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PODCAST

The Autism Mums Podcast

Victoria Bennion and Natalie Tealdi

Welcome to The Autism Mums Podcast — a supportive space for parents and carers navigating life with autistic children. We’re your hosts, Victoria and Natalie, two sisters raising autistic children. We know the joy, the overwhelm and the thousand tiny moments no one else quite gets. That’s why we created this podcast - to offer a safe space, a sense of community, and some gentle encouragement along the way. In each episode, we’ll bring you honest conversations, shared strength, and expert insights

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

26:04

So, Now What? Life After Your Child's Autism or ADHD...

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/10/06

Greer Jones, host of The Unfinished Idea podcast is back on the show. Since we last spoke she's launched the Beautifully Wired Summit, a free three-day online event for mums raising girls with ADHD and autism, and her first book, So, Now What? is out in November. We talk about:The moment Greer realised she had ADHD herselfWhy she wrote her book and decided to run a summitAnd the benefits of breathworkIf you're at the start of this journey and feeling completely on your own, this one's for you.About

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36:47

Why School Isn't Working for Autistic Children with...

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/09/29

In this episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're joined by autistic author, speaker and former teacher Pete Wharmby. We first saw Pete speak at the SEND protest in London, and we knew straight away we wanted him on the show.Pete's latest book, Different Minds: How We Can Help Our Autistic School Children Thrive, looks at what school is really like for autistic children, and why so many of them are struggling. Drawing on his years in the classroom, his own school days and his experience as a parent

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27:47

When School Feels Unsafe: Emotionally Based School...

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/09/22

In this episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're talking about EBSA: emotionally based school avoidance, sometimes called school distress or school anxiety. It's a term most parents only come across once things are already really difficult, when mornings have become impossible, your child is melting down before school, or they're holding it together in the classroom and falling apart the moment they get home.We share our own experiences of watching our children struggle to go in, the things we

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27:34

Settling in to School

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/09/15

Another school year, another round of settling in, and if the excitement wore off around day two, you are not alone.In this episode we get honest about what settling in to school really looks like for autistic children and their parents. Not the picture-book version, where everyone skips happily through the gates, but the version most of us actually live: the good days, the wobbly days, and the moments when the school says everything's fine and then your child falls apart the second they're back in

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27:45

Growing up Autistic with Alex Richardson

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/09/08

In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Alex Richardson, ambassador for the National Autistic Society.BiographyAlex Richardson is an ambassador for the National Autistic Society, a role he has held since 2018. Diagnosed with autism at five, Alex has become a passionate voice for autism awareness, sharing his life online.Key TakeawaysAlex's parents trusted he would get there 'in his own way and his own time', and he credits this approach for his confidence todayWhen Alex first

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24:05

Back to School: Anxious, Relieved, or Both?

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/09/01

In this episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're talking about the new school year and everything that comes with it — for our children and for us.We share where we both are right now: one of us with a youngest starting mainstream school for the very first time, the other with one child going back to specialist school for what could be a final year and another moving into an EOTAS package that nobody can yet describe. We talk honestly about the anxiety that starts building in mid-August, the dread

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17:11

The Summer series: Practical Ways to Help Your...

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/08/25

We're re-releasing another episode from the archives this week where we talk about the practical ways we can help our autistic children with daily life.We’re sharing some of the things that have helped us make daily life a bit easier with our autistic children. From using timers and visual timetables to experimenting with tooth brushes and finding softer clothing.These are ideas that have worked for us, they might help you too, or simply offer reassurance that you’re not alone on this journey.Key

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27:02

The Summer Series: Getting an EHCP

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/08/18

In the next of our Summer Series of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're returning to our episode where we're talking about the journey to getting an EHCP - what it is, why it matters, and what the process looked like for our families.We’ll share the lessons we learned along the way with the hope that it helps you navigate the process and feel a little more prepared.Key TakeawaysAn EHCP can provide vital, legally binding supportYou don't need a formal diagnosis to apply for an EHCPSchools may not always

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14:23

The Summer Series: Toothbrushing Tips for Autistic...

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/08/11

In the next of our Summer Series of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're returning to our episode where we're tackling a small daily chore that can become a huge battleground — teeth, toothpaste and trips to the dentist.Using our own stories, we explore why toothbrushing can be so difficult for autistic children: the sensory overload, the disruption of routine, strong reactions to flavors and textures, and how a wobbly tooth or a filling can turn a familiar ritual upside down.Key TakeawaysSensory and

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14:08

The Summer Series: Why Friendships Change When...

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/08/04

In the next of our Summer Series of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're returning to our episode where we're talking about how relationships can shift when your family begins navigating autism, even before a diagnosis is confirmed. As priorities change and the reality of advocating for your child sets in, friendships can evolve, strengthen, or sometimes drift apart.Key TakeawaysRaising an autistic child can reshape your priorities and change the person you become.How advocacy for your child can challenge

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16:58

The Summer Series: Autistic Burnout in Children

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/07/28

In the next of our Summer Series of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're returning to our episode where we're talking about autistic burnout.We share our personal experiences of supporting our children through burnout, from shutdowns and sensory overwhelm to emotional exhaustion and withdrawal. We also open up about how life events (including unexpected changes and disruptions to routine) can tip the balance and lead to burnout.We explore what autistic burnout can look like in children, what can cause it,

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24:39

The Summer Series: Travelling with Autistic Children

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/07/21

In the first of our Summer Series of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're returning to our episode where we're talking about travelling with autistic children. Whether it's a one night stay, a weekend with grandparents, or a long holiday.Trips that other families might find routine can involve a huge amount of planning, uncertainty, and sensory challenges - different beds and pillows, unfamiliar food, noisy or crowded spaces, and even hidden safety hazards in accommodation.We're sharing our experiences -

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19:48

When the Whistleblower Spoke: Why Parents Weren’t...

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/07/14

When ITV News aired a story featuring an anonymous whistleblower who had worked inside a council SEND department, the reaction across the SEND community was striking.It wasn’t shock.It was recognition.In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we reflect on the allegations raised in the report, including claims of deliberate delay tactics, avoidance of written records, and communication strategies that left families feeling ignored or pushed aside.We also share our own lived experiences

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35:57

Why 'Self-Care' Doesn't Work for Autism Parents, And...

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/07/07

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome SEND dad and advocate, Ricky Du Plessis, to the show.BiographyRicky Du Plessis is a SEND dad, advocate and podcast host on a mission to support the parents and professionals who care for children with special needs in overcoming the associated chronic stress. His son has level-3 autism and an ongoing ARFID assessment, so he lives the chronic stress he talks about. Unusually, Ricky was deep into metabolic health and the link between

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29:30

Is School the Only Option? Understanding EOTAS for...

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/06/30

If your child is struggling to attend school, you might be wondering what the options are. In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome back Lauren Vermeulen from Victory-us to talk about EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At or In School).BiographyLauren is the founder of Victory-us, an independent SEND Teacher - supporting, empowering and providing EOTAS to send children. Lauren has taught in a variety of schools and SEND provisions, leading emotional regulation, behaviour support

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23:08

Your Child's EHCP Isn't Being Followed - Here's What...

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/06/23

If you've ever felt like your child's Education, Health and Care Plan isn't being properly implemented this episode is for you. In this episode, we're joined by specialist SEND teacher and advocate Lauren Vermeulen, founder of Victory-Us, to break down exactly what parents can do when a school isn't following an EHCP.BiographyLauren is the founder of Victory-us, an independent SEND Teacher - supporting, empowering and providing EOTAS to send children. Lauren has taught in a variety of schools and

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12:20

ADHD Explained: Signs, Diagnosis & Real Life

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/06/16

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re talking about ADHD — what it is, how it’s diagnosed in the UK, the traits parents might notice, and how it can interact with autism in real life.ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention regulation, impulse control and activity levels. But beyond the clinical definitions from the NHS and NICE guidance, ADHD is lived — in busy mornings, movement breaks, emotional intensity,

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18:29

What is Autism? We're Talking About It

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/06/09

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're going back to basics and talking about what autism actually is.We cover what autism is and what it isn't, why the word 'spectrum' is so widely misunderstood, and what it can feel like to hear that word applied to your child for the first time. We also get into some of the phrases that drive every autism parent quietly up the wall and why they matter more than people realise.Key TakeawaysAutism is a neurodevelopmental difference - it's about how

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14:42

SEND Reform UK: Rights at Risk?

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/06/02

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're talking about the proposed SEND Reforms 2026 and what they could mean for families across the UK.The Government says the changes aim to make mainstream schools more inclusive, reduce EHCP numbers, and introduce new “layers” of support but many parents are concerned about what this could mean for legal protections, specialist provision, and access to support.After attending a local community meeting with our MP and submitting our own

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31:25

Puberty, Periods and Neurodivergent Kids with Cath...

The Autism Mums Podcast ·

2026/05/26

Puberty is a long season of change and for neurodivergent children, that can feel especially overwhelming. In this episode, Victoria and Natalie are joined by Cath Hakanson, sex educator and founder of Sex Ed Rescue, who shares practical, reassuring guidance on talking to autistic and ADHD kids about puberty, bodies, and growing up.Cath is late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD herself, and brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation.About Cath HakansonCath Hakanson is a

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