Neuroshambles
Neuroshambles is a UK parenting podcast about raising neurodivergent children. Hosted by lapsed comedian Mark Allen, this show explores autism parenting, ADHD, PDA, SEND, school struggles, family life and parental wellbeing through honest, relatable conversations - often with a healthy dose of humour, but always grounded in lived experience.
Mark is raising three neurodivergent children and chats with parents, carers, advocates and professionals about the everyday challenges some families face. These aren’t lectures or masterclasses, but candid tales from the front line of parenting neurodivergent kids, as guests swap stories about what works for them - and just as importantly, what definitely doesn’t. Topics range from meltdowns, PDA-related demand avoidance and dealing with authorities, to holidays, mealtimes and the logistical chaos of daily life.
Neuroshambles is for UK parents and carers who want something that feels human - supportive without being preachy, practical without being clinical. The aim isn’t to provide all the answers, but to shine a light on the absurdities and difficulties of a family life shaped by neurodivergence, offering connection, reassurance and the comfort of knowing you’re not the only one struggling to make sense of things.
New episodes are released fortnightly.
Check out more information on the Neuroshambles website: www.neuroshambles.com
Episodes
Oct 4, 2023
Oct 4, 2023
1hr 5 min
If you’re raising an autistic, ADHD, or PDA child and you’ve ever tried to go camping as a “fun family activity”… this one’s for you.
Neuroshambles kicks off with an honest, hilarious and painfully relatable chat between host Mark Allen and guest Jo Matthews, as they swap stories about camping catastrophes, sensory meltdowns, and the moments that make you wonder what on earth you were thinking.
Jo is parenting two autistic children with additional diagnoses, and together they reflect on the joys and chaos of trying to enjoy the outdoors while parenting neurodivergent kids. It’s a brilliant entry point for anyone looking for a neurodivergent parenting podcast with warmth, humour and no filter.
This first episode sets the tone for the Neuroshambles podcast: no neat solutions, no preachy advice - just honest conversations about the challenges and absurdities of SEND parenting, from two people living it.If you’re looking for an autism parenting podcast that feels like a conversation with friends, or a PDA parenting podcast that doesn’t sugar-coat things, start here.
LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:
Science museum autism-friendly events: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/early-birds
Aspies for freedom: http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com/
mASCot website: https://www.asc-mascot.com/
mASCot Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/221337174595596/
To make a donation to mASCot, so they can continue their amazing work: www.givey.com/mascot
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/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Neuroshambles
Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/Neuroshambles/
Threads: www.threads.net/@neuroshambles
CREDITS
The Neuroshambles theme tune was created by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/music/beats-energetic-hip-hop-8303/4d040e205510acfc12e6be469a489fe8f8c43034
Oct 3, 2023
Oct 3, 2023
1 min
A trailer previewing Neuroshambles - a fortnightly podcast about the ludicrous realities of parenting neurodivergent kids. If you want to hear a bunch of frazzled parents gleefully swapping tales from the trenches of parenting neurodiverse children and having a laugh at some of the nonsense we have to navigate, this is the podcast for you.Lapsed comedian Mark Allen has three kids - two diagnosed autistic with ADHD and one suspected neurotypical. Each episode, he speaks to other parents of neurodivergent children to find out how they deal with seemingly simple events, such as birthday parties, holidays, food, sleep, and leaving the house.If you’re a parent of a child with ASC, ADHD, PDA, ODD or any of those other acronyms that mean your child’s brain is wired differently, this podcast is for you. We also wholeheartedly encourage parents of neurotypical kids to listen in and hear what life is like in our secret world of chaos. It may open your eyes to some of the myriad challenges we face and, at the very least, it will give you an insight into what not to say when you see one of our kids having a meltdown in the supermarket!