We're so grateful this week to be joined by Kate Lynch. Kate is a somatic mindfulness coach dedicated to creating a kinder, more inclusive future for all families. Since 2002, she has supported thousands of parents around the world with mindfulness, self-compassion, and somatic movement, helping them avoid burnout while raising their neurodivergent children.

Kate shares some really valuable insights and practical advice that we hope will resonate with you.

Kate Lynch (she/her) is a somatic mindfulness coach on a mission to create a kinder, more inclusive future. Since 2002, she has supported thousands of parents internationally with mindfulness, self-compassion, and somatic movement, so they can enjoy raising their neurodivergent kids and avoid parental burnout. She facilitates Parent Support Groups for Extreme Kids and Parent Clubs for Good Inside. Kate is author of the upcoming book, Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents: The joys and struggles of raising neurodivergent kids. She has been featured in ADDitude Magazine, Mutha Magazine, Autism Parenting Magazine, and more. Her little neurodiverse family lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Understanding Somatic Mindfulness: Somatic mindfulness focuses on the mind-body connection, emphasising self-care and emotional regulation through body awareness.

The Impact of Parenting on Children: Parents' emotional states, such as anxiety or stress, can significantly affect their neurodivergent children, highlighting the importance of parental self-regulation.

Mindfulness Practices for Parents: Simple mindfulness techniques, such as feeling the soles of your feet on the ground, can be integrated into daily routines to support emotional well-being.

Community Support: Connecting with other parents is invaluable. Sharing experiences and advice can empower you and provide essential resources.

Advocacy and Navigating Educational Systems: Understanding your rights and advocating for your child’s needs in educational settings is crucial, as parents often face systemic challenges.

The Role of the Vagus Nerve: The vagus nerve plays a vital role in regulating stress responses and emotional states, influencing how we react to situations.

The Therapeutic Nature of Activities: Engaging in activities like surfing or working with animals can be therapeutic for neurodivergent children, providing joy and confidence.

Email: kate@healthyhappyyoga.com

Substack: https://katelynch.substack.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfregulatedparent

Mindful Meltdown Cheat Sheet:

4 quick and simple mindfulness tools just for parents of neurodivergent kids

4 meltdown essentials based on core values.

https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/meltdown

or 1 month trial membership: https://katelynch.substack.com/month

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Natalie Tealdi:

Hi, it's Natalie. Unfortunately, I was unable to be in today's interview, but before we begin, I wanted to take a moment to introduce our brilliant...

In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re diving into the reality of summer holidays when your autistic child thrives on school routine. Natalie shares how her son, who has been doing brilliantly during term time, has found the transition to the long break unexpectedly tough - from meltdowns and aggressive behaviours to disrupted sleep during a melatonin break. We talk about pacing activities, managing sensory needs, and finding that fine balance between structure and rest.

How losing the school routine can trigger heightened anxiety and challenging behaviours and why this is so common for autistic children.

How disrupted sleep, including during a melatonin break, can ripple through the day and impact mood, patience, and coping ability.

How favourite activities and special interests like metal detecting, magnet fishing, and trampoline time can help regulate emotions.

Pacing social interaction and physical activity to avoid sensory overload or burnout during the holidays.

How visual tools like Google Maps and travel timers can reduce anxiety during car journeys and transitions.

Managing expectations around events and invitations from saying 'no' to busy festivals to choosing carefully between activities that may or may not be accessible.

How preparation can help make big days out go more smoothly.

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[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to

the Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm Natalie. We are two sisters

raising autistic children who know the joy, the challenges, and the everyday

moments. This is a supportive space for honest conversations, practical tips,

shared strength and expert advice. Whether you are celebrating a win, surviving

a meltdown, or just trying to make it through the day, we are right here with

you.

Join us as we share the ups, the downs, and everything in

between parenting autistic children.

Victoria Bennion:

Today, we're talking about something that so many parents of autistic children

will understand, and that's why the summer holidays can feel like the hardest

part of the year. We're gonna talk about what's been going on in our homes this

summer, from unexpected meltdowns to sleep struggles, and the ripple effect of

losing that familiar school routine.

Victoria Bennion:

We'll be sharing our real life [00:01:00]

stories, the strategies that have helped, and the moments that have truly

tested us. If you are navigating the ups and downs of the school holidays, you

are absolutely not alone. We are right here in it with you.

Natalie Tealdi: One

thing that's come up for us is our son has been coping so well. During term

time, so well at school, absolutely loving school. He's been doing so well and

it's been quite surprising how tricky he's finding the holidays.

Natalie...

We're joined by a really special guest this week, Tanya Kemp. Tanya is a registered counsellor and parent consultant specialising in neurodiversity trauma and the parent Child Connection. Tanya's own journey has equipped her with unique insights on supporting autistic children.

Tanya Kemp is a registered counsellor and parent consultant, specialising in neurodiversity, trauma, and parent-child connection. With over two decades of clinical experience and additional training in mindfulness, somatic work, and neurodiversity-affirming practice, she supports families raising autistic and neurodivergent children. Tanya is also a solo mum to her 11-year-old autistic daughter, and together they’re traveling the world—learning, living, and world-schooling along the way. Her lived experience, combined with global research and integrative therapeutic approaches, makes her a trusted and compassionate guide for families navigating neurodivergence.

Understanding Neurodiversity: Tanya emphasises the importance of recognising and embracing neurodiversity as a valuable aspect of human variation rather than a deficit.

Parent-Child Connections: Building strong relationships with autistic children involves active listening, empathy, and validation of their feelings and experiences.

Practical Strategies for Support: Tanya shares actionable techniques that parents can use to support their autistic children, including creating structured routines and sensory-friendly environments.

Empowering Families: She highlights the need for parents to feel empowered and informed, equipping them with the tools they need to advocate effectively for their children.

Celebrating Differences: Emphasising the uniqueness of each autistic child, Tanya encourages families to celebrate their strengths and individuality.

Community Support: The importance of finding and fostering community connections is crucial for both parents and children, providing a sense of belonging and shared experiences.

Navigating Challenges: Tanya discusses common challenges faced by families and offers insights on how to navigate them with resilience and positivity.

Education and Advocacy: She stresses the role of education in breaking down stereotypes and fostering a more inclusive society for neurodivergent individuals.

Self-Care for Parents: Tanya reminds parents to prioritise their own well-being, as caring for themselves enables them to better support their children.

Continuous Learning: The journey of understanding and supporting neurodiversity is ongoing, and Tanya encourages parents to remain open to learning and adapting as they grow alongside their children.

Website: https://www.tanyakemp.com/

Facebook - https://facebook.com/parentingautisticchildrenmatters

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/parentingautisticchildren/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-kemp-0b32022ab/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@parentingautisticchildren

A 5 day video series on the 5 things every parent should know when their child receives an autism diagnosis.

A free training for parents and carers on the autism brain through the lens that Tanya parents - a neurodiversity affirming lens that really shifts how parents and carers think about their child's day to day challenges and what kind of support they need. Also to understand the neurodiversity movement, ableism and be part of the solution for a better future for autistic people.

You can access these offers via Tanya's website here: https://www.tanyakemp.com/

In this episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, Victoria and Natalie share how they navigated their dad’s 80th birthday, which included family gatherings that came with lots of excitement, and its fair share of sensory challenges.

If family events sometimes leave you feeling anxious or wondering if it’s even worth the effort, this episode is for you.

How preparing in advance can ease anxiety - Visual supports like calendars, photos of the venue and explaining the schedule ahead of time helped both children feel more secure.

How respecting your child’s boundaries leads to better outcomes - Giving our children space and letting them decide if and when they’re ready made a big difference in their ability to cope.

How food doesn’t have to be the focus of the gathering - When meals are difficult, removing pressure and creating positive experiences around connection and play can still make the outing worthwhile.

How tech, sensory tools, and safe items can be lifelines - From ear defenders to iPads, bringing the right tools can help children stay regulated in unfamiliar or overwhelming settings.

How staying calm as a parent is so important - Holding your emotional ground can help avoid escalation and builds trust with your child.

Website - https://theautismmums.com/

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[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to

the Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm Natalie. We are two sisters

raising autistic children who know the joy, the challenges, and the everyday

moments. This is a supportive space for honest conversations, practical tips,

shared strength and expert advice. Whether you are celebrating a win, surviving

a meltdown, or just trying to make it through the day, we are right here with

you.

Join us as we share the ups, the downs, and everything in

between parenting autistic children.

Victoria Bennion:

This week we wanted to talk about something that so many of us find really

tricky, but often don't talk a lot about, and that's family gatherings.

Last month was quite a

busy one for us. It was our dad's 80th birthday, and that meant a couple of big

family meals, which is lovely in theory, but if you have autistic children,

these events come with a whole lot more to consider. So in this episode,

Natalie and I are [00:01:00] sharing how we

approached these gatherings, what we did to prepare.

Our children, the moments that didn't go to plan and some of

the wins.

We know that autism is a spectrum and every child's needs and

reactions vary hugely, and of course, every family's journey looks different as

well, so take what's useful for you and leave the rest. Our hope is that by

sharing our stories, you'll feel a little more supported and maybe pick up a

few ideas to try.

So Nat, can you talk about how you prepared for the meals?

Natalie Tealdi: With

my son, I made sure he was aware so. A couple of weeks beforehand mentioned,

you know, it's Grandpa P's big birthday, and we're gonna be going

In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re exploring the powerful connection between nutrition and wellbeing with the incredibly insightful Lisa Katz, mum, nutritional practitioner, and passionate advocate for holistic autism support.

Lisa Katz is a passionate advocate, devoted mum, and inspirational voice for families navigating the unique journey of severe Autism. As the mother of triplet boys, Lisa draws strength from her personal experiences.

Lisa has embraced a path of purpose championing healthy eating, clean living, and holistic wellness as essential tools for empowering both her family and other families.

She is focused on helping others make simple changes that will help not only the child with special needs but will truly benefit the entire family.

• The gut-brain connection and its significance in autism.
• Overview of the GAPS Diet and its focus on healing the gut.
• The importance of eliminating gluten and dairy for some children.
• Practical tips for becoming an informed consumer and reading food labels.
• Strategies for integrating dietary changes into family life.
• Signs that may indicate dietary issues affecting a child with autism.
• The idea that food is medicine and its implications for health.
• Tips for navigating social situations and dining out.
• The importance of community support for parents of neurodivergent children.

The GAPS Diet – Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lisa.sobelkatz.5

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lisasobelkatz

Contact Lisa through Facebook or Instagram (links above) to take up her generous offer of $50 off her Kitchen Reset Package. Simply let her know you heard about the offer here.

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[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to

the Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm Natalie. We are two sisters

raising autistic children who know the joy, the challenges, and the everyday

moments. This is a supportive space for honest conversations, practical tips,

shared strength and expert advice. Whether you are celebrating a win, surviving

a meltdown, or just trying to make it through the day, we are right here with

you.

Join us as we share the ups, the downs, and everything in

between parenting autistic children.

Natalie Tealdi: Hi,

it's Natalie. Although you won't hear me in today's interview, I really wanted

to jump on at the start just to say hello and share a few thoughts with you

before we begin.

Victoria Bennion:

That's right. This episode...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast Victoria and Natalie open up about the often-overlooked challenges that school holidays bring for families of autistic children. While many look forward to summer as a time to unwind, for SEND families, it can mean disrupted routines, inaccessible childcare, and emotional overload for both children and parents.

• The change in routine of the summer holidays can cause emotional distress for autistic children (such as Natalie's son.)
• Traditional holiday clubs are often not suitable for neurodivergent children
• Planning can be helpful for some families -Structured days with visual timetables and pre-planned outings
• Finding clubs with adequate support for older children—or any children under 8—is still a major barrier for many families.
• Even the best laid plans can need flexibility, especially when emotions run high or children have different needs on the day.
• You may find it works best to create moments for each child to have their needs met, sometimes separately.
• Finding other parents in similar situations provides not just understanding, but practical help from playdates to moral support.
• Self-care can be challenging but it's still important, even it you can find small moments for an evening meditation or a chat with a friend.
• Joy can be found in simpler, slower summer moments

Learn more about visual timetables - https://www.caudwellchildren.com/visual-timetables-for-autistic-children/

ASCape - https://ascapegroup.org/

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[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to

the Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm Natalie. We are two sisters

raising autistic children who know the joy, the challenges, and the everyday

moments. This is a supportive space for honest conversations, practical tips,

shared strength and expert advice. Whether you are celebrating a win, surviving

a meltdown, or just trying to make it through the day, we are right here with

you.

Join us as we share the ups, the downs, and everything in

between parenting autistic children.

Victoria Bennion:

Hello, I'm Victoria, and today we're talking about something that can be

especially tough for many families. The school holidays, when you hear the word

holiday, most people think of relaxing, unwinding, and quality family time. But

if you're raising an autistic child, the reality can look very different.

Victoria Bennion: It

does for Natalie. So in this episode, we're sharing honest stories from our own

lives. [00:01:00] We're talking about what's

worked, what hasn't, and sharing a few simple strategies that we've found

helpful that we hope might help you to make Summer a little more manageable.

Natalie Tealdi: this

is a time of year that we really struggle with because our son really loves his

routine, so now he's in A school he enjoys, he likes to go there every day and

he'd quite happily go there every day of the week. Thank you very much. All

year round, which I'm sure his teachers would absolutely love.

Natalie Tealdi: So we

notice as school holidays are approaching perhaps. Two weeks before each

holiday, he starts to get more stressed. We see more stimming, more

dysregulated behaviors, his diet's affected, doesn't eat as much, those kind of

things. So when it actually gets to holidays, he just doesn not like being out

of his routine,...

In this episode we’re joined by Maria Moreno, a paediatric sleep consultant and motherhood life coach. With her wealth of experience, Maria shares insights on the unique sleep struggles faced by autistic children and offers practical advice for parents navigating these challenges. From personalised sleep plans to sensory considerations, this conversation is packed with valuable information to help families find their way to more restful nights.

Maria Moreno is a certified paediatric sleep consultant—with a specialization in neurodivergent sleep—and a motherhood life coach dedicated to supporting moms through the emotional challenges of motherhood. She holds a master’s degree in art education and has spent over 15 years working with neurodivergent children, bringing a deep understanding and empathy to the families she serves. After navigating postpartum depression and severe sleep deprivation, she founded Mindful Mother to help families restore rest and balance. She’s also the co-founder of Tumago, a handmade comfort blanket brand designed with sensory-sensitive and neurodivergent children in mind. Maria blends lived experience, professional training, and compassionate coaching to empower overwhelmed moms with practical, personalized tools that bring calm, connection, and confidence to their motherhood journey.

Understanding Individual Needs: Every child is different, and sleep plans should be tailored to their unique personalities and family dynamics.

Importance of Routines: Consistent bedtime routines can help children understand what to expect and ease the transition to sleep.

Visual Supports: Utilising visuals, like personalised bedtime books, can aid in preparing children for sleep changes.

Sensory Considerations: Addressing sensory sensitivities with appropriate comfort items can significantly improve sleep quality.

Environmental Factors: Creating a calming sleep environment, including blackout curtains and white noise machines, can help minimise disruptions.

Email - mindfulmotherllc@gmail.com

Website - www.mindfulmother.biz

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmother_sleep/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mindfulmother1

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/MindfulMother_LifeCoach

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/mindfulmother

https://www.mindfulmother.biz/autismsleep

This guide is designed to help parents gently create better sleep routines for their neurodivergent children, without cry-it-out methods or rigid schedules. It’s full of simple, parent-friendly tools that truly make a difference.

In addition to this free guide, Maria is kindly offering 20% off Tumago handmade comfort blankets with code AUTISMMOM These sensory-sensitive blankets were inspired by Maria's own daughters and lovingly handmade by her family.

https://tumago.etsy.com

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In this inspiring episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re joined by Mark Fleming, an autistic fitness coach and founder of a fitness brand dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals. Mark shares how sport and movement helped him regulate his own system growing up and how he now empowers others through exercise.

From working with Special Olympics athletes to seeing remarkable transformations in his clients — including improved focus, reduced anxiety, and even newfound verbal skills — Mark’s work highlights the life-changing benefits of accessible, neurodiversity-informed fitness.

We explore:

• How exercise can support sensory regulation, cognitive functioning, and behaviour in autistic children and adults.
• Practical strategies to help children ease into movement, even if they are reluctant.
• Mark’s own journey to becoming a fitness entrepreneur and advocate for neurodivergent athletes.

Whether you’re wondering how to help your child build confidence through movement, or looking for hope and inspiration, this episode is full of practical wisdom and encouragement.

Dr. Mark Fleming is an autistic entrepreneur who owns and runs a fitness brand called Equally Fit where he provides exercise training and consulting to those with disabilities. He obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Exercise Science from The University of Alabama and his PhD in Kinesiology from Concordia University at St. Paul. He has spent time working in Applied Behavior Analysis and has coached Special Olympics, where his athlete's all won gold at the state competition level. He has been featured on CNN.com, Mens Health magazine, various websites and other magazines as well as on every local news channel in Tampa. He served as the first autistic chair for the constituency board for C.A.R.D-USF in 2023-24.

• How exercise helps regulate sensory systems and supports emotional balance in autistic individuals.
• How small, consistent steps can help children and adults embrace movement without overwhelm.
• How structured exercise can reduce stimming, improve focus, and open new possibilities for learning and socialising.
• How supporting children with ADHD through exercise can channel energy positively and improve self-awareness.
• How gradual progress and celebrating small wins can build lifelong confidence and resilience.
• How Mark's lived experience inspires families to reimagine what's possible for their children and themselves.

Special Olympics - Dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport.

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida - Where Mark served as the first autistic chair on the constituency board.

Website - www.equallyfit.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dr.markf31

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/official_drmark/

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