The Threads of Life

Trish O'Dwyer
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Semimonthly

Trish O'Dwyer primarily solo hosts an informal, 20-30 minutes, once monthly podcast for parents of autistic and/or neurodiverse children (all ages), their families and friends plus anyone wanting to understand what it's really like and how to support. The aim is for listeners to be able to take a breather, listen to someone they connect with, who knows what they are living and to feel validated and less isolated. I hope you laugh, you may cry, you may even gain some valuable real-life information and help. Above all, you will know that you are supported and that you are not alone. It is story telling in an honest & uplifting way, purely from the perspective of a parent who is learning on the go and making mistakes every day. I am parent to a wonderful nonspeaking autistic and adhd boy called Henry plus his two siblings Ben (adhd) and Abi. Topics to be talked about in a wholly non-academic fashion will be things like beginnings and diagnosis; meeting needs; judgement; relationships; transitions; regulation; sleep & sleep deprivation; literal minds; real autism awareness & general family life - teens, holidays, ageing, the works! Take this time for yourself and enjoy. Let’s keep the conversations going.

  1. Aug 28

    My Journey with Spelling to Communicate S2C - PART D

    #1 Summary My non-speaking son Henry, age 15 and I are up on the laminate now and working to introduce more functional and conversational communication. The laminate makes spelling accessible pretty much anywhere. A focus on practicing at home with your speller, as a parent, and troubleshooting. #2 Guest: N/A #3 Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro, recap on Part C & explaining 'open' on the boards. 2:45 Henry's first open communication. 3:45 The Laminate 6:22 Skipping rope game analogy from Elizabeth Vosseller/EV. 11:28 Why do we have to start on the 3 boards when our child is open and on a laminate with their practitioner? 14:55 Watching your own regulation 15:23 Gearing yourself up for an open and learning to stay cool. 16:45 Stay in the context of a lesson. 18:15 respecting their autonomy. 18:41 So many words to choose from 20:49 They are always lsitening...so communicate your thoughts with them... 27:56 Troubleshooting: motor loops; silence; context of a lesson; maths; easy route; blogs by spellers. #4 Main Points: Recap and explaining 'opens'The LaminateAnalogy for how to keep the momentum and pace goingWhy start back on the 3 boards?Staying in the context of a lesson for opens & respecting their autonomy.Communicate whit the, they are listening!Troubleshooting #5 References: see below #6 Calls to Action: pre-roll: Anna of Palz Ireland mid-roll: Helen Adderley (lesson writer) end-roll: n/a #7 Social media: n/a #8 Next Episode: tbc

  2. Jul 29

    My Guest Non Speaker Tom Watson & his Dad Kevin

    #1 Summary OMG, I have been so excited for this episode. What a privilege it is to get know this wonderful family and learn from Tom who is so very passionate about advocating for non speakers and S2C and getting it onto schools in the UK. We run through some preset questions for Tom about his journey and what his life and aspirations as an adult non speaker are today and then get ask some live questions too. #2 Guest: Non Speaker Tom Watson & his Dad Kevin #3 Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro - How I met Tom and his family 3:08 I-ASC and UK Summit Coming Soon 4:29 Where to find Tom on Social Media 6:48 Tom says HI 8:25 preset question - Tell us about yourself as a speller? 9:36 preset question - What is the Spelling Journey? 11:38 preset question - How did you move from one stage of S2C to the next to reach open communication? 13:58 preset question - What have you been doing since becoming an open speller? 15:42 Earley Springs School in Kent - Event in July 17:08 preset question - What does spelling mean for your future independence? 18:40 preset question - Taster of Article written by Tom on Apraxia 20:41 preset question - What are your thoughts on the future? 22:35 live question - What would you say to parents of a non speaking child who want to embark on the S2C journey but are not sure their child can access it? 29:16 Tom says thanks and bye. 31:00 My very emotional reactions and close. #4 Bullet Points Introducing Tom Watson a non speaker, and his Dad KevinTom answers preset questions about his journey to finding his voice with S2C and what his adult life and aspirations as a none speaker are now.Events past and coming soon.Tom mentions his article on Apraxia.Live Question to Tom.Reactions and close. #5 Calls to Action: pre-roll = I-ASC and the UK Summit mid roll = I-ASC and event held at Earley Springs School near Maidstone in Kent that is introducing S2C into its school day, the first in the UK. end roll = UK Summit Birmingham 16 & 17 Ototber 2026 #6 References and Links: see below #7 Social Media: see below #8 Next Episode: My Journey with S2C Part D

  3. Apr 1

    Getting to Grips with Praxis

    #1 Summary An episode using my knowledge and experience of Spelling to Communicate as both a practitioner and parent. Helping families to understand the term Praxis and why nonspeaking, minimally and unreliably speaking autistic individuals are Apraxic. #2 Guest n/a #3 Time Stamps 0:00 Intro - Get S2C mentioned on those EHCP's in the UK 2:36 Praxis and what we know from Spellers themselves 3:52 Types of Motor 6:16 Praxis is... 7:32 Apraxia is... 11:42 Purposeful motor is regulating 12:58 Talk to the body and breaks down the steps of movement required 14:37 What has made such a big difference to us in the home 17:17 Why CRP's need to start on the 3 boards/stencils, always 19:32 Don't give up and wrap up #4 Bullet Points A topic related to Spelling to CommunicateWhat we DO know about nonspeakers, from nonspeakersBrain body disconnectTypes of MotorPraxisApraxiaWhy its important to understandBreak it down and promptPurposeful motor in S2C and the homeThe parent life #5 Calls to Action pre-roll = I-ASC mid roll = n/a end roll = thanks and share #6 References and Links n/a #7 Social Media n/a #8 Next Episode tbc

  4. Feb 23

    Let's Get a Pet for Our Autistic Child!

    #1 Summary A short and lighthearted New Year's episode on the popular decision so many parents of neurodivergent children come to at a certain stage on their journey to get a pet to help their autistic and/or neurodivergent child. Much like becoming aware of possible adhd traits we seem to get sucked into stories and advice about how good a pet can be, especially when our children are struggling with socialisation and accessing the community - calming, sensory, connection, confidence boosting, anxiety reducing, speech improving, the lot. And of course, as parents, we put aside all our current coping and sleep deprivation woes and decide we absolutely should and must try this, it could be a game changer. My own disastrous personal experience shared. #2 Guest: n/a #3 Time Stamps: 00: Intro 0:33 Personal advice - don't do this! Ha ha ha 1:26 Part of the journey along with adhd when it comes to autism 6:40 Our family story 9:32 Child toys vs dog toys...competition 13:50 The vet said "NO" re-home this dog 17:15 Hindsight 18:11 What Henry has now said in his own words through Spelling to Communicate #4 Bullet Points: When and why families come to the decision to get a pet for their autistic and/or neurodivergent child, to help.What you should know before you commitMy personal story sharedConclusions #5 Calls to Action: pre-roll - n/a mid roll - website newsletter sign-up end-roll - upcoming Boot Camp #6 References and Links - see below #7 Social Media: n/a #8 Next Episode: Getting to Grips with Praxis

  5. 12/22/2025

    Autism AND adhd = Complicated

    #1 Taking a look at and sharing my experiences as a parent of adhd and autism in a non-speaking child + adhd in a young adult in mainstream. Trying to figure which is the autism and which the adhd; deciding to medicate and what happens; understanding apraxia and hoping parents and families resonate, feel less alone and more informed of how it actually can go. #2 Guest: n/a #3 0:00 - 4:46 Intro - it's been a while. 4:47 Adhd becoming apparent in your child in their early primary years in non-speaking, minimally or unreliably speaking autistic children. 7:10 What us parents are trying to do. 8:03 Not having motor control, heightened sensory systems and briefly explaining praxis. 12:55 What to expect 16:40 Side effects - loss of appetite, sleep difficulties 20:02 Mainstream/speaking children and a diagnosis in a young adult 22:57 When they decide to stop taking their meds 24:56 Wrapping up and all that. #4 Summary: Adhd becoming apparent in your non-speaking autisticAutism and Adhd go hand in hand in up to 80% of nonspeakersWhat us parents are trying to doNot having control of your motor - aparaxiaWhat to expectSide effects of medsAdhd in a speaking/mainstream young adultWhen they decide not to take their meds #5 References: see below #6 Calls to Action: Pre Roll - newsletter sign up and finding webpage Mid Roll - n/a End Roll - follow the podcast, leave a review, email in #7 Social Media: n/a #8 Next Episode: Let's Get a Pet to Help Our Autistic Child

  6. 08/05/2025

    Guest Harriet Carter and her new SEN School

    #1 Summary: Introducing Harriet Carter and telling the story of how we met. Harriet is opening her own new SEN primary school near Maidstone in Kent, UK in September 2025 and will be introducing Spelling to Communicate (S2C). Harriet has been in education for over 20 years, has a non speaking nephew Lenny and has spent the best of five years acquiring a site, finding investors and planning her new school called Earley Springs. We talk about her journey, some of the hardships and triumphs, why the name, S2C and looking ahead. #2 Guest: Harriet Carter - Owner, Founder and Head Teacher of Earley Springs. #3 Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro - Starting Conversations, how Harriet and |I met and introducing her. 4:26 Harriet tells us her personal and professional story about why she is opening this new school. 7:05 Every day is a school day! 8:27 Inspired by her Auntie and nephew hence the school name. 10:15 SEN Schools where set up by parents, families, relatives with a connection who actually know what to provide. 11:08 School name and logo + vision for the school. 12:10 Top Tips. 3 Highs. 3 Challenges. 14:13 The London Marathon! 17:45 Harriet's absolute dream and the curriculum. 23:36 A blueprint for other parents/individuals do the same. 25:00 Spelling to Communicate / S2C. 34:43 Why I'm excited - the whole communication approach. 36:17 True inclusion starts with presuming competence and knowing that children and adults want to and can learn. 37:11 Open Day 9 August 1-3pm. All welcome. #4 Bullet Points: How Harriet and I met and who she is + what she is doing.Setting up her own school from scratch - SEN Primary.Why; behind the name; Highs and lows.The broken system and how great the need is.School BlueprintsS2C - Harriet's experience coming to observe a session of mine.Whole communication approach.OPEN DAY 9 AUGUST 2025 1-3PM. #5 External References and Links: see below #6 Calls to Action: N/A #7 Social Media: fb - Earley Springs #8 Next Episode: tbc

  7. 07/23/2025

    Common Themes on the Parent Plight

    #1 Summary Trying to tactfully (and probably not successfully) put it out there that non speaking, minimally and unreliably speaking autism is not quite the same journey as other autism or neurodivergent journeys and the therapies, schools and health care do therefore not always work as well, at all, or in the same way. There are so many commoin themes of wha tparents do to try and get their chiuldren and adults the help they need so this episode is dedicated ot sharing those, having alaugh over things tried and trying help others get honest, real advice on what pwrks, what doesn't, how and why. When all th ewhile each individual is unique and different. #2 Guest n/a #3 Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro - see summary above and starting with diagnosis 4:10 Do what works for you, your child and your family 6:27 Speech and Language + Occupational Therapy 11:42 There is nothing you should be doing, don't panic. 12:09 Diet and nutrition 16:37 What our children are 17:24 Why do S2C - the importance of and basic right to communication 19:35 Sleep onset issues 23:45 adhd meds 25:20 anti anxiety meds 25:56 Back to S2C. It works. New School coming soon and using S2C! 28:15 Finding the right school #4 Bullet Points: Common Themes DiagnosisSlT and OT intervention and therapyDietS2CSleepMedsSchools #5 Calls to Action: Early/mid roll - newsletter Mid+ roll - Guest episode coming soon re new S2C using school! End roll - thank you re podcast #6 Links and References: n/a 7# Social media: n/a #8 Next Episode: Harriet Carter of Earley Springs - new SEN primary opening in Kent Sept 2025

  8. 05/29/2025

    My Journey with Spelling to Communicate S2C - PART C

    #1 Summary My non-speaking son Henry, now 14 and I are up on the 26 letter-board now that is hugely exciting and also challenging - a bit like starting all over again. And episode sharing our tirals and tribulations with being a parent CRP (co-regulation partner) and some tips and wisdom that have been passed on to me as a Practitioner now from the one and only Elizabeth Vosseller (EV) and her equally amazing counterpart Anna Lechleiter of Palz Ireland. #2 Guest: N/A #3 Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro to Episode. 1:43 How practice is going at home and being up on the 26. 4:57 Toggling. 8:00 Mispokes and 3 board foundations. 9:22 The excitement and experience of semi-opens, prior knowledge and even open questions. 10:45 Encouragement, emotions and expectations. 13:30 The Motor vs Cognitive balance i.e. seesaw. 16:36 Reassurances and being cool! 20:29 Windows into their personalities. 22:07 Not assuming we know what they are thinking and feeling by looking at their bodies. 24:15 Working through dysregulation and being the mailmen/women. #4 Main Points Practice - resonating with parents.Toggling up/down on the 26 stencil.Mispokes/Typos.3 board foundationsSemi-opens and opens!Motor v Cognitive balance.Reassurance and encouragement.Not reading into what their bodies are doing.Being mailmen/women. #5 References: see below for details on I=ASC (International Association for Spelling as Communication or S2C) and Anna at Palz Ireland. #6 Calls to Action: pre-roll: welcome and thank you mid-roll: i-asc end-roll: inviting guests and how to become a practitioner #7 Social media n/a #8 Next Episode tbc

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About

Trish O'Dwyer primarily solo hosts an informal, 20-30 minutes, once monthly podcast for parents of autistic and/or neurodiverse children (all ages), their families and friends plus anyone wanting to understand what it's really like and how to support. The aim is for listeners to be able to take a breather, listen to someone they connect with, who knows what they are living and to feel validated and less isolated. I hope you laugh, you may cry, you may even gain some valuable real-life information and help. Above all, you will know that you are supported and that you are not alone. It is story telling in an honest & uplifting way, purely from the perspective of a parent who is learning on the go and making mistakes every day. I am parent to a wonderful nonspeaking autistic and adhd boy called Henry plus his two siblings Ben (adhd) and Abi. Topics to be talked about in a wholly non-academic fashion will be things like beginnings and diagnosis; meeting needs; judgement; relationships; transitions; regulation; sleep & sleep deprivation; literal minds; real autism awareness & general family life - teens, holidays, ageing, the works! Take this time for yourself and enjoy. Let’s keep the conversations going.

Information

  • Creator
    Trish O'Dwyer
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Trish O'Dwyer
  • Show Website
    The Threads of Life