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Parenting Autism and ADHD

Parenting Autism and ADHD

By: Cliff Kilmister
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About this listen

 Parenting Autism and ADHD is a podcast designed to support parents and carers of children with autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and other neurodevelopmental challenges, as well as children struggling with school attendance, even if they haven’t yet been diagnosed. Each episode offers practical guidance on helping your child attend school with less stress, manage meltdowns, and navigate obstacles in the education system. Through expert advice, real-life stories, and actionable strategies, we aim to empower you to overcome school refusal, sensory sensitivities, and behavioural struggles with confidence. Our mission is to build a supportive community where parents and carers can connect, share experiences, and access the tools they need for their child’s success, while fostering collaboration between parents and teachers to create a strong, unified support system. Hygiene & Healthy Living Parenting & Families Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships
Episodes
  • Exploring and Tackling Anxiety in the Neuro Divergent World with Tash Hutcheson

    Exploring and Tackling Anxiety in the Neuro Divergent World with Tash Hutcheson
    Mar 25 2026
    I'm delighted to welcome back a returning guest to the show, Tash Hutcheson, a neuro diversity life coach who works with parents and individuals navigating ADHD, autism, and anxiety. In this conversation, we explore anxiety in the neurodivergent world, why it can feel so intense, and how things like environment, expectations and our inner dialogue can amplify that experience. We also talk about the idea of the mind bully, that voice in our heads that is often incredibly harsh, and how learning to recognise it is the first step toward turning it into something more supportive, and we explore simple tools, breathing, movement, awareness and understanding our own operating system that can help us regulate and navigate the world a little more gently. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by anxiety or found that your inner voice can sometimes be your toughest critic, this conversation is for you. Let's dive in. EPISODE REVEALS Noticing what drains you and what genuinely boosts you means you can catch anxiety earlier and choose tools—like movement, music, or nature—that actually refill your tank instead of slipping into overwhelm. Most neurodiverse people feel emotions very strongly. So, negative feedback really hurts. It is very easy to be over critical of yourself. Naming and externalising your “mind bully” makes it easier to challenge harsh self‑talk and start building an inner cheerleader instead. Learning to pause, listen and validate your child’s voices really helps to protect neurodivergent kids’ sense of worth. When you do this you break the negative cycle and ensure your kids don´t suffer in the way you did. BEST MOMENTS "We need to understand for ourselves, what triggers our anxiety, and what does anxiety feel like in our bodies when it first starts to show up?" " I'd rather get beaten up with a stick than what I do to myself sometimes with the inner thoughts....Find the kindness in your own inner thoughts." EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.neurodiverselifeskills.com/ Kathryn Lovewel episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/nurture-kindness-confidence-and-self-compassion/id1810681675?i=1000745971907 RESOURCES Cliff´s book “What To Do When Your Child Shuts Down” - ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/3trk6pw CLIFF´S SERVICES Are you struggling with anxiety and want support from someone who has been there and come out the other side? - Message Cliff here and take advantage of his founding members offer: https://m.me/cliff.kilmister Are you feeling overwhelmed with EHCP paperwork or are you stuck? Cliff, who has personally been through the process offers body-doubling and step-by-step support. You can contact him here - https://m.me/cliff.kilmister CONTACT ME Instagram: @cliff_kilmister08 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/cliff.kilmister X - @KilmisterCliff YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingAutismandADHD HOST BIO Cliff Kilmister is a dedicated parent, advocate, and cat whisperer with firsthand experience raising a child with autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Having navigated the challenges of school refusal, meltdowns, and sensory sensitivities, Cliff brings an empathetic, real-world perspective to the podcast. When he's not helping his child thrive, he’s dodging the evil stares of his three cats, who are plotting to take over the world (fortunately, they still haven’t figured out how to use the tin opener). Cliff offers practical advice, expert insights, and personal stories to help families facing similar struggles. Cliff is focused on connecting with professionals and networks to raise awareness about the growing need for the education system to adapt to the increasing neurodiverse population. Join the community on Patreon to share experiences, access exclusive content, and work together for change! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Teaching Your Children Skills They Will Use Later to Thrive in The Workplace with Kirsty Heap

    Teaching Your Children Skills They Will Use Later to Thrive in The Workplace with Kirsty Heap
    Mar 18 2026
    Today, Cliff is joined by Kirsty Heap an HR professional and advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace. As someone who has been diagnosed with both dyslexia and ADHD Kirsty brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the conversation. Together, they explore what neurodiversity really means inside organisations, how workplaces can better support neurodivergent employees, and why understanding different ways of thinking, communicating, and processing the world isn't just good for people, it's good for business too. They talk about the realities many neurodivergent individuals face at work, from recruitment and disclosure to adjustments, burnout, masking and building environments where people can genuinely thrive. If you're a parent thinking about your child's future in the workplace, an employer wanting to better support your team, or someone navigating work while neurodivergent yourself, this conversation is for you. EPISODE REVEALS Teach your children to be kind to themselves. Develop a toolbox with them that they can use to silence the internal voice that keeps telling them that they are not good enough. It is something they will need to do throughout their lives. Own your neurodivergence in the workplace. That honesty is the best way to improve understanding and unlock support. Neurotypical people genuinely don´t understand what neurodiversity is like. If you need something to change e.g. a clear written follow up after each meeting, you will need to explain the positive difference this will make to your work. Don´t suffer in silence. Get coaching to learn how to work through issues and become stronger in the workplace. Knowing how to calm yourself is an invaluable skill. BEST MOMENTS "Acceptance has been key, it´s changed my whole outlook on life, the way I interact with people, the way I have relationships with friends and with partners, has been down to my acceptance of my condition." "Let nobody dull your shine. Shine bright and own it." “If we feel valued and supported, we naturally are going to be happier and want to kind of do our best as well.” "Slow down to go faster." ABOUT THE GUEST https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstyheap/ https://www.facebook.com/TheDyslexicCoach/ Instagram - @kirstyheapcoaching TikTok - @mindsetelevatorKirsty https://kirstyheap.com/ RESOURCES Cliff´s book “What To Do When Your Child Shuts Down” - ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/3trk6pw CLIFF´S SERVICES Are you struggling with anxiety and want support from someone who has been there and come out the other side? - Message Cliff here and take advantage of his founding members offer: https://m.me/cliff.kilmister Are you feeling overwhelmed with EHCP paperwork or are you stuck? Cliff, who has personally been through the process offers body-doubling and step-by-step support. You can contact him here - https://m.me/cliff.kilmister CONTACT ME Instagram: @cliff_kilmister08 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/cliff.kilmister X - @KilmisterCliff YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingAutismandADHD HOST BIO Cliff Kilmister is a dedicated parent, advocate, and cat whisperer with firsthand experience raising a child with autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Having navigated the challenges of school refusal, meltdowns, and sensory sensitivities, Cliff brings an empathetic, real-world perspective to the podcast. When he's not helping his child thrive, he’s dodging the evil stares of his three cats, who are plotting to take over the world (fortunately, they still haven’t figured out how to use the tin opener). Cliff offers practical advice, expert insights, and personal stories to help families facing similar struggles. Cliff is focused on connecting with professionals and networks to raise awareness about the growing need for the education system to adapt to the increasing neurodiverse population. Join the community on Patreon to share experiences, access exclusive content, and work together for change!
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    54 mins
  • Raising Neurodivergent Teens in a Sexualised World: Conversations About Consent, Porn, and Identity with Cath Hakanson

    Raising Neurodivergent Teens in a Sexualised World: Conversations About Consent, Porn, and Identity with Cath Hakanson
    Mar 11 2026
    When you’re parenting an autistic or ADHD tween through puberty, sex education can feel like one more overwhelming thing you’re supposed to “get right” - without ever having been shown how. Today, Cliff talks with sexologist and late‑diagnosed autistic mum Cath Hakanson about what real‑world sex ed looks like in neurodivergent families: awkward, imperfect, and built from dozens of tiny, everyday moments. Cath shares how to be approachable, why neuro diverse kids often miss the unspoken rules around dating, consent, and boundaries, and how to use TV shows, music, and video games to gently teach about bodies, relationships, and porn. They explore the push‑pull of wanting to protect your child from hurt while knowing you have to loosen control and why your own uncomfortable history of “the talk” can actually make you a better guide. EPISODE REVEALS Giving your children information about sex is not going to be seen by them as giving them permission to have sex or make them over sexualised. Neurodivergent kids often miss the in‑between social cues, so sex ed must spell out subtext, boundaries, and body signals explicitly. Most teens will roll their eyes and shut you down when you talk about sex -that’s normal. You need to be gently persistent. Lots of everyday chats slowly sink in, so that when it really matters, they know they can come to you. Spending time having fun, enjoying the same shows, music and video games creates more opportunities to talk about, love, sex, and relationships e.g. a relationship in a show. Talking openly about porn and sexualised media, before and after kids see it, reduces shame and helps them make informed choices. Gradually loosening tech controls and life boundaries, rather than suddenly removing them, supports safer independence. BEST MOMENTS "As a parent, we have to be persistent. We've got to keep trying." "You would then think that talking about sex would make kids be more sexualized, but it actually sort of has a reverse effect, if anything, it sort of protects kids ." "Be askable. You're letting kids know, even though they're not responding half the time they still know you are willing and able to talk about this stuff." ABOUT THE GUEST https://sexedrescue.com RESOURCES Cliff´s book What To Do When Your Child Shuts Down - ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/3trk6pw CLIFF´S SERVICES Are you struggling with anxiety and want support from someone who has been there and come out the other side? - Message Cliff here and take advantage of his founding members offer: https://m.me/cliff.kilmister Are you feeling overwhelmed with EHCP paperwork or are you stuck? Cliff, who has personally been through the process offers body-doubling and step-by-step support. You can contact him here - https://m.me/cliff.kilmister CONTACT ME Instagram: @cliff_kilmister08 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/cliff.kilmister X - @KilmisterCliff YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingAutismandADHD HOST BIO Cliff Kilmister is a dedicated parent, advocate, and cat whisperer with firsthand experience raising a child with autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Having navigated the challenges of school refusal, meltdowns, and sensory sensitivities, Cliff brings an empathetic, real-world perspective to the podcast. When he's not helping his child thrive, he’s dodging the evil stares of his three cats, who are plotting to take over the world (fortunately, they still haven’t figured out how to use the tin opener). Cliff offers practical advice, expert insights, and personal stories to help families facing similar struggles. Cliff is focused on connecting with professionals and networks to raise awareness about the growing need for the education system to adapt to the increasing neurodiverse population. Join the community on Patreon to share experiences, access exclusive content, and work together for change! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    1 hr and 11 mins
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