Neuroshambles

Feb 25 2025 33 ep. 74 mins 13

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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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

Judgement From Outsiders | Lisa Lloyd (@asd_with_a_g_and_t)

Oct 29 2024 75 mins

Mark chats to the magnificent Lisa Lloyd about the judgement they regularly receive from outsiders as parents of neurodivergent kids. Lisa has two children - an 11-year old boy (diagnosed autistic) and a 7-year old girl (diagnosed autistic, with a PDA profile) and, as a prominent content creator on social media (@asd_with_a_g_and_t), she is no stranger to being judged by people who

Keeping up with the Joneses | Samuel Wilson

Oct 15 2024 67 mins

Mark discusses the innate human desire to "keep up with the Joneses" with returning guest Samuel Wilson, who is an author and parent of two children: an 8-year old daughter (on the autism pathway, with Cerebral Palsy, Cerebral Visual Impairment and Sensory Processing Disorder) and a 5-year old son (suspected neurotypical). They discuss how unhelpful that can be in the early days of

Am I raising an arsehole? | Kate Ebbutt

Oct 01 2024 70 mins

A potentially controversial episode, this one, where Mark chats to an old friend, Kate Ebbutt (Mum to 11 year-old neurotypical and 9-year old diagnosed ADHD/suspected autistic humans). They talk candidly about something they've both found themselves worrying about in their darker moments - am I raising an arsehole? They dissect the behaviours that qualify someone as being "an arseh