Trigger warning: This episode touches on themes of trauma, isolation, and the impact of the pandemic on children’s mental health. Please take care while listening.

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob chats with Mick Collins, a storyteller, theatre practitioner, leading practitioner in Trauma Informed Practice, and educator.

Mick shares his creative and compassionate approach to working with SEND children and children with trauma backgrounds, showing how theatre, play, and sensory experiences can open up communication and connection.

Together, they explore the importance of safe spaces, understanding behaviours, and rebuilding communication between children, families, and schools. Listeners will gain practical ideas and inspiration for supporting children in joyful, strength-based ways.

“It's not just the kids we work with. We work with the families, and we work with the schools, because for me, what's happened is communication's broken down.” - Mick Collins

Key Takeaways:

• Follow children’s interests. Bringing their passions into learning spaces helps them feel safe and engaged.

• Play builds connection. Creativity and play are powerful tools for communication.

• Families matter too. Supporting parents and schools is just as important as supporting children.

• Safe spaces help healing. Environments like sensory gardens and interactive theatre allow children to express themselves.

About Mick:

Mick Collins is a storyteller, theatre practitioner, leading practitioner in Trauma Informed Practice, and teacher with over 30 years of experience and passion in theatre and education. His speciality is technical theatre, specifically light, sound, and AV. He believes stories are imaginative learning experiences that can be accessed through the senses. His work combines technical theatre, sound, light, and movement with a love of dance and play. Mick currently teaches at Root’n’Branch Acres, an 18-acre woodland stage and working farm in the UK, where he helps children, many from trauma backgrounds, build confidence and connection through storytelling and creativity. When a story is interactive, he knows it becomes play, which is how he teaches.

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Trigger warning: This episode briefly discusses challenges faced by disabled and neurodivergent individuals, including social isolation and stigma.

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Dale Dixon, a passionate musician and advocate from the neurodivergent community. Dale shares how his love for music began with his mother’s influence, the challenges and joys of his musical journey, and his dreams of performing around the world.

"We can tell our own self that we love our own disability, whether you're blind or visually impaired or whatever your disability is. Be patient with it and see what it's all about." – Dale Dixon

His story celebrates resilience, friendship, and the importance of community in helping us grow and thrive. Listeners will come away inspired to embrace their passions and support others in pursuing their dreams.

Key Takeaways:

• Community support can open doors and help dreams flourish.

• Your voice and your story are valuable, speak your truth.

• Embracing your identity, including disability, can be empowering.

• Patience and self-compassion are key to personal growth.

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Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions around friendship challenges, feelings of isolation, and the emotional impact of not being accepted for who you are. While the conversation is uplifting, some listeners may find these themes emotionally sensitive.

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, host Asma Jacob speaks with MissNatasha Connect, an author, digital educator, and passionate advocate for neurodivergent communities. Together, they explore what real, affirming friendship looks like for neurodivergent people.

“Having someone that really accepts you for you, your whole. The light, the dark, the whole shebang that comes with it and supporting us to be ourselves.”

From embracing boundaries to honouring individuality, this conversation invites listeners to reflect on how friendships can become more inclusive, respectful, and empowering. You'll hear both personal reflections and practical advice that centre authenticity and connection.

Key Takeaways:

• True friendship starts with being accepted just as you are, no masking needed.

• Open, honest conversations help build trust and emotional safety.

• Boundaries are not barriers, they’re bridges to healthier relationships.

• It’s okay to ask for what you need in a friendship. Embrace your unique way of thinking and connecting, there is strength in it.

About MissNatasha Connects:

MissNatasha Connects is an author, digital educator, and speaker who is authentically autistic. Mother of two, Auntie to many. She supports education, employment and family organisations to uplift and value the individuals they serve. Through books; organisational strategising sessions, support groups and speaking engagements.

Connect on Instagram: @natashaconnect or @tashas_tees

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Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of isolation, stigma, and the emotional challenges of coming out. Listener discretion advised.

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Andrea Schiff, a proud trans woman, neurodivergent advocate, and creative spirit. Andrea shares her journey navigating life with ADHD and dyslexia while exploring gender identity in a world that often misunderstands both.

Together, they reflect on the power of supportive communities, the need to challenge harmful narratives, and the importance of being truly seen and accepted. This episode celebrates individuality, resilience, and the voices often left unheard.

Key Takeaways from the episode:

• Everyone learns in different ways, neurodivergent experiences deserve understanding, not judgment.
• ADHD can come with strengths like hyper-focus and creativity and these should be celebrated.
• Supportive spaces can make the difference between isolation and empowerment. Changing the narrative around neurodivergence allows people to feel heard, validated, and included.
• Intersectionality matters. Experiences of identity, neurodivergence, and belonging are complex and deserve recognition.

“We don't want to be fighting the world around us. We don't want to be struggling. We don't want to be pointed out. We don't want to be singled out. We just want to fit in. We just want to be loved and appreciated.”

About Andrea Schiff (she/her):

Trans Woman Lesbian Hippie Veteran Neurodivergent ADHD/Dyslexic Theatre and Music Lover Deadhead (grateful dead fan) French & American Pastafarian Ordained Dudeist Priestess Theatre Technical Director Production Coordinator Manager of Fennario, (Grateful Dead tribute band, New England, for hire!) Eastern Massachusetts Single and searching INTP-a SciFi.

Follow Andrea on Instagram: @andrea_buchbinder

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Trigger Warning: This episode explores themes of identity, including autism, gender, and asexuality. It touches on feelings of isolation, confusion, and the emotional impact of not having the language to describe one’s experience. These topics may be sensitive for some listeners. Please listen with care.

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Riko Ryuki, a neurodivergent parent, advocate, and writer, about their journey through autism, gender, and identity. Riko shares how discovering they are agender and asexual helped them feel more whole, and why language and community are so important in the process of self-discovery.

This conversation offers strength, validation, and practical advice for anyone exploring neurodivergence and queerness. Listeners will leave feeling seen, supported, and inspired to embrace their authentic selves.

Key Takeaways from the episode:

• Having the right words matters as they help explain your experience and connect with others.
• Feelings and actions aren’t always aligned and that’s okay.
• There is power in owning your identity, as being yourself brings clarity and strength.
• Safe spaces are essential, find and build communities where you feel free to be you.

“Now I know who I am, I can be me a lot easier. I have the words to describe my experiences. I can connect with other people. I can stop feeling different from others for not understanding who I am. It can make you feel like you're broken or like you're missing something that everyone else has. It's good when you have the words to explain that.”

About Riko Ryuki (they/them):

Riko Ryuki (they/them) is an autistic and PDA-identified parent, writer, and blogger. They are agender, aromantic, and asexual, and proudly has multiple disabilities. Riko writes about PDA, disability, identity, and parenting. They are passionate about creating inclusive spaces for expression and connection. When they’re not writing, Riko enjoys books, cacti, and going to the gym.

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Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the emotional challenges of parenting a neurodivergent child, including topics such as burnout, meltdowns, sensory overload, and parental guilt. Some listeners may find these themes emotionally sensitive or triggering. Please take care while listening.

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob speaks with Nia Zihni, a neurodivergent parent navigating life with her autistic son, who has a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile. Nia shares the emotional and practical realities of parenting, including managing sensory needs, meltdowns, and burnout. Her story is one of learning, adapting, and building community. Listeners will gain insights into creating a more understanding, flexible, and compassionate home environment.

Key Takeaways:

• Traditional parenting doesn’t always work. Nia has learned to reframe expectations and adapt strategies to fit her family’s needs.

• Reducing daily demands helps her son feel safer and more regulated.

• Community matters, finding your tribe brings support, strength, and shared understanding.

• Self-compassion is key. Letting go of guilt and being gentle with yourself is essential when parenting neurodivergent children.

“The extra thought that goes into providing everything that my son needs, because as his needs change and as I work out what they are, and they're constantly changing. And then as I look at myself through a different lens as well, I found that it's the right thing to do to sort of reduce the expectations on myself.”

About Nia:

Nia is 38 and self-identifies as AUDHD and is Mum to J, a 7-year-old diagnosed as autistic (PDA profile), she works from home while supporting her son and learning to support both their Neurodivergent needs in harmony. Nia finds solace in support groups where she can both offer and receive support for/from adults and parents in similar situations.

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Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of chronic illness, physical pain, medical trauma, and the emotional impact of living with invisible conditions. Listener discretion is advised.

“The more experience you have with something, the less hard it gets. The more knowledge, the more wisdom you have about it. It's freeing your mind.” — Carolyne Shallop

In this episode, host Asma Jacob speaks with her niece, Carolyne Shallop, about life with two autoimmune conditions: rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis.

Carolyne opens up about her journey from diagnosis to acceptance, the emotional toll of chronic illness, and how her support network helped her find strength and purpose.

This conversation highlights the power of shared experience and the importance of being seen and understood. Whether you're living with an invisible condition or supporting someone who is, this episode offers hope, honesty, and connection.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s okay to do what works best for you, even if it looks different from others.

• Leaning on trusted people can bring comfort, clarity, and strength.

• Find supportive healthcare professionals who truly listen and advocate for you.

• Connecting with others who have similar experiences can help ease feelings of isolation.

About Carolyne Shallop:

Carolyne Shallop was born in Sierra Leone to Lebanese parents. She moved to England aged 12, with her mum and siblings. For the past 13 and a half years, Carolyne has been living with 2 Autoimmune Disorders. In December of 2008, at the age of 21, she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, after about 9 months of symptoms the majority of which was joint pain. In January of 2014, Carolyne was diagnosed with Vasculitis, after a major flare-up, and in April of 2014, she was told the type of Vasculitis she has is Microscopic Polyangiitis.

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Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of stigma, isolation, and parental guilt, which may be sensitive for some listeners.

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, host Asma Jacob speaks with Karen Brennan, a family practitioner, advocate, and mother, about her journey supporting neurodivergent children and families.

Karen shares her personal and professional insights into recognising the signs of a neurodivergent child, navigating diagnoses, and understanding how to best support a neurotypical child.

Together, they explore the power of understanding neurodivergence in children, learning to accept, and holding a safe space for parents within the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) community.

Karen also highlights her work supporting children with additional support needs and their families, emphasing the value of community, education, and self-care for parents.

“Parents are not failing and it's not their fault because it's about having the resources, the tools, the energy.”

Key Takeaways from the episode:

• Community and connection can help parents feel seen and supported.

• Recognising and accepting the signs of neurodivergence in children fosters understanding.

• It’s important to hold a non-judgmental space for parents of neurodivergent and neurotypical children.

• Parents of children with additional support need and deserve time for self-care to sustain their wellbeing.

About Karen:

Karen Brennan is a dedicated parenting practitioner and mother of two, including a child recently diagnosed as autistic. Karen is the founder of Cariad ASD & PDA Hub (formerly Pandarama Parent Support Group North Wales) and works as a self-employed trainer with the PDA Society. Through her advocacy, blogging, and online forums, Karen empowers parents and carers navigating neurodivergence with compassion and practical guidance.

Resources:

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