About Included Not Excluded - A Podcast About Autism, Education, and Change
Included Not Excluded is a monthly podcast from BeyondAutism hosted by CEO Tracie Coultas-Pitman. Through interviews with autistic individuals, parents, educators, and policymakers, the series explores real-life experiences and evidence-based strategies that shape autism education and inclusion. Covering topics from school placements and early intervention to family support and long-term planning, each 20–35 minute episode offers practical insights for families and professionals. Distributed across major platforms and supported by a robust promotion plan, the podcast strengthens BeyondAutism’s reach and influence as a thought leader in inclusive practice.
Episode 7: Autism and Football: Finding Belonging On and Off the Pitch
From being released by a club at 15, to moving away from home at 16, to finding focus, calm and identity through football, Maddison’s journey is one of resilience, self-discovery and determination.
Diagnosed as dyslexic at school and later as autistic, Maddison has navigated a world that hasn’t always understood her. Yet on the pitch, something shifts. The noise quiets. The game makes sense.
This episode explores how football became more than a sport. It became structure, belonging and a way of making sense of the world.
At the same time, we confront the reality that sport is not always inclusive by default. Through Maddison’s story, we examine what needs to change so that more autistic young people can access the same sense of belonging.
17 Mar 2026
Episode 6: Autistic Children: How Do You Get Early Years Support Right?
Tracie is joined by guests Meg Harper, Pam Fry and Siân Wicks to talk about early years support for autistic children. It's something many parents of diagnosed and undiagnosed children wrestle with quietly. From communication to toileting, we discuss how getting early support right can shape not just development, but confidence, belonging and long-term educational inclusion.
20 Jan 2026
Episode 5: SEND in Limbo: How We Can Navigate Uncertainty in the Sector
This episode of Included Not Excluded explores the current SEND landscape at a time when many families, schools and professionals feel caught between rising need and slow system change. We bring together lived experience and sector insight to help listeners feel better informed, less isolated, and more hopeful about what can move things forward.
16 Dec 2025
Episode 4: Autism at Christmas: Creating an Inclusive Holiday Experience
In the latest episode of Included Not Excluded, BeyondAutism CEO Tracie Coultas-Pitman is joined by parent Sam Curtis and Francesca Moore, a member of the BeyondAutism team and autistic adult, to discuss how Christmas and the holidays can be a challenge for autistic children, and what families, schools and communities can do to ensure this period is more inclusive.
21 Nov 2025
Episode 3: Nothing to Cure Here: Rewriting the Narrative about Autism
In this episode of Included Not Excluded, BeyondAutism CEO Tracie Coultas-Pitman is joined by neurodivergent health entrepreneur, strategist, and change leader Victoria Burnip and award-winning consultant, trainer, and psychotherapist Dr Tony Lloyd. They discuss why cause and cure narratives are damaging, shifting the conversation to one of inclusivity and highlighting the practical steps teachers, SENCO and policymakers can take to improve outcomes for autistic learners.
20 Oct 2025
Episode 2: Listen, Look, Adjust: Sensory Basics for Inclusion
In this episode of Included, Not Excluded, host Tracie Coultas-Pitman is joined by Laura Bodycot, parent of a seven-year-old autistic learner, and Jessica Hargreaves, occupational therapist, for an honest, hopeful conversation about sensory environments—and why they matter.
Together they explore how simple, low-cost adjustments can make a big difference for autistic children both at home and in school. From decluttering classrooms to adding fidget tools or movement breaks, this episode highlights practical ways to help every learner feel regulated, ready, and included.
Key themes: listening and observing first, understanding individuality in sensory needs, bridging home and school strategies, and promoting inclusion through everyday kindness.
20 Sept 2025
Episode 1: The Realities of SEND – A Parent’s Journey and a Leader’s Perspective
In this first episode of Included Not Excluded, BeyondAutism CEO Tracie Coultas-Pitman is joined by education leader Professor Toby Salt and parent Nikkie. Together, they explore the realities families face in navigating support for autistic children, the barriers within the SEND system, and what true inclusion should look like. With insights from lived experience and decades of professional leadership, the episode highlights both the challenges and opportunities for change.
19 Sept 2025
Coming Soon - Included Not Excluded - A BeyondAutism Podcast
“Welcome to Included Not Excluded — the new podcast from BeyondAutism.
Each month, we’ll share real stories and conversations about autism education — from parents, practitioners, and young people.
We’ll tackle the challenges, celebrate the wins, and ask the big questions: How do we create schools that include, not exclude? What does independence really look like?
Our first episode launches this Sunday, 21 September. Subscribe now and join us — because inclusion isn’t just a word, it’s a movement. And it starts here.
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