The Autism Mums Podcast

About The Autism Mums Podcast

Welcome to The Autism Mums Podcast — a supportive space for parents and carers navigating life with autistic children. We’re your hosts, Victoria and Natalie, two sisters raising autistic children. We know the joy, the overwhelm and the thousand tiny moments no one else quite gets. That’s why we created this podcast - to offer a safe space, a sense of community, and some gentle encouragement along the way. In each episode, we’ll bring you honest conversations, shared strength, and expert insights to support your journey. Whether you're celebrating a win, managing a meltdown, or just trying to get through the day, you’ll find real talk and real understanding here. You can expect mum to mum chats, practical tips, mini solo moments and conversations with experts. Whether you’re new to this journey or deep in the day-to-day, we see you and we’re walking this path with you.

Publisher

Victoria Bennion and Natalie Tealdi

Category

health & fitness · kids & family · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Apr 2025

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

83 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Could Lymph Drainage Help Autistic Children and Their Families?

   In this episode, we’re joined by John Ossipinsky, known online as “The Lymph Man,” to talk about a part of the body most of us never think about, the lymphatic system. John has spent years studying how this network of vessels clears waste and inflammation, and he shares his take on how it might connect to the way our children feel, think and cope day to day. He covers posture, diet, deep breathing, and a simple shoulder exercise you can try at home. Biography John Ossipinsky, known as LymphMan, is a Lymphatic Health Coach and host of The Lymph-Brain Revolution Podcast. He’s spent over 30 years as a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, with advanced training in CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation, helping thousands of clients improve their quality of life. In this episode he talks about how supporting the lymphatic system, movement and inflammation can help teens and adults on the autism spectrum feel more balanced. Key Takeaways The lymphatic system has no pump of its own, unlike the heart and blood. It relies on movement, posture and breathing to keep it flowing. Poor posture and long periods on screens with the head down restrict lymph flow in the neck, something John says affects adults and children alike. When the lymphatic system can’t clear cellular waste, it builds up as inflammation, which can show up anywhere in the body: skin, joints, brain. Diet has a direct effect on lymph flow. A typical Western diet (meat, bread, white flour, sugar) is acid-forming, and acidity restricts the lymphatic system. Small daily habits, deep breathing, movement, and what John calls the “Lymph Man Shoulder Shuffle”, can noticeably improve lymph flow in just a few minutes. Mentioned in This Episode John’s free gift: Lymphatic System Health Guide & 7-Day Plan — https://www.johnossipinsky.com/lymphmans-lymphatic-system-health-guide (https://www.johnossipinsky.com/lymphmans-lymphatic-system-health-guide) Connect with John Ossipinsky Website: www.HealthyLymphSystem.com (http://www.HealthyLymphSystem.com) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lymphman/ (https://www.instagram.com/lymphman/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LymphMan (https://www.facebook.com/LymphMan) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lymphman_john_ossipinsky (https://www.tiktok.com/@lymphman_john_ossipinsky) X: https://x.com/LymphMan (https://x.com/LymphMan) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LymphMan (https://www.youtube.com/@LymphMan) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ossipinsky-60520914/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ossipinsky-60520914/) Connect with The Autism Mums Website – https://theautismmums.com/ (https://theautismmums.com/) Substack - https://theautismmums.substack.com/ (https://theautismmums.substack.com/) Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmums (https://www.instagram.com/theautismmums) Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmums (https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmums) Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums (https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums)

2. 

   13 Oct 2026

   7 Mistakes Schools Make That Break an Autistic Child's Trust

   In this episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're talking about the mistakes schools and professionals make that might seem small to them but can be enormous for autistic children and SEND families. We share our own experiences of placements that worked and placements that broke down, including in specialist schools and alternative provisions where you'd expect staff to know better. We talk about what happens when promises aren't kept, when communication breaks down and when timelines drift, and why for some children, once trust is gone, there's no easy way back. We also talk about why parents raise concerns early, why that isn't being overprotective, and what schools can do that same week when a parent says their child is close to not coming in. Key Takeaways Knowing the child before they arrive matters. Reading the EHCP and asking parents about likes, dislikes and triggers can make or break a placement The first session counts. For many autistic children, one bad experience can lead straight to refusal Keeping promises is essential to a child's sense of safety, and broken promises are rarely forgotten You can ignore the behaviour, but you should never ignore the child. A child left alone in a shutdown can feel abandoned Whatever caused a meltdown or shutdown needs addressing quickly, not days later Ignoring requests for meetings or a child's anxieties is one of the fastest routes to placement breakdown Clear timelines help anxious children. "Later" needs to mean a specific day and time Schools don't get endless chances. With some autistic children it can be one strike, not three Once a child says they're done, there's often no way back, so needs must be met much earlier Children who mask or comply at school may be holding it together until they get home, so parents often see the full picture when staff don't Parents aren't trying to be difficult. They're trying to stop the placement they fought for from breaking down Placement breakdown is rarely sudden. It usually follows weeks, months or years of anxiety, broken trust and missed opportunities What Schools Can Do When a Placement Is at Risk Acknowledge the concern quickly Believe the parent Speak to the child in a way they can manage Give a clear plan and follow up when promised Avoid making promises they can't keep Repair broken trust directly Review things in days or weeks, not months Understand that attendance problems are often a sign of distress, not defiance Mentioned in This Episode Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) (https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/extra-SEN-help) The National Autistic Society's EarlyBird programme (https://www.autism.org.uk/autism-services-directory/earlybird-and-earlybird-plus-achieving-for-children) Connect with The Autism Mums Website: https://theautismmums.com/ (https://theautismmums.com/) Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmums (https://www.instagram.com/theautismmums) Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmums (https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmums) Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums (https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums)

3. 

   6 Oct 2026

   So, Now What? Life After Your Child's Autism or ADHD Diagnosis with Greer Jones

   Greer Jones, host of The Unfinished Idea podcast is back on the show. Since we last spoke she's launched the Beautifully Wired Summit, a free three-day online event for mums raising girls with ADHD and autism, and her first book, So, Now What? is out in November. We talk about: The moment Greer realised she had ADHD herself Why she wrote her book and decided to run a summit And the benefits of breathwork If you're at the start of this journey and feeling completely on your own, this one's for you. About Greer Jones Greer Jones is a speaker, writer and podcast host who is passionate about building understanding and connection in the neurodiverse world. As a mum raising an autistic and ADHD child, and part of a neurodivergent couple herself, she brings honesty, empathy and lived experience to her work. She is the creator of The Unfinished Idea podcast and online community, where she offers encouragement, practical tools and a reminder that no one has to walk this journey alone. Her story has been featured in podcasts, conferences and publications, inspiring families to embrace their unique path with hope and courage. Key Takeaways Girls and women with ADHD and autism are still being missed, and many mums only recognise their own neurodivergence after their child is diagnosed. A diagnosis can bring relief as well as questions. For Greer, it was proof she wasn't "crazy", just wired differently. Getting one answer about your child often leaves you with a hundred more questions. A broad overview can help before you go deep on any one topic. "They're having a hard time, they're not trying to give me a hard time" helps parents respond rather than react during meltdowns. Deep pressure, like a firm squeeze, can help some children regulate during a meltdown. Breathwork is free, always available and backed by science on calming the nervous system. Support packages often focus on the child and forget the parent. Mums need to be in the equation too. Isolation is one of the hardest parts of raising a neurodivergent child, and community is what brings the light back in. Celebrating wins, big or small, matters for children and parents alike. Mentioned in this episode The Beautifully Wired Summit (5 to 7 October), a free three-day online summit for mums raising girls with ADHD and autism So, Now What? by Greer Jones, out 11 November It All Makes Sense Now by Meredith Carder (https://link.amazon/B08PJIBdY) @ReWildBreathwork, the breathwork account Greer mentions learning from Greer's first episode with us: Essential Advocacy Tips for Parents of Neurodivergent Children (https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/essential-advocacy-tips-for-parents-of/id1810071731?i=1000732731232&l=en-GB) (Episode 31) Connect with Greer Jones Website: theunfinishedidea.com (https://theunfinishedidea.com/) Instagram: @theunfinishedidea Podcast: Neurodivergent Conversations, available on all podcast platforms Connect with The Autism Mums Website: theautismmums.com Instagram: @autismmumspodcast Facebook: @autismmumspodcast TikTok: @autismmumspodcast

Who has been a guest on The Autism Mums Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Mark Fleming
• Claire Grayshan
• Whitney Price

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

10 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

51

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact The Autism Mums Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about The Autism Mums Podcast