Send us a text End-of-Year School Reports: What Parents Really Need to Look For (and What to Ignore) It’s report review season — and for parents of neurodivergent children, this time of year brings stress, confusion, and a LOT of questions. Does “emerging” mean my child is behind? Is this report even accurate? What should I be asking for before the year ends? In this episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education, I break down exactly how to interpret end-of-year reports through a n...

Send us a text Term 4 is here… and for many neurodivergent children, the final weeks of school feel overwhelming. Sensory overload, unpredictable routines, assemblies, excursions, tired teachers, and emotional burnout combine into the perfect storm — leaving parents exhausted, kids dysregulated, and homes feeling tense. In this episode, I share practical, compassionate, real-life strategies to help you guide your neurodivergent child through the end-of-year chaos with more calm and less...

Send us a text This week, we sit down with Cassie Olguin — an inspiring mum of three and a passionate advocate for education choice. With 11 years of homeschooling experience, including supporting a neurodiverse learner, Cassie has seen firsthand how tailoring education to a child’s strengths can transform their confidence and engagement. Now the Alternative Education Content & Event Manager at Outschool, Cassie helps connect families, educators, and schools within the growing movement of...

Send us a text Has Your Child’s Teacher Suddenly Stopped “Getting” Them? When teacher–student connection breaks, everything can feel harder — behaviour escalates, confidence drops, and school starts to feel like a battle. But there are ways to rebuild understanding and support. In this episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education, we share 3 powerful, practical strategies parents can use to help teachers recognise what’s really going on — and reconnect with your child fast. ✨ What you’ll lear...

🎙️ Podcast Episode 56: Tracking Your Child’s Growth – Academic, Social & Emotional Progress Wondering how to know if your neurodivergent child is truly thriving — academically, socially, and emotionally? In this episode, Ruth walks you through practical strategies to track your child’s progress, spot areas that need extra support, and confidently advocate for the adjustments they need to succeed. You’ll learn how to: ✔️ Track academic growth using work samples, teacher reports, and ...

Do you know how to spot subtle changes in your neurodivergent child that could signal emotional or mental health challenges? In this episode, Ruth shares both her own a real-life story and another of Emma and her 9-year-old autistic son, Luca, who started showing small but meaningful signs of distress. Learn how to notice shifts in mood, behaviour, sleep, or interests — and how to respond with care and connection. We dive into: ✔️ Early warning signals like loss of joy, irritability, ph...

“Understanding PDA: Supporting Your Child to Thrive in Any Learning Environment” Do you have a child who struggles with small requests, sudden meltdowns, or school refusal? They might have a PDA profile — and it’s not defiance, it’s anxiety in action. In this episode, we cover: ✅ What PDA really is and how it affects behaviour ✅ How school expectations can feel overwhelming for PDA kids ✅ Practical strategies for home, school, and hybrid learning ✅ Ways to create emotional safe...

Transitioning Schools: What Parents Need to Know! Changing schools can be stressful for both kids and parents—especially for neurodivergent children. In this episode, I share: ✅ Key steps to make the transition smoother ✅ What to watch out for when choosing a new school ✅ How to support your child emotionally and academically ✅ Practical tips to set them up for success from day one ✨ Whether it’s moving to a new grade, a different school, or starting fresh, this ...

Finding the Right Tutor for Your Neurodivergent Child Key questions to ask—and how the right tutor can build your child’s confidence. Finding the right tutor for your neurodivergent child can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, The Right Tutor for Your Neurodivergent Child: What Parents Need to Know Before Choosing, I walk you through the key qualities to look for in a tutor who truly understands ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other learning differences. We’ll cover wha...

From Struggle to Success: How Tutoring Empowers Neurodivergent Kids Discover how personalised tutoring in Literacy & Numeracy, builds confidence, skills, and independence. Is your child bright, curious, and creative—but struggling with reading, writing, or maths? You’re not alone. For many neurodivergent kids, traditional classrooms don’t always give them the tools or confidence they need. That’s where tutoring can be a game-changer. In this episode, I share: ✅ The...

Interview with Guest Speaker- Andrew Fuller Author of the book Neuroadvantage- The Strengthens-based Approach to Neurodivergence. In this interview, I’m joined by my our guest speaker Andrew Fuller — a clinical psychologist, ffamily therapist, and author who has worked with over 3,500 schools and thousands of young people and families across Australia and internationally. He specialises in resilience, learning, and strengths-based approaches to supporting children and adoles...

Why We’re Losing Neurodiverse Teachers – And Why We Can’t Afford To Teaching is tough—but for neurodiverse teachers, the system can be unbearable. More and more autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, and otherwise neurodivergent educators are leaving the profession due to burnout. And it’s not just a loss for them—it’s a loss for our kids. In this powerful episode of Navigating Neurodiverse Education, we explore: The hidden pressures pushing neurodiverse teachers out of classroomsHow masking, admin overlo...

Is it really refusal—or is it survival? If your neurodivergent child melts down at the school gate, begs to stay home, or simply shuts down when school is mentioned, you’re not alone. In this powerful episode, we dive deep into school avoidance—not as defiance, but as a communication of distress. We explore: 🔍 What avoidant behaviours really mean for kids with autism, ADHD, trauma backgrounds, anxiety, PDA, or sensory processing differences 🧠 How nervous system overload, masking fatigu...

Do you know what reasonable adjustments really mean—and how they can transform your neurodivergent child’s school experience? In this essential episode, we break down everything parents and educators need to understand about reasonable adjustments, accommodations, and supports that help neurodivergent kids access learning, participation, and safety—without lowering expectations or compromising dignity. You’ll discover: ✔ What reasonable adjustments actually are (and why they’re a legal ...

Is socialising always good for neurodivergent children? Not exactly. In this thought-provoking episode, we unpack one of the most misunderstood issues in neurodivergent support: why socialising helps some children thrive—but overwhelms or harms others. Whether you're a parent, teacher, therapist, or carer, this is a must-listen. Inside Episode 46, we explore: 🧩 Why “social skills” aren’t one-size-fits-all 🔍 The hidden cost of forced group activities and masking 💡 When social...

For families raising children with multiple diagnoses, high support needs, or significant sensory and emotional regulation challenges, every day can feel like a battle between meltdowns and milestones. In this episode, we explore what progress really looks like for complex neurodivergent kids—and how to find the balance between formal learning and essential life skills. You’ll learn: ✅ Why neurotypical milestones don’t tell the full story ✅ How to integrate life skills like brushi...

Episode 44 – Not Just Grades: Raising Confident Kids Who Learn Differently So many neurodivergent kids are judged by grades — but what they really need is to feel seen and safe in their learning. In this episode, Ruth dives into what it really means to learn differently and how to support children with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, PDA, and other learning profiles without sacrificing their emotional wellbeing. 💡 You'll learn: Why emotional safety is key to academic success How to celebrate progres...

Episode 43 – Helping, Not Hovering: 3 Tips to Raise a More Independent Neurodivergent Child We all want to raise confident, capable kids — but how do we support without hovering? In this episode, Ruth shares three powerful, practical strategies to gently guide neurodivergent children toward greater independence — without overwhelming them. From teaching one small step at a time, to building smart routines, to shifting your mindset from "helper" to "coach," you'll come away with tips you...

Turn Obsessions into Wins: How to Help ND Kids Learn Through Their Passions Is your child obsessed with trains, dinosaurs, Minecraft, or Pokémon? Great! Those passionate interests—often called “special interests”—can be powerful learning tools, especially for neurodivergent kids. In this episode, we explore how to turn passions into progress by: ✅ Building literacy, numeracy & life skills through interests ✅ Making classroom learning more engaging (and less of a battle) ✅ Using special...

One of the biggest questions parents ask is: Should I hire a support worker directly, or go through an agency? In this episode, we break down the pros and cons of each option to help you make the best decision for your neurodivergent child. We’ll cover: What it means to hire directly vs. through an agencyThe benefits and challenges of each pathReal-world factors to consider when choosingTips on combining both approaches for more flexibility Plus, don’t miss our free printable guide on ...