In 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.

Outdated Education System: The current education system is often rigid and not designed to accommodate the diverse needs of neurodivergent children.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 face challenges that are not adequately addressed.

Identifying Needs Early: Early identification of challenges, such as speech or coordination issues, is crucial, but support often falls short.

Training for Educators: There is a significant need for enhanced training for teachers on special educational needs to better support neurodivergent students.

Impact of Environment: The classroom environment, including displays and changes, can greatly affect a child’s ability to learn and cope.

Communication Gaps: There are often communication breakdowns between schools, parents, and local authorities, leading to misunderstandings and lack of support.

Mental Health Considerations: The mental health of both children and parents is deeply affected by the educational experience and the pressure to conform.

Advocacy and Trusting Instincts: Parents should trust their instincts regarding their child's needs and advocate strongly for appropriate support.

Systemic Challenges: Financial motivations can influence decisions made about educational support, complicating the advocacy process for parents.

The quote Victoria mentioned seeing on social media is: When a child at school is anxious about going home, concerns would be raised. But when a child is anxious about going to school, we as parents are expected to encourage them to go no matter what. Think about that for a second. - seen on CureJoy Kids on Facebook.

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Episode 10 - TAM Podcast - Breaking Down Barriers to Education for Neurodivergent Children

[00:00:00]

Hello and welcome to the Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm

Natalie. We are two sisters raising autistic children who know the

joy, the challenges, and the everyday moments. This is a supportive

space for honest conversations, practical tips, shared strength and

expert advice. Whether you are celebrating a win, surviving a

meltdown, or just trying to make it through the day, we are right

here with you.

Join us as we share the ups, the downs, and everything in between parenting autistic children.

Victoria Bennion: In this episode, Natalie and I are diving into

some of the real challenges families face with the current education

system, especially when it comes to supporting autistic children.

We talk about how mainstream school isn't always inclusive and what happens when children are expected to fit into a rigid system, and the emotional toll it takes when the support just isn't there. This is a personal [00:01:00]conversation drawn from our own experiences, and sadly, we know some of you may relate.

Natalie Tealdi: It's getting everyone to fit into a box, and I don't think...

In 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.

Whitney 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 the Founder and Executive Director of UnPuzzled Parents Connect, Whitney has dedicated her life to building a community where families no longer feel isolated or overwhelmed—but instead empowered, informed, and supported.

Her journey began as a mother navigating the complex world of special needs parenting, an experience that opened her eyes to the gaps in support, understanding, and resources that many caregivers face—especially in rural communities like those across West Virginia. Determined to make a difference, Whitney created UnPuzzled Parents Connect, a grassroots organization that has grown into a trusted statewide resource hub. Under her leadership, the nonprofit now offers programs like Coffee and Connections support groups, The Listening Room therapy and counseling sessions, Knowledge is Power workshops, and the newly launched Inclusion initiative, which brings disability awareness into schools.

Through her podcast Get UnPuzzled and community outreach efforts, Whitney amplifies the voices of families, facilitates critical conversations around disability inclusion, and creates platforms for meaningful change. She is also a sought-after speaker and has been featured on platforms like the Adjusting the Sails podcast.

Whitney’s leadership is rooted in lived experience, deep empathy, and a fierce commitment to advocacy. Whether she’s connecting families over coffee, organizing large-scale events, or working one-on-one with caregivers, her mission remains clear: to walk alongside families and help them feel seen, heard, and unpuzzled.

• The early signs of Whitney's son Connor’s autism and the complexities of diagnosis
• Why common autism 'red flags' didn’t apply
• Navigating grief, denial, and self-isolation
• The financial burden of therapies and the life-changing waiver program
• How a small support group grew into West Virginia’s largest autism family network
• Mental health strategies for parents and the power of shared experience

Coffee and Connections – Community meetups for parents and caregivers

The Listening Room – A safe, supportive space for sharing stories and experiences

West Virginia Medicaid Waiver Program – A disability-based funding program that helped Whitney access therapy services

ABA Therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis) – Intensive behavioral therapy used in early intervention

Birth to Three Program – Early intervention service in West Virginia supporting children under age three

Classroom Inclusion Kits – Educational tools distributed to schools to promote autism understanding and kindness year-round

Autism Level 3 Diagnosis – A diagnostic level indicating high support needs

Therapies Mentioned: Speech, Occupational, Physical, Behavior, ABA

Website -

In 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.

Carl Draper was born in a North Nottinghamshire mining village and moved to Bournemouth at 19, where he served as a beach lifeguard and discovered his love for surfing. Accepted into the Royal Marines, his plans changed after a serious leg injury during a heroic rescue, an event that earned him a Local Hero Award and a feature on BBC’s 999 Rescue. He later became RNLI head trainer for lifeguards across Dorset, then served over a decade with Dorset Ambulance Service. Shifting to education, he trained firefighters and police nationwide before retraining as a mental health nurse. Carl is currently studying at Bournemouth University. In 2015, he founded Waveslider, winning the Bournemouth Tourism Award in 2017, and began documenting life with his son Bodhi in 2020.

Trust Your Instincts - Parents often notice signs before professionals do. If something feels off, it’s okay to seek answers and push for support.

Environment Shapes Experience - The right setting and supportive people can help a child thrive.

Diagnosis is a Beginning, Not an End - Receiving a diagnosis can bring clarity, but also grief and uncertainty. It marks the start of a new chapter, not the end of a story.

Regulation Starts With Us - Emotional regulation in ourselves is often needed when supporting a child with complex needs. We can’t pour from an empty cup.

Creativity is Healing - Photography can offer a way to pause, reflect and process life. Creative outlets are powerful tools for emotional resilience and self-regulation

Assistance Dogs can offer deep connection, comfort, and safety to children with additional needs.

Advocacy Requires Persistence - Navigating the SEND system often involves battles, persistence and support.

CAMHS / ID CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, including services for children with intellectual disabilities

Von Kebles – The training center supporting Frank, Bodhi’s assistance dog

Follow Carl's journey with his son Bodhi on the Waverslider Photography Facebook Page

Follow Carl on Instagram

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[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to

the Autism Mums podcast. I'm