Conversations with a SEND Mum
Welcome to 'Conversations with a SEND Mum' a podcast hosted by Nicole Bateman who is a SEND Mum herself and Co-Founder of The Super Sensory Squad. This podcast is dedicated to authentic conversations with SEND Parents—sharing the realities, challenges, and triumphs of raising children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Expect open, supportive chats that bring together the experiences and stories of parents navigating the unique world of SEND parenting. Alongside these chats, we'll have professionals in the SEND community offering practical advice and ideas as well as real life experiences from neurodivergent adults. Join us for genuine conversations with those who truly 'get it'. There'll be laughter, maybe some tears, but after tuning in, you, as a SEND parent, will feel a little less alone.
Episodes
48 episodes
Championing inclusion through art and creative activities: Nicole Bateman chats with Julie Bevan from Dot Kids
In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Julie Bevan, the franchisor of Dot Kids, a children’s art franchise with a heart and mission rooted in creativity, confidence and inclusion.Julie shares her li...
Dyslexia, ADHD and Parent burnout: Nicole Bateman chats with Liz Evans
In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole sits down with Liz Evans; an Occupational Therapist, mum, and the brilliant mind behind The Untypical OT.Together they dive into an honest chat about dyslex...
S4: E4: Tourette's and Autism: Nicole Bateman chats with Scott
In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole chats with Scott, owner of Phoenix Ashes and Co, about a journey many families will recognise, years of waiting for a diagnosis while navigating life, learning, and misconception...
S4: E3: Let us Learn Too and SEND Reform: Nicole Bateman chats with Hayley Harding
In this powerful and honest conversation, Nicole sits down with Hayley Harding, co-founder of Let Us Learn Too, a grassroots parent-led campaign group fighting for the rights of disabled children in education.Together, they expl...
S4: E2: ADHD and Chronic Health Conditions: Nicole Bateman chats with Andy Horry
In this week’s episode, Nicole Bateman is joined by Andy Horry, who was diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Together, they explore what it’s like to look back on your childhood through the lens of a diagnosis and what changes when you finally ha...
S4: E1: Nicole Bateman chats end of term transitions, parental burnout and epilepsy
Welcome back to Conversations with a SEND Mum and to the start of Season 4. In this solo episode, host Nicole Bateman sets the tone for the season ahead with an honest, heartfelt look at what’s really going on behind the scenes as a pa...
S3: E11: Education and Neurodiversity: Nicole Bateman chats with Charlotte Mountford
In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Charlotte Montford; educator, specialist autism support teacher, and founder of Badger Education. Charlotte shares how a volunteering experience at university sparked a lifelong passion for inclusive...
S3: E10: Autism Acceptance: Nicole Bateman chats with Tynisha from Visible Autism
Autism Acceptance Day: Masking, Diagnosis and Visibility with Tynisha from Visible Autismin this Autism Acceptance Day special, Nicole Bateman speaks with Tynisha from Visible Autism about her lived experience as an autistic woman...
Purple Day 2025 Episode 2/2: Nicole Bateman chats with Kelly Norford
Purple Day Special – Parenting Kids with Epilepsy with Kelly NorfordIn this Purple Day special episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman chats with Kelly Norford, a mum of three children with epilepsy. They...
Purple Day Special 2025 1/2: Nicole Bateman chats with Hattie Brant
Epilepsy Awareness with Hattie Brant from Purple DayssIn this special episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Hattie Brant, founder of Purple Dayss, to raise awareness for Purple ...
S3: E9: The Journey into SEND Fatherhood: Nicole Bateman chats with Mark Allen and Callum Galbraith
In episode 9 of Season 3 of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman welcomes Mark Allen and Callum Galbraith, two of the 14 fathers featured in The Journey into SEND Fatherhood, a powerful new book by SEND Reform England...
S3: E8: Living with ARFID: Nicole Bateman chats with Michelle Jacques
In Season 3 episode 8 of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman dives into the complex world of restricted eating and ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) with expert Michelle Jacques. Together, they discuss:
S3: E7: ADHD, Autism and Masking in the Workplace: Nicole Bateman chats with Tania Gerard
In Season 3 episode 7 of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Tania Gerard, an autistic and ADHD advocate, trainer, and speaker. Together, they explore the challenges of being neurodivergent in the workplace and t...
S3: E6: Autism and AAC: Nicole Bateman chats with Laura Brown
In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman sits down with Laura Brown, the voice behind Spinning World of Autism. Laura shares her family’s journey with her autistic son, Ethan, and their experiences navi...
S3: E5: Simple Self Care For Parent Carers: Nicole Bateman chats with Rachel Slyfield
In Episode 5 of Season 3 of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman sits down with Rachel Slyfield, founder of Rachel’s 3 R’s Subscription Box, who shares her journey as a SEND mum and her passion for self-care. Rachel o...
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S3: E4: Ready Eddie Go: Nicole Bateman chats with Nikki Saunders
In episode 4 of Conversations with a SEND Mum Season 3, host Nicole Bateman chats with Nikki Saunders, an incredible mum of two autistic boys and the brilliant mind behind the TV series Ready Eddie Go on Sky Kids. Nikki shares...
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S3: E3: DLD Awareness Day: Nicole Bateman chats with Tamara Holland
In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Tamara Holland from Dot and Stripe Marketing to raise awareness for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) on DLD Awareness Day. Tamara, a passionate advocate...
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S3: E2: Raising the SEN-Betweeners: Nicole Bateman chats with Lisa Lloyd
In this episode of Conversations with a SEND Mum, Nicole Bateman is joined by Lisa Lloyd, author of Raising the Sen-Betweeners. Lisa shares her personal journey of raising two very different autistic children and the unique ch...
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S3: E1: Neurodivergent Sleep Support: Nicole Bateman chats with Michelle Cyril
In the first episode of Season 3, Nicole Bateman sits down with Michelle Cyril, The Family Sleep Specialist, to discuss how to help neurodivergent children with complex sleep needs. As a nurse with a specialism in paediatric sleep, and a parent...
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S2 E14: Dyslexia, Screening and Understanding Neurodivergent Brains: Nicole Bateman chats with Matt Hancock
In the final episode of Season 2, host Nicole Bateman is joined by Matt Hancock, founder of the Accessible Learning Foundation. Together they discuss Matt's experience of school before he knew he was dyslexic, his advocacy work, and the importa...
S2 E13: Adoption and XYY Syndrome: Nicole Bateman chats with Caroline Wallace
In Season 2, Episode 13 of "Conversations with a SEND Mum," host Nicole Bateman chats with Caroline Wallace, founder of The SEN Business Mum, about her experiences with adoption and raising a son with XYY syndrome. They discuss the adoption pro...
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S2 E12: Life can change in one moment - the importance of Parent Mental Health: Nicole Bateman chats with Aisling Owens Nash
In Season 2, Episode 12 of "Conversations with a SEND Mum," host Nicole Bateman sits down with Aisling Owens Nash to discuss the critical importance of parent mental health. They delve into Aisling's experiences parenting neurodivergent childre...
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S2 E11: Parenting on a Different Path: Nicole Bateman chats with Louisa Stanley
In Season 2, Episode 11 of "Conversations with a SEND Mum," host Nicole Bateman chats with Louisa Stanley about her new book "Parenting on a Different Path." Louisa's book brings together 26 stories of parenting children with complex needs. The...
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S2 E10: Turning Frustration into Positive Action: SEND Strategies for Primary Years: Nicole Bateman chats with Georgina Durrant
In Season 2, Episode 10 of "Conversations with a SEND Mum," host Nicole Bateman sits down with Georgina Durrant from The SEN Resources Blog. They discuss the systemic challenges faced by children with SEND, how to channel frustration into posit...
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S2 E9: Parent Carer Mental Health: Nicole Bateman chats with Ana Bonasera
In this special episode of "Conversations with a SEND Mum," host Nicole Bateman sits down with Ana Bonasera to discuss the crucial topic of parent carer mental health. Ana shares her personal journey with mental health, the importance of sleep,...
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