Conversations with a SEND Mum

In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Julie Bevan, the franchisor of Dot Kids, a children’s art franchise with a heart and mission rooted in creativity, confidence and inclusion.
Julie shares her lived experience of navigating DLA forms and EHCP processes for her own child, and why that journey reshaped everything about how she sees children, families and the importance of truly inclusive activity spaces.
We talk about why art is such a powerful vehicle for nurturing wellbeing, expression and identity. Julie explains how Dot Kids creates environments that celebrate uniqueness, reduce pressure and support every child to take part in ways that feel safe and joyful for them.
We also discuss Julie’s incredible recognition as Inclusivity Champion in Franchising and why this award meant so much after a challenging year for her family. It represents not only her dedication but the real change she is making across the activity sector.
Julie and Nicole chat about the work they do together through The Friendly SEND Advisor, supporting franchisees and activity providers to become more inclusive in authentic and practical ways. Because the goal is simple. Every child deserves to feel they belong.
Highlights of the episode
• Julie’s personal journey through DLA and EHCP applications
• How lived experience drives her passion for genuine inclusion
• The role of art in supporting mental health and creative expression
• Winning Inclusivity Champion in Franchising at The Disruptive Franchise Awards and what it means
• The importance of training and co-production with families
• Why the children’s activity sector can lead the way to welcome all children
Connect with Julie and Dot Kids
Website: dotkids.co.uk
Facebook and Instagram: @dotkidsart
Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole sits down with Liz Evans;  an Occupational Therapist, mum, and the brilliant mind behind The Untypical OT.
Together they dive into an honest chat about dyslexia, parental burnout, and what it really means to live and work while navigating neurodivergence as both a parent and professional.
Liz shares her journey with dyslexia and how it has shaped the way she approaches her work and supports families. Nicole opens up about her own ADHD diagnosis, how it helped her understand her patterns of overwhelm and hyperfocus, and why this insight has changed how she looks after herself and her family.
This is a conversation full of compassion, connection, and those 'I thought it was just me' moments exploring the emotional load that often comes with caring, advocating, and trying to hold it all together while supporting neurodivergent children.
In this episode, we talk about:
The realities of burnout for parents and professionals in the SEND community
How dyslexia and ADHD shape the way we process, plan, and parent
Why understanding our own neurotype is key to self-compassion
Practical strategies for pacing, rest, and regulation
Letting go of perfection and embracing being 'untypical'
If you’ve ever felt exhausted by the constant juggle or found yourself running on empty while supporting everyone else, this episode is a gentle reminder that you’re not alone and that understanding your own brain is one of the most powerful steps towards balance.
Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole chats with Scott, owner of Phoenix Ashes and Co, about a journey many families will recognise, years of waiting for a diagnosis while navigating life, learning, and misconceptions along the way.
Scott shares openly about his son, who is close to receiving a diagnosis of Tourette’s and Autism after a four-year wait. They talk about the importance of tools for regulation, what they’ve both learnt from their children, and how understanding their kids’ brains has been life-changing.
That understanding didn’t just help Scott support his children. It also helped him recognise his own neurodivergence, sparking reflection that Nicole resonates with deeply, having received her own ADHD diagnosis later in life.
This is a conversation that goes beyond the stereotypes, it’s about empathy, practical strategies, and the power of connection between parent and child.
Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

In this powerful and honest conversation, Nicole sits down with Hayley Harding, co-founder of Let Us Learn Too, a grassroots parent-led campaign group fighting for the rights of disabled children in education.
Together, they explore the urgent need for genuine reform within the SEND system and why lived experience must be at the heart of any meaningful change. Hayley shares her own journey as a parent navigating the system, how Let Us Learn Too began, and what the group is doing to push for a more inclusive, accountable and compassionate approach to education through the upcoming SEND white paper and reform proposals.
They also dive into:
What true co-production looks like and why it matters
The emotional and practical impact of a failing system on families
How parents, professionals and young people can work together for change
The importance of keeping disabled children’s rights and voices front and centre in policy
How we shift from tick-box listening to real partnership
This episode will leave you feeling informed, inspired, and reminded that we are stronger when we push for change together.
Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

In this week’s episode, Nicole Bateman is joined by Andy Horry, who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Together, they explore what it’s like to look back on your childhood through the lens of a diagnosis and what changes when you finally have the words to describe your experience.
Andy shares:
 What school was like growing up with undiagnosed ADHD
 The relief and reflection that came with finally understanding his brain
 How he regulates his nervous system now and what actually helps
 How ADHD interacts with his other chronic health conditions
This is a conversation about identity, wellbeing, and the power of understanding yourself. Andy speaks openly about the emotional journey of self-discovery, the frustration of being misunderstood for so long, and the simple strategies that help him show up as his best self.
If you’ve ever wondered about adult diagnosis, or how to support someone with ADHD and additional health needs, this episode will leave you feeling more informed and more connected.
Follow Nicole on www.instagram.com/conversationswithasendmum for exclusive peeks to weekly episodes. Please do send feedback and rate this podcast to help it reach those who would benefit. Nicole is The Friendly SEND Advisor for children's activity providers and tutors helping them create inclusive sessions for all children.

Check out our Season 3 and 4 sponsor Rachel's 3 R's Subscription Box: Dedicated to helping SEND mums feel calmer and more relaxed by providing a box of products and online support for self-care. Follow on www.instagram.com/rachelsthreerssubscriptionbox and use the code NICOLE10 for 10% off your first order at https://rachel-s-three-r-s.subbly.me/

Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad