Parenting Autism and ADHD cover art

Parenting Autism and ADHD

Parenting Autism and ADHD

By: Cliff Kilmister
Listen for free

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
  • Using Storytelling to Rewrite Every Neurodiverse Child´s Story with Ravinol Chambers

    Using Storytelling to Rewrite Every Neurodiverse Child´s Story with Ravinol Chambers
    Apr 8 2026
    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 most importantly, what we can do differently to ensure things don´t reach that point. If you've ever felt overwhelmed navigating the system or worried about your child's future, this conversation is for you. EPISODE REVEALS The right school is less about labels and more about fit - small classes, quiet spaces, trained staff, and peers who feel like your child’s tribe. Visual supports like Widget’s symbol language and social stories can turn overwhelming days into predictable narratives children can understand and rehearse. Regulation starts with us; pausing to breathe, stepping back and steadying our own nervous system lets us lend that calm to our children when they’re in crisis. BEST MOMENTS "When you're going through stuff, it's so hard, but looking back, you realise that it's also a gift." "If you're regulated, you can almost lend them your nervous system." "Love your child, love yourself, support each other, do your best to learn. Grow and expand yourself to be a bigger and more stable container for your child ." GUEST RESOURCES https://www.beinspiredfilms.co.uk/ Email: Ravinol@beinspiredfilms.com Jack's story - https://vimeo.com/1084303873/c7f6bf2d52 - An animation created for the NHS to educate teachers and police officers to better support neurodivergent young people. It is designed to break the exclusion to prison pathway. Bertie's Day Out - https://vimeo.com/1134188093/ccddbd14b0 - A brand film created to show the positive impact of Widgit symbols on the lives of individuals with communication challenges. It follows the story of Bertie who has autism and his mum and grandmother having a great day out at the Zoo, the day that almost never was. Widgit Symbols - https://www.widgit.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/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Time Blindness and Meltdowns: Navigating the Spring Forward with Neurodivergent Kids

    Time Blindness and Meltdowns: Navigating the Spring Forward with Neurodivergent Kids
    Apr 1 2026
    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, dysregulation, and school refusal for kids who rely heavily on routine. With the Easter holidays compounding these schedule disruptions, this episode is a vital reminder for parents to give their kids (and themselves) some much-needed grace and space. EPISODE REVEALS The disruption caused by changing the clocks isn't behavioral defiance; it is a fundamental disruption of a child's biological circadian rhythm, affecting their sleep, energy, and focus. Studies from the American Heart Association show a 24% increase in heart attacks and a rise in strokes immediately following the time change, highlighting the severe physical toll this biological disruption takes. During times of dysregulation, parents should prioritize helping their child regulate their nervous system rather than enforcing strict discipline or demanding answers in the heat of the moment. Encourage children to become silent observers of their thoughts. Using hypnotherapy techniques, like giving their inner "mind bully" a ridiculous voice, can help strip away the power of negative self-talk. BEST MOMENTS "It's probably tough enough for neurotypical people and children, but when you add neurodivergence into the mix, we don't like change." "Become the silent observer of your own thoughts... suddenly the power starts to drift out of that negative self-talk." 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/
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • 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/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.