In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole sits down with Liz Evans; an Occupational Therapist, mum, and the brilliant mind behind The Untypical OT. Together they dive into an honest chat about dyslexia, parental burnout, and what it really means to live and work while navigating neurodivergence as both a parent and professional. Liz shares her journey with dyslexia and how it has shaped the way she approaches her work and supports families. Nicole opens up about her own A...

In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole chats with Scott, owner of Phoenix Ashes and Co, about a journey many families will recognise, years of waiting for a diagnosis while navigating life, learning, and misconceptions along the way. Scott shares openly about his son, who is close to receiving a diagnosis of Tourette’s and Autism after a four-year wait. They talk about the importance of tools for regulation, what they’ve both learnt from their children, and how understanding...

In this powerful and honest conversation, Nicole sits down with Hayley Harding, co-founder of Let Us Learn Too, a grassroots parent-led campaign group fighting for the rights of disabled children in education. Together, they explore the urgent need for genuine reform within the SEND system and why lived experience must be at the heart of any meaningful change. Hayley shares her own journey as a parent navigating the system, how Let Us Learn Too began, and what the group is doing to push for a...

In this week’s episode, Nicole Bateman is joined by Andy Horry, who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Together, they explore what it’s like to look back on your childhood through the lens of a diagnosis and what changes when you finally have the words to describe your experience. Andy shares: What school was like growing up with undiagnosed ADHD The relief and reflection that came with finally understanding his brain How he regulates his nervous system now and what actual...

Welcome back to Conversations with a SEND Mum and to the start of Season 4. In this solo episode, host Nicole Bateman sets the tone for the season ahead with an honest, heartfelt look at what’s really going on behind the scenes as a parent of a neurodivergent child. Nicole shares her personal reflections on: The quiet exhaustion of parental burnout and why it needs more space in the conversationThe emotional impact of seizures, not just on the child, but on the whole familyThat limbo feeling ...

In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Charlotte Montford; educator, specialist autism support teacher, and founder of Badger Education. Charlotte shares how a volunteering experience at university sparked a lifelong passion for inclusive education, and how both her professional journey and personal experience raising neurodivergent children have shaped the work she does today. We talk openly about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting, the frustration of delayed diagnoses, and why i...

Autism Acceptance Day: Masking, Diagnosis and Visibility with Tynisha from Visible Autism in this Autism Acceptance Day special, Nicole Bateman speaks with Tynisha from Visible Autism about her lived experience as an autistic woman and her journey to self-understanding and advocacy. In This Episode: Masking and Late Diagnosis – Tynisha shares how she masked her autistic traits throughout school and the ten-year journey it took to receive her diagnosis. She reflects on how being misunderstood ...

Purple Day Special – Parenting Kids with Epilepsy with Kelly Norford In this Purple Day special episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman chats with Kelly Norford, a mum of three children with epilepsy. They discuss the unique and evolving challenges of epilepsy: from managing different seizure types to navigating the impact on mental health, learning, and daily life. In this episode, Nicole and Kelly explore: 💜 The complexities of epilepsy – how it presents differently i...

Epilepsy Awareness with Hattie Brant from Purple Dayss In this special episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Hattie Brant, founder of Purple Dayss, to raise awareness for Purple Day (March 26th)—a global movement dedicated to increasing understanding and reducing stigma around epilepsy. Hattie shares her personal journey of living with epilepsy and the misconceptions she’s encountered. Together, Nicole and Hattie bust common myths, discuss essential seizure fir...

In episode 9 of Season 3 of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman welcomes Mark Allen and Callum Galbraith, two of the 14 fathers featured in The Journey into SEND Fatherhood, a powerful new book by SEND Reform England. Together, they dive into the unique experiences of being SEND Dads, sharing the challenges, triumphs, and personal growth that come with raising children with additional needs. Key Takeaways: Mark and Callum’s Stories Mark and Callum open up about their individual jour...

In Season 3 episode 8 of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman dives into the complex world of restricted eating and ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) with expert Michelle Jacques. Together, they discuss: What is ARFID? Michelle explains the everyday realities of ARFID, a sensory-based eating disorder. They explore how ARFID differs from other eating challenges and its impact on families.Practical Strategies for Supporting Children with ARFID The discussion includes ti...

In Season 3 episode 7 of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Tania Gerard, an autistic and ADHD advocate, trainer, and speaker. Together, they explore the challenges of being neurodivergent in the workplace and the crucial need for understanding and inclusion in professional settings. Key Highlights: Neurodiversity and Masking in the Workplace: Tania shares her personal experiences of masking in the high-pressure world of marketing. She discusses the toll it took on her...

In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman sits down with Laura Brown, the voice behind Spinning World of Autism. Laura shares her family’s journey with her autistic son, Ethan, and their experiences navigating the world of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) to support his communication needs. Key Highlights: Embracing AAC and Alternative Communication: Laura opens up about their decision to explore AAC as a way to give Ethan a way of communicating. She dis...

In Episode 5 of Season 3 of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman sits down with Rachel Slyfield, founder of Rachel’s 3 R’s Subscription Box, who shares her journey as a SEND mum and her passion for self-care. Rachel opens up about her experience navigating the diagnosis process with her son, Teddy, and the ways she’s learned to balance parenting, self-care, and running her business. Key Highlights: Rachel’s Journey with Teddy: Rachel recounts the challenges she faced during her son’s...

In episode 4 of Conversations with a SEND Mum Season 3, host Nicole Bateman chats with Nikki Saunders, an incredible mum of two autistic boys and the brilliant mind behind the TV series Ready Eddie Go on Sky Kids. Nikki shares her journey of becoming an author, driven by her desire to support her own children in understanding their autism diagnosis. Key Highlights: The Beginning of Nikki’s Journey: Nikki recalls a pivotal moment when she walked into a bookstore searching for a book that would...

In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Tamara Holland from Dot and Stripe Marketing to raise awareness for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) on DLD Awareness Day. Tamara, a passionate advocate and parent of a child with DLD, shares her personal journey and the challenges of navigating life with a diagnosis that is often misunderstood or overlooked. Key Highlights: What is DLD?: Tamara breaks down what Developmental Language Disorder is, explaining ho...

In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Lisa Lloyd, author of Raising the Sen-Betweeners. Lisa shares her personal journey of raising two very different autistic children and the unique challenges they face navigating mainstream school settings when their needs don't quite fit the criteria for specialist education. Key Highlights: Lisa’s Parenting Journey: Lisa discusses the emotional and practical realities of parenting children who fall between the crac...

In the first episode of Season 3, Nicole Bateman sits down with Michelle Cyril, The Family Sleep Specialist, to discuss how to help neurodivergent children with complex sleep needs. As a nurse with a specialism in paediatric sleep, and a parent navigated sleep challenges with one of her children, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. Highlights of the Episode: Michelle’s Personal Journey: Michelle shares her experience as a mum of a child with significant sleep challenges...

In the final episode of Season 2, host Nicole Bateman is joined by Matt Hancock, founder of the Accessible Learning Foundation. Together they discuss Matt's experience of school before he knew he was dyslexic, his advocacy work, and the importance of understanding neurodivergent brains in the education and criminal justice systems. Episode Highlights: Personal Experience and Late Dyslexia Diagnosis: Matt shares his personal experience of being dyslexic and how it shaped his life.The signific...

In Season 2, Episode 13 of "Conversations with a SEND Mum," host Nicole Bateman chats with Caroline Wallace, founder of The SEN Business Mum, about her experiences with adoption and raising a son with XYY syndrome. They discuss the adoption process, the unique challenges of supporting a child with XYY syndrome, and Caroline's emotional journey, including a desperate moment when she was turned away by a GP. Episode Highlights: The Adoption Process: Caroline shares her adoption story, detailing...