Neuroshambles

Apr 08 2025 36 ep. 75 mins 15

Neuroshambles Podcast artwork

A fortnightly podcast about the ludicrous realities of being a parent of neurodivergent kids. Lapsed comedian Mark Allen has three kids - two diagnosed autistic with ADHD and one suspected autistic. Each episode, he speaks to a similarly frazzled parent and explores how other neurodiverse families deal with seemingly simple events, such as birthday parties, holidays, mealtimes, and leaving the house.

Kids & Family Health & Fitness Comedy

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Being the token neurotypical | Kirsty Hockenhull

Apr 08 2025 86 mins

Have you ever felt like the odd one out in your own family? In this episode, Mark chats with Kirsty Hockenhull, a fellow self-diagnosed neurotypical in the midst of a chaotic, neurodivergent household. They discuss how it feels to be the lone neurotypical in a family teeming with autism, ADHD, and PDA - touching on everything from helping them navigate everyday social conventions t

Parental Burnout | Liz Evans

Mar 25 2025 76 mins

This episode shines a light on the tricky subject of parental burnout, which isn't widely discussed in relation to the challenges of raising neurodifferent kids. Mark chats with the magnificent Liz Evans of "The Untypical OT Talks" podcast, who is a parent of a 14-year old boy (undiagnosed neurotypical) and a 13-year old boy (diagnosed autistic, with sensory processing difficulties

The Bumpy Road to Diagnosis | Tam

Mar 11 2025 93 mins

In this special episode, Mark speaks to Tam, who is his former partner, current co-parent and long time friend. They discuss the long and arduous diagnosis journeys of their three neuro-exceptional kids, who each followed completely different routes in the UK - from NHS/CAMHS and private diagnosis, to the "Right to Choose" pathway. This is a uniquely intimate and candid episode, wh

Why do our kids mask? | Pete Wharmby

Feb 25 2025 92 mins

This episode takes a deep dive into why so many of our neurodivergent children feel the need to mask their autistic traits in social situations. Mark chats to fabulous guest, Pete Wharmby, who, as well as being a parent of a 10 year old girl (suspected autistic, but if anyone's going to be able to spot one, it's Pete), is also an author, a tutor, a conference speaker and a prolific

Seeking help from "experts" | Charlotte Mountford

Feb 11 2025 86 mins

This episode deals with the familiar frustration of having to deal with the experts who are gatekeepers to the accommodations our neurodifferent kids need. From teachers, whose evidence you have to seek in order to get a diagnosis, to CAMHS specialists, GPs, occupational therapists and paediatricians - the list of professionals we need to interact with is dizzying. Mark talks to wo

Grappling with personal hygiene | Rebecca Huseyin

Jan 28 2025 75 mins

Mark talks to the tremendous Rebecca Huseyin, who is a blogger, trainer, neurodiversity advocate and Mum of a neurodifferent son (13, diagnosed autistic with a PDA profile and suspected ADHD). They swap tales of the ludicrous lengths they go to when trying to navigate personal hygiene tasks, such as cleaning hands, wiping faces, brushing teeth, having baths, cutting fingernails and

Do our kids feel empathy? | Heidi Mavir

Jan 14 2025 89 mins

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 trut

Medicating Our Children | Danielle Jata-Hall

Dec 10 2024 79 mins

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 pot

How far have we come? | Stephanie (from over the road)

Nov 26 2024 84 mins

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

Coping with transport | "Belle"

Nov 12 2024 73 mins

Mark welcomes back former guest "Belle", as they discuss the perils of transport. "Belle" has two neurodivergent children - a 9-year old girl (diagnosed autistic with sensory processing disorder and a PDA profile), and a 7-year old boy (diagnosed autistic with Tourette Syndrome and suspected ADHD). Alongside Mark's three neurodivergent kids (with a giddy blend of autism, ADHD, anxi