SEND Parenting Podcast

Dr. Olivia Kessel
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Welcome to the Send Parenting Podcast. I'm your neurodiverse host, Dr Olivia Kessel, and, more importantly, I am a mother to my wonderfully neurodivergent daughter, Alexandra, who really inspired this podcast. As a veteran in navigating the world of neurodiversity, I have uncovered a wealth of misinformation, alongside many answers and solutions that were never taught to me in medical school or in any of the parenting handbooks.Each week on this podcast, I will be bringing the experts to your ears to empower you on your parenting crusade. 

  1. EP 160: ADHD Meds, Demystified

    3D AGO

    EP 160: ADHD Meds, Demystified

    Deciding whether to try ADHD medication can feel overwhelming for many parents.  There is a huge amount of misinformation online, and the decision can feel heavy, emotional, and confusing. In this episode, I sit down with Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Giovanni Giaroli to break down what ADHD medication actually does in the brain — in clear, parent-friendly language. We explore: • How ADHD medication works in the prefrontal cortex and executive brain • The difference between stimulant and non-stimulant medications • Why finding the right medication is often a journey of careful titration • Common side effects and what parents should realistically expect • How medication interacts with autism, anxiety, OCD and PDA profiles • Why medication alone is not the whole picture — and how sleep, exercise, nutrition and support work alongside it Dr Giaroli also explains why ADHD medication has one of the strongest evidence bases in child psychiatry, while still requiring a personalised approach for every child. If you are navigating this decision for your child, this conversation will help bring clarity, reassurance, and science to the discussion. Giaroli Clinic 💬 Connect with Us 🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life. ⚡ Ready to go deeper? Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. 📩 Contact Me If you would like to get in touch, you can email me directly at olivia.kessel@sendparenting.com I would genuinely love to hear from you, especially about the topics you would like covered and the guests you would love to hear from in 2026.

    57 min
  2. EP 159: When Puberty Hits ADHD: The Perfect Storm

    MAR 3

    EP 159: When Puberty Hits ADHD: The Perfect Storm

    Why does everything suddenly feel harder when puberty begins? In this powerful and honest conversation, I am joined by Dr Jess Morgan — former NHS paediatrician and now educator — to unpack what is really happening in the brain and body when puberty meets neurodivergence. We explore: Why emotional outbursts are developmental, not defianceHow hormonal changes amplify ADHD and sensory sensitivitiesThe brain science behind mood swings and impulsivityWhy masking becomes more exhausting in adolescenceThe hidden mental health toll of “trying to fit in”Practical ways to support regulation without escalating conflictWhat happens when puberty collides with parental menopauseIf you have felt blindsided by the intensity of adolescence — particularly with a neurodivergent child — this episode will help you understand the why behind the behaviour, and offer compassionate, practical ways to respond. Because this is not about bad parenting.  It is about brain development, hormones, and learning to tread gently — with our children and ourselves. The survive and thrive collective Dr Jess Morgan TedX on reconnecting with your inner child 💬 Connect with Us 🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life. ⚡ Ready to go deeper? Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. 📩 Contact Me If you would like to get in touch, you can email me directly at olivia.kessel@sendparenting.com I would genuinely love to hear from you, especially about the topics you would like covered and the guests you would love to hear from in 2026.

    59 min
  3. EP 158: Shut the Fluff Up: The Parenting Shift That Transforms Behaviour

    FEB 24

    EP 158: Shut the Fluff Up: The Parenting Shift That Transforms Behaviour

    In this powerful and honest conversation, Dr Olivia Kessel is joined by parenting coach Alison Solomon to explore one uncomfortable truth: what if the biggest shift in our child’s behaviour has nothing to do with them and everything to do with us? Alison shares the moment she calls the “arrow through the heart,” when she realised her child was not the problem, her reaction was. From that moment, everything changed. In this episode, we explore: • What actually happens in the brain when a child is dysregulated  • Why adding logic to an emotional brain makes things worse  • The power of silence and when to stop talking  • How to create emotional safety at home  • Why oppositional traits may be future strengths  • The “golden apology” and how modelling accountability builds resilience This is not about blame. It is about empowerment. Because when we regulate first, everything else begins to shift. If you have ever found yourself talking more and getting nowhere, this episode will land. 💬 Connect with Us 🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life. ⚡ Ready to go deeper? Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. 📩 Contact Me If you would like to get in touch, you can email me directly at olivia.kessel@sendparenting.com I would genuinely love to hear from you, especially about the topics you would like covered and the guests you would love to hear from in 2026.

    53 min
  4. EP 157:GCSE Choices, Neurodiversity, and the Bigger Picture

    FEB 17

    EP 157:GCSE Choices, Neurodiversity, and the Bigger Picture

    This week is a short solo half-term check-in. It is GCSE options time in our house, and I know many of you are feeling the same fear. In this episode, I talk about: • The 30% executive function delay in ADHD and what that really means  • Why GCSE choices can feel overwhelming for neurodivergent teens  • How to choose subjects based on interest, not pressure  • The bigger life picture beyond exams  • Successful neurodivergent entrepreneurs including Jo Malone, Richard Branson and Ingvar Kamprad GCSEs matter — but they are not destiny. If you are sitting at the kitchen table staring at options forms, this episode is for you. A calm reset for half term. 💛 Register for the ADHD Medications Unmasked Masterclass with Dr Giovani on Tuesday, February 17th @ 8 PM 💬 Connect with Us 🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life. ⚡ Ready to go deeper? Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. 📩 Contact Me If you would like to get in touch, you can email me directly at olivia.kessel@sendparenting.com I would genuinely love to hear from you, especially about the topics you would like covered and the guests you would love to hear from in 2026.

    11 min
  5. EP 156: Choosing the Right ADHD or Autism Diagnosis Pathway

    FEB 10

    EP 156: Choosing the Right ADHD or Autism Diagnosis Pathway

    Choosing how to get an ADHD or autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming — and confusing. But the pathway you choose does not just affect how long you wait. It affects your child's support, medication access, and long-term outcomes. In this episode, Dr Olivia Kessel is joined by Reemz — a member of the SEND Parenting community with direct experience working inside NHS CAMHS and supporting a family member through Right to Choose. Together, they break down: The NHS CAMHS diagnostic pathwayThe Right to Choose pathway — what it really offers and where families get stuckPrivate assessments — benefits, risks, and hidden costsWhy diagnosis is not a “label,” but a tool for understanding and supportWhat parents need to know before starting any pathwayThis episode is for parents who are: Unsure which route to takeAlready on a waiting listWorried about making the “wrong” decisionSeeking clarity, not opinionsYou are not failing.  You are navigating a complex system — and knowledge changes everything. 🔗 Helpful Resources & Guidelines As mentioned on Podcast Reemz has kindly shared two worksheets that you can print and use at home: ASD Diagnostic criteria worksheet ADHD Diagnostic criteria worksheet Right to Choose (England) Clear explanations of the process, providers, and current waiting times:  👉 ADHD UK – Right to Choose Guide 📘 DSM Diagnostic Criteria Understanding what clinicians are actually assessing can help you advocate more effectively. 👉ADHD Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5-TR)   👉Autism Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5-TR)  (These criteria explain why traits must be present across settings and over time.) If this episode helped you, please share it with another parent who might be quietly stuck.  And stay tuned — next week’s episode, “Shut the Fluff Up,” dives into how parent regulation changes everything when our children are dysregulated. You are not alone.   You are doing the hardest job  ❤️ Dr Olivia 💬 Connect with Us 🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life. ⚡ Ready to go deeper? Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. 📩 Contact Me If you would like to get in touch, you can email me directly at olivia.kessel@sendparenting.com I would genuinely love to hear from you, especially about the topics you would like covered and the guests you would love to hear from in 2026.

    1h 7m
  6. EP 155: Sleep, Melatonin, And ADHD Explained - Dr Olivia

    FEB 3

    EP 155: Sleep, Melatonin, And ADHD Explained - Dr Olivia

    Sleep problems are one of the most overlooked — and misunderstood — parts of ADHD. In this episode of the SEND Parenting Podcast, Dr Olivia Kessel breaks down the science behind ADHD and sleep, explaining why up to 70% of children with ADHD struggle with sleep, and why this is not behavioural, it is biological. Drawing on research and lived experience, Dr Olivia explains how delayed melatonin release and circadian rhythm disruption affect the ADHD brain, and why many children are simply not biologically ready for sleep at conventional bedtimes. This episode was created after a conversation inside the ADHD Warrior Mum community, where a mum shared that her child was still full of energy at bedtime — and that her doctor questioned the evidence behind melatonin. That question prompted a deep dive into what the research actually shows. In this episode, you will learn: Why sleep difficulties are so common in ADHDHow melatonin works (and what it does not do)What the research says about safety and effectivenessWhy addressing sleep can transform emotional regulation, focus, and family lifeDr. Olivia also shares her personal journey navigating over a decade of severe sleep disruption with her daughter — and how understanding the biology changed everything. 🎧 Recommended resource: Dr. Olivia references research and clinical insights from Dr Russell Barkley, including his YouTube talk on ADHD and sleep. 👉 Link to Dr Russell Barkley’s YouTube video on ADHD and sleep 📘 Free resource: Download the free 30-Day Sleep Guide at www.SENDParenting.com/Sleep 💬 Connect with Us 🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life. ⚡ Ready to go deeper? Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. 📩 Contact Me If you would like to get in touch, you can email me directly at olivia.kessel@sendparenting.com I would genuinely love to hear from you, especially about the topics you would like covered and the guests you would love to hear from in 2026.

    37 min
  7. EP 154: ADHD Brain Fuel: Why Kids Crash with Lucinda Miller

    JAN 27

    EP 154: ADHD Brain Fuel: Why Kids Crash with Lucinda Miller

    Why do children with ADHD seem exhausted by the end of the day?  Why do meltdowns often hit after school?  And why does it feel like they are constantly craving sugar? In this episode, adapted from a live masterclass inside the ADHD Warrior Mum community, Dr. Olivia Kessel is joined by Lucinda Miller, founder of NatureDoc and author of Brain Brilliance, to explore how brain fuel affects energy, focus, emotional regulation, and behaviour in children with ADHD. We discuss: Why the ADHD brain uses more energy than a neurotypical brainHow blood sugar crashes drive dysregulation and meltdownsWhy breakfast matters more than most parents realiseHow nutrition can support ADHD medication and sleepPractical, low-pressure strategies that work in real familiesThis is not about perfect diets or restriction.  It is about understanding your child’s brain and supporting steadier days. 💬 Connect with Us 🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life. ⚡ Ready to go deeper? Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. 📩 Contact Me If you would like to get in touch, you can email me directly at olivia.kessel@sendparenting.com I would genuinely love to hear from you, especially about the topics you would like covered and the guests you would love to hear from in 2026.

    1h 4m
  8. EP 153: EHCPs, Demystified

    JAN 20

    EP 153: EHCPs, Demystified

    Applying for an EHCP can feel overwhelming, intimidating, and emotionally draining — especially when your child is already struggling. In this episode, Dr. Olivia Kessel is joined by Dr Abigail Fisher and Eliza Fricker, co-authors of The Essential EHCP Guide for Parents and Carers, to gently demystify the EHCP process and remind parents of one crucial truth: You are not failing. The system is hard. Together, we break down what an EHCP really is, when to apply, and the common myths that delay support — including the belief that you need a diagnosis before starting. We explore how to advocate for your child without burning out, what makes an EHCP meaningful (and what makes it ineffective), and how parents can protect their own mental health while navigating a deeply flawed system. This is not just a conversation about paperwork and plans.  It is about trust, instinct, advocacy, and hope. If EHCPs are part of your life — or you are wondering if they should be — this episode will help you feel less alone, more informed, and more empowered. 💬 Connect with Us 🌱 Join our SEND Parenting Private WhatsApp Community — a free, safe, welcoming space to share, learn, and feel supported by parents who truly understand the realities of neurodiverse family life. ⚡ Ready to go deeper? Become part of the ADHD Warrior Mum’s Membership — a paid membership space with group coaching with Dr Olivia, access to masterclasses with neurodiverse experts, monthly self-care and real connection. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. 📩 Contact Me If you would like to get in touch, you can email me directly at olivia.kessel@sendparenting.com I would genuinely love to hear from you, especially about the topics you would like covered and the guests you would love to hear from in 2026.

    53 min
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Trailer

About

Welcome to the Send Parenting Podcast. I'm your neurodiverse host, Dr Olivia Kessel, and, more importantly, I am a mother to my wonderfully neurodivergent daughter, Alexandra, who really inspired this podcast. As a veteran in navigating the world of neurodiversity, I have uncovered a wealth of misinformation, alongside many answers and solutions that were never taught to me in medical school or in any of the parenting handbooks.Each week on this podcast, I will be bringing the experts to your ears to empower you on your parenting crusade. 

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Olivia Kessel
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    161
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SEND Parenting Podcast
  • Show Website
    SEND Parenting Podcast

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