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The Threads of LifeLife as a parent in a neurodiverse family: honest & real. Funny, sad & everything inbewtween. Author: Trish O'Dwyer
Trish O'Dwyer primarily solo hosts an informal, 20-30 minutes, once monthly podcast for parents of autistic and/or neurodiverse children (all ages), their families and friends plus anyone wanting to understand what it's really like and how to support. The aim is for listeners to be able to take a breather, listen to someone they connect with, who knows what they are living and to feel validated and less isolated. I hope you laugh, you may cry, you may even gain some valuable real-life information and help. Above all, you will know that you are supported and that you are not alone. It is story telling in an honest & uplifting way, purely from the perspective of a parent who is learning on the go and making mistakes every day. I am parent to a wonderful nonspeaking autistic and adhd boy called Henry plus his two siblings Ben (adhd) and Abi. Topics to be talked about in a wholly non-academic fashion will be things like beginnings and diagnosis; meeting needs; judgement; relationships; transitions; regulation; sleep & sleep deprivation; literal minds; real autism awareness & general family life - teens, holidays, ageing, the works! Take this time for yourself and enjoy. Lets keep the conversations going. Language: en Genres: Kids & Family, Parenting, Relationships, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Let's Get a Pet for Our Autistic Child!
Episode 36
Sunday, 22 February, 2026
#1 SummaryA short and lighthearted New Year's episode on the popular decision so many parents of neurodivergent children come to at a certain stage on their journey to get a pet to help their autistic and/or neurodivergent child. Much like becoming aware of possible adhd traits we seem to get sucked into stories and advice about how good a pet can be, especially when our children are struggling with socialisation and accessing the community - calming, sensory, connection, confidence boosting, anxiety reducing, speech improving, the lot. And of course, as parents, we put aside all our current coping and sleep deprivation woes and decide we absolutely should and must try this, it could be a game changer. My own disastrous personal experience shared.#2 Guest: n/a#3 Time Stamps:00: Intro0:33 Personal advice - don't do this! Ha ha ha1:26 Part of the journey along with adhd when it comes to autism6:40 Our family story9:32 Child toys vs dog toys...competition13:50 The vet said "NO" re-home this dog17:15 Hindsight18:11 What Henry has now said in his own words through Spelling to Communicate#4 Bullet Points:When and why families come to the decision to get a pet for their autistic and/or neurodivergent child, to help.What you should know before you commitMy personal story sharedConclusions#5 Calls to Action:pre-roll - n/amid roll - website newsletter sign-upend-roll - upcoming Boot Camp#6 References and Links - see below#7 Social Media: n/a#8 Next Episode: Getting to Grips with Praxis
