The Autism Mums Podcast

In the next of our Summer Series of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're returning to our episode where we're talking about autistic burnout.
We share our personal experiences of supporting our children through burnout, from shutdowns and sensory overwhelm to emotional exhaustion and withdrawal. We also open up about how life events (including unexpected changes and disruptions to routine) can tip the balance and lead to burnout.
We explore what autistic burnout can look like in children, what can cause it, and most importantly what can help.
Key Takeaways
How autistic burnout can present
Increased meltdowns, shutdowns, or physical complaints can be signs your child is overwhelmed and exhausted
Sensory sensitivities can intensify during burnout, making everyday things feel unbearable
Changes to routine, environment, or support systems can trigger or worsen burnout
Balancing energy-draining and energy-giving activities can support recovery
Gentle, low-pressure outings (like time in nature) can help rebuild energy over time
Reducing demands and allowing flexibility can support your child’s nervous system
Burnout is usually temporary, and with the right support, children can recover and feel like themselves again

Mentioned in This Episode
Understanding Autistic Burnout
Autistic burnout: When navigating a neurotypical world becomes too much
Connect with The Autism Mums
Website – https://theautismmums.com/
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmums
Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmums
Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums

In the first of our Summer Series of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're returning to our episode where we're talking about travelling with autistic children. Whether it's a one night stay, a weekend with grandparents, or a long holiday.
Trips that other families might find routine can involve a huge amount of planning, uncertainty, and sensory challenges - different beds and pillows, unfamiliar food, noisy or crowded spaces, and even hidden safety hazards in accommodation.
We're sharing our experiences - what helped, what didn't, and our suggestions of what might help you too.
Key Takeaways
Small preparations can help. Consider doing short practice stays before a long trip and build up time away gradually if that feels manageable for your family.
Bring familiar comforts: favourite pillows, blankets, trusted foods, and familiar toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo) can reduce sensory upset and make sleep and routines easier.
Pack a comfort/essentials bag: include fidget toys, calming smells, noise-reducing items, a spare set of safe foods, charging cables and any sensory supports you rely on.
Make plans but stay flexible: a loose “what if” plan for meltdowns, exits or separation can help you respond quickly, but be ready to adjust if things change.
Think about personal space: shared rooms or cabins can reduce opportunities to retreat. Consider quieter accommodation options, balconies or separate rooms where possible.
Check provider policies in advance. Ask hotels, cruise lines or attractions about quieter rooms, room layouts, food policies and any autism-friendly services they offer.
Use airport and venue support. Request assistance like fast-track check-in, quiet lounges or sensory rooms where available to reduce waiting and crowd stress.
Balance siblings’ needs. Plan some separate activities or downtime so children with different needs can recharge without upsetting each other.
Learn from each trip. Make brief notes about what worked and what didn’t so your next trip can be easier to plan.
Be kind to yourselves! Not every holiday will go perfectly. Celebrate small wins and prioritise calm and safety over trying to “do it all.”

Connect with The Autism Mums
Website – https://theautismmums.com/
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmums
Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums

When ITV News aired a story featuring an anonymous whistleblower who had worked inside a council SEND department, the reaction across the SEND community was striking.
It wasn’t shock.
It was recognition.
In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we reflect on the allegations raised in the report, including claims of deliberate delay tactics, avoidance of written records, and communication strategies that left families feeling ignored or pushed aside.
We also share our own lived experiences navigating the system:
Unanswered emails and calls
Out‑of‑office responses at critical moments
Meetings missed, placements delayed
Being told consultation had happened when it hadn’t
Feeling dismissed, emotional, or labelled “difficult”

We explore why so many families feel they are only taken seriously when they escalate to tribunal and what it does to parents when exhaustion feels like part of the process.
This conversation is not about attacking individuals.
It is about acknowledging patterns that many families describe, discussing the emotional impact of prolonged delays, and asking difficult but necessary questions about accountability and reform.
If the whistleblower story resonated with you, this episode creates space to process it together.
You were not imagining it.
You were not being “difficult.”
And you are not alone.
Key Takeaways
Many SEND parents felt the whistleblower story confirmed what they had already experienced.
Ongoing delays and lack of communication can leave families feeling dismissed and exhausted.
With most tribunal appeals decided in families’ favour, many parents feel escalation is often necessary to be heard.
Keeping clear written records and requesting decisions in writing is essential for protecting yourself.
While the process can feel overwhelming, knowing your rights and seeking support can shift the balance.

Mentioned in this episode
ITV News report discussed in this episode:
https://www.itv.com/news/2026-07-03/council-staff-told-to-delay-access-to-send-support-whistleblower-claims
SEND Tribunal Statistics (Ministry of Justice):
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice):
https://www.ipsea.org.uk
SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice & Support Services):
https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/what-we-do-0/networks/information-advice-and-support-services-network/find-your-local-ias-service
Special Needs Jungle coverage of the story:
https://www.specialneedsjungle.com

Connect with The Autism Mums
Website – https://theautismmums.com/
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmums
Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmums
Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome SEND dad and advocate, Ricky Du Plessis, to the show.
Biography
Ricky Du Plessis is a SEND dad, advocate and podcast host on a mission to support the parents and professionals who care for children with special needs in overcoming the associated chronic stress. His son has level-3 autism and an ongoing ARFID assessment, so he lives the chronic stress he talks about. Unusually, Ricky was deep into metabolic health and the link between metabolic health and our mental resilience, before his son was born and his needs emerged, and that head start is genuinely what has stopped Ricky from burning out under the chronic stress load. He now writes, speaks and hosts a podcast making the case that caring for the caregiver is the most overlooked part of SEND support, but one every family deserves.
Key Takeaways
The caregiver is the primary intervention – if the parent or carer's wellbeing is compromised, everything that flows to the child is compromised too.
The hardware/software analogy – your mind (software) runs on your body (hardware), so physical health directly shapes mental resilience and capacity to cope.
Metabolic health is central – nutrition, sleep, light and movement all feed into your metabolic health, which underpins both mental and physical wellbeing.
Focus on nourishment, not calories – prioritise essential, bioavailable nutrients (e.g. retinol from liver vs beta-carotene from carrots) rather than counting calories.
Protect your sleep hygiene – wind down screens before bed, dim the lights, and avoid caffeine after midday to let sleep pressure (adenosine) build properly.
Prioritise everyday movement (NEAT) over just gym sessions – being less sedentary throughout the day matters more than a single workout.
Cut back on alcohol – even a small amount interferes with sleep quality.
Find your "logical entry gateway" – pick one area (nutrition, movement or sleep) that resonates with you and aim to improve it a little each day rather than seeking perfection.
Looking after yourself isn't vanity – as the caregiver, your wellbeing is foundational to your capacity to support your child, especially during critical developmental windows.

Mentioned in This Episode
Brain Energy by Dr. Chris Palmer
Connect with Ricky
Learn more about Ricky's guidance and framework in his free substack https://substack.com/@rickyduplessis
Website - https://www.rickyduplessis.co.uk/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricky-du-plessis/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ricky.du.plessis.85
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ricky_duplessis/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ricky_duplessis

Connect with The Autism Mums
Website – https://theautismmums.com/
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmums
Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums
Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmums

If your child is struggling to attend school, you might be wondering what the options are. In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome back Lauren Vermeulen from Victory-us to talk about EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At or In School).
Biography
Lauren is the founder of Victory-us, an independent SEND Teacher - supporting, empowering and providing EOTAS to send children. Lauren has taught in a variety of schools and SEND provisions, leading emotional regulation, behaviour support trainings and PSHE. She has expertise in supporting children with bespoke and tailored learning and mental health support, to ensure children flourish on education otherwise than at school. She now supports children their families who can’t access school and need tailored support.
Key Takeaways
EOTAS stands for Education Otherwise Than At or In School. It is specifically for children who hold an EHCP - this is what sets it apart from elective home education. When a child has an EHCP and cannot be educated in a school setting, the responsibility for funding and meeting that child's needs sits with the local authority, not the parent.
EOTAS is not the same as home education. If your child has an EHCP and you are educating them at home, the local authority still has a legal duty of care - and that includes funding. The LA must ensure all of Section F is being met.
Getting EOTAS agreed can be a lengthy process. Local authorities are required to work through a list of provisions under Section 61 before EOTAS can be agreed - from mainstream, to resource bases, to specialist and independent schools, to online provision. This is why having a well-written EHCP that accurately reflects your child's needs is so important from the start.
EOTAS is not just a tutor. A proper EOTAS package should address all of Section F - educational, health, and care needs. Emotional regulation, OT, SALT, therapy, and community access can all be part of the package, not just academic learning.
Positive evidence matters. When building a case for EOTAS, it's not just about what isn't working - it's about evidencing what does. Is your child engaging with an online platform? A tutor? An activity based on their special interest? All of this counts.
Section 19 is a different but related route. If your child cannot attend school for health reasons (including emotional school-based avoidance), and has had 15 or more consecutive days out of school, Section 19 may apply - even without an EHCP. It's intended to be temporary, but it can be a valuable window to collect evidence of what works.
The goal of EOTAS is holistic, not just academic. Lauren challenges the idea that education means the national curriculum. Life skills, emotional regulation, self-advocacy, sensory needs, and community access are all valid - and essential - parts of a child's education.
EOTAS can and should be reviewed regularly. Families should expect six-weekly check-ins with the LA, as well as annual review. If the LA identifies a school placement, parents are not obligated to accept it - as long as they can evidence why it would be less suitable than the current provision.
You don't have to figure out the package alone. Lauren works with families to design bespoke EOTAS packages built around the child's interests, needs, and outcomes - starting with what the child loves and working backwards from there.

Mentioned in This Episode
MindJam — Emotional and SEN support for young people through gaming, game design and digital skills
Kiwi STEM Boxes — subscription-based learning activity boxes referenced in the context of EOTAS packages
Lisa Lloyd - ASD with a G&T
Connect with Lauren
Book a free 30 minute call with Lauren via the Calendly link on the bottom right-hand side of her website.
Website: www.victory-us.co.uk
Instagram: @victoryus.lv
Connect with The Autism Mums
Website – https://theautismmums.com/
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmums
Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums
Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmums