Podcast · Kids & Family

Parenting Autism and ADHD

by Cliff Kilmister · English · Kids & Family

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 offer

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 50 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 48 minNew

WHY AM I STRUGGLING AT WORK? | The Hidden Reason Nobody Talks About with Jodie Steele

If you regularly come home from work completely wiped out or spend the weekend worrying about a meeting on Monday, you are not alone, lots of neurodiverse people feel that way. Today, sit down with Jodie Steele, the founder of NeuroTalks, to discuss why that happens and what you, your employers and others can do to solve this issue. We cover why it isn’t usually the person who is struggling that needs fixing, burnout, masking, and psychological safety. As well as how a lack of clear communication leaves neurodivergent people feeling anxious and second guessing themselves. Jodie explains why…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E71 · 7 Oct 2026 · 1 hr
Channel 4's The Great ADHD Myth: The Inside Story On What They Didn't Show with Sarah Warley
Sarah Warley joins us to discuss her experience with appearing on Channel 4’s controversial documentary The Great ADHD Myth, including the last-minute title change, why so much of her contribution never made it into the programme, what was cut and the debate it sparked across the ADHD community. We talk about why diagnosis should be the start of the journey, not the end; possible links between the Moro reflex and sensory overwhelm; and how nutrition and other biological factors may influence symptoms. Sarah also shares practical ideas from her CARE framework, discusses medication alongside…
E70 · 30 Sep 2026 · 1 hr
Is ADHD even a Disorder? — With Hypnotherapist Chris Marsh
In this fascinating episode, I’m joined by Chris Marsh, an ADHD specialist, root cause therapist and fellow neurodivergent thinker, for a deep conversation about ADHD, trauma, anxiety, productivity, healing and what it really means to be “normal.” We explore why so many neurodiverse people spend their lives feeling like they’re getting things wrong - particularly at school and work - and how years of negative feedback can create anxiety, people-pleasing, imposter syndrome and low self-worth. We discuss procrastination, hyperfocus, creativity, meditation, hypnosis and the subconscious mind,…
E69 · 23 Sep 2026 · 42 min
The Communication Mistake That Leaves Autistic Children and Adults Feeling Misread and Unseen with Sam Loprete
In this episode I sit down with autism coach Sam Loprete to talk about growing up undiagnosed, feeling “odd but not sure why,” and only later discovering you have ADHD. We swap stories about childhood moments that were seen as shyness or bad behaviour, but were really signs of overwhelm, unclear rules, and needs no one thought of. Sam explains how simple curiosity from others in your life at the right time can change everything, and why being truly listened to is so powerful for autistic adults. We also look at masking as a choice rather than a rule and share practical ways to catch harsh…
E68 · 16 Sep 2026 · 50 min
Inside a Neurodiverse/Neurotypical Relationship: Making Sure You Both Thrive With Niall Arraglen
Today, I sit down with learning disabilities dementia nurse and trainer Niall Arraglen, who shares what he’s learned from life inside a neurodiverse civil partnership with his AuDHD partner, Julia. From late ADHD diagnosis and the impact perimenopause/menopause has on ADHD and Autism to time blindness, noise, tidiness, and emotional bandwidth, Niall opens up about the real, everyday relationship dynamics behind the labels. Together, we explore how partners can move from frustration to understanding and patience using self-reflection, and practical tweaks. If you love, live with, or support…
E67 · 9 Sep 2026 · 27 min
From Meltdown to Momentum: How The ADHDump App Gets You There with Christina Forster
In this episode I sit down with Christina Forster, a nurse, mum of five including two with autism and one with a fitting condition. She is the co‑creator of the ADHDump app which was born the day her husband realised he could no longer cope with driving to work with his head full of tasks he hadn´t done and knew he would never remember to do. For neurodivergent adults who feel like life is one long string of “I’ll do it later”, ADHDump turns car-thoughts, passing worries and random to-dos into one spoken brain dump that resurfaces twice a day in calm 8am / 8pm check-ins you can actually act…
E66 · 2 Sep 2026 · 32 min
The Neurodiverse Truth About Reading, Notes, and Forgetting Everything in Pivotal Moments
Neurodiversity doesn’t just show up in diagnoses - it shows up in “wrong” spoons, cupboards you can’t keep tidy, shouting “will you shut up” in class when the noise is too much, and sitting on your phone at parties because you can’t face small talk. In this episode, Eva and I share how ADHD and autism really feel in day‑to‑day life: popcorn reading that feels like torture, rereading the same line over and over, forgetting to turn the oven off for hours, racing through shops to escape the crowds, and struggling with interviews and eye contact even when you’re more than capable. If you’ve ever…
E65 · 26 Aug 2026 · 37 min
The Great ADHD Myth? Do You Feel Safe?
In this episode, I unpack why I chose not to watch Channel 4’s The Great ADHD Myth - and why sometimes protecting your peace is more important than having an opinion on everything. I explore the power of attention, anxiety, boundaries, and the reminder from Nikki Masterman that one television programme doesn’t change who we are, what we experience, or the support and protections available to us. This episode is also about why you don’t have to watch something that triggers you, argue with everyone online, or prove that your experience is real. Sometimes the most powerful choice is simply not…
E64 · 19 Aug 2026 · 50 min
Why Traditional Sleep Advice Fails ADHD & Autistic Children with Michelle Cyril
For neurodivergent families sleep problems are common, but most traditional sleep strategies simply don't work. Today, a paediatric sleep specialist, Michelle Cyril joins me, to explore why sleep can be particularly challenging for autistic and ADHD children, who become adults that struggle with it too. Michelle shares how her own experience led her to combine evidence-based sleep practice with a neuro affirming approach. We explore calming busy brains at bedtime, meeting nighttime sensory needs, demand stacking, bedtime routines, screens, nutrition, and body clocks. Most importantly, we…
E63 · 12 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
You Can’t Ignore the Senses: Understanding the Hidden Triggers Behind Some ADHD or Autism Meltdowns with Jacki Edry
Today, I am joined by Jacki Edry, an autism and neurodiversity advocate with more than 40 years of experience. Jacki shares her journey from volunteering with autistic children as a teenager to supporting her own son, whom she recognised as potentially autistic at a very young age. In 2013, Jacki discovered she had a massive brain stem tumour. Her recovery gave her a unique firsthand understanding of sensory processing challenges and how they can affect the way we interpret the world around us. We explore how sensory processing difficulties can affect learning, behaviour, meltdowns and…
E62 · 5 Aug 2026 · 59 min
From Anxiety and Depression to a Monk Sandwich and Himalayan Meditation
Is your child (or you) living with invisible pain - anxiety, overwhelm, thoughts of not wanting to be here? Do you minimise it because “others have it worse,” are you quietly worried what might happen if things keep going as they are? Today I’m joined by Piers Day, anxiety, and suicide‑prevention specialist, who’s spent nearly 30 years working with teens, young adults, and their families. We talk suicidal thinking, ADHD and rejection sensitivity, anxiety loops, labels, medication, Reiki, monks, and Piers shares one tiny daily practice that can literally change everything. This episode could…
E61 · 29 Jul 2026 · 34 min
Magpie Minds: Collecting, Obsessing and Regulating in Neurodivergent Kids with OCD
Today we are talking about OCD. For so many of us in neurodivergent families, “OCD” doesn’t look like a TV stereotype. It looks like dishwashers that have to be stacked just so, teddies arranged in invisible themes, and kids who can’t settle until every collection is complete. In this episode I sit down with my daughter Eva to explore our shared “operating system”: my dishwasher rules and Star Trek comic sets, her Builder Bears, dinosaurs and engine-obsessed brain, our two-week Minecraft phases, and the painful lessons of Roblox scams. I unpack what’s really going on underneath these quirks,…
E60 · 22 Jul 2026 · 51 min
What the F*ck Do You Do Next? Non‑Violent Resistance (NVR) for Aggression, School Refusal and Violence with Tyler Baldwin
Is your kid aggressive, disruptive, always getting into trouble? Are they labelled defiant, non-compliant, challenging? Do you dread another phone call from school? Wondering what happened this time. But what if those behaviours aren't the problem at all? Today I'm joined by Tyler Baldwin, a trauma-informed NVR practitioner. We're talking about aggression, school refusal, violence, boundaries, and one simple question: What the f**k do you do if you've ever felt like nothing you've tried is working? This episode could change the way you see your child. EPISODE REVEALS Non‑Violent Resistance…
E59 · 15 Jul 2026 · 41 min
10 Seemingly Small Things That Drive Autism & ADHD Families Absolutely Mad
In this light-hearted episode, Eva and me swap our top 10 annoyances: from phones getting blamed for everything and being talked over, to school rules that don’t make sense, “you’re so lazy” comments, and being told off in PE when you’re actually in pain. Along the way we unpack PDA, selective hearing, unclear instructions, bullying over teddy bears, and why drawing in class might be the only way some kids can actually listen. Hopefully, you will find this episode to be a light-hearted and relatable look at life inside a neurodiverse family - where everyone’s a bit annoying, everyone’s a bit…
E58 · 8 Jul 2026 · 50 min
When ADHD Meets Addiction: Learning to Step Back from the Edge with Hamish Niven
An ADHD brain that’s always on the go can easily push you into a life lived on the edge. You work harder, say yes to more and keep sprinting long after your nervous system is done. Trying to slow down naturally fails so you start relying on something else that will put the brakes on for you, something to take the edge off. For my guest Hamish Niven, the host of The Brave Man Project podcast, that was alcohol. Over time, that crutch stop feeling dangerous to him and start feeling normal. Eventually, he found himself doing things like drink driving and thinking that was OK. Together, we…
E57 · 1 Jul 2026 · 31 min
5 Things Autistic People Do That Others Don’t
Neurodiverse people aren’t “too sensitive.” Our brains are processing far more than most people´s. In this episode I explore five everyday behaviours often seen in autistic and ADHD people but rarely seen in others - rehearsing conversations, crashing after socialising, being overwhelmed by background noise, forgetting basic needs like food and water, and only realising what was really going on hours or days later. I share how each of these shows up in ADHD vs autism, why they’re often misread as laziness, rudeness, or drama and what’s really happening in your brain and nervous system. This…
E56 · 24 Jun 2026 · 29 min
What Did Ancient Humans Do at Night (Why Can't I Sleep)
For so many ADHD brains, nights aren’t restful, they’re busy, creative, and wired. You’re exhausted, your head hits the pillow… but suddenly you’re wide awake, building entire business plans in your mind while the rest of the house is out cold. But that might not mean you’re broken. Ancient human sleep patterns, artificial light, and the hunter–farmer theory explain a lot of what is going on with you. In this episode, I look at how our nervous systems evolved to keep us alive in the dark, why two-phase sleeping may actually be your brain’s default setting, and how modern schedules, school…
E55 · 17 Jun 2026 · 58 min
From Punishment to Partnership: Positively Parenting Neurodivergent Kids with Lauren O'Carroll
Let me ask you something uncomfortable. Can we punish neurodiversity out of our kids? If they shout ground them. If they swear, take the phone. If they melt down, raise your voice louder. Will that fix it, or are we trying to discipline a nervous system that's already overwhelmed? Today, I'm joined by Lauren O'Carroll, founder of Positively Parenting, a professional ADHD coach as seen on Channel Five, and an ADHD mum raising neurodivergent children. She works with parents navigating explosive households, emotional dysregulation, and burnout. Today we're taking a deep dive into the problems…
E54 · 10 Jun 2026 · 52 min
Body Doubling, Chunking and Hope: Practical Executive Function Support for Autistic & ADHD Students with Dr Tara Williams
What happens when your child is doing fine academically, but socially they're drowning? They might understand the material, they can answer the questions, they might even be top of the class, or maybe they're struggling academically because of the environment. Either way, there's an impact, the transitions, the crowds, the shifting expectations, the executive function load. It's building, and slowly you see the cracks, the missed assignments, the shutdown, the avoidance. Today we're unpacking what's really happening when bright autistic and ADHD students suddenly start struggling, and the…
E53 · 3 Jun 2026 · 35 min
5 “Normal” Rules Neurodiverse Brains Struggle With (But No One Talks About)
Neurodiverse people aren’t broken – we’re wired differently. What works for most other people doesn’t always work for us, especially when it comes to getting things done, motivating ourselves and handling stress. In this episode I dive into five common phrases parents that can really backfire with ADHD and autistic kids (and adults): “just try harder,” “be more disciplined,” “break it down into smaller tasks,” “use a planner,” and “stop being dramatic.” I share gentler questions you can ask instead, and ways to respond when your child is overwhelmed rather than “acting up.” This episode…
E52 · 27 May 2026 · 54 min
Getting Access to The Right Type of Assessment with Lisa Bond
Today, Cliff welcomes Lisa Bond, who is herself neurodiverse. Lisa is a training, learning and development specialist who has hands on experience of counselling, advocacy, and litigation for neurodiverse families. Lisa works for AYC Psychology who offer a range of neurodiverse assessment services and is the founder of Impact Training. She lives in a Rainbow house of neurodiversity she and her son have ADHD, and her two daughters have autism. Together, they discuss whether the NHS or private assessment route is best, what a good assessment should look like and how to get one. They also cover…
E51 · 20 May 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
Beyond Parental Controls: Raising Porn-Literate, Neurodivergent Kids in a Digital World with Cath Hakanson
When it comes to sex and porn, many of us feel it’s “wrong” to talk to our kids – especially if they’re autistic, ADHD or highly sensitive. But if we don’t talk, the internet will, and it won’t explain the difference between entertainment and reality, or help them process what they’ve seen. Today I’m joined again by sex educator Cath Hakanson to explore how to have calm, age-appropriate conversations about porn, consent and online safety. We unpack why parental controls are only a first step, how porn shapes expectations of bodies and relationships, and how to support neurodivergent children…
E50 · 13 May 2026 · 51 min
Tag‑Teaming Meltdowns & Mess: Real‑Life ADHD Family Strategies That Actually Help
I’m celebrating the 50th episode with two very special guests – my daughter Eva and my wife. This is an honest, funny, and tender look inside our “neuro-spicy” family life. We talk about the everyday chaos of ADHD and autism (spills, mess, time blindness, zoning out), how we tag-team as parents when emotions run high, and how we turn things like bike crashes and Roblox scams into gentle safety lessons. We also explore the strengths that come with neurodivergence, including creativity, hyperfocus, and compassion. We share how we are building a family culture that aims for “working on it…
E49 · 6 May 2026 · 51 min
Embrace Your Inner Coach: Learning to Tap Into Your Winning Spirit with Tom Mitchell
Today's guest shouldn't be here - and that's exactly why this episode matters. He felt like an impostor talking about neurodiversity because this isn't his specialty. But this isn't about labels or limitations. It's about what we can become in spite of them. Think about the last time you argued with yourself. That voice that says not good enough, don't mess this up. Today we're meeting it head on and learning how to answer it. Tom Mitchell spent 14 years with the Golden State Warriors as team psychologist, co-authored a bestselling book with Joe Montana, and helped elite athletes compete…
E48 · 29 Apr 2026 · 26 min
When Your Child Won’t Get Out of Bed: Anxiety, Avoidance, and the CALM Reset
Does your child “just not get out of bed” for school? Maybe mornings dissolve into stand‑offs, shouting, threats of consequences… and yet nothing changes. You’re exhausted, they’re shut down, and everyone keeps telling you it’s “behaviour,” “laziness,” or “bad parenting.” In this solo episode, Cliff gently pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening for many autistic, ADHD, and otherwise neurodivergent kids whose bodies simply can’t face the noise, crowds, and pressure of the school day. He explains why anxiety doesn’t always look like anxiety – it can look like refusal, silence,…
E47 · 22 Apr 2026 · 26 min
Calm First, Reset Later: Supporting Anxious, Neurodivergent Kids After School
Does your child come home from school, barely say a word, and vanish into their room? Maybe you get a grunt, “What’s for dinner?” and suddenly the whole house flips - doors slam, voices rise, and you’re wondering, “How did we get here again?” Most people will tell you it’s screen time, hormones, or “just teenagers.” But what if it’s not a behaviour problem at all—what if it’s anxiety and overload, especially for autistic, ADHD, and otherwise neurodivergent kids? Cliff unpacks what’s really going on after a long day of masking, noise, and social pressure, and shares his simple but powerful…
E46 · 15 Apr 2026 · 40 min
What Neurodiverse Kids Really Think About a Social Media Ban
In this episode, Cliff and his daughter Eva have a candid, unfiltered conversation about the proposed UK social media ban for under‑16s. They explore how platforms like YouTube and gaming chats help many autistic and ADHD kids regulate, connect and unwind – and why a blanket ban could do more harm than good. Eva shares why she and many of her friends and classmates who are also neuro-divergent and under 16 have mixed feelings about the proposed ban. Cliff digs into the risks of digital IDs and face verification, while both emphasise that real online safety comes from informed, involved…
E45 · 8 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
Using Storytelling to Rewrite Every Neurodiverse Child´s Story with Ravinol Chambers
Today, I'm joined by Ravinol Chambers a filmmaker, founder of Be Inspired Films, and a fellow dad navigating life with a neuro divergent child. Together, we explore his family's journey from early challenges in mainstream school through to diagnosis overwhelm and finding the right environment where his son could thrive. We also look at how storytelling is changing outcomes. Including, the example of his work with the NHS on Jack's story that highlights the pathway from school exclusion to prison and what happens when neurodivergent young people aren't properly understood or supported and…
E44 · 1 Apr 2026 · 23 min
Time Blindness, Anxiety & Meltdowns — Why the Clock Change Causes School Refusal with Neurodivergent Kids
This episode explores how time blindness, sleep disruption, and executive functioning challenges contribute to increased anxiety and meltdowns in neurodivergent children during the clock change. Cliff explains how circadian rhythm shifts impact emotional regulation, focus, and overall functioning in children with ADHD and autism. In this solo episode, Cliff gets right to the heart of how the recent clock change affects neurodivergent children. Diving into the biology behind circadian rhythms, he explains why the seemingly harmless spring forward can lead to increased meltdowns,…
E43 · 25 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
Exploring and Tackling Anxiety in the Neuro Divergent World with Tash Hutcheson
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…

About Parenting Autism and ADHD

Parenting Autism and ADHD is a English kids & family podcast from Cliff Kilmister. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Cliff Kilmister
Language: English
Category: Kids & Family
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 50 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1810681675

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