Mark welcomes back the phenomenal Heidi Mavir, who is an  author, a neurodivergent advocate, activist, public speaker and Mum of a neurodifferent son (20, diagnosed autistic with a tic disorder, as well as suspected dyslexia and  Ehlers Danlos Syndrome). They pick up on a topic they very briefly touched on in the previous episode they recorded, which is whether there's any truth to the commonly-held belief that autistics don't feel empathy (spoiler alert - that view is abject nonsense).

They dissect the very concept of empathy to try and understand why it's viewed as so important to neurotypicals, what "the double empathy problem" is and why our kids' way of displaying and responding to empathy is so varied.

This is a genuinely insightful episode that gives a lot of food for thought when considering whether our own kids are able to feel empathy.

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Heidi Mavir EOTAS Matters website - https://www.heidimavir.com/

"Your Child Is Not Broken" by Heidi Mavir - https://amzn.eu/d/8di4y0X

"Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things?" by Pierre Novellie - https://amzn.eu/d/fd51tDR

"How To Win Friends and Influence People" - https://amzn.eu/d/fd51tDR

The Double Empathy Problem - https://reframingautism.org.au/miltons-double-empathy-problem-a-summary-for-non-academics/

"I Didn't See You There" by Charlotte Gail - [Available end of January. Link will be added here later]

Sesame Street Introduce Autistic Character - https://youtu.be/dKCdV20zLMs

Muppet Christmas Carol - https://youtu.be/JXaVI60BFJM

Heidi Mavir on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@heidimavir

CONTACT US

If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics, suggestions for neurodiversity champions or any "What the flip?" moments you'd like to share, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@neuroshamblespod

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Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles CREDITS

The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/

In response to several requests from listeners, this episode is all about the complexities of giving medication to our neurodivergent kids.

Mark speaks to the tremendous Danielle Jata-Hall, who is an author, award-winning blogger and a disability campaigner. She has three children (13, 11 and 8 - all diagnosed Autistic with a PDA profile, as well as a blend of ADHD, Anxiety and potential bipolar disorder).

Mark and Danielle discuss the medication journeys they've been on with their own kids, from overcoming their initial misgivings and dealing with the judgement of others, to the administrative nightmare of trying to get medication prescribed by medical professionals.

They compare different prescription pathways and share their experiences of the difficult process of titration - not to mention the rigamarole of actually getting their kids to take the medication we've fought so hard to get for them.

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

"The Journey Into S.E.N.D Fatherhood" book - https://amzn.eu/d/0qwN0il

Danielle Jata-Hall blog - https://pdaparenting.com/

Newbold Hope - https://www.newboldhope.com/

FII (Fabricated or Induced Illness) - https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/fabricated-or-induced-illness/overview/

"The Parent's Guide to ADHD Medicines" book - https://amzn.eu/d/i2e73JM

Shared Care - https://www.england.nhs.uk/medicines-2/regional-medicines-optimisation-committees-advice/shared-care-protocols/

"I'm Not Upside Down, I'm Downside Up" book - https://amzn.eu/d/avsMxy2

"Black Rainbow" book - https://amzn.eu/d/he1Nd8K

"Steph's Two Girls" blog with tips on getting your child to take medication - https://www.stephstwogirls.co.uk/2020/01/top-tips-when-your-child-wont-take.html

"A boy less ordinary" blog - https://aboylessordinary.com/

CONTACT US

If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@neuroshamblespod

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles

Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles CREDITS

The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/

What was it like to raise an autistic child 30 years ago? Mark has a fascinating chat with Stephanie - his wonderful neighbour from over the road, who has a 31 year old son (diagnosed autistic with moderate learning difficulties, OCD and anxiety).

They discuss how parents of autistic children were able to navigate the process of understanding how best to raise their kids, without access to the internet, social media or the breadth of information we have available now?

This is an enlightening and surprisingly uplifting episode, which shines a light on just how far society has come in a relatively short space of time, when it comes to understanding, supporting and championing our neurodivergent kids.

LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Disneyland, Paris - https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-gb/

Echolalia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echolalia

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle - https://amzn.eu/d/boDv6wN

Rain Man - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_Man

The Essential Different, Simon Baron Cohen - https://amzn.eu/d/3Y5xgWv

Gentle Parenting - https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/on-babies/202405/gentle-parenting-doesnt-mean-permissive-parenting

Leonardo Da Vinci - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/leonardo-da-vinci-adhd-health-mona-lisa-a8927641.html

Social Stories - https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/communication/communication-tools/social-stories-and-comic-strip-coversations

Supported Employment - https://www.base-uk.org/about/members/brighton-hove-city-council

Fare Share - https://fareshare.org.uk/

Oxfam - https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/jobs/home/

Leonardslee Gardens - www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk/

CONTACT US

If you have any feedback about the show, ideas for topics or suggestions for neurodiversity champions you'd like us to give a shout out to, you can email: hello@neuroshambles.com FOLLOW US

Instagram: www.instagram.com/neuroshambles

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@neuroshamblespod

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles

Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles CREDITS

The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/