SEND Parenting Podcast

Dr. Olivia Kessel

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.

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172 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes172

Newest first

Tuesday · 52 min
SEND White Paper Impact & Moving Forward
In February 2026, the UK government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, issued a white paper outlining recommendations and reforms to the schools and SEND system in England. In this live masterclass, Olivia discusses the good, the bad, and the key points from this paper that impact you, and to do that she is joined by Kelly Jarvis, Head of Advocacy and Consultancy at Sunshine Support and Education Consultant Sara Donnelly. Read the white paper and full report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving Together, Dr. Olivia, Kelly and Sara discuss: ✨ the SEN legislation gaps ✨ problems in the tribunal process ✨ the problem with inclusion hubs ✨ the new OFSTED framework ✨ is the White Paper really delivering anything? 🤝Contact Kelly and find out more about Sunshine Support: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-j-100095225/ 🤝Find out more about Sara’s work at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-donnelly-177300217/ 💛 If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
July 14 · 54 min
Why Can't They Just Do It?
How many times has your AuDHD child missed a deadline, or simply not done something really important? Spoiler alert: they’re not lazy or naughty, because neurodivergent brains do not process things in the same way. Their reward system is entirely different. And their executive dysfunction can make even the most straightforward tasks feel impossible. I am joined by Nicola McAllister, a specialist in child development and founder of The Regulated Child, to break down why our children can’t just do the thing. Nicola explains her ‘brain house’ model that she uses to understand and support neurodiverse brains, and why simply telling a neurospicy brain to do something is not only unhelpful, but might actually make a frustrating situation even worse. Together, Dr. Olivia and Nicole discuss: ✨ how to understand the neurodiverse brain ✨ the regulate, relate, reason framework ✨ why consequences don’t work with ADHD ✨ practical tools to help you work through the wobbles 🤝Contact Nicola and find out more about her work at https://www.regulatedchild.co.uk/ 💛 If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
June 30 · 32 min
Why Screens Win and What Actually Works Instead with Ekta Khera
In today’s attention economy, parenting has never been more challenging. Our children are surrounded by gadgets, technology and screens actively trying to distract them from you. And they’re really good at it! So what do we do about screen time, how much is too much, why do our kids always prefer to look at their screens over the world around them - or us - and what can you do about it? I am joined by Ekta Khera, illustrator and founder of Tiny Thinks, to discuss the big questions around screen time looming over every parent today. Together, Dr. Olivia and Ekta discuss: ✨ Encouraging children to think deeper ✨ Creating realistic alternatives and harnessing the hyperfocus ✨ Supporting neurodiversity with non-screen based activities ✨ Why Cocomelon is evil ✨ How to build an offline world that helps kids thrive ✨ The importance of curiosity and progress 🤝Contact Ekta and find out more about her work at ourtinythinks.com 💛 If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
June 16 · 51 min
Why Anxiety Escalates in ASD Teens
Parenting at the best of times is hard work, but having a neurodivergent child is like parenting on steroids. Nothing works, you never feel like you can catch a break, and worst of all, you often feel like you’re not good enough. If this sounds like you, this episode is going to help you find your mojo again. Dr. Olivia is joined by Dr. Melita Ash, a clinical psychologist and the director of Percuro Psychology, a specialist practice in assessing and supporting anxiety, neurodivergence and school-related distress. Together, Dr. Olivia and Melita discuss: ✨ The challenges of identifying ASD in children, especially girls ✨ Managing overwhelm and emptying the stress bucket ✨ Social anxiety and autism ✨ The demand-capacity gap ✨ Patterns to look for in your neurodivergent children 🤝Contact Melita and the Percuro Psychology team at https://percuropsychology.co.uk/ 💛 If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
May 13 · 47 min
EP 167: Late-Diagnosed Autism in Girls: The Cost of Being the “Good Girl”
What happens when a child spends their entire life being told they are “too sensitive,” “not trying hard enough,” or that they “have so much potential”… while secretly struggling just to cope? In this deeply moving and honest conversation, Dr. Olivia Kessel is joined by author and illustrator Eliza Fricker to explore the hidden reality of growing up as an undiagnosed autistic girl. Inspired by Eliza’s powerful new book, Could Try Harder, this episode unpacks the emotional cost of masking, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and constantly feeling “different” in a world that misunderstands neurodiverse girls. Together, Dr. Olivia and Eliza discuss: ✨ The subtle signs of autism in girls that are so often missed ✨ The exhausting reality of masking and living behind a “coping” facade ✨ How phrases like “everyone else manages it” shape identity and self-worth ✨ Why neurodiverse girls are frequently overlooked in schools and families ✨ The grief, relief, and self-compassion that can come with late diagnosis ✨ How parents can better support children who are already trying their absolute best This episode is a powerful reminder that what looks like “not trying” is often a child trying harder than anyone can see. It is a conversation filled with compassion, insight, humour, and hope for parents, educators, and late-diagnosed women alike. 📚 Could Try Harder by Eliza Fricker is available now. 💛 If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
May 7 · 22 min
EP 166: Beyond the Label empowerning parents of ADHD Girls
Today is a special one. It is publication day for my debut book, Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls, and I wanted to mark it by recording something just for you. In this episode I share the things I wish someone had told me the day we got Alexandra's diagnosis. Why ADHD is so consistently missed in girls, and what it actually looks like in the home rather than the classroom. The one symptom that causes more chaos in families than almost anything else, and that does not even appear on the diagnostic checklist. The piece of neuroscience that changed the way I parent completely. And the four things that have made the biggest, most tangible difference for our family. This is not a clinical overview. It is what I know now, after years of living it, researching it, and supporting hundreds of families through it. Beyond the Label is available everywhere books are sold from today. The link is below. And if you are looking for a community of parents who truly get it, details of the ADHD Warrior Mums membership are in the links too. You are not alone in this. You never were. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
April 28 · 30 min
EP 165: When Love and Rage Share the Same Roof : ADHD and Emotional Dysregulation
Following her recent Daily Mail feature, Dr Olivia Kessel opens up about one of the most misunderstood and most common aspects of ADHD: emotional dysregulation and flash anger. In this honest and practical episode, Olivia explores why emotional dysregulation isn't in the ADHD diagnostic criteria and why that matters. She unpacks the neuroscience behind flash anger and why reasoning in the moment makes things worse. She also goes into the hidden triggers behind explosions at home, including sleep deprivation, masking at school, hormonal cycles, hunger, transitions, and the "school angel, home devil" pattern so many parents recognise. And she shares the practical tools that transformed daily life in their household. Plus, messages from the community, including parents who felt, for the first time, that their experience was finally being reflected back to them. If you have ever felt trapped, ashamed, or utterly alone in what is happening behind your closed front door, this episode is for you. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
April 21 · 46 min
EP 164: EHCPs Made Simpler: The Tool Every SEND Parent Needs to Know About
Can I be honest with you for a moment? For so many parents, the hardest part of the SEND journey is not the diagnosis… It is the paperwork. The forms. The reports. The endless documents. The fear of getting it wrong. And for many, that fear becomes so big that they never even make it to tribunal, despite the fact that 95% of cases that get there are decided in favour of families. In this episode, I am joined by Stevie Hayes, founder of Bundle Creator—a tool designed to simplify one of the most overwhelming parts of the EHCP journey. We talk about: Why the EHCP and tribunal process feels so complex (and why that is not your fault) The hidden “gatekeeping” role of paperwork that stops families in their tracks How to break the process down into manageable, bite-sized steps The shocking statistic that fewer than 10% of families reach tribunal Practical ways to organise evidence, meet deadlines, and feel more in control How technology can support neurodivergent parents to navigate a non-neuroaffirming system This is not about pretending the system is easy. It is about giving you the tools to face it with clarity, confidence, and support. Because you are not failing the system. The system has not been built for you. And when we change how we approach it, everything begins to shift. If you have ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start, this episode is for you. Stevie Hayes: stevie@bundlecreator.co Click here for SEND Bundle The NeuroDiverse toolbox - YouTube **The local authority is responsible for submitting any bundle to a SEND Tribunal. Parents are best prepared when they understand the constraints and can submit their evidence as a partially completed bundle to the local authority. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
March 31 · 15 min
EP 163: When Parenting Feels Relentless: Easter Survival for ADHD Mums
Easter holidays can feel like a breaking point for many ADHD mums. Less structure. More demands. And that quiet, heavy loneliness that no one else seems to understand. In this deeply honest solo episode, Dr. Olivia shares what came up again and again in her group coaching this week: 👉 the invisible load 👉 the emotional exhaustion 👉 and the feeling of doing it all alone If you are heading into the holidays feeling overwhelmed, stretched, or already running on empty… this episode is for you. This is not about perfect routines or getting it “right.” This is about something far more important: Not losing yourself in the process. Inside this episode, you will find: Why parenting a neurodiverse child can feel so relentless (and why it is not your fault) The hidden “invisible load” so many mums are carrying A powerful mindset shift to take the pressure off this holiday period One simple daily anchor to help you reconnect with yourself A short guided meditation to calm your nervous system and give you space to breathe Because you are not just the organiser, the advocate, or the regulator. You are a person within this, too. And you matter. If this episode resonates, please share it with another mum who might need to hear this today. 🧘‍♀️ Meditation Link 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
March 24 · 32 min
EP 162: Why rejection hits so hard...ADHD & RSD explained
Have you ever watched your child fall apart over something that seems small — a correction at school, a cancelled plan, a simple “not now”… and wondered what is really going on? In this powerful solo episode, Dr Olivia explores Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) — a term you may have seen everywhere on social media, but one that is often misunderstood. Blending medical insight, real-life parenting experience, and practical tools, this episode unpacks: • What RSD actually is (and why it is not in the DSM) • The science behind emotional dysregulation in ADHD • Why some experts support the term — and others challenge it • What RSD really looks like in children and teenagers (especially girls) • Why your child is not “overreacting” — and what their brain is doing instead • The link between ADHD, rejection, and lived experience over time Most importantly, Dr Olivia shares practical, compassionate strategies to help you support your child: • How to respond in the moment (what helps — and what makes it worse) • How to build emotional awareness before meltdown • Why validation matters more than logic • How to gently reduce avoidance and build resilience • The role of therapy and when to consider medication If you have ever felt confused, exhausted, or alone trying to support a child who feels everything so deeply, this episode will help you understand what is really happening — and how to move forward with confidence. You are not alone in this. And neither is your child. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
March 17 · 1 hr 4 min
EP 161: Raising ADHD Teenagers with Jheri South
The teenage years can feel particularly intense when you are parenting a child with ADHD. Many parents expect things to get easier as children grow older — yet for many families, adolescence brings new challenges: emotional outbursts, school struggles, growing independence, and the feeling that your once-connected child is suddenly pushing you away. In this episode of the SEND Parenting Podcast, I am joined by therapist and ADHD specialist Jheri South, who works closely with teenagers and their families. Together we explore what is really happening in the ADHD teenage brain and why this stage can be so complex — not just for teenagers, but for parents too. Jerry shares both professional insight and personal experience as a neurodivergent parent raising seven neurodivergent children. Her work focuses on helping families understand behaviour through the lens of brain development, emotional regulation, and the unique wiring of the ADHD brain. In this conversation, we explore: • Why ADHD teenagers often seem three years behind in executive functioning • The impact of constant criticism on self-esteem in ADHD children • Why traditional parenting approaches based on punishment often backfire • How rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) drives emotional reactions and meltdowns • Why connection matters more than control during the teenage years • Practical strategies parents can use to support independence without losing connection We also talk honestly about the emotional side of parenting ADHD teens — the fear that your child may struggle in life and the worry that you are somehow getting it wrong. Jheri reminds us of something many parents need to hear: ADHD teenagers are not broken. They are developing differently — and with the right understanding and support, they can thrive. If you are navigating the teenage years with an ADHD child and wondering whether things will ever get easier, this episode offers reassurance, insight, and practical tools to help you support your child through this stage. Learn more about Jheri South and her work 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
March 10 · 57 min
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 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
March 3 · 59 min
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 defiance How hormonal changes amplify ADHD and sensory sensitivities The brain science behind mood swings and impulsivity Why masking becomes more exhausting in adolescence The hidden mental health toll of “trying to fit in” Practical ways to support regulation without escalating conflict What happens when puberty collides with parental menopause If 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 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
February 24 · 52 min
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. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
February 17 · 10 min
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 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
February 10 · 1 hr 6 min
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 pathway The Right to Choose pathway — what it really offers and where families get stuck Private assessments — benefits, risks, and hidden costs Why diagnosis is not a “label,” but a tool for understanding and support What parents need to know before starting any pathway This episode is for parents who are: Unsure which route to take Already on a waiting list Worried about making the “wrong” decision Seeking clarity, not opinions You 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 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
February 3 · 37 min
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 ADHD How melatonin works (and what it does not do) What the research says about safety and effectiveness Why addressing sleep can transform emotional regulation, focus, and family life Dr. 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 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
January 27 · 1 hr 3 min
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 brain How blood sugar crashes drive dysregulation and meltdowns Why breakfast matters more than most parents realise How nutrition can support ADHD medication and sleep Practical, low-pressure strategies that work in real families This is not about perfect diets or restriction. It is about understanding your child’s brain and supporting steadier days. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
January 20 · 53 min
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. 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...
January 13 · 1 hr
EP 152: ADHD is not an attention problem
In this powerful and honest conversation, I am joined by Michael McLeod, internationally recognised ADHD and executive function specialist and founder of GrowNOW ADHD, to unpack what ADHD really is and why so many children and families are being failed by outdated models of support. We explore why ADHD is best understood as a developmental executive function disorder, with emotional regulation at its core — not laziness, defiance, or lack of willpower. Michael explains why traditional approaches like talk therapy, worksheets, and constant verbal prompting often make things worse, and what actually helps children build the skills they need for life. In this episode, we discuss: Why emotional dysregulation is one of the most overlooked signs of ADHD The four pillars of executive function and how delays show up at home, school, and socially Why screens are so dysregulating for the ADHD brain — and why “balance” is often unrealistic How parenting language, structure, and boundaries can either escalate or reduce meltdowns Why executive function predicts long-term success more than grades or academic performance Practical strategies parents can use immediately, including reducing verbal prompts and creating more structure at home This is a deeply validating episode for parents who are exhausted, overwhelmed, and questioning whether they are doing something wrong. It reframes ADHD with clarity, compassion, and evidence — and offers a way forward that feels realistic rather than punitive. 📘 Michael’s book The Executive Function Playbook 🌍 Grow Now ADHD Website ▶️ Russell Barkley YouTube 📚 New Book — Out Now 👉 Order your copy Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls A powerful blend of science and lived experience to help you truly understand and support your daughter. 💬 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 wou...