotional repair
• Sibling wins and bedtime routines
• Frankie’s toilet training and growing bravery around spiders
• ND parenting & professional identity conflicts
• Home systems, hyperfocus, and filling out forms
• Household language, silly phrases, and neurodivergent routines
• Sunday football, burnout, and solo parenting shifts

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 14

01:00 – Week in 3 Words: Opinions, Academics, Antithesis

03:00 – School photo overwhelm & Mabel's advocacy

06:00 – GCSE pressures, opting out & emotional safety

09:00 – The education system's capacity & limitations

12:00 – Medical appointments & difficult professional encounters

15:00 – Sunday football missing & emotional dysregulation

18:00 – Oscar’s snack prep meltdown and emotional repair

21:00 – Independence, strutting away & feelings in action

24:00 – Parent reactions, late-night regret & repair moments

27:00 – Frankie’s spider bravery & emotional growth

30:00 – Toilet journey progress & quiet milestones

33:00 – Laura’s EHCP paperwork hyperfocus win

36:00 – Hair hammocks, shampoo changes & bedtime routines

39:00 – Clothing independence, sibling support & sensory prep

42:00 – ‘Bum back’ language & ND household humour

45:00 – Parenting trade-offs, solo shifts & weekly rhythm

48:00 – Final reflections & listener thanks

Like what you heard?

Join us in the NeuroDADverse in all the usual places in our link tree:

https://linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse

YouTube

https://youtube.com/@neurodadversepodcast?si=9PnXqkp2TRRZlRZ0

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/neurodadverse/id1828520219

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0dcFZNbAX4eixDu3vLLPWF?si=ee285ea2e8ab4fb7

#NeuroDadverse #NeurodivergentParenting #SENDParenting #AutismDad #ADHDParent #ParentingWins #NeurodiversityAwareness #DadPodcast #SpecialNeedsParenting

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode 13 – Positive Energy, Car Symbols & School Wins

In this heartfelt episode, Dan and Ben reflect on the surprising joys and ongoing challenges of getting their neurodivergent kids back into the school routine. From bath time meltdowns to unexpectedly peaceful transitions, the dads talk about managing expectations, building emotional safety, and honouring small wins.

Ben shares a special moment where Oscar opens up with emotional insight and compares Ben to a new teacher with “positive energy.” Dan shares Frankie's transition going back to school. Ben explores the balance of being a teacher-parent as Mabel starts self-managing GCSE revision. There's humour too — including a surprise car cymbal gift and a flashback to forgotten anniversary presents.

This episode is all about parenting by feel, celebrating progress, and surviving the whirlwind of early September.

💬 Topics This Episode

Back-to-school transitions for ND children

Reframing wins and challenges as a parent

Emotional safety in bedtime routines

Sibling support and independence at bath time

Neurodivergent sensory needs (and adaptations)

Parent guilt, pacing, and the mental load

Teacher vs. parent identity at home

GCSE revision systems for neurodiverse teens

The power of ‘when-then’ language

Neurodivergent couple dynamics & diagnosis reflections

⏱️ YouTube Chapter Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 13

01:00 – Week in 3 Words: Surprising, Whirlwind, Tidier

03:00 – Back-to-school debrief & family dinner outing

06:00 – Supporting teens with study habits and autonomy

09:00 – The fine line between parent and teacher at home

12:00 – Neurodivergent brains & adapting routines

15:00 – Emotional wins that don’t fit neat categories

18:00 – Unexpected transitions & scaffolding support

21:00 – Sleep struggles and early wake-ups

24:00 – Revising routines: managing rest and mornings

27:00 – School transport triggers and regulation strategies

30:00 – Laura’s ADHD diagnosis and new household adjustments

33:00 – Supporting adult ND routines with child-style care

36:00 – Inclusive approaches to emotional regulation

39:00 – Creative coping strategies: glasses, fans, flowers

42:00 – Filmmaking updates and surprise festival news

45:00 – Solo parenting & evening rhythms

48:00 – Bath time reflections & routine wins

51:00 – Celebrating progress and parental growth

54:00 – Laura’s love for Lego & self-soothing tools

57:00 – Final thoughts, podcast impact & listener feedback

01:00 – Outro: Looking ahead to next week

#NeurodivergentParenting #BackToSchool #PositiveParenting #Neurodiversity #BathTimeWins #AutismSupport #ADHDParenting #GCSEPrep #ParentingJourney #NeuroSpicyLife #RoutineReset #SensoryNeeds #SENDSupport #PodcastForParents #NeuroDadverse

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode 12 – Shoe Heels, Shelf Battles & Strutting into September

Ben and Dan wrap up summer with a high-energy, high-emotion episode full of wardrobe challenges, unexpected wins, and bold self-expression. As the kids prep for a new school year, Ben takes us through an emotional decluttering session with Oscar, which turns into a sensory-sensitive sorting game (with a surprise echolalia moment).

Meanwhile, Dan reflects on Frankie’s subtle bath-time wins and the return of those school-year anxieties, with a party full of supportive friends, a cinema outing that starts with a strut, and reflections on podcasting through the parenting trenches.

This episode is a celebration of growth, expression, and figuring it out as we go.

💬 Topics This Episode

End-of-summer parenting reflections

Neurodivergent kids & emotional decluttering

Identity, fashion, and self-expression

Sibling dynamics and regulation tools

Challenges of SEND transitions back to school

Real talk on GCSE pressure & emotional school avoidance

Unexpected party wins & sensory-safe spaces

Bath time scoring & language milestones

⏱️ Chapter Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 12

01:00 – Week in 3 Words: Growing, Isolation, Memory

03:00 – Decluttering clothes: Marie Kondo (ish) wins & fails

06:00 – Oscar's overwhelm & sensory wardrobe setup

09:00 – Gamifying the sort: buckets, bins & Sleepy Night-Nights

12:00 – Identity, heels & strutting to the cinema

14:00 – Reflecting on expression & confidence

17:00 – Family wins, sensory wins, and social navigation

20:00 – Frankie’s speech win & language growth

22:00 – Party moments & letting go of social pressure

25:00 – Self-regulation, choice, and autonomy

28:00 – Audience feedback & podcast reflections

31:00 – Back to school prep & parental nerves

34:00 – SEND school transport & emotional transitions

38:00 – GCSE pressure, emotional school avoidance & reframing success

42:00 – Reflecting on parental roles & work-life balance

46:00 – Bath time scores & language doubling

49:00 – Chronicling parenting wins through podcasting

52:00 – Outro, weekend plans & thank-yous

💡 If this episode resonates with you, whether you’re a zebra or a stripy horse or just figuring it out, there’s space for you in the NeuroDADverse.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting chats

👍 Like & share and leave a comment to help more parents find us

📧 Contact: neurodadverse@gmail.com

📲 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast

Join us in the NeuroDADverse in all the usual places in our link tree:

https://linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse

🎧Listen to us on:

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/neurodadverse/id1828520219

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0dcFZNbAX4eixDu3vLLPWF?si=ee285ea2e8ab4fb

🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #ADHDAwareness #AutismAdvocacy #RejectionSensitivity #ParentingPodcast #EmotionalRegulation #NDLife #NeuroDadverse #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #ADHD #autismawareness #autismacceptance #actuallyautistic #neurodiverse #sensoryprocessingdisorder #ADHDparenting #autismfamily #autismlife #adhdlife #differentnotless #inclusion

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.