Neuroshambles Mark Allen

Mark chats with the inspirational Dan Clark, of MindJam. Dan is dad to two neurodifferent kids -  one 17-year old girl (diagnosed Autistic) and a 14-year old boy (diagnosed autistic/ADHD with a PDA profile). They discuss the minefield that is playing family games with neurodivergent kids, from their desperate search to find a board game that doesn't end in full scale meltdowns and the strategies they employ to keep the peace.
They also discuss the hugely beneficial role that both video games and Dungeons & Dragons can play in teaching our kids some of the skills they need to develop, in order to navigate a world teeming with neurotypicals.
 
LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:
MindJam - https://mindjam.org.uk/
Monopoly - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly_(game)
Fast Show Competitive Dad - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2x_DI7tzNQ
Mario Kart - https://store.nintendo.co.uk/en/mario-kart
Beat the Parents - https://amzn.eu/d/3xTCOg8
Cranium - https://amzn.eu/d/cVedUTu
Scrabble - https://amzn.eu/d/f4ngyJW
Dungeon Mayhem - https://amzn.eu/d/3Z0NFr8
Throw Throw Burrito - https://amzn.eu/d/3Z0NFr8
Ocean Bingo - https://www.laurenceking.com/products/ocean-bingo
Exploding Kittens - https://amzn.eu/d/933z2FH
Unstable Unicorns - https://amzn.eu/d/cDnUP80
Risk - https://amzn.eu/d/dc7h30w
The Dice Saloon, Brighton - https://www.dicesaloon.com/
Chase The Ace - https://www.classicgamesandpuzzles.com/Chase-the-Ace.html
Zelda: Breath of the Wild - https://www.ign.com/games/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild
Boy beats Tetris - https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/67902380
Fortnite - https://www.ign.com/games/fortnite
Candy Crush - https://www.ign.com/games/candy-crush-saga
Dungeons & Dragons - https://dnd.wizards.com/
MindJam Adventure Guild - https://mindjam.org.uk/services/adventure-guild/
BAFTA Young Game Designers - https://ygd.bafta.org/
It Takes Two - https://www.ea.com/en-gb/games/it-takes-two/about
Brighton Festival Children's Parade - https://samesky.co.uk/events/childrens-parade-3/
Jump Inc Trampoline Park - https://www.jump-inc.uk/locations/lincoln/
Kellie Bright EHCP Film (BBC One Show) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001z8w5
 
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
Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles
 
CREDITS
The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/ 

Mark speaks to Lauren, neurodivergent mother of three boys (One 11-year old diagnosed Autistic/ADHD with a PDA profile), a 9-year old (suspected autistic/ADHD) and a 5-month old (too soon to tell). They delve into the topic of noise sensitivity - from extreme reactions to loud noises and meltdowns when confronted with contrasting noises, to the fascinating topic of misophonia. They swap tales of hand dryers, bonfire night, cat scarers and an unexpected cavalcade of motorcycling Santas.
This episode is best listened to with in a quiet place, with noise cancelling headphones!
 
LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:
Ear defenders - https://amzn.eu/d/fIIDess
Misophonia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misophonia
Cat scarer - https://amzn.eu/d/0U0SYMw
Santas on a bike - https://www.facebook.com/groups/santasonabike/
Loop earplugs - https://amzn.eu/d/iNWzyws
Lauren's noise cancelling headphones - https://groceries.asda.com/product/on-ear-headphones/asda-tech-bluetooth-noise-cancelling-headphones-black/1000370064193
Jay's noise cancelling headphones - https://amzn.eu/d/8hs4ToC
White noise - https://open.spotify.com/album/7KbmHEKwEhKyeZT9xuYVco?si=L5-cYE1HSIiYsaqWs83F-A
Brown noise - https://open.spotify.com/album/0onzJRO1vDBXmXqYy60qsR?si=xgwQCc0OSC-QfID0YOlycw
Pink noise - https://open.spotify.com/album/5w3fCjBpzyGA6tW9mSfQmr?si=bqH-u1ySQzSYkHVPNjXG1w
UK Misophonia Support Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShutUpWorld/?mibextid=K35XfP
The Assembly - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001xyj5/the-assembly
Bloke Barbers, Allestree, Derbyshire (Sara) - https://www.blokebarber.co.uk/#our-prices
Comfa Clothing Fidget-T - https://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/ 

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/ 

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/

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/

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/