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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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My Journey with Spelling to Communicate S2C - PART D
Episode 38
Thursday, 27 August, 2026
#1 SummaryMy non-speaking son Henry, age 15 and I are up on the laminate now and working to introduce more functional and conversational communication. The laminate makes spelling accessible pretty much anywhere. A focus on practicing at home with your speller, as a parent, and troubleshooting.#2 Guest: N/A#3 Time Stamps:0:00 Intro, recap on Part C & explaining 'open' on the boards.2:45 Henry's first open communication.3:45 The Laminate6:22 Skipping rope game analogy from Elizabeth Vosseller/EV. 11:28 Why do we have to start on the 3 boards when our child is open and on a laminate with their practitioner?14:55 Watching your own regulation15:23 Gearing yourself up for an open and learning to stay cool.16:45 Stay in the context of a lesson.18:15 respecting their autonomy.18:41 So many words to choose from20:49 They are always lsitening...so communicate your thoughts with them...27:56 Troubleshooting: motor loops; silence; context of a lesson; maths; easy route; blogs by spellers.#4 Main Points:Recap and explaining 'opens'The LaminateAnalogy for how to keep the momentum and pace goingWhy start back on the 3 boards?Staying in the context of a lesson for opens & respecting their autonomy.Communicate whit the, they are listening!Troubleshooting#5 References: see below#6 Calls to Action:pre-roll: Anna of Palz Irelandmid-roll: Helen Adderley (lesson writer)end-roll: n/a#7 Social media: n/a#8 Next Episode: tbc
