In this episode, you’ll meet Diana, a mother of two young people with School Can’t experiences. Diana joins host Leisa Reichelt to candidly share her experiences supporting her son James through his struggles with mainstream schooling. From early signs like separation anxiety and hating birthday parties and swimming lessons, to the challenges of advocating for access to Distance Education including supports for undertaking the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Diana’s story includes top...

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by South Australian parents Kate and Daniel, who discuss their experiences caring for three neurodivergent children, two of whom they are currently home educating. They share their challenges with the traditional school system, the transition to home education, the realities of day to day life and low demand parenting, and strategies they use to support their children's learning and wellbeing. Ka...

In this episode, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by School Can't mum Nicola, who shares her family's journey through School Can’t challenges. Nicola discusses the challenges her family has faced in finding the best way to support her children in their well being as well as their education. She shares the challenges of shifting her mindset, having come from a background that valued academics. Nicola talks about her grief for the life she imagined she would have and having to give up her ca...

In this heartfelt episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Jane, a School Can’t parent. Jane shares her journey with her son Johnny, who was diagnosed with ADHD and autism, and the struggles they faced within the school system. Despite a series of setbacks, Jane's advocacy led to finding a supportive educational environment where Johnny is now thriving. 00:00 Welcome to the School Can't Experience Podcast 00:52 Jane's Introduction and Fami...

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Louise Rogers from School Can't Australia and their guest, Eliza Fricker. Eliza, known for her insightful School Can't Illustrations and webinars, shares her personal journey of navigating 'School Can't' with her daughter. They discuss the challenges of the school environment, the emotional toll on parents, and the eventual transition to a trauma-informed educational setting. Eliza's candid co...

In this episode, host Leisa Reichelt compiles into stories shared by six parents—Jennie, Marissa, Mark, Jane, Emma, and Lisa—who talk about their struggles and revelations while caring for children who struggle with school attendance. From early signs of stress and school-related anxiety to burnout, the episode highlights common themes like masking, parent blaming, and the importance of understanding nervous system responses. As parents shift their focus from compliance-based pres...

This episode features a conversation with Tiffany Westphal, Director at School Can't Australia. With host, Leisa Reichelt, Tiffany helps us explore the top six school-based stressors identified in a survey conducted for the Senate Inquiry into School Refusal. They discuss the nature of stressors, and the key findings from the research, providing valuable insights for parents, carers, and educators to better support children struggling with school attendance and distress. Discover practi...

In this episode, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Lisa McLean as they discuss her daughter Mia's struggles with school attendance and anxiety. Lisa shares her family's journey from identifying early signs of anxiety in primary school, navigating high school challenges, understanding the mind-body connection, to ultimately finding alternative educational pathways. They discuss the stress and pressure felt by the entire family, the impact of trauma, and strategies such as homeschool...

This week we’re talking with Emma Brooksby, Managing Director at U&I Educational Partners, about the demands school places on executive function. Emma, who has ADHD and a background as a school principal, shares her journey and offers insights into how executive function challenges manifest in educational settings and ways to support students who have executive function challenges. We explore strategies to help kids succeed despite executive function challenges and Emma also highlights al...

This week we return to our Lived Experience series and host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Mark Thompson, a father of two daughters from the south coast of New South Wales. Mark shares the struggles and triumphs of raising his autistic daughter, codename Bluey, as she faces challenges with attending school. From the daycare where Bluey thrived, to the increasing difficulties in preschool and beyond, Mark shares their journey through the education system. He discusses their eventual d...

Dr. Ross Greene, founder of the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model joins host Leisa Reichelt and guest Louise Rogers from School Can't Australia in this episode of the School Can't Experience podcast. Dr. Greene explains the philosophy behind CPS, focusing on identifying and solving problems that cause challenging behaviours rather than just addressing the behaviours themselves. He discusses practical strategies for engaging children and young people in problem-solving, the im...

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by clinical psychologist Adelle Sushames to discuss innovative methods for improving communication with neurodivergent children. Adelle shares her journey, introduces the card decks she has created (Spoon Thieves, Spoon Savers, ND Me), and explains how these tools help children articulate their experiences and needs. The conversation covers the challenges of traditional deficit models in psycholo...

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt chats with clinical psychologist Monique Mitchelson, co-host of the Neurodivergent Woman Podcast. They explore the often misunderstood concept of resilience, especially for our neurodivergent young people. Monique, who is autistic and ADHD herself, shares her journey and highlights the challenges and necessary shifts in education systems to support neurodivergent children and young people. Together, they discuss...

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by School Can’t Australia’s Tiffany Westphal and expert guest, Anna Clarke, to discuss the importance of neurodiversity affirming care. Anna, a clinical psychologist and play therapist, shares her personal and professional journey as a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD individual. The conversation explores the principles and challenges of neuro affirming care, the role of play therapy in connecting with...

In this episode of the 'School Can't Experience Podcast,' host Leisa Reichelt speaks with Jackie Hall, founder of the Parental Stress Center. Jackie shares her journey to understanding the four ‘stressful thinking lenses’ that can make difficult parenting situations much more stressful, and how we can shift our mindset to alleviate distress. Jackie emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and challenges traditional beliefs about parenting and child behavior. Jackie also offers ...

In this episode, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Pavlina McMaster and Heidi Ryan to explore the concept of Deschooling. This is the first step in the transition to Home Education but the core concepts of Deschooling are valuable and reassuring to any School Can’t parent. Pavlina and Heidi share their personal journeys and insights into how they successfully navigated Deschooling, addressed trauma linked to conventional schooling, and prioritized mental health. They discuss the importan...

In this second part of Marissa Taylor’s Lived Experience episode we learn about how discovering low demand parenting and particularly the importance of collaboration through Dr Ross Greene’s CPS (Collaborative and Proactive Solutions) method was transformative for Marissa at a time when she was unsure how best to support her School Can’t children. Marissa shares some interesting ways she’s used CPS in her family and shares how she maintains confidence in taking a non conventional approach to ...

In this Lived Experience episode Marissa Taylor shares her family’s experience of School Can’t as her various children each subsequently but very uniquely have their own School Can’t Experiences. Marissa shares the very different experiences she’s had dealing with schools in this journey and her learning curve into Home Education. This is Part 1 of our discussion with Marissa. In Part 2 she will share how Dr Ross Greene’s Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model has been transf...

In this Lived Experience episode we meet Jennie Plummer who shares her experience of supporting youngest daughter, Bethany, through her School Can’t Experience. Including her ADHD and Autism diagnosis, burnout, and equine supported recovery. Along the way Jennie learned to listen, trust her gut and tune out the loud opinions of others around her. Send us a text Support the show School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia ...

Dr. Naomi Fisher joins host Leisa Reichelt and School Can’t Australia director Tiffany Westphal to explore how school can contribute to burnout in young people. They discuss recognizing burnout, distinguishing it from anxiety or depression, and what parents can do to help. Dr. Fisher, a clinical psychologist specializing in child development, trauma, and self-directed education, supports parents of neurodivergent children struggling in traditional schooling. She advocates for alternative educ...