The Autism Mums Podcast

• Food Anxiety: When Eating Becomes a Struggle

  In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we talk openly about what happens when eating stops feeling simple and starts feeling scary. We unpack ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and explore how it differs from 'picky eating, sharing our real-life experiences.Key TakeawaysIdentical packaging and familiar brands can build trust.Safe foods can be very limited, for some children under 10 itemsWhen anxiety spikes with transitions like back-to-school often shrink food choices.“They’ll eat if they’re hungry” advice can escalate fear and refusal.Texture, temperature, smell, colour and broken food can be deal-breakers.We've found reintroducing once-safe foods during calm periods and follow the child’s curiosity can sometimes be successfulMentioned in This EpisodeBEAT Eating DisordersARFID Awareness UK National Autistic SocietyConnect with The Autism MumsWebsite – https://theautismmums.com/Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmumsFollow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmumsFollow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmumsTranscriptVictoria Bennion:Hello and welcome back to the Autism Moms podcast. Today we're talking aboutsomething that many families quietly battle with every day. When eating stopsfeeling simple and starts feeling scary. You'll hear us mention ARFID quite alot.Natalie Tealdi: ARFIDis avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, which is more commonly known asARFID. It's a condition characterized by , the person avoiding certain foods ortypes of foods having restricted intake in terms of overall amount eaten orboth?Any anyone of any age can have a i. It occurs in children,teenagers, and adults. Although people with ARFID may lose weight or have lowweight, this is not a criteria for ARFID. It can occur at any weight and variesin different people.Victoria Bennion: Ifyou are wondering, is this just picky eating? We'll talk about a few signpoststhat could indicate it may be more. We'll share our family's [00:01:00] experiences and the ways we found tosupport our children. As always, we are here to share our own experiences inthe hope that they may be useful.Not to diagnose. If anything you hear raises concerns, do speakwith your GP or a qualified clinician. Natalie Tealdi: SoVictoria, I think you have the best knowledge out of both of us on this one. Doyou wanna talk a bit about yourexperiences? Victoria Bennion:Yeah. I can talk about our experiences. So my son doesn't have a diagnosis of aARFID, but in his autism diagnosis, he's noted as having ARFID behaviors. Thiswas explained to me as the reason was there very strict criteria that a childhad to meet to

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• The UK Government's Proposed SEND Reforms

  In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re talking about the UK Government's proposed SEND reforms and what they might mean for families like ours.Key TakeawaysUnderstanding EHCPs: An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is a legal document that outlines a child's special educational needs and the necessary support for their educational journey.Rising Demand: The number of EHCPs has significantly increased, with 638,745 in place as of January 2025, reflecting a 10.8% rise from the previous year, highlighting the growing demand for support.Concerns About Reforms: There is considerable concern that the upcoming SEND reforms may reduce support rather than improve the system, especially given the government’s acknowledgment that local authorities are struggling to meet demand.Legal Protections: Many families fear that proposed changes could eliminate essential legal protections currently provided by EHCPs, which are crucial for ensuring children receive the support they need.Impact of Delays: Families often experience delays in securing EHCPs, with only 46.4% of new plans issued within the statutory timeframe of 20 weeks, leading to unmet educational needs.Emotional Toll on Families: The process of securing an EHCP can be overwhelming, contributing to stress and burnout for families, who often feel they are fighting an uphill battle for their children's rights.Consequences of Exclusion: Statistics indicate that permanent exclusions from schools have risen by 39%, disproportionately affecting children with SEND and leading to significant emotional and academic consequences.Teacher Training Needs: Many teachers report a lack of adequate training to support children with SEND, impacting classroom management and the overall learning environment.Investment in Support: Investing in early support and adequate resources for both children and educators is essential for fostering a productive and inclusive educational environment.Call to Action: Parents and carers are encouraged to advocate for their children's needs by engaging with local MPs, participating in consultations, and joining community efforts like the Fight for Ordinary SEND Rally to ensure their voices are heard.Connect with The Autism MumsWebsite – https://theautismmums.com/Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmumsFollow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmumsFollow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmumsTranscriptVictoria Bennion: [00:00:00] Todaywe're talking about a topic that's been on many parents' minds, theUK government's proposed send reforms, and what they might mean for families like ours.Natalie Tealdi: To start things off, let's define what an EHCP isand why it matters. An EHCP or Education, health and Care plan is alegal document that outlines a child's special educational needs andthe support that they must receive at school and beyond.VictoriaBennion: Yeah. The thing is that these plans are essentialbecause they ensure that children receive the necessary support tothrive. However, the possibility of eh HCPs being scrapped has likeunderstandably...

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• Back to School Challenges for Autistic Children

  In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re talking about the big transition back to school after the summer holidays. Key TakeawaysEarly signs of school anxiety often show up in unexpected ways, like food refusal or “I’m not going back” language.Preparation can be supportive—but too much talk or change too far in advance can fuel anxiety instead.Creating “worry boundaries” helps keep August feeling like summer rather than weeks of dread.New timetables, new staff, and classroom changes can be huge triggers—meet-and-greets and phased starts make a difference.Reduced demands can ease pressure, but they need to be handled carefully so they don’t harden into new rigid routines.Safe foods and small wins (like trips to McDonald’s) can tide children over through anxiety spikes.Parents need realistic self-care—short breaks, slower mornings, or supportive rituals—to stay resilient.Trust and reassurance are more powerful than pressure: children need to know they won’t be forced into situations they can’t cope with.Mentioned in This EpisodeVictoria talked about her experience with Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping) for anxiety with her client, psychotherapist and Founding EFT Master Carol Look. You can learn more about Carol's work at www.carollook.comListener LetterThis week we’re so grateful to share a message from Kirsty, one of our listeners:“...I just wanted you both to know you’ve become a lifeline to me with tips that actually work. Please keep going ladies! One not-so-stressed-out mom thanks to you both. Thank you for being open, honest and willing to share. It makes the world of difference to know we aren’t alone.”Warmest wishes,Kirsty & T 💛Connect with The Autism MumsWebsite – https://theautismmums.com/Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmumsFollow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmumsFollow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmumsTranscript[00:00:00] Hello and welcome tothe Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm Natalie. We are two sistersraising autistic children who know the joy, the challenges, and the everydaymoments. This is a supportive space for honest conversations, practical tips,shared strength and expert advice. Whether you are celebrating a win, survivinga meltdown, or just trying to make it through the day, we are right here withyou.Join us as we share the ups, the downs, and everything inbetween parenting autistic children.Victoria Bennion:Welcome back to the Autism Moms Podcast. In today's episode, we're talking about the transition back to school after the summer holidays.Natalie Tealdi:But before we get started, we just want to share a lovely letter we had from our listener, Kirsty, with her permission. Messages like this remind us why these conversations are so important. Here's what Kirsty wrote:‘Firstly, thank you so much for doing this podcast! I find it incredibly easy to listen to, full of practical tips to help my child and very informative. While we don't have an official diagnosis yet, my three-year-old son ticks many of the ASD boxes as well as having a bit of a PDA spiky profile. I knew something wasn’t quite right when he was...

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• Using Somatic Awareness to Support Your Neurodivergent Child with Kate Lynch

  We're so grateful this week to be joined by Kate Lynch. Kate is a somatic mindfulness coach dedicated to creating a kinder, more inclusive future for all families. Since 2002, she has supported thousands of parents around the world with mindfulness, self-compassion, and somatic movement, helping them avoid burnout while raising their neurodivergent children.Kate shares some really valuable insights and practical advice that we hope will resonate with you.BiographyKate Lynch (she/her) is a somatic mindfulness coach on a mission to create a kinder, more inclusive future. Since 2002, she has supported thousands of parents internationally with mindfulness, self-compassion, and somatic movement, so they can enjoy raising their neurodivergent kids and avoid parental burnout. She facilitates Parent Support Groups for Extreme Kids and Parent Clubs for Good Inside. Kate is author of the upcoming book, Atypical Kids, Mindful Parents: The joys and struggles of raising neurodivergent kids. She has been featured in ADDitude Magazine, Mutha Magazine, Autism Parenting Magazine, and more. Her little neurodiverse family lives in Brooklyn, NY. Key TakeawaysUnderstanding Somatic Mindfulness: Somatic mindfulness focuses on the mind-body connection, emphasising self-care and emotional regulation through body awareness.The Impact of Parenting on Children: Parents' emotional states, such as anxiety or stress, can significantly affect their neurodivergent children, highlighting the importance of parental self-regulation.Mindfulness Practices for Parents: Simple mindfulness techniques, such as feeling the soles of your feet on the ground, can be integrated into daily routines to support emotional well-being.Community Support: Connecting with other parents is invaluable. Sharing experiences and advice can empower you and provide essential resources.Advocacy and Navigating Educational Systems: Understanding your rights and advocating for your child’s needs in educational settings is crucial, as parents often face systemic challenges.The Role of the Vagus Nerve: The vagus nerve plays a vital role in regulating stress responses and emotional states, influencing how we react to situations.The Therapeutic Nature of Activities: Engaging in activities like surfing or working with animals can be therapeutic for neurodivergent children, providing joy and confidence.Connect with Kate LynchEmail: [email protected] Substack: https://katelynch.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfregulatedparentKate's offerMindful Meltdown Cheat Sheet:4 quick and simple mindfulness tools just for parents of neurodivergent kids4 meltdown essentials based on core values. https://www.healthyhappyyoga.com/meltdownor 1 month trial membership: https://katelynch.substack.com/monthConnect with The Autism Mumshttps://theautismmums.com/Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmumsFollow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmumsFollow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmumsTranscriptNatalie Tealdi: Hi, it's Natalie. Unfortunately, I was unable to be in today's interview, but before we begin, I wanted to take a moment to introduce our brilliant...

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• Meltdowns, Sleep Struggles and Routine Changes in the Summer Holidays

  In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re diving into the reality of summer holidays when your autistic child thrives on school routine. Natalie shares how her son, who has been doing brilliantly during term time, has found the transition to the long break unexpectedly tough - from meltdowns and aggressive behaviours to disrupted sleep during a melatonin break. We talk about pacing activities, managing sensory needs, and finding that fine balance between structure and rest.Key TakeawaysHow losing the school routine can trigger heightened anxiety and challenging behaviours and why this is so common for autistic children.How disrupted sleep, including during a melatonin break, can ripple through the day and impact mood, patience, and coping ability.How favourite activities and special interests like metal detecting, magnet fishing, and trampoline time can help regulate emotions.Pacing social interaction and physical activity to avoid sensory overload or burnout during the holidays.How visual tools like Google Maps and travel timers can reduce anxiety during car journeys and transitions.Managing expectations around events and invitations from saying 'no' to busy festivals to choosing carefully between activities that may or may not be accessible.How preparation can help make big days out go more smoothly.Mentioned in This EpisodeBlue BadgeConnect with The Autism MumsWebsite – https://theautismmums.com/Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmumsFollow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmumsFollow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmumsTranscript[00:00:00] Hello and welcome tothe Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm Natalie. We are two sistersraising autistic children who know the joy, the challenges, and the everydaymoments. This is a supportive space for honest conversations, practical tips,shared strength and expert advice. Whether you are celebrating a win, survivinga meltdown, or just trying to make it through the day, we are right here withyou.Join us as we share the ups, the downs, and everything inbetween parenting autistic children.Victoria Bennion:Today, we're talking about something that so many parents of autistic childrenwill understand, and that's why the summer holidays can feel like the hardestpart of the year. We're gonna talk about what's been going on in our homes thissummer, from unexpected meltdowns to sleep struggles, and the ripple effect oflosing that familiar school routine.Victoria Bennion:We'll be sharing our real life [00:01:00]stories, the strategies that have helped, and the moments that have trulytested us. If you are navigating the ups and downs of the school holidays, youare absolutely not alone. We are right here in it with you.Natalie Tealdi: Onething that's come up for us is our son has been coping so well. During termtime, so well at school, absolutely loving school. He's been doing so well andit's been quite surprising how tricky he's finding the holidays.Natalie...

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