Best Autism Happy Hour Podcasts (2024)

1
My Journey with Spelling to Communicate S2C - Part B 33:28

19h ago33:28

33:28

#1 Continuing the S2C journey with my son Henry who is 13, non-speaking autistic and adhd. He is learning to point to letters of the alphabet on stencils to answer questions from age appropriate lessons and I am learning to become his co-regulation partner (CRP) on the stencils/boards. It is a long journey that takes an enormous amount of commitmen…

1
What Does Progress Look Like? 27:26

1M ago27:26

27:26

#1 Taking a look at what progress actually looks like for parents of neurodivergent children and adults. How their progress is typically measured. They are growing and developing all the time regardless. A brief look into Apraxia for nonspeaking individuals. Recognising that it's can't not won't; believing it gets better by just being there for the…

1
Neurodiversity, the Basics including Abelism & Inclusion 24:53

4M ago24:53

24:53

#1 These days we are all largely aware of neurodiversity and roughly what it entails but, how would you describe or define it to someone? What exactly is it in average person speak and what's important about it? Who does it include? Going on to talk about abelism and inclusion and what an inclusive classroom should look like starting with presuming…

1
My Journey with Spelling to Communicate S2C - Part A 25:54

5M ago25:54

25:54

#1 Part A of my journey with my non speaking son Henry age 13 and S2C - Spelling to Communicate. Where it began and how I find out about it; understanding presuming competence and that it his body he cannot control well (including the eyes) in purposeful motor movement. Our first sessions and being introduced to a practitioner and the stencil alpha…

1
Our Children Can be Happy and They are Lovely Humans 26:34

6M ago26:34

26:34

#1 A look into how often others/society makes assumptions about neurodivergent and/or disabled people's intelligence just by what they see. having heard about the children/adults and their parents struggles the assumption is that they are always miserable and struggling and a real challenge for their parents, as if there is no joy. What is presumin…

1
My Guest Tracy on NVR, PDA and a new venture 1:05:44

8M ago1:05:44

1:05:44

#1 A good hour long episode chatting to Tracy; how we met; Tracy's background as an OT; her PDA (pathological demand avoidance) and autistic son Jack; their family; discovering NVR (Non Violent Resistance) and a new family venture called 'Aspects Together'! #2 Tracy Weiner #3 Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro to this episode and Tracy, how we met and Tracy's…

1
In the home with neurodiverse children 24 hours at a time 26:19

9M ago26:19

26:19

#1 This is not an episode on bad parenting or bad children, its an episode why we feel like bad parents and why our autistic and/or adhd and/or neurodiverse children are often made to feel this way. How us parents wish someone could come into our homes and simply observe and offer helpful advice on how to make getting through each 24 hr cycle easie…

1
Food Wars - autism, adhd, spd, the neurodiverse 24:08

9M ago24:08

24:08

#1 Food wars vs food relationships and the battle with their sensory systems that are constantly changing. There is so much more going on than just the food. It's different to the neuro-typical journey of fussy or picky eaters. My own experiences and advice from having raising a now 20 yr old son who is adhd plus my youngest Henry who is on speakin…

1
Stop apologising for your child's autism 22:04

9M ago22:04

22:04

#1 The message as per an original unisex 'Autism Threads' slogan T-shirt is "NO APOLOGY". Autism is part of who our children at any age, are. It is part of their make-up, it is responsible for the incredible minds they do have and we should make no apology for their actions, noises, lack, of eye contact, different ways of communication. An introduc…

1
A non-speaking child, who has words! 23:11

10M ago23:11

23:11

#1 New Year vibes, already knackered, down with colds again and no resolutions made! Not an episode inviting a pity party but one encouraging awareness as I share what it's like for my non speaking son and I and how I describe just how fully competent he and all non speaking autistic people are and how we need to start to presume competence and tre…

1
Sleep Sagas 26:08

11M ago26:08

26:08

SHOW NOTES: #1 News on the new podcast name and website coming soon. Announcement about a new training course I am on and an informal, lighthearted look at sleep issues for both autistic children and adults plus their parents. The why and what helps in terms of sleep onset problems and paying attention to ourselves as parents and the physical and m…

1
Do you sometimes feel manipulated and/or controlled by your child? 25:54

12M ago25:54

25:54

#1 An informal, light hearted, parent speak, type of chat about the current parent generation and their unique struggles plus the parent child shift in terms of respect and what our children and especially autistic children are doing when they need to control and manipulate us parents. An example of setting boundaries and mentioning motor loops. #2…

1
The siblings of autistic children - introducing Ben and Abi 37:41

12M ago37:41

37:41

#1 My guests today are autistic, nonspeaking and adhd Henry's older siblings. An informal chat about their own experiences with their brother, understanding what autism is and coming to terms with how it impacts their brother and the whole family. As usual with the siblings they become mentors for the parents, just the most unconditionally acceptin…

1
Easing the 'just getting through day to day stuff' 25:00

1y ago25:00

25:00

#1 Me, parent of autistic nonspeaking adhd Henry age 12 about the enormous amount of admin, energy and frustration it takes to ensure your childs' education, health and care are in order, their needs being met and all the form filling, waiting, appointments, research, therapy this takes, that all goes son in the background. It feels though no-one i…

1
My first guests: chatting about Home Education. 25:04

1y ago25:04

25:04

#1 A relaxed and fairly brief chat to my first guests Kay and her son Isaac who is autistic. We talk about Home Education, what led to Kay's decision to home educate her son, how Isaac feels about it, busting the many myths and how to go about it, finding help and support. #2 Guest names: Kay and her 12 year old autistic son Isaac. #3 0:00 Intro 1:…

1
The Plight of the Parent 23:47

1y ago23:47

23:47

#1 Parenthood, for all of us, from the moment you fall pregnant and finish classes on how to actually have a baby, has no manual, you have to just figure it out, from teething all the way through school, puberty young adults the works. Having a neurodiverse/autistic/sen/disabled child adds a whole other layer of intensity and concern. As a SEN pare…

1
My Autistic Child is Nonverbal but, he can talk, huh? 30:13

1y ago30:13

30:13

#1 A roughly 30 minute episode discussing being nonverbal or nonspeaking and what Apraxia is. What it means to be nonverbal, why a child still might be ale to use actual words and say speech whilst still being termed nonverbal. What being nonverbal does not mean, motor control and the literal mind. Frustrations and how we help at home day to day on…

1
Communication Funnies - the Joy of the Autistic Mind 32:24

1y ago32:24

32:24

#1 A lighthearted episode to lift parents in particular's spirits after a long and no doubt tiring school summer holiday. Choosing humour over distress or anxiety or embarrassment and laughing not at our child but celebrating the joy of who he is and how genuinely unique, hilarious, sometimes downright weird some of the things he does and says are.…

1
If your autistic child struggles, does that make you a bad parent? 35:46

1+ y ago35:46

35:46

#1 An honest and real episode talking as a parent about the broad areas in which autistic individuals struggle in varying and often very stressing ways ie anxiety, medication, self injurious behaviours. Looking at the advice on cognition, behaviour parents have been given/told to do from the top down to the more current learning from the bottom up,…

1
Holidays and Feeling the Strain 33:52

1+ y ago33:52

33:52

#1 An episode at times emotional, at times funny, on what it takes to plan and go on holiday with autistic children. Feeling the strain as parents of the too long school summer holidays especially for autistic children. Why it is so hard, routines and regulation, not feeling guilty & remembering our own childhood memories of the family unit on holi…

1
Saying 'NO' to an autistic child 30:30

1+ y ago30:30

30:30

#1 Personal stories, anecdotes and experiences as a parent of an autistic, nonverbal, adhd boy called Henry. Talking about whether or not it is true that one cannot say 'no' to an autistic child, why that might be and what we and you and others can do about it & how we can help autistic individuals with overwhelm, disappointment and getting used to…

1
Telling your child they are autistic & school visits 29:51

1+ y ago29:51

29:51

#1 This podcast is not about telling anyone what they should or shouldn't do, what is or isn't right & bombarding you who information leaving you feeling deflated, tired, not good enough. This podcast does not provide any answers it's a just a conversation with a friend on the sofa with a coffee in hand, someone who knows what you are living & does…

1
Language matters, or does it? 27:35

1+ y ago27:35

27:35

#1 A light hearted episode on understanding non verbal versus verbal autism & what it's like to have a child who does not use words to communicate. The language, as in words we all choose to use & why they are so important. Tips for those who do not know how to ask a parent of an autistic child about their child's autism & always assuming full comp…

1
Finding the Right School & EHCP Basics 34:06

1+ y ago34:06

34:06

#1 A parent's take & advice on finding the right school for your autistic child. Helping to set expectations ie your child is probably going to change schools more than the usual once; timings and lengthy delays/waitlists; the fight to both prove your child's special educational needs and then getting those needs met. Types of autism Specialist sch…

1
Judgement & what it feels like 25:51

1+ y ago25:51

25:51

#1 Acknowledging that we all judge. The type of judgement autistic individuals & their parents receive being largely socially related ie for having different, odd, unusual mannerisms, language, movement, social interaction skills. What we as parents to autistic children want others to do about it. Actual examples so that others can know what it fee…

1
Autism diagnosis & beginnings 27:38

1+ y ago27:38

27:38

#1 From a parents perspective, what the symptoms & criteria for an autism diagnosis are & how one goes about that. Reactions & comfort knowing how hard it is not to panic. Your child is going to be ok, they are exactly who they are meant to be. #2 n/a #3 0:00 Intro 1:33 Nothing is wrong with your child. 9:20 The backpack! 12:01 Criteria 22:42 Tips …

1
Why this podcast and what to expect 25:21

1+ y ago25:21

25:21

Trish O'Dwyer largely solo hosts 20-30 min fortnightly on Fridays episodes about life as a parent to an autistic nonverbal or non-speaking adhd boy called Henry. It will be story telling in a very real, honest, sometimes funny and sometimes quite raw way. Topics will be things like autism diagnosis and beginnings; judgement & how that feels; EHCP's…

1
Why you should listen & who I am 1:32

1+ y ago1:32

1:32

Being a parent is a journey. Parenting an autistic child, of any age, makes that journey one of discovery, fascination & wonder. The highs & lows, challenges & joys can be unique & intense. We parents tend to have very little free time & can feel both exhausted & isolated. Bringing you Friday fortnightly 20 minute episodes to resonate with, feel va…

1
My child started kindergarten...so now what? 14:56

6y ago14:56

14:56

My child started kindergarten...so now what? Listen in to see how we are navigating through main stream class and special needs support. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/TheAutismHappyHour/support

1
Looking for a place to chat about autism? Join me now. 9:08

6y ago9:08

9:08

This podcast is about providing a place where we can go to chat about our family autism journey. So from just a mom thanks for joining me at The Autism Happy Hour. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/TheAutismHappyHour/support