The NeuroDADverse is more than just a podcast, it’s a weekly therapy session between two long-time friends reconnecting through the shared highs and lows of neurodivergent parenthood.
Danny is raising a six-year-old, while Ben is navigating life with two teenagers. Between them, their lived experiences span early years and adolescence, offering valuable perspective for any parent on the neurodivergent journey. Their conversations blend lived wisdom, raw honesty, and light-hearted reflection, often with Danny just entering stages that Ben has already faced. This dynamic brings warmth, curiosity, and relatable storytelling that resonates across all ages and stages of parenting.
At its heart, The NeuroDADverse exists because parenting neurodivergent children can feel incredibly isolating. Many of society’s norms simply don’t apply and it’s rare to find someone who truly hears you. This podcast was born from the need to find and grow that tribe. A space where parents can feel seen, heard, and appreciated.
Whether you’re in the thick of meltdowns, laughing uncontrollably with them or even just wondering about diagnoses you’re not alone.
Here, we speak with love, lead though our understanding and share with honesty. This is a space for ideas, laughter, and connection.
Please remember:
You are doing better than you think.
You are enough.
You are not alone.
Welcome to the NeuroDADverse.“
Real talk from two dads raising neurodivergent kids with love, laughter, and plenty of chaos.
Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok and watch us on Youtube @NeuroDadversepodcast
Theme music by Hands Up! https://www.instagram.com/handsuppunk/?hl=en
Show produced by Squid Shack Studios https://www.instagram.com/squidshackstudios/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The NeuroDADverse is more than just a podcast, it’s a weekly therapy session between two long-time friends reconnecting through the shared highs and lows of neurodivergent parenthood.
Danny is raising a six-year-old, while Ben is navigating life with two teenagers. Between them, their lived experiences span early years and adolescence, offering valuable perspective for any parent on the neurodivergent journey. Their conversations blend lived wisdom, raw honesty, and light-hearted reflection, often with Danny just entering stages that Ben has already faced. This dynamic brings warmth, curiosity, and relatable storytelling that resonates across all ages and stages of parenting.
At its heart, The NeuroDADverse exists because parenting neurodivergent children can feel incredibly isolating. Many of society’s norms simply don’t apply and it’s rare to find someone who truly hears you. This podcast was born from the need to find and grow that tribe. A space where parents can feel seen, heard, and appreciated.
Whether you’re in the thick of meltdowns, laughing uncontrollably with them or even just wondering about diagnoses you’re not alone.
Here, we speak with love, lead though our understanding and share with honesty. This is a space for ideas, laughter, and connection.
Please remember:
You are doing better than you think.
You are enough.
You are not alone.
Welcome to the NeuroDADverse.“
Real talk from two dads raising neurodivergent kids with love, laughter, and plenty of chaos.
Connect with us on Instagram, TikTok and watch us on Youtube @NeuroDadversepodcast
Theme music by Hands Up! https://www.instagram.com/handsuppunk/?hl=en
Show produced by Squid Shack Studios https://www.instagram.com/squidshackstudios/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
🎧 Episode 20 - Happy Halloween! 🎃👻
This week’s episode lands just in time for Halloween and it’s full of the real-life trick-or-treat moments of parenting neurodivergent kids.
Dan opens up about a tough week navigating the fallout of Frankie’s haircut last week and the emotional sting that comes when connection feels lost. Ben reflects on his own experiences with Oscar’s dysregulation, gaming frustrations, and how staying calm in the storm takes constant patience and navigation (his “VPN” week!).
But amid the chaos come real wins:
🎃 Picture Day success, sensory-safe trips out, and a full-on away-day football adventure that tested regulation in the loudest of environments.
🎥 A family cinema night brings unexpected emotional parallels — cancer survival, grief, and art as emotional expression — all hitting home in ways they never saw coming.
🧩 Plus, the dads unpack the subtle victories of social growth, independence, and why even six out of ten weeks can still be progress.
If you’ve ever felt that parenting a neurodivergent child is a constant balance between love, guilt, and resilience — this one’s for you.
Key Topics Covered
•Emotional aftermath of sensory-triggering experiences (haircuts, meltdowns)
•How ND parents manage guilt and reconnection after setting boundaries
•Gaming frustration as a window into dysregulation and patience
•Building independence through small routines (bath time, hygiene)
•Navigating public sensory overload (football matches, restaurants, cinema)
•The importance of safe spaces and knowing regulation cues
•Emotional storytelling through children’s art and media
•Balancing family dynamics during holidays and celebrations
•Recognising progress even in “six-out-of-ten” weeks
⏱️ 4️⃣ YouTube Chapter Breakdown (62 min total)
00:00 – Intro: Welcome to The NeuroDADverse (Halloween Edition)
02:00 – Three Words of the Week: “Victory, Patience, Navigation”
04:30 – Dan’s Challenge: The Haircut Moment and Emotional Fallout
10:00 – When Love Hurts: Feeling Disconnected After Doing the Hard Thing
13:00 – Ben’s Reflections: Remembering Boundaries & Emotional Recovery
18:00 – Navigating Dysregulation: Gaming Day Frustrations and Breakthroughs
23:00 – Outings and Overwhelm: Family Day Trips, Sushi Wins & Sensory Crashes
29:00 – Wins of the Week: Picture Day, KFC Trips & Social Progress
36:00 – Live Football with Mabel: Sensory Regulation in the Stands
40:00 – Cinema Trip: Movie “Sketch,” Emotional Parallels & Family Healing
47:00 – Halloween Plans & Upcoming Birthdays
52:00 – Trick-or-Treating with ND Kids: Social Scripts & Sweet Honesty
56:00 – Parenting Score of the Week: Managing Bath Time Independence
59:00 – Reflections: Meeting the Need & Accepting Imperfect Progress
61:00 – Outro: Follow, Review, and Remember – You’re Doing Great
🎙️ Two dads. One mission. Raising ND kids in a very NT world.
💡 If this episode resonates, whether you’re a zebra, a stripy horse, or still figuring it all out. There’s space for you in the NeuroDADverse.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly real-talk on neurodivergent parenting
📢 Like, share, or leave a comment to help more families find us
📧 Get in touch: neurodadverse@gmail.com
🌐 Find us in all the usual places:
linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse
🔗 Hashtags:
#SENDLife #AutismAdvocacy #ParentingPodcast
#NeuroDadverse #DifferentNotLess #ADHDDads #AutismFamily #EmotionalRegulation
#AutismAwareness #ParentingWins #NeurodiversityAcceptance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
🎧 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:
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:
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.
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
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🎧 Episode 11 – Forgotten Needs, Heartwarming Teens & Neurodivergent Room Chaos.
This week on The NeuroDADverse, Ben reflects on a parenting moment where he forgot to communicate accessibility with Oscar and how a simple bedroom reorganisation turned into an emotional reminder about invisible needs.
Dan feels like a new man after sleeping more in the past four days than he has in the past two weeks and shares the challenges involved in engaging with dental appointments.
Lastly, Ben shares a heartwarming story from a beach trip with extended family, as his teens surprise him with genuine compassion and support for their grandma. The pair also dive into how neurodivergent kids navigate clutter, clothing decisions, transitions, and spontaneous change.
There's a fresh wave of listener feedback, a funny bath time score drop, and thoughts on how far they’ve come across the first 11 episodes.
💬 Topics This Episode
• Communicating accessibly during stressful tasks
•. Emotional labour & late-stage parenting wins
• Neurodivergent attachment to clutter and collections
• Teens supporting their grandmother in thoughtful ways
• Family beach traditions & inclusive activities
• SEND-friendly dentists & familiarisation techniques
• Listener feedback and reflections
• Bath time score regression: frustration, humour & hygiene
👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.
00:00 – Intro & welcome to Episode 11
01:00 – Bonus energy from a long weekend
02:00 – Week in 3 Words: Renovation, Reminder, Heartwarming
03:30 – Challenges: Reorganising Oscar's bedroom & communication breakdown
06:00 – Forgotten neurodivergent needs & emotional overload
09:00 – Self-regulation, safe spaces & forgotten objects
12:00 – Clutter, collections & the emotional weight of rubbish
14:00 – Repairing trust after stressful change
16:00 – Empathy, apologies & why it matters
18:00 – Ben’s win: Beach day with grandma & extended family
21:00 – Oscar’s gesture: arm around gran & thoughtful support
23:00 – Observing family kindness without scripting it
26:00 – Mabel’s win: new calming bedroom zone
28:00 – Lighting, organisation & sensory-friendly space design
30:00 – Positive reinforcement with subtle design choices
32:00 – SEND-friendly dentist chats
34:00 – Family transitions, routines & planning ahead
36:00 – Listener engagement & reflections on episode reach
38:00 – Importance of chronicling parenting wins
40:00 – Diagnoses origin stories to come?
42:00 – Looking ahead: garden parties, beach rounders & school prep
45:00 – Return to school anxiety & emotional coaching
47:00 – Bath time scores: performance struggles & supportive laughs
49:00 – Sunday structure, hygiene independence & closing thoughts
51:00 – Final goodbyes & special guest outro from Mabel
💡 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.
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🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #ADHDAwareness #AutismAdvocacy #RejectionSensitivity #ParentingPodcast #EmotionalRegulation #NDLife #NeuroDadverse #neurodiversity #neurodivergent #autism #ADHD #autismawareness #autismacceptance #actuallyautistic #neurodiverse #sensoryprocessingdisorder #ADHDparenting #autismfamily #autismlife #adhdlife #differentnotless #inclusion
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🎧 Episode 10!
In a very special episode of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan welcome their first guest: Ben’s wife, Laura, who opens up for the first time about her brand new ADHD diagnosis at 44.
This candid conversation unpacks Laura’s experience of going through the assessment process, the emotional weight of late diagnosis, and the joyful, if surprising, validation that followed.
Elsewhere, it’s a week of high emotions, meltdowns, clothes-related identity struggles, and bath time tactics. From family beach days and bowling with noise-cancelling headphones, to hyper-focused DIY and parenting wins in disguise, this episode is raw, funny, and incredibly relatable.
If you’ve ever felt like you were “just about coping” while also quietly smashing it, this one’s for you.
💬 Topics This Episode
• Laura’s new ADHD diagnosis at 44, vindication, imposter syndrome & joy
• Gendered ADHD presentation & overlooked symptoms
• The challenge of the ADHD online assessment process
• Frankie’s beach meltdown & sensory overload
• Oscar’s outfit dilemmas & gender expression
• Bath time strategies: coaching vs independence
• Hyperfocus, teamwork & DIY kitchen wins
00:00 – Welcome to Episode 10 & our first guest!
01:30 – Week in 3 Words: Surprising, Vindicating, Joyful
03:30 – Anniversary meals, kitchen painting & medical news
04:50 – Laura joins the podcast to share her story
05:40 – ADHD diagnosis confirmed after final assessment
07:00 – Why the process felt emotional & validating
08:00 – Imposter syndrome and “did I fake this?” feelings
09:00 – Childhood examples, ambition, and astronauts
11:00 – Navigating identity & shame around late diagnosis
12:30 – Friendship styles & feeling like an outsider
14:30 – Gendered social connection & emotional coping
16:00 – Processing it all – joy, grief & overwhelm
17:00 – Challenges with the online ADHD assessment
19:00 – Bath time score reveal – Laura’s rating vs Ben’s!
22:00 – How sensory differences shape family routines
25:00 – Ben & Dan debrief: Laura’s journey and what’s next
27:30 – Ben’s parenting win: Oscar’s emotional resilience
30:00 – Frankie’s sensory meltdown at the beach
33:00 – Communication and safe spaces in tough moments
35:00 – Comparing experiences with Oscar & Frankie
38:00 – Planning family outings: expectations vs reality
41:00 – Clothing, confidence & gender identity
44:00 – Bowling alley challenge turned quiet win
46:00 – The restaurant social story workaround
49:00 – Catching wins in the chaos of parenting
51:30 – Listener feedback & Frankie’s first words revisited
53:00 – Looking ahead: GCSE results, weddings & inflatable lakes
56:00 – Wrestling plans & being in two places at once
58:00 – Kitchen transformation: DIY, teamwork & hyperfocus
1:00:00 – Bath time scoring face-off: independence vs task-focused
1:03:00 – Final scores, Lego gifts & anniversary fails
1:06:00 – ADHD teamwork & the joy of colourblind decorating
1:08:00 – Outro: wins, challenges, and parenting in technicolour
💡 If this episode resonates:
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#ADHDAwareness #LateDiagnosisADHD #NeurodiverseParenting #WomenWithADHD #ParentingWins #SensoryProcessing #BathTimeStruggles #HyperfocusMode #NeuroSpicyLife #NeuroDadverse #FamilyTeamwork #NDParenting #KitchenRenovation
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🎧 Episode 9 – Transitions, Teen Independence & The First-Ever Perfect Bath
This week on The NeuroDadverse, Ben and Dan reflect on the sometimes messy, sometimes magical balancing act of parenting neurodivergent kids over the summer.
They cover emotional transitions, the challenge of growing teen independence, gaming boundaries, family sleepovers, unexpected sibling support, and how routines don’t always go to plan — especially when you think you've finally cracked them.
Also in this episode: social wins, reflective garden chats, risk-taking with family days out, and the first-ever 10/10 bath time score (complete with nail-cleaning and hair drying support from a sibling!).
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by progress, regression, joy and rage all in the same day — you’ll feel right at home.
💬 Topics this episode:
Transition challenges & when "when/then" plans fail
Supporting teen gaming without judgment
Sibling relationships & supportive moments
Wins in verbal and non-verbal communication
Reflecting on emotional growth vs surface behaviours
Navigating plans, surprises & soft play fears
The first-ever 10/10 bath time score
👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.
00:00 – Welcome to Episode 9
01:00 – Week in Three Words: Exciting, Quick Win, Relaxing
02:30 – Kids' sleepover, football, and gaming
04:00 – Oscar's sensory needs & table socialising
06:30 – Sensory comfort and family dynamic changes
07:30 – Reconnecting moments and communication joy
09:00 – More data, more overthinking in summer
10:30 – Parenting worry about solo gaming and disconnection
12:00 – Struggles getting to the sleepover
14:30 – Teen challenge: clothes & tech packing meltdown
16:00 – Building regulation back from frustration
17:30 – The next day's transition goes smoothly
18:30 – Big picture reflections on parenting ND kids
19:30 – Wins: Communication breakthroughs and self-advocacy
21:00 – Frankie sets clear boundaries & uses voice
23:30 – Ben's parenting win: Mabel's best football game ever
26:00 – Intense singing & in-game focus
28:00 – Looking ahead to the week: bus rides, beaches & open-top chaos
30:00 – Soft play memories & risk-taking parenting
32:00 – Preparing for unexpected reactions and resilience
34:00 – Social stories, spontaneity & holding back info
36:00 – Planning vs over-prepping transitions
39:00 – The soft play vs beach discussion
40:00 – Letting go of judgment from other adults
41:30 – Default bath talk: stimulation vs relaxation
44:00 – **Oscar’s first 10/10 bath score!**
46:00 – Sibling support and unexpected joy
48:00 – The power of grandparent feedback
50:00 – Reframing surprise wins & emotional support
52:00 – Outro: Listener callout & wrap-up
💡 If this episode resonates:
🔔 Subscribe for weekly relatable ND parenting chats
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📬 Email us: neurodadverse@gmail.com
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#NeurodiverseParenting #TeenIndependence #SENDLife #NeurodivergentTeens #TransitionStruggles #SensoryProcessing #ParentingWins #FamilySupport #10OutOf10Bath #SiblingBonding #SoftPlaySurprises #NeuroDadverse
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🎧 Episode 8 – Finding Comfort in Chaos
This week on The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan reflect on the small but powerful wins that make parenting neurodivergent kids so rewarding. From managing tricky transitions at the SEND gym to celebrating social breakthroughs at the beach, it’s a conversation filled with honest insight, humour, and hard-earned lessons.
Oskar navigates a challenging week with moments of self-regulation and self-advocacy, while Frankie’s experience at a sensory-rich bounce house offers lessons in patience, perspective, and letting go of the perfect plan. The pair also explore the value of safe spaces, how to read between the lines when behaviour speaks louder than words, and why not every “challenge” is without its silver linings.
There’s also a heartwarming moment of friendship building outside of school, practical reflections on supporting teens through emotional shifts, and the familiar saga of bath time scores.
If you’ve ever juggled sensory needs, teenage independence, and your own self-care, this episode will feel like a deep breath and a reassuring nod.
💬 Topics this episode:
• Supporting neurodivergent kids through sensory-heavy transitions
• Safe spaces & self-regulation strategies
• Reading behaviour as communication
• Navigating teenage boundary testing with empathy
• Encouraging social connections outside of school
• Finding joy in small but significant wins
• The ever-evolving bath time ritual
👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.
00:00 – Welcome back & what to expect this episode
01:00 – Week in three words: small progress & heartwarming moments
03:00 – Time away, me-time & respectful parenting balance
04:30 – Challenge of the week: sensory transitions at the SEND gym
06:00 – Car-to-door struggles & letting go of frustration
08:00 – Safe spaces, regulation & comparing progress without judgement
10:30 – Behaviour as communication: when sitting quietly means more
12:30 – Supporting kids through complex transitions
14:00 – Recognising progress in non-verbal communication
15:30 – Challenge/Wins overlap: reframing the week
18:00 – Ben’s challenge: Oscar’s reflective garden moment
20:00 – Supporting teens through emotional shifts & self-expression
23:00 – Shepherding vs engineering: guiding, not forcing outcomes
25:00 – Wins of the week: creative communication & self-advocacy
28:00 – Enjoying activities with unpredictable sensory elements
30:00 – Community interaction: friendship-building outside of school
33:00 – Planning accessible social activities
36:00 – Reflections on connecting with other ND parents
38:00 – Listener story: celebrating small but important developmental steps
41:00 – Using “one second a day” to reflect on progress
44:00 – Looking ahead: football season, family time & solo parenting
47:00 – Week ahead plans & unstructured activity days
50:00 – Bath time score reflections
53:00 – Wrap-up & listener thank-yous
54:00 – Outro: How to connect with The NeuroDADverse
💡 If this episode resonates:
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🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SensoryProcessing #TeenParenting #SENDSupport #SafeSpaces #BehaviourIsCommunication #NeurodivergentKids #BathTimeStruggles #ParentingWins #NeuroDadverse
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🎧 Episode 7 – Pride, Parenting & Penalties
In this shorter then usual episode in The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan reflect on a summer weekend packed with big moments. From marching at Pride to navigating teenage boundary testing, all while trying to keep family life connected and calm.
Oscar embraces Pride with a homemade non-binary flag, Mabel shines as a supportive ally, and the family enjoys a joyful cinema trip. Meanwhile, a challenging conversation about teen boundaries sparks open, respectful discussions on honesty, independence, and trust.
There’s also football joy (England win!) and the ever-present bath time saga proving that even the most everyday routines are never boring when you’re parenting neurodivergent kids.
If you’ve ever tried to balance allyship, adolescent independence, and your own sanity during summer holidays — this one’s for you.
💬 Topics this episode:
•Marching at Pride & supporting LGBTQ+ identity in ND families
•Teen boundary exploration & honest conversations about trust
•Creating safe spaces at events for sensory needs
•Allyship between siblings
•England’s Euros victory & family football bonding
•Summer holiday wins & managing unstructured time
•Bath time negotiations & regulation strategies
👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.
00:00 – Welcome back to The NeuroDadverse
01:00 – Why Dan’s tired & the week in three words
02:00 – Wins of the week: England win, cinema trip, Pride march
04:00 – Pride with Oscar: homemade flag, sensory-friendly route & finding comfort
05:30 – Mabel’s allyship & sibling bonding moments
06:30 – Visiting friends & managing unfamiliar environments
07:00 – Ben’s win: first week of the summer holidays
09:00 – Challenges: unstructured time & tag-team parenting
12:00 – Work-life balance during the holidays
13:00 – Teenage boundary exploration: the biggest challenge
15:00 – Approaching boundaries with conversation & trust
18:00 – Social contracts, honesty & the family “value tree”
22:00 – Keeping freedoms while reinforcing respect
24:00 – Resisting the urge for heavy consequences
26:00 – Calm communication over confrontation
29:00 – How teaching experience shapes parenting style
32:00 – Looking ahead: family meet-ups & friend visits
35:00 – Bath time wins & post-football chill
38:00 – Regulation challenges & one-bath-a-week routine
40:00 – Closing reflections: wins, challenges & listener thanks
42:00 – Outro: where to find us & join the conversation
💡 If this episode resonates:
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📬 Email us: neurodadverse@gmail.com
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🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #TeenParenting #PrideParenting #LGBTQFamily #NDAdvocacy #NeurodivergentKids #SENDLife #BathTimeStruggles #HonestParenting #NeuroDadverse
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🎧 Episode 4 – Fashion Shows, Solo Dads & Emotional Throwbacks
In this episode of The NeuroDADverse, Ben tackles two nights of solo parenting that include a sensory-triggered meltdown, an emotional bathroom floor moment, and a makeshift fashion show to help Oscar choose clothes for a beach trip.
Meanwhile, Dan shares a massive win with Frankie around self-initiated haircuts a sensory success with a touch of comic timing. The pair also explore emotional regulation, parent shame, lanyards in public spaces, and the quiet victories we rarely get to celebrate out loud.
💬 Topics this episode:
•Solo parenting while managing autistic meltdowns
•Clothing anxiety, sensory needs, and scaffolding through play
•“I’m stupid” moments and the power of calm connection
•Reflecting on old regulation routines and unexpected regression
•Self-initiated sensory management (like requesting a haircut!)
•Soft play, safety strategies, and meltdown management in public
•Using lanyards, laminated cards, and subtle advocacy in social spaces
•Teen independence, impulsivity, and boundary learning
•Diagnosis delays and the emotional weight of reflection
👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.
00:00 – Welcome back (plus a bit of flu)
01:30 – Visual mimicry and parenting pick-ups
03:00 – Weekly check-in: Three-word summaries
05:00 – Challenge: Solo parenting and preparing for a beach trip
06:30 – Clothing anxiety and sensory overwhelm
07:30 – Fashion Show Game: Scaffolding through fun
09:00 – The Pokemon hat dilemma
10:00 – Bedtime anxiety and “what if I get bullied?”
11:00 – Curtain drama and negative self-talk
12:30 – Emotional dysregulation in the bathroom
14:00 – Calm breathing, mirror affirmations, and flashback parenting
15:00 – The return of old behaviours and coping tools
16:30 – How the beach trip actually went
17:00 – Jellyfish, crabs, and thumb-middle day ratings
18:30 – Win: Frankie self-initiates a haircut!
20:30 – Sensory wins and father-son bonding
22:30 – Self-advocacy in action (and what it really means)
25:00 – ND parenting = challenge + joy
26:00 – Teens, Tesco, and spontaneous impulse dinners
27:30 – Structure, routines, and parenting styles
29:00 – Challenges of handing over control as kids grow
30:00 – Mabel's smooth transition to new school timetable
32:00 – When the meltdown doesn’t come (and that’s the win)
34:30 – Ben’s soft play story: masking, cards, and safety systems
38:00 – Do you carry meltdown info cards in public?
40:30 – Why people don’t always notice ND traits (and why that matters)
43:00 – Solo parenting at social events and what’s actually “normal”
45:00 – Talking about SEND in public: advocacy or judgement?
47:00 – The morbid fascination with “how hard it really is”
49:00 – Diagnosis check-in: avoidance, fear, and self-reflection
52:00 – Dan's not-ready-yet moment: reflection fatigue
53:00 – Looking ahead: Sports Day, England football, and no sleep
56:00 – Bath Time Scores: When timing and hairdryers collide
58:00 – Final thoughts, closing laughs, and “just spilled lemon & honey”
💡 If this episode resonates with you:
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👍 Like & comment to help other ND parents find us
📬 Email us your stories at: neurodadverse@gmail.com
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🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SensoryProcessing #AutismAwareness #SoloParenting #ParentingMeltdowns #SENDSupport #NeurodivergentKids #ToiletTrainingWins #PublicMeltdowns #LanyardAwareness #NDAdvocacy #ParentingPodcast #NeuroDadverse
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🎧 Episode 5 Routines, Transitions & Emotional End of Term
In this episode of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan dive into the complexities of summer routines, end of term emotions and SEND school transitions. From the bittersweet news of a child staying in the same class, to spontaneous sports days and “Champion of Champions” family traditions. This is parenting through chaos with compassion and creativity.
They explore the real reason routines are so hard to stick to (and who they’re really for), how ND kids (and adults) cope with unpredictability, and share some of their best bathroom negotiation hacks including the now-legendary “Wash the Trains” method.
💬 Topics this episode:
• End-of-term school transitions & staying back in class
• SEND education provision, expectations, and emotions
• Routines: Who are they really for?
• Coping with lack of routine in ND households
• Empowering kids to advocate for themselves
• Summer parenting strategies (one-on-one vs. shared days)
• Bath time battles and sensory hacks
• Champion of Champions: family games, sibling rivalry & tankard trophies
👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.
00:00 – Welcome back & weekly wins
02:00 – Tattoo inspiration from a child’s drawing
04:00 – Garden chores, football tournaments & meltdown anxiety
06:00 – Keep Your Shoes On: a practical Sunday hack
07:30 – Hot weather, sports, and super-subs on the pitch
09:00 – Checking in: Weekend moments & upcoming topics
10:30 – The real fear: how adults respond to deregulation
11:00 – Big Topic: Routines – who are they really for?
13:00 – Christmas McDonald’s story & food flexibility
14:30 – Why the world doesn’t always match the routine
16:00 – School mornings, parental logistics, and emotional honesty
18:00 – When routine causes more pressure than peace
20:00 – Advocating for self-advocacy in your kids
23:00 – Why rigid handovers might actually harm growth
25:00 – Helping extended family learn through experience
27:00 – The invisible “expert in my kid” pressure
29:00 – Double diagnoses, self-acceptance, and finding peace
30:00 – Bath time chaos: stress, countdowns & phrases
32:00 – Co-parenting transitions & mismatched energy
34:00 – Reflecting on your own routines — or lack of them
36:00 – The challenge of staying back in the same class
39:00 – Comparing hopes to progress: managing expectations
41:00 – Soft skills vs grades in SEND education
43:00 – Reframing milestones & celebrating small wins
45:00 – Looking ahead: sports days, pick-ups, and summer breaks
48:00 – ND-friendly sports days & scheduling surprises
51:00 – Final week teacher jokes & hidden stress
53:00 – The unpredictability of communication & last-minute changes
55:00 – Planning for summer: activities, down days & logistics
58:00 – Favourite memories don’t always match the reality
01:00:00 – Building rhythm into unstructured time
01:01:30 – “Champion of Champions” – creating family traditions
01:03:00 – Tankards, trophies & making silly things matter
01:04:00 – Bath time rating: 5 and 6, with “wash the trains” bonus round
01:06:00 – Creative hacks to reduce bath time anxiety
01:07:00 – Final reflections, laughs, and what's next
💡 Enjoying the podcast?
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📬 Contact: neurodadverse@gmail.com
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🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDSupport #SummerHolidaysWithKids #RoutineVsReality #AutismParenting #ADHDLife #ParentingWins #WashTheTrains #EndOfTermFeels #NeuroDadverse
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🎧 Episode 6 – Routines: Who Are They Really For?
This week on The NeuroDadverse, Ben and Dan reflect on the bittersweet emotional load of end-of-term life — school reports, transitional stress, and the tension between creating magical memories and just surviving the week.
They unpack the wins (a 9.5 bath score! an actual family dinner with no meltdowns!) and the challenges (burnout, shifting routines, and navigating neurodivergent logic when school says “just play board games today”). There’s a beautiful reflection on self-advocacy, family pride, and learning to let go of perfectionism in summer planning.
If you’ve ever balanced emotional regulation, dinner-time negotiations, and a desperate need to just shut the door and breathe — you’ll feel this one.
💬 Topics this episode:
• End-of-year school reports and ND academic expectations
• Emotional burnout and the hidden toll of transitions
• Shared meals, connection rituals, and social eating challenges
• Bath time scores and sensory strategies that actually work
• Attending Pride events as a family — and what they mean
• Learning to plan summer loosely (and forgiving yourself for the rest)
• Family traditions, online friendships & self-advocacy wins
👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.
00:00 – Welcome back to The NeuroDadverse
01:00 – Three-word check-in: nostalgia, triumph, passage
02:00 – Wins of the week: school reports, family dinner, football with Mabel
04:00 – Frankie’s trampoline moment & social connection
06:00 – Oscar’s school report: normal, boring, brilliant
09:00 – Identity, dysregulation & recognising hidden effort
11:00 – Sharing progress (or not) with your ND child
12:30 – Reflecting on what “normal” wins actually mean
14:00 – Solo parenting and the dinner/movie experiment
17:00 – Table routines, phone pots & sibling dynamics
19:00 – Watching the game with Mabel (and not sleeping after)
21:00 – Emotional exhaustion & ND parenting adrenaline
22:00 – Sports day check-in: not a win, not a challenge – just fine!
24:00 – Oscar’s social butterfly moment at the SEND sports stall
26:00 – ND school settings & celebrating low-demand flexibility
28:00 – “If you’ve had fun, you’ve won” – or have you?
30:00 – Summer planning, loose frameworks & sibling scheduling
33:00 – Pride planning & self-advocacy through Learning for Life
35:00 – Oscar’s excitement (and sensory reality) around Pride
38:00 – Real talk: when summer plans fall apart
40:00 – Self-advocacy through boundaries & quiet time
42:00 – Dinner talk: letting go of the ideal summer
44:00 – “Separate rooms, separate screens, still okay”
46:00 – Bath scores, sensory wins & Laura’s unexpected success
48:00 – Building independence & co-parenting bath routines
50:00 – The return of the Sunday Bath Plan
51:00 – Creating consistency without school as anchor
52:00 – Last thoughts: ND parenting, recharging, and rest
💡 If this hit home:
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📬 Email us: neurodadverse@gmail.com
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🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #EndOfTermFeels #PrideParenting #BathTimeWin #AutismAcceptance #FamilyRoutines #SchoolTransitions #NDAdvocacy #NeuroDadverse
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🎧 Episode 3 – Prevent Training, Parenting Pressure & Permission to Feel
Dan and Ben reflect on how institutional systems like Prevent training can unintentionally stigmatise neurodivergent traits. It sparks an emotional, wide-ranging chat about justice, advocacy, and the subtle harm of misrepresentation.
But this episode isn’t just about systems. It’s also about the stuff at home: giving your kid Calpol without a meltdown, seeing your teenager self-regulate in a crowd, and how a trip to Tesco can undo you when you’re running on empty.
This is one of our rawest episodes yet — where we unpack shame, supermarket stress, emotional resilience, and the lifelong balancing act of being neurodivergent parents to neurodivergent kids.
💬 Topics this episode:
👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.
00:00 – Intro & Welcome
01:00 – Weather chat and podcast energy shift
01:30 – Prevent Training: What triggered us this week
04:00 – Autism, radicalisation, and narrative bias in education
06:30 – When training videos get it wrong
09:00 – Narrow portrayals of neurodivergence
12:00 – From Prevent to parenting emotions: three-word check-in
13:30 – Joy, despair, and hydration failure
15:00 – Wins vs. Challenges (and the expansion of the format)
18:00 – Dan’s raw week: rejection, solo parenting, and emotional walls
22:30 – Behaviour is communication — and what that really means
24:00 – The Calpol-on-the-ceiling story
26:00 – Sensory food issues and being a super sleuth
29:00 – Toilet wins and emotional highs in the middle of chaos
30:30 – Teen boundaries and the “shepherd, not engineer” mindset
32:00 – Mutual respect, negotiation, and raising safe, self-aware teens
34:00 – Ben’s challenge: supermarket shame spiral and emotional overload
39:30 – The invisible weight of "tutting" and social feedback
44:00 – Hair dye, sensory processing, and when you’re not welcome in the room
46:00 – Shoes-on productivity hack (does it work?)
48:00 – Rejection Sensitivity in everyday moments
51:00 – Community, compassion, and navigating difficult comparisons
54:00 – Services are stretched: exclusions, SEND support and local politics
58:00 – Why “comparison is the thief of joy” (except when it isn’t)
01:01:00 – Neurodivergent parenting and sharing the emotional load
01:03:00 – Diagnosis check-in: where things stand
01:05:00 – Looking ahead: solo parenting, the flower show, and the Euros
01:08:00 – Garden bath hacks and muddy memories
01:10:00 – Bath score of the week: a solid 8 (with shared duties!)
01:11:30 – Outro: You're doing great. You're not alone.
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🎧 Welcome to the very first episode of The NeuroDadverse!
In this heartfelt launch episode, Ben and Dan dive into the real highs and lows of parenting children with ASD and ADHD — and navigating their own possible diagnoses too.
🍼 It’s Father’s Day, there’s a surprise dental meltdown, a sensory overload birthday, and a gig that ends with an unexpected emotional breakthrough in the car. This is the unfiltered, unpolished reality of raising neurodiverse kids — from bath time battles to breakthrough moments with first words.
👨👧👦 Whether you’re a SEND parent, an educator, or neurodivergent yourself, you’ll relate to the big feelings, small wins, and daily chaos we all face.
💬 Topics this episode:
👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.
00:00 – Welcome to The NeuroDadverse
00:45 – Father’s Day Feels & Double Celebrations
02:10 – This Week in Three Words (and more)
03:30 – Parenting Wins or Challenges First?
04:50 – The Birthday Transition Struggles
08:00 – Oscar’s Surprise Dental Drama
11:00 – When Pain and Meltdowns Collide
14:50 – Sensory Struggles and Strawberry Toothpaste
15:30 – Gig Night and Unexpected Wins
17:10 – Insecurity, Car Talks, and Connection
21:30 – First Words and Cookie Celebrations
24:00 – Looking Ahead: Busy Week Incoming
26:30 – School Milestones and HD360 Assessment News
28:00 – Reflections on Adult Neurodivergence
33:00 – Rejection Sensitivity and Self-Awareness
36:00 – Ear Defenders, Language, and Growth
37:30 – Bath Time Ratings and Hair Wash Woes
43:00 – Trust, Transitions, and Long Hair Challenges
46:30 – Masking, Diagnosis, and Parenting Realities
48:00 – The Power of the When/Then Rule
49:30 – Falling Asleep in the Bath (and other truths)
50:10 – Final Reflections and Goodbye
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📝 Comment with your own parenting wins or meltdowns — we’d love to hear them!
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@NeuroDadversePodcast
📧 Contact: neurodadverse@gmail.com
🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #ASDParenting #NeurodivergentDad #ParentingPodcast #FatherhoodUnfiltered #RejectionSensitivity #ADHDDads #NeuroDadverse #SpecialNeedsParenting
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🎧 Episode 2 – Heat, Hydration & Holding It Together
In this episode of The NeuroDADverse, Ben and Dan battle through a blistering heatwave with their neurodivergent kids — and all the chaos that comes with it. From sensory meltdowns and nighttime wake-ups to battles over fans, windows, and hydration, the struggle is real.
But it’s not all stress. There are big parenting wins too — like watching a daughter play (and win!) a cup final under pressure, or cracking the code on bath time routines that finally work.
☀️ If you’ve ever tried to parent through a heatwave, support emotional regulation, or just make it to bedtime without a breakdown (yours or theirs), this one’s for you.
💬 Topics this episode:
👇 CHAPTERS BELOW for easy navigation.
00:00 – Welcome back to The NeuroDadverse
01:00 – New energy vs. commitment energy
02:00 – Weekly check-in: Three-word summary
03:30 – Heat, sleep, and overstimulation challenges
05:30 – Frankie and sensory overload in the sun
08:00 – When play helps regulate big emotions
10:00 – Heatwave + neurodiversity = Perfect storm
12:00 – Hydration, closed windows, and parental frustration
14:30 – Self-regulation battles and negotiation with teens
16:30 – Learning from past meltdowns (without "I told you so")
18:00 – Win of the week: Adapting routines that actually work
20:00 – Football, focus, and emotional processing on the pitch
22:30 – Watching your ND child succeed in a pressured environment
25:00 – Victory parade: Confidence, self-awareness, and cup celebrations
27:00 – Reflecting on neurodivergent strengths in adversity
28:00 – Pantomimes, performing arts, and community connection
30:00 – The power of shared ND parenting experiences
31:30 – Looking ahead: Routine changes and summer transitions
34:00 – School ceremonies and surprise wins
36:00 – End-of-term unpredictability and planning stress
38:30 – Emotional resilience and parent preparation
39:30 – ADHD self-assessment check-in (and procrastination)
40:30 – Update on Laura and Mabel’s HD360 assessment journey
42:00 – Bath Time Scores: From meltdown to a 9/10!
44:00 – Temperature, taps, and sensory workarounds
46:00 – The bath time binary choice trick (soap or gel?)
48:00 – Auditory issues and unexpected triggers
51:00 – Final reflections and laughs (and hosepipe parenting)
52:00 – Wrapping up and previewing next week’s challenges
💡 If this episode helped or moved you:
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes
👍 Like & share to help others find us
📲 Comment with your own summer struggles or parenting wins
📧 Got a question or a story to share?
Email us at: neurodadverse@gmail.com
Follow us on TikTok/Instagram: @NeuroDadversePodcast
🔗 #NeurodiverseParenting #SENDParenting #HeatwaveMeltdown #ADHDParenting #SensoryProcessing #NeurodivergentKids #FootballWin #BathTimeStruggles #NeuroDadverse #AutismAwareness
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