In this inspiring episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re joined by Mark Fleming, an autistic fitness coach and founder of a fitness brand dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals. Mark shares how sport and movement helped him regulate his own system growing up and how he now empowers others through exercise.

From working with Special Olympics athletes to seeing remarkable transformations in his clients — including improved focus, reduced anxiety, and even newfound verbal skills — Mark’s work highlights the life-changing benefits of accessible, neurodiversity-informed fitness.

We explore:

• How exercise can support sensory regulation, cognitive functioning, and behaviour in autistic children and adults.
• Practical strategies to help children ease into movement, even if they are reluctant.
• Mark’s own journey to becoming a fitness entrepreneur and advocate for neurodivergent athletes.

Whether you’re wondering how to help your child build confidence through movement, or looking for hope and inspiration, this episode is full of practical wisdom and encouragement.

Dr. Mark Fleming is an autistic entrepreneur who owns and runs a fitness brand called Equally Fit where he provides exercise training and consulting to those with disabilities. He obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Exercise Science from The University of Alabama and his PhD in Kinesiology from Concordia University at St. Paul. He has spent time working in Applied Behavior Analysis and has coached Special Olympics, where his athlete's all won gold at the state competition level. He has been featured on CNN.com, Mens Health magazine, various websites and other magazines as well as on every local news channel in Tampa. He served as the first autistic chair for the constituency board for C.A.R.D-USF in 2023-24.

• How exercise helps regulate sensory systems and supports emotional balance in autistic individuals.
• How small, consistent steps can help children and adults embrace movement without overwhelm.
• How structured exercise can reduce stimming, improve focus, and open new possibilities for learning and socialising.
• How supporting children with ADHD through exercise can channel energy positively and improve self-awareness.
• How gradual progress and celebrating small wins can build lifelong confidence and resilience.
• How Mark's lived experience inspires families to reimagine what's possible for their children and themselves.

Special Olympics - Dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport.

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida - Where Mark served as the first autistic chair on the constituency board.

Website - www.equallyfit.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dr.markf31

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/official_drmark/

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 This week we are discussing Jamie Oliver's Channel four documentary Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution. We found this programme hugely impactful and we felt compelled to discuss the critical issues it raises about dyslexia, the shortcomings of our education system and how it affects neurodivergent children.

Dyslexia as a Brain Difference: Understanding that dyslexia is a brain difference rather than a lack of intelligence can be transformative. It shifts the narrative from feeling inadequate to recognising unique cognitive strengths and learning styles.

Impact of Early Screening: Early screening in schools can significantly change the trajectory for neurodivergent children. Identifying dyslexia early allows for tailored support, helping children feel understood and empowered rather than left behind.

Need for Teacher Training: The lack of adequate training for teachers on neurodivergence can hinder a child's educational experience. Proper training equips educators with the tools to recognise and support diverse learning needs, fostering a more inclusive classroom environment.

Importance of Advocacy: Advocacy plays a crucial role in driving change within the education system. By voicing concerns and pushing for better resources and support, parents can help create a more equitable environment for all children.

Empowering Children: Empowering children and celebrating their strengths is vital for their self-esteem. When children feel valued for who they are, they are more likely to thrive and develop a positive self-image.

Watch and share the documentary here

Let’s get the word out. Share it with friends, family – anyone who needs to see what’s really going on.

Tell the Secretary of State, Bridget Phillipson

Post on Twitter/X (@bphillipsonMP) or Instagram (@bridgetphillipsonmp) using #ComeOnBridget. Tell her what’s happening, what needs to change – and why kids can’t wait.

Write to your MP

Let them know you’re part of Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution. Ask them to stand up in Parliament and speak out for change. Jamie has templates and tips here, but Jamie says your own story is the most powerful thing you can share.

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Episode 15 Insights from Jamie Oliver's Dyslexia Revolution

​[00:00:00]

Hello and welcome to the Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm Natalie. We are two sisters raising autistic children who know the joy, the challenges, and the everyday moments. This is a supportive space for honest conversations, practical tips, shared strength and expert advice.

Whether you are celebrating a win, surviving a meltdown, or just

trying to make it through the day, we are right here with you.

Join us as we share the ups, the downs, and everything in between parenting autistic children.

Today we are discussing Jamie Oliver's Channel four documentary Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution. We found this program hugely impactful and we felt compelled to discuss the critical issues it raises about dyslexia, the shortcomings of our education system, and how it affects neurodivergent [00:01:00] children.

Victoria Bennion: This morning I finished watching Jamie...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome, Claire Grayshan, business coach and mother to three neurodivergent children to the show. Claire opens up about her journey to receiving both an autism and ADHD diagnosis later in life, how it transformed her parenting and why recognising your strengths can be the key to building a life that truly works for you.

Claire is a late-diagnosed autistic ADHDer, mum of three neurodivergent kids, and a passionate advocate for better mainstream school support, as both a parent and school governor. She spent years masking, overachieving, and burning out, first navigating a system that doesn't fit her children, then growing a business using strategies that didn’t fit her brain.

After autistic burnout, she rebuilt her business on her own terms. Now, as founder of The Virtual Vibe Coaching, she helps online service providers and coaches realign their strategy and simplify sales, so they can grow sustainably, without burnout, or forcing what doesn’t fit.

How late diagnosis can shape how you see yourself. It can bring clarity, self-compassion, and validation after years of internal doubt and masking.

How recognising shared neurodivergent traits can strengthen your parenting. It can fostering deeper connection and more empathetic support for your children.

How the school system falls short - what small, practical changes could make classrooms more inclusive and less overwhelming for neurodivergent learners.

How receiving a diagnosis can boost your confidence as an advocate - helping you trust your instincts and push past self-doubt when navigating EHCPs and school challenges.

How building a business around your energy and strengths is important - especially when traditional models drain you and don’t reflect your reality as a neurodivergent parent.

Sales Strategy Selector Quiz

Uncover how you sell best and which strategy suits you — based on your natural style and personality — so you can align your strategy, play to your strengths, and see your content convert. https://www.thevirtualvibe.co.uk/salesstrategyselector

Website - www.thevirtualvibe.co.uk

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thevirtualvibeuk/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-grayshan-48a707143/

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thevirtualvibeuk

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[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to

the Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm Natalie. We are two sisters

raising autistic children who know the joy, the challenges, and the everyday

moments. This is a supportive space for honest conversations, practical tips,

shared strength and expert advice. Whether you are celebrating a win, surviving

a meltdown, or just trying to make it through the day, we...

 Today we're exploring a topic that many parents of autistic children can relate to: Sleep struggles. We'll explore the challenges surrounding sleepless nights. We are sharing our personal experiences and discussing strategies that have helped us navigate this exhausting journey.

Common Sleep Struggles: Many parents of autistic children face significant sleep challenges, often exacerbated by anxiety and sensory sensitivities.

Impact of Sleep Deprivation: Lack of sleep can worsen not only behavioral issues but also sensory struggles and overall well-being for both the child and the parents.

Trial and Error: Finding effective sleep solutions often involves trying various strategies, such as bedtime routines, environmental adjustments, and calming techniques.

Role of Melatonin: Melatonin can be beneficial for autistic children who struggle with sleep, but its usage requires careful monitoring and sometimes experimentation with different forms.

Communication and Support: Open communication with children about their sleep needs and preferences is crucial in finding solutions that work for them.

Self-Care for Parents: Managing sleep challenges can be exhausting, highlighting the importance of self-care strategies for parents, including seeking support and prioritizing rest when possible.

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[00:00:00]

Hello and welcome to the Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm

Natalie. We are two sisters raising autistic children who know the

joy, the challenges, and the everyday moments. This is a supportive

space for honest conversations, practical tips, shared strength and

expert advice. Whether you are celebrating a win, surviving a

meltdown, or just trying to make it through the day, we are right

here with you.

Join us as we share the ups,

the downs, and everything in between parenting autistic children.

Natalie Tealdi: Today we are exploring a topic that many parents

of autistic children can relate to. Sleep struggles. We'll explore

the challenges surrounding sleepless nights. We are sharing our

personal experiences and discussing strategies that have helped us

navigate this exhausting journey.

Victoria

Bennion: For us, the sleep challenges started in line with

when my son's [00:01:00] anxiety hit a

real peak, and , it was all coming together at the same time. All the

struggles were getting so much worse and lack of sleep was one of

them. . He would just be up till the early hours of the morning.

It would get to 2:00 AM he'd

just be completely unable to go to sleep. And it was at a time when

he was so anxious as well. The lack of sleep was making everything

else so much worse.

It was making the sensory

struggle so much worse. It was making the anxiety the next day so

much worse 'cause he hadn't even rested and he's running on empty.

Natalie Tealdi: What sort of age was he then?

Victoria Bennion: He was eight. It was just something that

gradually, got worse., It was really, really exhausting. And we

weren't yet at the pediatricians, and I didn't know anything about

the link even because this was before we had a diagnosis, I just

didn't know why he couldn't sleep and we were trying everything.

We tried, going to bed

earlier. Maybe he's overtired, and...

In this week’s episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we’re talking about something that so many families raising autistic children will recognise - the exhausting and often disheartening process of dealing with the local authority.

This episode is an honest look at how hard it can be to get what your child needs and how important it is to stay organised, persistent and strong.

Keeping on top of it all: Parents and carers are often left chasing reports, updates, and decisions just to keep things moving.

You Can’t Assume Progress is Happening (unfortunately): If you're not following up, you're at risk of falling off the radar.

Options for Your Child: Parents are frequently kept in the dark about available options regarding alternative provision and specialist schools

Travel Expectations Can Be Unrealistic: Specialist schools may be far from home, making logistics overwhelming.

Change is Needed: Better communication, transparency and supportive systems would ease the burden on both families and staff.

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[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to

the Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm Natalie. We are two sisters

raising autistic children who know the joy, the challenges, and the everyday

moments. This is a supportive space for honest conversations, practical tips,

shared strength and expert advice. Whether you are celebrating a win, surviving

a meltdown, or just trying to make it through the day, we are right here with

you.

Join us as we share the ups, the downs, and everything in

between parenting autistic children.

Victoria Bennion: In

today's episode, we're gonna talk about the challenges that so many families

face when navigating support through the local authority for their children. We

are gonna talk about the EHCP delays to the mystery surrounding alternative

provision and specialist schools.

If you've ever felt like you're fighting an uphill battle just

to get your child what they need, you're not alone. We are sharing our own [00:01:00] experiences, frustrations, and the lessons

we've learned.

There's much to say. Okay, you go.

Natalie Tealdi: I was

having a think about when we have had to deal with the local authority and it,

and it started off with the EHCP process. And then. There was also alternative

provision as part of that when the school placement was breaking down.

Victoria Bennion: You

can come across dealing with a local authority before you get to the HCP stage.

If your child isn't attending school, , you can be put in touch with inclusion

officer and ask to attend regular meetings. That's what happened with us

Natalie Tealdi: In my

experience it has involved lots of chasing up. So with various reports you need

to gather for the HCP and making sure it's all on track. And just to paint the

picture, when you have a child that's struggling at home, they're struggling

generally with school home they don't yet have.

A diagnosis. So you're trying to learn everything you possibly

can about a [00:02:00] SD and you're dealing

with daily meltdowns. They're being sent home from school. So you've got all of

that going on. And then on top of that, you need to deal with the local

authority and they're really frustrating processes.

Victoria...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we're talking about  some of the real challenges families face with the current education system, especially when it comes to supporting autistic children.

Outdated Education System: The current education system is often rigid and not designed to accommodate the diverse needs of neurodivergent children.

Importance of Flexibility: There's a need for more flexible learning environments that allow for play and creativity, especially for younger children.

Struggles with Inclusion: Being in school is different from being included in school; many children face challenges that are not adequately addressed.

Identifying Needs Early: Early identification of challenges, such as speech or coordination issues, is crucial, but support often falls short.

Training for Educators: There is a significant need for enhanced training for teachers on special educational needs to better support neurodivergent students.

Impact of Environment: The classroom environment, including displays and changes, can greatly affect a child’s ability to learn and cope.

Communication Gaps: There are often communication breakdowns between schools, parents, and local authorities, leading to misunderstandings and lack of support.

Mental Health Considerations: The mental health of both children and parents is deeply affected by the educational experience and the pressure to conform.

Advocacy and Trusting Instincts: Parents should trust their instincts regarding their child's needs and advocate strongly for appropriate support.

Systemic Challenges: Financial motivations can influence decisions made about educational support, complicating the advocacy process for parents.

The quote Victoria mentioned seeing on social media is: When a child at school is anxious about going home, concerns would be raised. But when a child is anxious about going to school, we as parents are expected to encourage them to go no matter what. Think about that for a second. - seen on CureJoy Kids on Facebook.

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Episode 10 - TAM Podcast - Breaking Down Barriers to Education for Neurodivergent Children

[00:00:00]

Hello and welcome to the Autism Mums podcast. I'm Victoria. And I'm

Natalie. We are two sisters raising autistic children who know the

joy, the challenges, and the everyday moments. This is a supportive

space for honest conversations, practical tips, shared strength and

expert advice. Whether you are celebrating a win, surviving a

meltdown, or just trying to make it through the day, we are right

here with you.

Join us as we share the ups, the downs, and everything in between parenting autistic children.

Victoria Bennion: In this episode, Natalie and I are diving into

some of the real challenges families face with the current education

system, especially when it comes to supporting autistic children.

We talk about how mainstream school isn't always inclusive and what happens when children are expected to fit into a rigid system, and the emotional toll it takes when the support just isn't there. This is a personal [00:01:00]conversation drawn from our own experiences, and sadly, we know some of you may relate.

Natalie Tealdi: It's getting everyone to fit into a box, and I don't think...

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Whitney Price, founder of Unpuzzled Parents Connect, to the show. Whitney shares the emotional and financial struggles she and her husband faced navigating early signs of autism with their son, Connor, the pandemic’s impact on access to services, and the turning point that led her to create a vital support network for families like hers.

Whitney Price is a passionate advocate, nonprofit leader, and devoted mother committed to supporting families of children with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As the Founder and Executive Director of UnPuzzled Parents Connect, Whitney has dedicated her life to building a community where families no longer feel isolated or overwhelmed—but instead empowered, informed, and supported.

Her journey began as a mother navigating the complex world of special needs parenting, an experience that opened her eyes to the gaps in support, understanding, and resources that many caregivers face—especially in rural communities like those across West Virginia. Determined to make a difference, Whitney created UnPuzzled Parents Connect, a grassroots organization that has grown into a trusted statewide resource hub. Under her leadership, the nonprofit now offers programs like Coffee and Connections support groups, The Listening Room therapy and counseling sessions, Knowledge is Power workshops, and the newly launched Inclusion initiative, which brings disability awareness into schools.

Through her podcast Get UnPuzzled and community outreach efforts, Whitney amplifies the voices of families, facilitates critical conversations around disability inclusion, and creates platforms for meaningful change. She is also a sought-after speaker and has been featured on platforms like the Adjusting the Sails podcast.

Whitney’s leadership is rooted in lived experience, deep empathy, and a fierce commitment to advocacy. Whether she’s connecting families over coffee, organizing large-scale events, or working one-on-one with caregivers, her mission remains clear: to walk alongside families and help them feel seen, heard, and unpuzzled.

• The early signs of Whitney's son Connor’s autism and the complexities of diagnosis
• Why common autism 'red flags' didn’t apply
• Navigating grief, denial, and self-isolation
• The financial burden of therapies and the life-changing waiver program
• How a small support group grew into West Virginia’s largest autism family network
• Mental health strategies for parents and the power of shared experience

Coffee and Connections – Community meetups for parents and caregivers

The Listening Room – A safe, supportive space for sharing stories and experiences

West Virginia Medicaid Waiver Program – A disability-based funding program that helped Whitney access therapy services

ABA Therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis) – Intensive behavioral therapy used in early intervention

Birth to Three Program – Early intervention service in West Virginia supporting children under age three

Classroom Inclusion Kits – Educational tools distributed to schools to promote autism understanding and kindness year-round

Autism Level 3 Diagnosis – A diagnostic level indicating high support needs

Therapies Mentioned: Speech, Occupational, Physical, Behavior, ABA

Website -

In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome Carl Draper, student mental health nurse, award-winning photographer and father to Bodhi, an autistic child with a powerful story.

Carl opens up about the early signs of autism in his son, facing expulsion from nursery on day one and the intense stress of parenting a non-verbal child with little sleep or support.

He shares how a pivotal moment with his camera led to a personal breakthrough.

Carl Draper was born in a North Nottinghamshire mining village and moved to Bournemouth at 19, where he served as a beach lifeguard and discovered his love for surfing. Accepted into the Royal Marines, his plans changed after a serious leg injury during a heroic rescue, an event that earned him a Local Hero Award and a feature on BBC’s 999 Rescue. He later became RNLI head trainer for lifeguards across Dorset, then served over a decade with Dorset Ambulance Service. Shifting to education, he trained firefighters and police nationwide before retraining as a mental health nurse. Carl is currently studying at Bournemouth University. In 2015, he founded Waveslider, winning the Bournemouth Tourism Award in 2017, and began documenting life with his son Bodhi in 2020.

Trust Your Instincts - Parents often notice signs before professionals do. If something feels off, it’s okay to seek answers and push for support.

Environment Shapes Experience - The right setting and supportive people can help a child thrive.

Diagnosis is a Beginning, Not an End - Receiving a diagnosis can bring clarity, but also grief and uncertainty. It marks the start of a new chapter, not the end of a story.

Regulation Starts With Us - Emotional regulation in ourselves is often needed when supporting a child with complex needs. We can’t pour from an empty cup.

Creativity is Healing - Photography can offer a way to pause, reflect and process life. Creative outlets are powerful tools for emotional resilience and self-regulation

Assistance Dogs can offer deep connection, comfort, and safety to children with additional needs.

Advocacy Requires Persistence - Navigating the SEND system often involves battles, persistence and support.

CAMHS / ID CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, including services for children with intellectual disabilities

Von Kebles – The training center supporting Frank, Bodhi’s assistance dog

Follow Carl's journey with his son Bodhi on the Waverslider Photography Facebook Page

Follow Carl on Instagram

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[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to

the Autism Mums podcast. I'm