16 episodes
Neuroshambles Mark Allen
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- Kids & Family
A fortnightly podcast about the ludicrous realities of being a parent of neurodivergent kids.
Lapsed comedian Mark Allen has three kids - two diagnosed autistic with ADHD and one suspected neurotypical.
Each episode, he speaks to a similarly frazzled parent and explores how other neurodiverse families deal with seemingly simple events, such as birthday parties, holidays, mealtimes, and leaving the house.
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The chaos of mealtimes | Liam Mullone
Mark welcomes back guest Liam Mullone, parent of twin 13-year old boys (one diagnosed autistic and one suspected autistic/ADHD), as well as an 8-year old girl (suspected neurotypical).
In this episode, they discuss the topic of mealtimes in their respective households - from the faff of getting them all to the dinner table in the first place, to the unmitigated disaster of their attempts to encourage their kids to sit down, use cutlery and exercise some form of table manners.
LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:
Torbay General Hospital paediatric ward - https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/services/child-health/
McDonalds - https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb.html
Wetherspoons - https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/
CONTACT US
If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com
FOLLOW US
Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles
Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/Neuroshambles
Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles
CREDITS
The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/ -
Navigating Emotions | Grace Lockrobin
This episode explores how we navigate the maelstrom of emotions in families with a mix of different neurotypes. Mark speaks to Grace Lockrobin, philosopher and fellow parent of neurodivergent boys (one 8-year old, diagnosed autistic, and a 5-year old with suspected ADHD), as they look at how members of their own households handle the contrasting ways that each of them understands, expresses and responds to emotions - both in themselves and in others.
Mark and Grace also discuss how they deal with their own emotions as parents - from having to keep a firm lid on anger, to the often taboo subject of acknowledging the sadness in their own lives.
LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:
The Apprentice - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0071b63
Emotion cards - https://amzn.eu/d/1uT2Pru
Alexithymia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexithymia
Aquila Magazine - https://www.aquila.co.uk/
"The Explosive Child" book - https://drrossgreene.com/the-explosive-child.htm
Beavers - https://www.scouts.org.uk/beavers/
Villa Real School - https://www.villarealschool.co.uk/
"All The Ways to Be Smart" book - https://amzn.eu/d/4Ssd6qF
BBC Sport Article on Greg Halford - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68617366
Nick Ransom, Journalist - https://www.nickransom.co.uk/
Sapere - https://www.sapere.org.uk/
CONTACT US
If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com
FOLLOW US
Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles
Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/Neuroshambles
Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles
CREDITS
The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/ -
Leaving The House | Hatty Ashdown
This episode is all about the relentless faff involved in trying to get our neurodivergent kids out of the house.
Mark talks to comedian Hatty Ashdown, who is a parent of two children (one diagnosed autistic with suspected ADHD and one suspected neurotypical). They compare war stories from their daily attempts to wrangle their kids out of the house, navigating distractions, dysregulation, refusal and all round chaos along the way.
LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:
Gorilla Gym - https://amzn.eu/d/22yMHaK
Purple Parenting - https://www.purpleparenting.co.uk/about/
Natural History Museum "Dawnosaurs" sessions - https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/dawnosaurs.html
Hatty Ashdown's website - https://hattyashdown.com/
CONTACT US
If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com
FOLLOW US
Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles
Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/Neuroshambles
Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles
CREDITS
The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/ -
Struggles with clothing | Steph Curtis
This episode focuses on the daily struggle to find clothing that our neurodifferent children will tolerate wearing.
Mark talks to Steph Curtis, author and parent of two neurodivergent children (both teenagers, diagnosed autistic - one with a strong PDA profile). They swap tales of regular battles with labels and seams, the nightmare of school clothes and their children's preference for being naked - even in the most inappropriate moments.
LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:
“PDA in the family” by Steph Curtis - https://amzn.eu/d/1j8KsYi
Stephstwogirls on Instagram -www.instagram.com/stephstwogirls
Steph Curtis’ blog - www.stephstwogirls.co.uk
Bamboo socks - www.sockshop.co.uk/featured/kids-bamboo
Crocs - www.crocs.co.uk/c/kids/footwear
"Neuroshambles giveaway" shoes (size 3) - www.skechers.co.uk/foamies-guzman-steps---aqua-surge/91995L_BLK.html
Skechers - www.skechers.co.uk/kids
ASDA sensory school uniform - https://direct.asda.com/george/collections/easy-on-easy-wear-school/D28M110G1C3,default,sc.html
Marks & Spencers sensory clothing - www.marksandspencer.com/l/kids/easy-dressing
Sensory Smart Clothing - www.sensorysmart.co.uk
Fidget-T - www.comfa.co.uk/product/fidget-t
CONTACT US
If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com
FOLLOW US
Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles
Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/Neuroshambles
Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles
CREDITS
The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/music/beats-energetic-hip-hop-8303/ -
Life as a social outcast | Samuel Wilson
This episode discusses the lighter side of parents of SEND kids being treated as outcasts from polite society.
Mark speaks to Samuel Wilson, author and parent of two children: an 8-year old daughter (on the autism pathway, with Cerebral Palsy, Cerebral Visual Impairment and Sensory Processing Disorder) and a 4-year old son (undiagnosed neurotypical).
Mark and Sam shine a humorous light on being ostracised by the other parents at school, alienated from WhatsApp groups and treated as a social pariah at parties, before discussing how this social isolation can sometimes be used to our benefit.
I know, I know, it all sounds a bit gloomy, but trust me, this is a surprisingly fun episode. And what better time to listen to it than when no-one else is around?
LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:
Albion in the Community, Brighton - www.bhafcfoundation.org.uk/timetable/Jumpin Fun - www.jumpinfun.co.uk/burgess-hillGladiators - www.gladiatorstv.com/gladiators/bbc/"Lend a Hand", Samuel Wilson's book - www.littlestepspublishing.co.uk/books/lend-a-handAmaze, Sussex - www.amazesussex.org.ukWhoopsadaisy, Brighton - www.whoopsadaisy.org
CONTACT US
If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com
FOLLOW US
Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles
Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/Neuroshambles
Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles
CREDITS
The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/music/beats-energetic-hip-hop-8303/ -
Walking with Neurodivergents | Angie Belcher
Mark speaks to Angie Belcher - Comedian in Residence at University of Bristol and the proud owner of a neurodiverse 5-year old boy (diagnosed autistic, with suspected ADHD). In this episode, they discuss how something as seemingly straightforward as walking from A to B, can be an entirely different experience with neurodivergent children.
LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:
Incredible Kids, Bristol - www.incrediblekids.org.ukBristol Autism Project - www.facecharity.org.uk/our-work/bristol-autism-projectBristol Autism Support - www.bristolautismsupport.orgMurmuration, Bristol - www.murmurationcommunitytherapy.comFlora, Bristol - www.bristolparentcarers.org.uk/2021/05/24/flora-bristols-send-local-offerNational Trust Essential Companions - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/about-us/access-for-everyone"Walking With Toddlers" radio play - www.soundcloud.com/walking-and-re-creation/walking-with-toddlers?si=ca26f00080ee4a908347d0d3962b043c
CONTACT US
If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com
FOLLOW US
Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles
Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/Neuroshambles
Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles
CREDITS
The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/music/beats-energetic-hip-hop-8303/