Shows
The Autism Mums PodcastIt Shouldn’t Be This Hard: Advocating Through the SystemIn this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re talking about something that so many families raising autistic children will recognise - the exhausting and often disheartening process of dealing with the local authority.This episode is an honest look at how hard it can be to get what your child needs and how important it is to stay organised, persistent and strong.Key TakeawaysKeeping on top of it all: Parents and carers are often left chasing reports, updates, and decisions just to keep things moving.You Can’...2025-06-1013 min
The Autism Mums PodcastBreaking Down Barriers to Education for Neurodivergent ChildrenIn this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're talking about some of the real challenges families face with the current education system, especially when it comes to supporting autistic children.Key TakeawaysOutdated Education System: The current education system is often rigid and not designed to accommodate the diverse needs of neurodivergent children.Importance of Flexibility: There's a need for more flexible learning environments that allow for play and creativity, especially for younger children.Struggles with Inclusion: Being in school is different from being included in school; many children fa...2025-06-0317 min
The Autism Mums PodcastFrom Diagnosis to Advocacy with Whitney PriceIn this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Whitney Price, founder of Unpuzzled Parents Connect, to the show. Whitney shares the emotional and financial struggles she and her husband faced navigating early signs of autism with their son, Connor, the pandemic’s impact on access to services, and the turning point that led her to create a vital support network for families like hers. About Whitney PriceWhitney Price is a passionate advocate, nonprofit leader, and devoted mother committed to supporting families of children with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As...2025-05-2730 min
The Autism Mums PodcastLearning to Hear a Child Who Doesn’t Speak with Carl DraperIn this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Carl Draper, student mental health nurse, award-winning photographer and father to Bodhi, an autistic child with a powerful story. Carl opens up about the early signs of autism in his son, facing expulsion from nursery on day one and the intense stress of parenting a non-verbal child with little sleep or support. He shares how a pivotal moment with his camera led to a personal breakthrough.BiographyCarl Draper was born in a North Nottinghamshire mining village and moved to...2025-05-2027 min
The Autism Mums PodcastHelping Your Autistic Child with AnxietyIn this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast Victoria and Natalie dive in to the topic of anxiety in autistic children. Drawing from their personal experiences as mums of autistic boys, they explore the many ways anxiety can present itself - from meltdowns and shutdowns to avoidance, ritualistic behaviour, physical symptoms, and anger. They offer a compassionate look at how anxiety impacts daily life and what has helped their children feel more supported and secure.Whether you're early on in your autism journey or navigating school-age challenges, this episode offers reassurance, relatable...2025-05-1320 min
The Autism Mums PodcastWhat is PDA?In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, Victoria and Natalie dive into the unique challenges of raising a child with a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile. They share personal stories, strategies, and reflections to help parents and caregivers better understand and support their children navigating PDA-related behaviors.Key TakeawaysPDA is driven by anxiety and a need for control; traditional demands can trigger refusal.Offering controlled choices helps reduce pressure and gives children a sense of agency.Visual schedules and plenty of preparation help ease transitions and reduce stress.Managing your own calm and...2025-05-0616 min
The Autism Mums PodcastCaring for Yourself When Your Child Is Having a Tough DayIn this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're talking about ways to look after yourself when your child is having a tough day.Key TakeawaysHow supporting our children with their emotions can leave us feeling completely drained.Common mistakes we’ve made when trying to "push through" a tough day.Simple ways we try to carve out moments of calm: meditation, breathing space, and gentle resets.How creating a comforting environment - with blankets, candles, soft music - can make a difference.Allowing yourself to...2025-04-2914 min
The Autism Mums PodcastPractical Ways to Help Your Autistic Child with Daily LifeIn this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we talk about the practical ways we can help our autistic children with daily life. We’re sharing some of the things that have helped us make daily life a bit easier with our autistic children. From using timers and visual timetables to experimenting with tooth brushes and finding softer clothing.These are ideas that have worked for us, they might help you too, or simply offer reassurance that you’re not alone on this journey. Key TakeawaysTimers and visual supports can...2025-04-2916 min
The Autism Mums PodcastGetting an EHCPIn this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we’re talking about the journey to getting an EHCP - what it is, why it matters, and what the process looked like for our families.We’ll share the lessons we learned along the way with the hope that it helps you navigate the process and feel a little more prepared.Key TakeawaysAn EHCP can provide vital, legally binding support You don't need a formal diagnosis to apply for an EHCPSchools may not always initiate an EHCP requ...2025-04-2926 min
The Autism Mums PodcastVictoria's Son's Journey to DiagnosisIn this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast Victoria opens up about her son's journey to an autism diagnosis. From the early signs that were missed, to the struggles at school, to the moment the diagnosis finally came. Key TakeawaysAutism signs can often be masked or misunderstood, especially in young children.Building a support network of other parents is crucial.Professionals may miss signs too, trusting your instincts matters.The diagnosis process can feel long and isolating, but community support makes a difference.Receiving a...2025-04-2921 min
The Autism Mums PodcastNatalie's Son's Journey to DiagnosisIn this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we dive deep into one of the most emotional milestones for parents: the journey toward an autism diagnosis. We share Natalie's story with her son, from the first signs that something was wrong at nursery to the long road of assessments and support. Key TakeawaysEarly signs aren't always obvious: It's common to realize things only in hindsight.Not all settings impact children the same way: Different environments can highlight or mask challenges.The path to diagnosis is often long: Waiting times...2025-04-2915 min
The Autism Mums PodcastWelcome to The Autism Mums PodcastWelcome to The Autism Mums Podcast — a space created for parents and carers navigating life with autistic children.We’re your hosts, Victoria and Natalie — two sisters raising autistic children ourselves. We understand the joys, the challenges, and the thousand tiny moments that no one else quite gets.In this podcast, we’ll bring you:Real talk about everyday lifeShared strength from a supportive communityExpert insights to guide your journeyYou’ll hear honest conversations, practical tips, mini solo moments, and chats with professionals who understand autism parenting from the inside out.Wheth...2025-04-2201 min