Advertise on podcast: Beyond the Spectrum - Conversations with Parents on Autism and Beyond

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Beyond the Spectrum, Clint sits down with Sydney mum Shauna Hawkes for a very open conversation about raising her 13-year-old daughter, who has been diagnosed with ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Shauna shares the reality of parenting a teenager who is confident, energetic and incredibly likeable, but whose impulsivity and risk-taking can create some very challenging situations. They talk about school suspensions, vaping and alcohol, medication, counselling, sibling impacts and what happens when the usual consequences simply don't seem to matter. But a big part of this conversation isn't about trying to "fix" a child. It's about the parent. Shauna talks honestly about learning to regulate herself, protecting the relationship she has with her daughter and questioning whether sometimes the parent needs support just as much as the child does. Her advice to parents receiving a diagnosis is simple: look after yourself too. When you're regulated and supported, you're in a much better position to make decisions for your family. We also talk about the impact challenging behavior can have on siblings, co-regulation, communicating with your partner and the value of sometimes having someone simply listen without trying to solve the problem. It's an honest conversation about a family that doesn't have all the answers, and isn't pretending to. Sometimes knowing you're not the only family figuring this stuff out is enough. Short episode summary Clint talks with Sydney mum Shauna Hawkes about parenting her 13-year-old daughter with ADHD and ODD. They discuss school suspensions, risk-taking, medication, sibling impacts, parental self-care and what happens when traditional consequences don't seem to work. Key topics Parenting a teenager with ADHD and ODDWhen consequences don't seem to workSchool suspensions and challenging behaviorRisk-taking, vaping and alcoholMedication and counsellingProtecting the parent-child relationshipThe hidden impact on siblingsParent overwhelm and self-careCo-regulationLearning to listen without immediately trying to fix thingsTrusting yourself as a parentIf you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode of Beyond the Spectrum - Conversations with Parents on Autism and Beyond, Clint sits down with Erica, a teacher, mother of two children with Level 3 Autism and ADHD, and soon-to-be published author. Erica shares her family's journey from the early signs of autism through diagnosis, school challenges, separation anxiety, masking, meltdowns, and the daily realities of raising two neurodivergent children with complex support needs. The conversation explores:  Early signs and diagnosis of autism in boys and girls  The hidden impact of masking  School refusal and separation anxiety  Supporting siblings with very different needs  Why self-care isn't selfish for parents  Trusting your instincts and advocating for your child  Finding hope, strength and purpose through adversity Erica also discusses her upcoming book, The Bonds Between Us: A Mother's Journey Raising Two Neurodivergent Hearts, and why she hopes it helps parents feel less alone on their journey. Whether you're at the beginning of your autism journey or years into it, this episode is packed with practical insights, honest reflections and a powerful reminder that there is support, hope and community available. "Your child hasn't changed. You're simply learning to understand them differently." 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation. If you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Beyond the Spectrum - Conversations with Parents on Autism and Beyond, Clint chats with Lauren and Janine — two mums who migrated to Australia and are raising children with level 2 autism and ADHD. They unpack: The reality of masking in girls and boys - and why it delays diagnosisEarly supports that moved the needle - ECDP, Bush Kids, OT, speech, small schoolsAdvocating in kindy and school - when to push, when to change environmentsAge-appropriate ways to talk to kids about diagnosis and self-advocacyThe cost - financial strain, sibling dynamics, isolation, and nervous system overloadSelf-care that actually happens - micro-breaks at home, parent coaching, therapy assistantsBuilding your ASD village - Facebook groups, local parents, therapists, and honest friendships If you’re at the start of the journey or somewhere in the messy middle, this convo is full of practical tips, honest emotions, and the reminder to trust your gut - and find your people. Listen, share, and tag someone who needs this today. If you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Beyond the Spectrum – Conversations with Parents on Autism and Beyond, we sit down with Kerri — a teacher-turned-mum who shares her deeply personal journey of parenting her neurodivergent son while discovering her own ADHD along the way. Kerri talks about: Navigating life transitions and multiple movesCreating an environment where her son feels safe and understoodThe challenges of getting a diagnosis when your child "masks" wellReparenting herself to break cycles of generational disciplineBuilding co-regulation skills and fostering emotional awarenessChoosing alternative education paths, including homeschooling and small schoolsThe importance of finding your tribe and connecting with other parents on the same journeyKerri’s story is a powerful reminder that every child — and every parent — has a unique path. Her honesty and openness shine a light on the often unspoken struggles and triumphs of neurodivergent parenting. Tune in for heartfelt insights, practical wisdom, and a big dose of hope. If you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Beyond the Spectrum – Conversations with Parents on Autism and Beyond, we take an unexpected journey from fishing in Oman to discussing autism and alternative treatments. Meet Claire, a boat captain in Oman, whose son Leo is autistic. When mainstream approaches didn’t give the results she was hoping for, she explored the controversial but intriguing path of stem cell therapy. In this candid and thought-provoking chat, Claire shares her family’s experience, the challenges they faced, and what led her to give this treatment a go. This story is a little different from our usual episodes, but definitely worth a listen. Could stem cell therapy open up new possibilities for autism intervention? Tune in, keep an open mind, and let us know your thoughts. If you'd like to get in touch with Claire, let us know and we’ll pass on her details. And if you ever find yourself in Oman, make sure to book a fishing trip with her - it’s an adventure you won’t forget! Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to help us grow and support more families on the autism journey. If you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏

Send us Fan Mail Episode 4: Raising Neurodivergent Kids While Navigating Her Own Diagnosis: Katie's Story In this episode of Beyond the Spectrum Podcast, Katie shares her journey as a neurodivergent parent with two neurodivergent children. Katie works as a dance teacher at her children's school and manages their therapy and educational needs.  She has an 11-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter, both diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Katie received her own autism diagnosis in December 2021.  She emphasizes the importance of being open about neurodivergence with her children and discusses the challenges of social isolation, friendship dynamics, and managing behavioral issues.  Katie provides valuable insights on early intervention, the importance of having support systems, and maintaining an adaptable approach to parenting neurodivergent children. We hope you get a lot out of listening and we would appreciate your feedback, so please reach out via comments, emailing us etc. We'd love to hear from you. Clint Autism & Beyond Australia If you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to our new podcast series! This episode I chat with Tess; mum of an adult Autistic child who also faced major health challenges while growing up.  Tess shares her experience and insights including what she would say to herself if she could go back 5 years, and what it's like bringing up an adult neurodivergent son as she ages and needs to think about her future and how it effects his future. What families go through with school-aged ASD children compared to adults is very different, and it's nice to hear Tess talk about that. Helpful for parents with ASD kids edging closer to end of their schooling years, to start thinking about the future; the workforce, living arrangements etc Advice Tess shares for other parents is to look at the neurodevelopmental milestones not the neurotypical ones in life that most other families use. She realised this was something she needed to do with her kids. Being a parent of a neurodiverse child is “a window into a completely different world” We hope you get a lot out of listening and we would appreciate your feedback, so please reach out via comments, emailing us etc. We'd love to hear from you. Clint Autism & Beyond Australia If you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I chat with Sally, a mum of two children with ASD and a busy business owner - about her struggles, the many and constant ups and downs, what she's learned along the way and advice she's happy to share with other parents. When Sally's son Arley was 3 years old it was suggested to her by a friend to have him assessed for ASD because he couldn't touch many objects and other apparent signs. A group of therapists evaluated him for three days, they couldn't make a diagnosis but encouraged her to seek further help so she did. Arley was then 4 years when when officially diagnosed.  Sally's view at the time of Autism was 'Rain Man'; that's what came to mind for her when she thought about the condition. It took her two years to come to terms with Arley's diagnosis and to learn about and understand it. When she went down the track of trying to have her daughter Carmie assessed and diagnosed it was a real mission. Her trusted pediatrician and other therapists didn't believe her when she went to them for help to have evaluations performed. Eventually she found the help she needed and at 8 years old Carmie was diagnosed with Autism. Both children have multiple conditions and associated challenges.  It's been a roller coaster ride, and continues to be, for this family but they're rolling with the punches, always learning and trying to make the best choices as a family unit. We hope you get a lot out of listening and we would appreciate your feedback, so please reach out via comments or email us. We'd love to hear from you. Clint Autism & Beyond Australia If you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to our new podcast series! This episode introduces you to what the series is all about, who I am as your host is, my backstory, and what you can expect from future episodes when I chat to parents of ASD children. We hope you get a lot out of listening and we would appreciate your feedback, so please reach out via comments, emailing us etc. We'd love to hear from you. Clint Autism & Beyond Australia If you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏