The Weighted Blanket

Claire De Oliveira
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  • Parenting

The Weighted Blanket is a podcast for neurodivergent people and the families who love them — warm, honest and built entirely from lived experience. Hosted by Claire, a mum of three diagnosed with ADHD at 36, navigating autism, AuDHD, sensory processing disorder and a PDA profile across her family. This isn't a clinical space. It's a real one. Every episode covers what it actually feels like — diagnoses and waiting lists, EHCP battles, school meetings, masking, burnout and the NHS. And alongside the hard stuff, the joy. The moments our children floor us. The humour that gets you through. The community that makes it lighter. We also talk about change. Because the systems failing neurodivergent families need to be better — and this community is going to be part of making that happen. You are not broken. You are not alone. The blanket is wide enough. New episodes every week. Join our community: https://the-weighted-blanket.kit.com/a94e837f2d Email: hello@theweightedblanket.co.uk

  1. 2d ago

    They Told Me My Child Was Fine. She Wasn't.

    When Kate's youngest was five years old, the school removed her fidget toy. She let herself back into the building, climbed on the teacher's desk, and took it back. And somehow — she was the problem. That's where Kate Jennings' story begins. A SEN mum, a neurodivergent woman, and someone who spent years being told her children's needs weren't serious enough — until the day she sat on her sofa while her house fell apart around her and realised she had nothing left. She pulled her children out of school, spent six months just reconnecting as a family, and then studied SEN Law so she could fight back. Now she helps other parents do the same — as the founder of SEND Defender. In this episode Kate and I talk about what the SEND system actually does to families, why 97% of parents who reach tribunal win (and why that's the scandal, not the solution), what schools are legally required to provide but routinely don't, and the two things Kate wishes every parent knew from the start. If you're in the middle of this right now — this one's for you. You don't have to figure it out alone. Find Kate: senddefender.co.uk Free SEND guide — linked on her site @send_defender on TikTok and Instagram For The Weighted Blanket: Free 5-minute Two-Circle Reset → https://the-weighted-blanket.kit.com/5minreset Join the community → https://www.facebook.com/groups/1000143112417292/ Everything else → https://linktr.ee/theweightedblanket

  2. Aug 11

    I Wasn’t Failing — I Was Autistic

    For most of her life, Hannah Wells believed the things she struggled with were caused by anxiety. Then, while researching autistic children for her master’s degree, she began recognising her own experiences on every page. In this episode, Hannah joins me to talk about receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult, the exhaustion of masking and the relief of finally understanding that she was never a failed version of a neurotypical person. Hannah is a SEND practitioner who has spent years supporting neurodivergent children in mainstream education. Her master’s research explored whether the voices of autistic children are truly being heard in mainstream Reception classrooms. Her dissertation received the highest mark awarded on the course and is now used as a benchmark example for future students. We discuss: • Why the pandemic felt unexpectedly freeing • Being diagnosed with anxiety before recognising autism • Why phone calls can be so difficult for autistic people • Masking at work and falling apart somewhere private • What happened when Hannah disclosed her diagnosis at school • The difference between challenging behaviour and dysregulation • Why consistency and predictability matter in education • Whether children are disabled by autism or by their environment • Helping neurodivergent children develop their own voice • Raising autistic children with greater self-understanding • Letting go of the pressure to appear neurotypical Hannah also shares how her own painful experiences at school now shape the way she supports children—and why something as simple as a quiet space, a weighted blanket or permission to step away can completely change a child’s experience. You can find Hannah and her artwork here: Website: linktr.ee/thepotterspalette Patreon: http://patreon.com/thepotterspostclub The Weighted Blanket is a space for honest conversations about neurodivergence, parenting, identity and everything we are still learning about ourselves. Subscribe for a new episode each week. Instagram: @theweightedblanketpodcast

  3. Aug 6

    They Called Me a Drama Queen. It Was ADHD

    I got called a drama queen for years, in a job I was genuinely good at. This week I tell the story of how I earned that reputation — the promotion that vanished, the Beyoncé strut, "you may never see me again" — and what a decade and a diagnosis taught me about what was actually going on. I also dig into the new Neurodiversity in Business × Birkbeck (University of London) 2026 report: why 61% of neurodivergent people who leave corporate life say they'd never go back, why psychological safety hasn't improved since 2023, and the finding that made me laugh out loud — 66% of neurodivergent self-employed people say the hardest part is the social media. This one's about work, masking, burnout, and what I'm building next — honestly, including the fear. Research referenced: NiB × Birkbeck Research Report 2026 · BBC News, 25 Jul 2026 ("ADHD has rewired the workplace") · Lancet Regional Health Europe · King's College London 🧺 Free resource — the Two-Circle Reset (5 minutes to put something down): linktr.ee/theweightedblanket 👥 The Weighted Blanket Community: facebook.com/groups/1000143112417292 📩 Newsletter: the-weighted-blanket.kit.com/a94e837f2d 📧 hello@theweightedblanket.co.uk

  4. Jul 28

    I Thought I’d Moved On. EMDR Showed Me I Hadn’t.

    There are things we think we have filed away. Old experiences. Old shame. Old fear. Old versions of ourselves we thought we had moved on from. But sometimes, through therapy, diagnosis, or a moment of stillness, that drawer opens again — and we realise those things were not really gone. They were just waiting. In this solo episode of The Weighted Blanket, I’m talking honestly about EMDR, ADHD and trauma from my own personal experience. This is not medical advice and it is not a recommendation. It is simply one neurodivergent woman sharing what EMDR has been like for her, why I started exploring trauma therapy after my ADHD diagnosis, and how old experiences can still shape the way we live, parent, work and respond to the world. I talk about: • What EMDR is in plain English • Why I moved from CBT into trauma-focused work • ADHD, RSD and emotional sensitivity • The body’s response to old memories • Why therapy can feel raw after a session • Perfectionism, overworking and childhood beliefs • Why trauma and ADHD can feel tangled together • How EMDR is helping me understand what is me and what was masking • Why therapy should always be done with a qualified professional • What I want my children to grow up knowing about support, emotions and self-worth This episode includes discussion of trauma and therapy, so please look after yourself while listening. If this feels too tender today, it is completely okay to skip it and come back when you feel ready. If anything in this episode resonates with you, please speak to a qualified professional such as your GP, therapist or trauma specialist. Do not try to open difficult memories alone. You are not broken. You are not too much. And you are not alone. MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT If this episode brings anything up for you, please reach out for support. Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/ Samaritans: Call 116 123 free, any time, day or night. https://www.samaritans.org/ Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential text support in the UK. https://giveusashout.org/ If you feel at immediate risk or unsafe, call 999 or go to A&E. EMDR INFORMATION EMDR Association UK: https://emdrassociation.org.uk/ Find an EMDR therapist: https://map.emdrassociation.org.uk/ NICE PTSD guidance: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng116 JOIN THE WEIGHTED BLANKET COMMUNITY Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1000143112417292/ Newsletter: https://the-weighted-blanket.kit.com/a94e837f2d All Links: https://linktr.ee/theweightedblanket QUESTION FOR YOU What do you wish someone had told you before you had to figure it out the hard way? Come and tell me in The Weighted Blanket Community.

  5. Jul 21

    Diagnosed With ADHD at 34: "My Brain Finally Went Quiet" 1

    Geoff spent 34 years not knowing why his brain worked the way it did. He was not the stereotypical hyperactive child. He was inattentive, masking, trying to fit in, and quietly carrying the emotional weight of undiagnosed ADHD. In this episode of The Weighted Blanket, I speak to Geoff — a lorry driver, dad of two, and late-diagnosed ADHD adult — about what it felt like to finally understand his brain after decades of impulsivity, RSD, burnout, dopamine chasing and self-blame. Geoff shares what led him to seek an ADHD assessment, why he chose to go private after being told the NHS wait could be four to five years, and what changed when he started Elvanse. We talk about: • Being diagnosed with ADHD at 34 • Inattentive ADHD and why it can be missed • Masking through childhood and school • RSD, jealousy, shame and emotional loops • Dopamine chasing, impulsivity and burnout • The grief that can follow a late ADHD diagnosis • ADHD medication and the moment his brain went quiet • ADHD coaching and practical strategies • Hiking, nature and mental wellbeing • Why sharing lived experience matters This conversation is for anyone who has ever been told they are “too much,” “too sensitive,” “silly,” “lazy,” or “just a bit chaotic.” It is also for anyone wondering whether ADHD might explain parts of their life they have never been able to make sense of. Geoff’s story is honest, raw and hopeful — not because everything is fixed, but because understanding his brain has finally given him a way forward. GUEST: Geoff Lorry driver, dad of two, late-diagnosed ADHD adult Geoff’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@92grh?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc JOIN THE WEIGHTED BLANKET COMMUNITY: Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1000143112417292/ Newsletter: https://the-weighted-blanket.kit.com/a94e837f2d All Links: https://linktr.ee/theweightedblanket Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033hbR3h5qo6TD3WxWF8FL Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weighted-blanket

  6. Jul 14

    Why "How Do You Feel?" Doesn't Work for Neurodivergent People

    Many neurodivergent adults struggle to find words for big, complex feelings. For some of us, questions like “How do you feel?” can feel impossible to answer — not because we do not feel deeply, but because the words are not always there. In this episode of The Weighted Blanket, I’m joined by Claire Palmer, a creative counsellor based in Norwich who specialises in working with neurodivergent adults. We talk about why traditional talking therapy does not always work for ADHD, autistic and AuDHD adults — and how creativity, imagination and play can help people access emotions that words cannot reach. We also explore alexithymia, intergenerational trauma, epigenetics, inner child work, neurodivergent shame, emotional language, masking, and why therapy needs to respect each person’s pace, nervous system and communication style. This conversation is for neurodivergent adults, parents, therapists, counsellors, educators and anyone who has ever felt misunderstood because they could not explain what was happening inside. If you have ever felt like words were not enough, this episode is for you. Guest: Claire Palmer — Creative Counsellor, Norwich Claire’s links: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@norwichcreativetherapy Website: https://www.clairepalmercounselling.com Email: CPCounselling@protonmail.com Join The Weighted Blanket Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1000143112417292/ All links: https://linktr.ee/theweightedblanket Mental health support: Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/ Samaritans: Call 116 123 free, any time, day or night. https://www.samaritans.org/ Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential text support in the UK. https://giveusashout.org/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Integrative Therapy 03:04 The Role of Creativity in Therapy 05:48 Understanding Neurodivergence through Film 09:06 Navigating Therapy for Neurodivergent Clients 12:05 The Importance of Sensory Accommodations 14:59 Exploring Emotions through Sand Tray Therapy 18:06 The Challenge of Expressing Emotions 21:00 Cultural Norms and Emotional Expression 24:06 Communication and Relationships in Therapy 26:57 The Impact of Past Experiences on Present Behavior 37:00 Exploring Neurodivergence and Family Dynamics 39:54 The Evolution of Neurodivergence 46:50 Impact of the Pandemic on Neurodivergent Individuals 51:09 Transitioning from Care to Counseling 55:01 The Importance of Therapy 01:01:27 Accessing Therapy: Challenges and Solutions 01:04:55 The Relationship Between Trauma and Neurodivergence 01:11:54 Embracing Quirks and Hyperfixations 01:18:00 Parenting and Nurturing the Inner Child 01:22:06 Introduction and Connection 01:23:05 Closing Thoughts and Show Notes 01:23:19 Introduction to Claire Palmer and Her Work 01:24:34 The Power of Creative Counseling

  7. Jun 30

    The PDA Profile Explained | Why Your Child Isn't Being Defiant

    Have you ever been told your child is stubborn, strong-willed, or defiant? So was mine. In this episode of The Weighted Blanket, I share our family's journey into understanding the PDA Profile (Pervasive Drive for Autonomy)—what it really is, why traditional parenting advice often makes things worse, and the small changes that completely transformed the way we support our son. I'm not a PDA specialist. I'm simply a mum sharing what we've learned so far, in the hope that it helps another family feel a little less alone. If you've ever wondered why your child: • Refuses things they actually want to do • Melts down over everyday requests • Seems to need control over everything • Is labelled "difficult" despite being wonderful ...this episode is for you. 💚 If this episode resonates, please like, subscribe and share it with another family. It genuinely helps more than you know. 🟢 PDA Society (Highly Recommended)⁠https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/⁠ 🟢 PDA Society YouTube⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PDASociety⁠ 📘 Facebook Community⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1000143112417292/⁠ 📩 Free Newsletter⁠https://the-weighted-blanket.kit.com/a94e837f2d⁠ 🌐 All Links⁠https://linktr.ee/theweightedblanket⁠ Spotify⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/033hbR3h5qo6TD3WxWF8FL⁠ Apple Podcasts⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weighted-blanket⁠ 📧 Business & Contact ⁠hello@theweightedblanket.co.uk⁠ The Weighted Blanket is a podcast exploring ADHD, autism, burnout, parenting neurodivergent children, late diagnosis, masking, education, mental health and everything in between. Because none of us should have to figure this out alone.

  8. Jun 23

    When You See Yourself in Your Child — Late Diagnosis and the Parenting Guilt Nobody Talks About

    I want to tell you about my birthday. My youngest had just been given a recorder. My middle son wanted one too and wasn't okay about that. My eldest wanted to play battleships. I was cooking dinner, doing the cake, welcoming family — and being hit and pushed by a child who had been completely overwhelmed since that morning. And in the middle of all of it I was trying to hold my own nervous system together at exactly the same time as his. This is the episode nobody makes. Not the one about what to do when your child is dysregulated. The one about what happens when your child is dysregulated and so are you — at exactly the same time — and there is nobody in the room who is not. This episode is about being a late-diagnosed neurodivergent parent of neurodivergent children. The moment you look at your child and recognise yourself. The guilt of what you did before you had the right language. The science of co-regulation — and why it's harder when both nervous systems are running at capacity. The parental burnout nobody talks about. The EMDR that's helping. And the complicated, painful, beautiful experience of seeing yourself in your child. ADHD heritability is estimated at 70-80%. Up to half of children with ADHD have a parent with ADHD. 65% of parents of neurodivergent children are at higher risk of burnout. This is bigger than your family. And you are not failing. 🎙️ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033hbR3h5qo6TD3WxWF8FL 🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weighted-blanket 👥 Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1000143112417292/ 🔗 Everything else: https://linktr.ee/theweightedblanket 📧 hello@theweightedblanket.co.uk You are not alone. 🤍

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About

The Weighted Blanket is a podcast for neurodivergent people and the families who love them — warm, honest and built entirely from lived experience. Hosted by Claire, a mum of three diagnosed with ADHD at 36, navigating autism, AuDHD, sensory processing disorder and a PDA profile across her family. This isn't a clinical space. It's a real one. Every episode covers what it actually feels like — diagnoses and waiting lists, EHCP battles, school meetings, masking, burnout and the NHS. And alongside the hard stuff, the joy. The moments our children floor us. The humour that gets you through. The community that makes it lighter. We also talk about change. Because the systems failing neurodivergent families need to be better — and this community is going to be part of making that happen. You are not broken. You are not alone. The blanket is wide enough. New episodes every week. Join our community: https://the-weighted-blanket.kit.com/a94e837f2d Email: hello@theweightedblanket.co.uk

Information

  • Creator
    Claire De Oliveira
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Claire De Oliveira
  • Show Website
    The Weighted Blanket