The Sensational Kids Show

As we head into the holidays Aniesa wanted to explore stress and what is referred to as allostasis. She explores the concept of the allostatic load and the impact this has on the body in both the short term and long term. Aniesa also discusses the role things like sleep and trauma can play in how we manage and cope with stress. Importantly, Aniesa talks about how we can all learn to manage our stress levels and take ownership of minimising the impact as much as possible. KEY TAKEAWAYS Allostasis is the process of trying to achieve stability through physiological or behavioural change. This is usually in response to stress. Your allostatic load is your chronic exposure to fluctuating and increased stress levels. Stress produces a spike in adrenaline and after this initial spike, the body and you relax. But this cycle of high and low adrenaline has an impact on your body. There is an elevated risk of chronic disease and mental health disorders from those who have long-term elevated stress levels. There is a very strong connection between your allostatic load and things such as your class, finances, living situation and perceived discrimination. Sleep, exercise and a balanced diet are simple but can help your body manage stress. If we can take ownership of managing our stress and learn what works for us as individuals to manage stress then we can lessen the impact it has on us. BEST MOMENTS "It's self-regulating so we're trying to keep this constant state while we are under stress” “This constant continued strain is really going to compromise your immune function” “That's going to affect your overall lifespan, your cognitive function and your well-being” “There's a real strong association between your allostatic load and your social demographic characteristics” “We need to be proactive in managing our stress, we need to stay informed” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.

Aniesa explores the reasons behind camouflaging, which has three categories: compensation, masking and assimilation. Aniesa talks about what these can look like, why so many neurodivergent people feel the need to camouflage and talks about how we can demystify and educate everyone on camouflaging. KEY TAKEAWAYS Masking is essentially changing your personality and natural way of being to fit in, to be perceived as neurotypical. Camouflaging in the natural world is an evolutionary trait that has developed to help creatures protect themselves which is why it lends itself so well as a descriptor of neurodivergent masking. Neurodivergents are trying to camouflage themselves alongside neurotypicals, to go undetected, seen as ‘normal' and appropriate. Camouflaging can be a way to avoid feeling the shame often attached to neurodiversity. There are consequences for camouflaging, from burnout to feeling anxious. Those who are neurodivergent learn that they get a negative reaction from being themselves. Many feel like if they don't mask they will be excluded and isolated. Assimilation is masking on a higher level, you create untrue versions of yourself, usually multiple ones depending on who you are with. BEST MOMENTS "We're really talking about changing our natural personalities so that we can fit” “I like the idea of camouflaging as a word as it's a really strong tactic” “The consequences of camouflaging are huge, they are so detrimental” “When you're compensating you're trying to keep up with others socially but when your masking you're hiding key aspects of yourself, just so you can fit in” “We all mask every single day” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.

Aniesa is joined by Archie in this episode to talk about what is frequently called the 8th sense, interoception. Interoception is associated with everything from pain sensitivity to decision making and Aniesa and Archie discuss why struggles with its regulation are associated with neurodivergence and the common challenges it often presents. KEY TAKEAWAYS Your interoception is there to show you when your body has needs such as thirst but it is also there to show you when you are angry, for example. If an individual struggles with their interoception physical body needs signals, then that will impact their emotional regulation. Being able to identify your emotions is an essential step in being able to self-regulate. Attention and detection are the two ways we can tap into our interoception. Interoception is personal, it is something that you can learn about yourself and teach yourself what things impact you. Your body is constantly trying to reach homeostasis, to be balanced. Trauma can hinder or even stop interoceptive awareness, neurodivergent people almost always experience trauma and this could explain why they have difficulties with interoceptive awareness. When a person becomes overwhelmed, their interoception becomes so low they can no longer regulate their emotions. Your interoceptive awareness is positively linked with social connectivity. BEST MOMENTS "Interoception is strongly related to our emotional state” “Until your interoception is fully developed you're going to find it really difficult to manage your emotions and social interactions” “He would try to regulate the kids when he wasn't regulated” “What is it that I am feeling, why am I feeling that way?” “As a neurodivergent person, you experience trauma and that is going to lower or stop your interoceptive awareness” “People with interoceptive issues are likely to have a higher baseline of anxiety” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.

Aniesa interviews Archie about sensory processing and how it impacts kids and people with neurodiverse conditions. They explore the different senses like touch, movement, and sound, and how over or under-responsiveness to stimuli can affect learning, behaviour, and emotional regulation. KEY TAKEAWAYS The vestibular system impacts balance and spatial orientation, located in the inner ear Proprioceptors provide feedback from joints and muscles, helping with body awareness Tactile input like deep pressure can calm and self-regulate Sensory needs change day to day depending on factors like stress or nutrition Tuning into your own sensory profile allows self-advocacy Sensory processing differences are very individualised BEST MOMENTS "I will often just sing what I'm doing, or I'll just make up songs and sing all the time." "Your reactivity can vary...what works today might not work tomorrow." "You learn when you are happy and relaxed and regulated." "Sitting still is for me, personally, cognitively, a very hard thing." "Proprioception is your like your player of the match." "They have no restrictions in that 40 to 60 minutes of a lesson. And yet we're saying to the learners, sit still for an hour." "I skirt the edge of professionalism."CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Whilst Aniesa has been travelling in South America, including hiking the Inca trail and being in the Amazon jungle, she reflected on all the things she is grateful for. In this episode, she shares the top three things she is grateful for in life and talks about why connection is a pillar for regulation in all areas of life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Aniesa's Top 3 Things to be Grateful for: Running drinkable water Every one of her senses, her sensory systems and having her interoceptive awareness Human connection Having a shared goal can help you make a quick and strong connection with someone The trip was one of the hardest things Aniesa has done and she realised she needs other people to co-regulate BEST MOMENTS “I didn't realise just how much I depended and needed being able to just drink water straight from a tap” “The ability to just remove oneself and just go somewhere we can allow ourselves to feel grounded, to have the silence” “I realised just how important having a good interoceptive system is” “I absolutely realised in each place…how important connection is to me”CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Join Aniesa and Sensory Intergration Physiotherapist Mel King as they chat to Elmien about her vestibular disorder. Elmien talks about the journey to her diagnosis and her experience of living with debilitating migraines, vertigo, and balance issues for years. She provides a revealing look into the daily struggles of living with chronic vertigo and migraines, but also discusses the importance of pushing forward one step at a time. KEY TAKEAWAYS Elmien has had chronic migraines and vertigo since age 10, exacerbated after recent jaw surgery. Her symptoms are disabling, affecting vision, hearing, balance, motion sickness. She has trouble with activities like driving, reading, using stairs, loud noises, bright lights, crowds, and head movements. This has impacted her independence. Despite her challenges, she has adjusted her occupational therapy practice to continue working with patients who need her specialised understanding. She feels greater empathy now for children with sensory processing disorders and their overwhelmed feelings. Elmien emphasises taking things one step at a time and being kind to oneself and others facing difficulties. Her experience shows the all-encompassing effects vestibular disorders can have on daily living. BEST MOMENTS "It feels as if the walls are falling onto you. It's literally you walk into a place and everything topples over on the front." "I have much more empathy for my children, like my children on the spectrum, ADHD children, children who are sensitive." "Independence has gone out the door. Yeah. Yeah. Wow." "Talking is my thing. And I can still do talking while I sit down, so that's okay." "If there's awareness, we can help each other."CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Aniesa and Archie chat about things they wish they knew as neurodivergent kids before getting their diagnosis, such as wishing they knew it was normal to react differently to their environments, not having to justify everything, taking time to process before responding and more. They open up and share their thoughtful reflections on growing up neurodivergent and give some great advice for neurodivergent kids (and their parents!) today. KEY TAKEAWAYS I wish I knew my reactions were normal for neurodivergent people, not that something was "wrong" with me. I wish I hadn't assumed what others thought of me or took things so personally (RSD). I wish I knew it was okay to have lots of hobbies and interests, not feeling bad when I got bored of one. I wish adults admitted to making mistakes rather than acting like they were always right. I wish I was comfortable expressing myself the way I truly was and felt I wish I knew I'd be okay as an adult and not to worry so much as a kid. BEST MOMENTS  "I wish I'd known my reactions were normal for a neurodivergent person, not that something was wrong with me." "I wish I hadn't assumed what others thought of me or took things so personally. "I wish adults admitted making mistakes rather than acting like they were always right." "I wish I was comfortable expressing myself publicly through singing, answering in songs, etc."CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

The theory of monotropism suggests there is an autistic-specific tendency to focus attention on a small number of interests. It is a big part of modern autism theory and Archie joins Aniesa to talk in depth about what it is and what it means for those with autism including the difficulties it can present and why it can also be a strength. KEY TAKEAWAYS In a monotropic mind, fewer interests can be aroused at one time but each interest is delved into more deeply. This can require more resources from the individual and make it hard to deal with things outside of these interests. Many autistic children have great difficulty transitioning and this would fit into the theory that it's very difficult for a monotropic mind to switch out of the topic or task they are in. Being able to put so much attention and focus into one thing may explain why people who are autistic are so good at pattern recognition and problem-solving. Hyperfixation and ‘time blindness' would also be explained by the state of flow those with a neurodivergent mind get into. Finding a way to transition between tasks more easily can help a neurodivergent mind, for example, getting a snack is a simple way to break out of a fixated state. Monotropism can be utilised to help neurodivergent minds be productive, pick just one thing to do per day and focus on it. The double empathy problem is the misunderstanding that can occur by those who see the world differently from most. This can result in a lot of communication barriers and frustration on both sides. BEST MOMENTS "This theory can explain a lot of things, it has autistic people in mind” “It can potentially explain why we are geared towards pattern spotting and problem solving” “A common tendency when hyperfixating is ignoring the bodies needs” “For a lot of neurodivergent people productivity can be an uphill struggle”CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Archie joins Aniesa to discuss RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria), the extreme emotional sensitivity or pain which is triggered by the perception that they are being rejected or criticised by important people in their life. It can also come into play when they feel like they have failed to meet their own, or others, expectations. They talk about how RSD presents, what the experience feels like and whether RSD is specific to ADHD including what other conditions or issues can present in a similar way. KEY TAKEAWAYS RSD is often linked to ADHD but trauma can present in the same way. Individuals with RSD can feel a lot of shame when they are given feedback or criticism. RSD isn't recognised as a mental disorder or illness, which can make people feel like it isn't actually happening to them and feed into imposter syndrome. Difficulty with emotional regulation is a major indicator of ADHD and RSD only impacts this further with intense and overwhelming emotions. Individuals can become consumed, almost hyperfocused, on behaviour that they perceive to be rejection. Justice sensitivity is a feature of RSD, individuals are more attuned to justice for victims. It can be very distressing to experience but can also make very good advocates. RSD comes with very high standards that are usually impossible to achieve, impacting self-esteem. The fear of rejection can sometimes actually mean an individual with RSD will put up with a lot of bad behaviour before reprimanding someone, it can take a lot for them to see the ‘bad' in people. Genetics and the brain's structure are thought to be the biggest cause and indicator of RSD. BEST MOMENTS "For people with RSD, these universal life experiences are much more severe than for neurotypical individuals” “For me when I'm in conversation with someone my main objective is how do I agree with this person which is so annoying because I'm never going to agree with everybody” “The RSD is so strong, sometimes at its strongest just because you are alone” “Then you have a whole family of people who are always seriously second-guessing themselves”CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Aniesa is joined by Archie again but this time to discuss alexithymia: the inability to identify and describe emotions in oneself. They explore the spectrum of alexithymia, how it impacts interoception, and share strategies like tapping into bodily cues, surrounding yourself with understanding people, and using tools like journals and voice memos to help identify emotions. Aniesa and Archie have an insightful conversation about how this lesser-known trait manifests in neurodiverse people and provide compassionate perspectives on embracing all feelings. KEY TAKEAWAYS Alexithymia is difficulty understanding emotions in yourself, ranging from struggling to express emotions to not identifying them at all. It impacts interoception - knowing what's going on inside your body. Confusion can occur between positive and negative emotions. Strategies include using bodily cues, journals, voice memos to identify patterns and name emotions. Surround yourself with accepting people, say "I don't know what I'm feeling," and give yourself time to grow your emotion vocabulary. All emotions are okay, be compassionate with yourself. Emotions are not always controllable, and that's okay too. BEST MOMENTS "Alexithymia could be I struggle to know how I feel but I recognize that I feel quite anxious sometimes and I can't quite unearth the emotions underneath that." "When you grow up, you get the words to describe how you're feeling. It just takes some time." "I think also not being afraid to say, I don't know what I'm feeling is, is really useful for yourself, but also the people who, who, who care about you." "It took me a while to learn that sometimes my emotions are just out of my control. And I think that's, um, that is, is, is a hard, a hard thing to learn and to accept." CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Dive into the lesser-known strengths of neurodivergence as autism mentor Archie joins Aniesa once again and shares uplifting insights on the talents and abilities people overlook in neurodivergent individuals. Learn how intense focus, honesty, pattern recognition, creativity, and acceptance can all be traits of neurodivergence. Explore how rigid thinking can also lead to flexibility, how potential weaknesses can become strengths given the right environment, and more. Their thoughtful discussion will change your perspective on the diversity of neurodivergent minds.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Hyper-focus on niche interests can lead to exceptional expertise and competence in any matter of subjects and topics. Logical thinking skills related to needing structure and spotting patterns can manifest in strengths like list-making, repetition, and task focus. Creativity thrives in neurodivergence - lateral thinking, adaptability, idea generation, and visionary concepts point to success in arts and STEM. Traits like hyper-focus and monologuing seen as weaknesses can become strengths in accepting environments that allow you to capitalise on them. BEST MOMENTS"I have a number of terrariums and from that I've gone on to propagating my own plants. I didn't think I could ever do that because I tend to just kill plants.""I prefer not forging my own way. I like just being passive and doing stuff people ask me to do. I don't think I could own a business because I like set structure.""When I work on something I enjoy, my brain takes over until it's done. I enter a hypnotic state. Afterwards I'm like, oh okay, I'm back.""Monologuing is often seen as an issue but speaking to a big crowd it's essential. Some traits are drawbacks only due to the environment."CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Join Aniesa as she speaks to Archie Gouldsborough, a mentor who has ADHD and is awaiting and ASD diagnosis. They discuss what mentoring is, how Archie discovered it and the many benefits it can have. Archie also shares his own personal struggles and talks about why he thinks having a neurodivergent brain makes you empathetic and compassionate  in a unique and powerful way. KEY TAKEAWAYS Archie is good at speaking as well as listening and this is why his mum knew he'd be great at mentoring. Asking open-ended questions and allowing the person to talk about and answer in the way they feel comfortable is essential to being a good mentor. Secondary school is a turbulent time for many neurodivergent people, and this is the age range Archie specialises in. It's important for every individual to feel comfortable in a session and to do that you have to tailor it to their communication style. PDA stands for pathological demand avoidance, which some consider to be its own type within autism. It can be defined as an extreme need for autonomy and control over your environment. BEST MOMENTS "When I was a bit younger I was a therapist friend for some people”“Mainstream school is incredibly triggering and difficult and a lot of the time it is as simple as having someone for their child to reach out to”“I'm of the opinion that everything is a skill” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Aniesa is joined by mentor Archie in this episode to debunk many of the myths and misconceptions surrounding autism. They talk about the most common ones they have heard and discuss what might be the reasons behind them. COMMON MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT AUTISM Autistic people are introverted and anti-social: It's actually difficulty with understanding social cues that might make autistic people seem this way and often autistic people need more processing time after social situations. Autism is a boy's condition: This is not true at all, boys generally are just diagnosed more easily and more often than girls. Autism should be cured: Autism is part of who someone is, it's not inherently a disability and isn't something to cure. Autism is caused by bad parenting: Research proves that this is not true at all. You can grow out of autism: Not true even though there is a lot of focus on children and young people. There is a large number of adults who have never been diagnosed. Autism is bad: This is just the stigma around autism, it does not mean that you or your brain is ‘bad' All autistic people have superpowers: Autistic people can have extra abilities and capabilities, but this isn't the case for most autistic people, what is more common is the concept of special interests, something you know a lot about or are really good at. Autism is caused by the MMR vaccine: All research firmly states that this is not the case, the original study was scientifically flawed, and the scientist was biased. Autistic people can't show or feel empathy: Empathy may look differently for those who are autistic, but they are certainly capable of feeling and showing empathy. Autistic people don't have emotions: Some autistic people might not express their emotions in the same way as neurotypical people, but this doesn't mean they don't experience them. BEST MOMENTS “It's a representation of the diagnostic criteria, not a representation of actual autism” “When it comes to the idea of curing autism it kind of perpetuates the medical model of disability” “Autism is a way of being, a way of seeing the world” “We need to now be looking at the 50/60/70 year old autistic people” “It's amazing how that one person can just have such a huge impact” “That can be a boundary for getting diagnosed, not being able to express normative emotions” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Aniesa met Charlotte when she brought her daughter to see her. Charlotte joins the podcast to talk about being a parent of neurodivergent children, including when she realised they had additional needs, the differences between her two children and their difficulties as well as how she and her family manage each day with two neurodivergent children. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Both Charlotte's son and daughter have additional needs but present very differently. Her son will talk about anything and everything yet her daughter doesn't externalise anything. Her daughter in particular was very good at masking in primary school so the school didn't recognise that she had any issues, but she would then release her difficulties at home and once she began secondary school she could no longer cope. When Charlotte's daughter was diagnosed with autism at 12, her daughter looked visibly relieved to have an explanation for her challenges. The biggest difficulty Charlotte faces isn't her children, but the level of ignorance and judgement many people display towards her children and their additional needs. Battling with systems, assessments, forms and more is one of the biggest stresses for parents of neurodivergent children. With neurodivergent children it's important to recognise their unique differences and work with them to help them in different situations, for example, are they less exhausted by outside social activities -vs- those inside? As parents of neurodivergent children, we need to teach them about themselves, help them work out healthy coping strategies and also how to advocate for their true selves. If you suspect your children might have additional needs, write everything down, not only to help you with assessments but to remind yourself of the challenges you face. BEST MOMENTS “I didn't even know what a SENCO was” “You have to do a lot of advocating for her” “They don't cause me stress, what causes me stress is the limitless ignorance out there and judgement” “I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I wasn't doing everything that I absolutely could” “Trust that you know your child better than anybody else” “I want them to be capable and understand themselves” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Aniesa wants to remind everyone that the summer holidays are a big transition point for so many of us and we need to recognise that. From some children starting reception to others moving up to secondary school or even to university, there is a lot of change and we need to support our children with this where we can. KEY TAKEAWAYS  The summer holidays may seem like a more relaxed environment but actually, it is a huge transition period for many and with this comes anxiety. We have to be kind to ourselves and our children and look after our well-being. Validate your children's emotions and help reassure them. Try to connect with yourself and help your child do the same, a great way to do this is with deep breathing exercises or a walk in nature. BEST MOMENTS “There are a lot of changes going on” “With change comes anxiety, we need to be kind to ourselves” “It's really important that they are able to express what they're feeling, or find a way to express what they're feeling” “Have them know that you are there for them and you are offering reassurance, offering no judgement, no pressure just understanding” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Join Aniesa as she shares some of her top tips for ‘surviving the summer holidays with neurodivergent children including tips to keep them regulated and how to avoid added stress and difficulties. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Be organised. Plan in four categories, expensive activities, small-cost activities, free activities and home activities Make snack pots and snack ideas for kids to be able to help themselves and not always shave to come to you. See if there are any clubs or holiday schemes children can go into to break up the long stretch of holiday for both them and you. A holiday diary is a good project and task for your kids to work on, this also gives them time to reflect on what has happened each day. If going away preparation is key, think of ways you can keep your children regulated in places like the airport. Practice your own self-regulation and be calm with yourself. Continue to do things that bring you joy, and keep the pressure off yourself, children don't have to be entertained all of the time. BEST MOMENTS “Think of things like that are going to just make it easy for you” “If you are going to go on holiday think about what you are going to get out of it” “Remember your kids are going to need a lot of time after that holiday to decompress and so are you” “Try and keep your boundaries in place, if you have rules keep them in place too” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on paediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

In this episode Aniesa explores the concept of whether our feelings, emotions and reactions are just our own to control or whether other people and external factors influence them. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Emotions are very complex, they are a mixture of internal and external factors, other people can have an impact on our own emotional state. Our emotions are closely tied to our relationships and interactions with others, something that is essential to human nature. There is the concept that we need to own our emotions and people can't make us feel a certain way but it isn't right to accept that we have no influence over other peoples feelings. We can pick up other peoples feelings through empathy too, it's not always to do with how they respond to us. We have to learn that whilst we can't control how we feel completely we can control to some degree how we interpret and respond to others. BEST MOMENTS “We absolutely can make other people feel emotions” “We can experience emotions in response to other peoples actions or words” “Two people can have completely different responses to the same situation” “Our external influences will contribute to our mental state” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Aniesa is joined by Elmien a therapist with a daughter who has ADHD. She talks to Aniesa about her and her daughter's journey to getting diagnosed including her own realisation that there might be something else happening when her daughter was missing milestones and acting out. Elmien also talks about the uniqueness of having a child with additional needs and how you can find the special moments in your journey with your child, regardless of the difficulties and struggles they may face. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Elmien's daughter needed therapy for delays in crawling and walking but at this point, Elmien didn't consider she may have additional needs. Eventually, Elmien's daughter got the diagnosis for ADHD and looking back, Elmien could then see the signs from many of the difficulties she and her daughter had experienced, especially in school and more formal settings. Dealing with a child that she now knew was different, was quite a challenge. Elmien had to learn to take care of herself as when she didn't she wasn't able to do her best for her daughter. The school system failed Elmien's daughter in many ways, they weren't supportive in any of the ways Elmien and her daughter needed. Elmien suffered a lot of judgement from friends and family about her daughters' diagnosis which made things very difficult in the beginning. She now does not care or pay attention to those who comment on her parenting and childs behaviour. If Elaine's daughter comes to talk to her, she always puts her first and listens because if she doesn't then she knows her daughter will forget and she has to put her daughter's needs ahead of everything else including politeness.  Although those with additional needs have difficulties, they do learn and progress at their own pace, they are always making leaps in their understanding and mechanisms for dealing with life. All Elmien wants for her daughter's future is for her to be happy. If she is comfortable in her own skin and those she is with and the direction she is going in, she will be happy. It is hard to have a child you did not expect but embrace it where you can and try and inject fun when you can. Remember to take the pressure off yourself and always do what is good for your family and child. Having a child with additional needs will make you appreciate so many things that others don't even notice, that is special in its own way. BEST MOMENTS “She was the most difficult little girl, the year when she was 4 was really hard on me and her” “Friends and family were a problem for me because they were judgemental” “Sorry about that, but she's different” “I want my child to be happy” “Things are never going to be what you planned them to be but it's going to be a great journey” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Aniesa is joined by Stacey a mother of two, to talk about life as a parent of a child with additional needs. Stacey talks about her journey to finding out her eldest, Viv had autism, the many challenges they face and what her every day looks like. She also talks about the things she finds helps her as a mum with a neurodivergent child and advice she would give to any other parent who is dealing with the same challenges. KEY TAKEAWAYS  When Stacey's daughter, Viv, was small she had many trips to the doctors, this is when they first suspected additional needs as there was often no reason for her unsettled manner. There are unique challenges to parenting a child with additional needs, from sleep issues that impact everything to communicating their needs. Those with neurotypical children often don't realise how difficult every day is, simply going to the shops can be extremely difficult. Stacey has had to stop working in order to support her child in nursery and further education settings. Stacey and her husband work as a team to tackle the many challenges they face each day. Research is essential in understanding your child. Regardless of what one person may say, look into everything yourself and learn as much as you can from as many different sources as possible. Learn to see the world as your child does, this will aid you in be able to support them, particularly in planning and foreseeing things that may be difficult for them. BEST MOMENTS “Her journey has been interesting and not easy” “Parents of a neurotypical child take that for granted, just being able to have a conversation with their child” “That seemingly innocuous event to us can be a problem” “You try your best to make them happy and hope they will be in the future” “Try and understand things from an autistic persons perspective” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

When we garden with kids it's an incredible way to teach them about nature and responsibility. Aniesa shares in this episode the many benefits of gardening with our children and why it is also something she enjoys too. KEY TAKEAWAYS  There are great sensory aspects to gardening. Digging in particular is a great activity. Involve your kids in the planning of the garden including choosing the plants, this will give them a sense of ownership and responsibility. The fun activities to be created from gardening are endless, from building bug hotels to decorating pots. Gardening can be a great tool for improving your own mental health. It's easy to make accommodations for any child to make gardening a calming and connecting activity. BEST MOMENTS “I think gardening should always be fun” “It's very calming for me and I feel it reduced my stress levels” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

While on holiday, Aniesa kept hearing the same phrase over and over again, parents telling their children to ‘use their words'. In this episode, Aneisa talks about why this isn't a fair expectation of young children and actually why it could do more harm than good as a parenting technique and what to do instead. KEY TAKEAWAYS  When children are struggling to communicate with you, telling them to use their words isn't clear to them. They don't have the capability to digest and understand this phrase whilst struggling so much with their emotions. Children will only be able to become more regulated in their emotions if we teach them the proper tools to deal with them. Instead of saying phrases like use your words, we need to instead model the behaviour we want to see. We have to use simple and specific language when communicating with young children. Name emotions for your little ones, if they are lashing out try and help them learn to communicate how they are feeling. BEST MOMENTS “We need to help them to learn how to solve problems, we need to help them how to become more regulated” “What we need to do  instead of saying the words is model the words” “Before we react, take a deep breath, a moment and carry on” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

In this quick and informative episode, Aniesa shares a few tips to make things easier for you and your family in the hot weather! KEY TAKEAWAYS  Make sure everyone is hydrated, even if this means using squash to incentivise people to drink and think about what temperature they like their drinks to be Pay attention to energy and tiredness levels Keep your freezer stocked up with cold treats If your child struggles with certain textures and appropriate clothes, sometimes it's best to just leave them, rather than everyone get worked up. Be validating of your children's complaints, let them talk about how they are struggling with the heat. When applying sun cream, let the child have control to put it on themselves and/or use a lot of pressure. Practice low or even no demands when it is very hot BEST MOMENTS “Just let them be them” “Give them the control” “Think about when you are hot and tired, it's very hard to concentrate so bear that in mind for your kids” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

In this episode, Aniesa focuses on how we can talk to children about loss and grief as well as the ways we can help them come to terms with death and how to deal with the many emotions and challenges it presents. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Dealing with grief and loss is a natural part of the human experience and children aren't immune to this. It's important we give children the right tools to manage their grief. Be honest and open about what has happened, sugar coating is not necessary, use the most developmentally appropriate language to ensure they understand the facts. Listen to them, and make them feel safe to express their emotions and thoughts. Encourage a variety of mediums for them to express themselves, like drawing or writing. BEST MOMENTS “Provide reassurance and let them know any feelings they have, any reaction they might have are completely valid” “We need to avoid dismissing or minimising emotions” “Think of other creative ways to tell stories” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

In this episode, Aniesa discusses the concept of optimal sensory engagement thresholds/bands. Aniesa explains what this means in real terms, giving clear examples and talks about what you can do to self-regulate and self-manage, including utilising external factors in your environment to help yourself in times of high stress and anxiety. Aniesa also talks about the role of masking, difficulty in making decisions and other challenges neurodiverse people may come across when outside of their optimal engagement band. KEY TAKEAWAYS  A lot has been researched and written about the optimal band where we function our best. Each day we process various neuro-functions registering and detecting sensations and how we respond to them including self-regulation and we all have a threshold. When things aren't going well you may feel anxious, distracted, stressed and have trouble sleeping or have attentional difficulties. If we are in a state of stress or high arousal then it can be challenging for us to engage with the world around us and also our threshold for self-regulation may be a lot lower. This can lead to emotional outbursts, difficulty making decisions and other challenges. We need to think about what can happen and what is possible when we are within our optimal engagement band. Those who are neurodivergent tend to have higher sensory reactivity and knowing their optimal engagement band and how to get to that level, to co-regulate, can be very helpful in managing life. There are some days we may feel the need to mask which will further deplete our levels. BEST MOMENTS “A lot of research has been looked at between our sensation and our arousal regulation” “That calm alert state, that's where we have our optimal functioning” “I just wanted something to get my arousal levels down” “Look in the environment and find what we call co-regulation, what can we do in the environment to help us regulate” “This is when the energy levels, or the effort that is required is greater than that individual's ability” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

In this episode, Aniesa gives her thoughts on the recent BBC Panorama documentary on private ADHD clinics. Aniesa also talks about the topic of diagnosis, the crisis in the system and why she thinks we are seeing such an increase in people seeking diagnosis for ADHD. KEY TAKEAWAYS  The system is broken when it comes to diagnosing people with ADHD. It is not being over diagnosed at all, it's actually taking far too long to diagnose. People don't want a diagnosis just for the sake of it or to be medicated. Anyone who is paying for a private diagnosis already has a good idea that they probably have ADHD and they are seeking a diagnosis to feel validated and seek support. Some of what is shown in the documentary isn't representative at all. Aniesa hasn't met a single person that has had a 3-hour ADHD assessment on the NHS, most follow the same format as the private clinics. There is a shortage of signposting for ADHD as well as clinicians to diagnose. Documentaries have a place in raising awareness, particularly among neurotypical people. But they have to be done in a way that supports the neurodiverse community, not shames them or invalidates them. There will be individuals out there that will now be questioning a legitimate diagnosis of ADHD and this is unfair and extremely detrimental to their health. All psychiatrists have to follow the NICE guidelines around ADHD, regardless of whether it is a private practice or via the NHS. ADHD can cause a wide range of issues for individuals from binge eating to depression, it's essential people get the right diagnosis and treatment options and that they are supported and accommodated in the right ways. BEST MOMENTS “If someone is prepared to spend money that means they usually have a pretty good idea that they have ADHD and they just want that confirmed and they want better support” “I didn't come to that decision very lightly, to go for an assessment” “It's one of those conditions where there are other co-occurring conditions” “We're leaving a huge number of people unsupported” “We really need to think about what message we are putting across” “We have to get better at diagnosing, we have to get better at supporting” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Exams are something that can be a real challenge for neurodiverse individuals, particularly those with ADHD. In this episode, Aniesa talks about this topic and the role exams currently play in schooling, education and our children's lives. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Those with ADHD may need different preparations for exams. What do exams prepare our children for, dealing with failure or stress? Are exams really necessary for young children in particular? We need to think about the level of stress and anxiety we place on those doing exams. BEST MOMENTS “Schools are not preparing young people enough” “I feel very strongly that we should get rid of all exams” “Why are we testing knowledge and who is it for?” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Kerry is a Senco at a preschool and joins Aniesa in this episode to give some insight into her role including why relationships with the child and families are so important and the tremendous value in getting support in at the early years stage for children with special educational needs. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Part of Kerry's role is to look for earlier identifiers of children who may have additional needs or be neurodiverse and provide early intervention. Sometimes children come to the preschool with a diagnosis but often they do not which means some tough conversations have to be had with parents. You have to build a foundation of trust with all parents, they know their child best. There's a lot of support out there, putting it in place in early years gives the child the best outcome. Kerry's support for families often outreaches the preschool from teaching families strategies they can use at home with their children to educating them about the support they are entitled to. Singing can help children with SEN, especially those with delayed speech or language. BEST MOMENTS “Putting that intervention in as early as possible provides the best outcome for the children” “At the end of the day, it's their child and you have to remember that” “I always sing what I want to say to them” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

A few difficult weeks including a bereavement has meant that Aniesa has been reflecting on the relationships in her life, recognising the people that validate her emotions and feelings and that we all need to be doing this for young people in our care too. KEY TAKEAWAYS  We need to validate and acknowledge when kids are struggling, allowing them to feel seen. Simply by saying we know something is hard for someone or that we are sorry they are finding something hard is enough to acknowledge it and validate their feelings. We need to find true acceptance and adjust our own expectations in order to validate our children. BEST MOMENTS “You could see that she felt seen and she felt validated and that is something we need to do more of” “We might not see or feel that is a struggle but in their minds, it is a huge struggle and we need to validate this” “Give them the support they need to make them feel seen, to make them feel heard” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

In this episode, Aniesa wants to talk about the lengths we all go to in order to fit in. Everyone, regardless of whether they are neurodiverse or neurotypical mask to some extent in order to fit in and Aniesa talks about why she thinks this may be. KEY TAKEAWAYS  There are countless examples of us all trying to fit in, from styling our clothes to putting on a smile at a job we hate. There are things in life we have to do but there are lots of things we don't have to do but often feel like we must. No one wants to be labelled or judged which is why people do so much to fit in with everyone else. BEST MOMENTS “Why are we doing all of these things to fit in and is it always bad?” “Try and do your own thing” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Chantal is a mum of four children, all of whom are neurodiverse. Chantal joins Aniesa to talk about life with multiple children with additional needs, including seeking a diagnosis, coping with the mental health implications and how to advocate for your neurodiverse child, especially when you aren't believed by professionals. Chantal also opens up about receiving her own diagnosis and the impact this has had not only on her but her children's lives too. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Chantal's third child was diagnosed with autism in South Africa at just 22 months old. previous to this she didn't have any experience with autism or what it would mean for her family. It was after moving to the UK that Chantal started getting more support, it was also here that her eldest child was diagnosed with autism at the age of 8. Looking back, Chantal can see so many autism traits in all of her children, including the complex masking of her eldest. Teachers often aren't armed with the knowledge and skills needed to teach neurodiverse children, something that Chantal has experienced across different schools and in different countries. Autism is experienced by the individual in many different ways and their coping mechanisms also look different to the outside world. This is why austim doesn't look the same and also why it is frequently missed or misdiagnosed. Chantal's eldest taught himself to appear normal because he didn't receive the support with his autism that he needed. BEST MOMENTS “He was just very different to what you would expect a child of that age to be” “All my kids, were so different as babies” “Teachers aren't given the support and education they need” “They don't know you come home and have a breakdown every day, they have no idea what people go through when your mask comes off” “He's taught himself to be normal, to be neurotypical, because he's never had the support” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

It can be a challenge being on holiday with our children and in this episode, Aniesa reminisces about some of the frustrating as well as funny things her children have complained about and how sometimes, kids are annoying! KEY TAKEAWAYS  We can easily forget the frustrating things our children do when they no longer live with us or when we are spending more time with them. Sometimes children just need to be able to complain. Aniesa sympathises with all parents out there, kids are just annoying sometimes!   BEST MOMENTS ‘Sometimes they just have an innate need to complain” “For anyone who is struggling with the Easter holidays this week, I am absolutely there with you” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Decision-making isn't always easy, particularly when we are presented with too many choices. It can lead to stress, exhaustion and even depression. In this episode, Aniesa talks about the impact of having choice overload and what we can do to either prevent it from happening or to minimise its effects. KEY TAKEAWAYS  We can mistakenly think having more choices is better but as humans, we find it more difficult to make decisions the more choices we have You can end up spending so much time and energy on simply making a choice that it can leave you with negativity and stress. Decision fatigue is real and can cause brain fog and in extreme cases, exhaustion. Consciously make fewer decisions by streamlining your choices, for example by making a shopping list, creating meal plans and deciding on outfits in advance. Create a life where you have fewer decisions to make on a daily basis, you can do this by turning tasks into habits and routines as well as delegating to others. BEST MOMENTS ‘It actually harms our wellbeing and can lead to depression and anxiety' ‘When we are less satisfied with our lives we become less happy and less optimistic when we try and make too many decisions' ‘We need to think about what we can cut out that isn't important' ‘Delegate, give others the power to make decisions' ‘Try and set daily routines, put things on autopilot' CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

This is an interview episode with Aniesa Ally, whom Aniesa has known her entire life! Aniesa talks to Aniesa all about Biodanza, what it is and why she has such a passion for it. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Biodanza is a personal development modality that uses music and movement. It was developed back in the 60s and was founded upon humans engaging with each other on an instinctual level through music and movement. Biodanza focuses on reconnecting people with their humanity and ability to love, that is so often lost in modern society. Aniesa found out about Biodanza after her divorce and after going to just one session she felt like she had found something that was going to transform her and her life. Life is dynamic, we are constantly faced with different situations in our life all the time and if we are connected properly, we can find the right movement and flow to be able to approach these in the best way. There aren't any steps to learn with Biodanza, but there is guidance. Biodanza is perfect for doing with your children. Aniesa has found she has been able to connect in a new and more playful way with her child outside of the home environment through Biodanza. BEST MOMENTS ‘It's reconnecting you to your humanity and your ability to love' ‘A circle is a representation of life in general' ‘Everyone needs to dance!' CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

In this episode, Aniesa wants to talk about how we can teach children to lose and how to teach them to do that in the right way, exploring the best techniques and methods to help them build resilience and skills for the future. KEY TAKEAWAYS  It isn't easy for children to lose but teaching them to do so gracefully is helping set them up to build resilience. The best way to teach children how to lose in the right way is to lead by example and talk about how we feel when we struggle to lose. We can't always win or be the best, there will be winners and losers. We have to focus on the effort and teach children the same. We should also use losing as an opportunity to teach and learn from mistakes. BEST MOMENTS ‘I'm not always happy when other people win and I don't' ‘We can talk about what we can learn from making those mistakes, losing is an opportunity to learn' CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

In this week's episode, Aniesa talks about trust. Why whether you have or don't have trust has such a big impact on how happy and content with life you are. That is why it is important that you talk to kids about trust, define it, and help them to learn to trust others and be trustworthy themselves. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Being able to trust people is important, it plays a big role in how happy and content you are with life.  Trust is that if someone says they are going to do something that you believe they will do what they say. Demonstrating to your children that you are actually listening to them and understanding what they are saying is a part of building a trusting relationship with them. To be a reliable parent or adult, you need to be careful not to promise something you cannot deliver. Always tell the truth. Set boundaries and stick to them so your child knows what is coming, and what to expect. So that they can trust you to be consistent. BEST MOMENTS ‘It can take years to build up and it can take moments to shatter someone's trust.' ‘That child is going to learn that my Mom is listening to me and it's important for me to speak up and it's important for me to speak up.'  ‘It's really important that we keep our promises.' ‘Recognise that having those routines and that consistency, we can reduce conflict' CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.  Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents. This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Content Warning: Those who have experienced trauma and gaslighting should listen with caution.  For this episode, Aniesa returns once again to the subject of gaslighting. This time looking at how children can do it to their parents, either deliberately or unconsciously. She provides examples to help you to recognise the signs and explains how to tackle this issue effectively. KEY TAKEAWAYS  The signs of gaslighting are subtle. It is important to be on the lookout for them, recognise them, and take action to address this negative behaviour as soon as possible. A child that consistently denies something they did wrong is engaging in a form of gaslighting. Blaming a parent for something that they (the child) did wrong, for example saying they stole something because the parent didn't buy it for them is another example of gaslighting. Children tend to remember events in a selective way which can lead parents to doubting their own memories. Parents need to bear this in mind, pause and recall what really happened. Dealing with a child that is engaging in gaslighting is highly stressful, so be sure to take time out for yourself. You need to decompress regularly. BEST MOMENTS ‘Kids can gaslight parents by manipulating their emotions' ‘Some kids are very good at remembering events in a way that is very selective'  ‘You need to be very clear with your child that this behaviour is not acceptable' ‘If you are finding this is something that is not getting better, you should seek professional help' ‘It is very important to think about why this (gaslighting) is happening' CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.  Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents. This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Content Warning: Those who have experienced trauma and gaslighting should listen with caution. Aniesa hasn't always recognised parental gaslighting but has discovered that it is something that is more common than many of us realise and can even come from a place of misguided care. In this episode, Aniesa explores the role of gaslighting in parenting, how it frequently occurs, how to recognise it and how to prevent using it as a parental tool.   KEY TAKEAWAYS  Aniesa recognises that as a parent, she has used gaslighting without realising it. You may dismiss or deny your children's feelings, telling them they are being overly sensitive or dramatic. This is a form of gaslighting and children may feel like their feelings don't matter. Gaslighting parents may tell their children that they are remembering things incorrectly or that they didn't experience events in the way that they are describing. This will make a child feel like they can't trust their own memory, leading to self-doubt and confusion. Parents may blame children for their own behaviour, making children feel like they are responsible for our bad mood. This can lead to them internalising their carer's negative emotions producing feelings of anxiety and shame. Using humour or sarcasm to belittle children. It may not be intentional but it can make them feel unimportant and upset. Gaslighting parents may compare their children to others, by pointing out other children's achievements or asking them to be more like someone else, leading them to feel inadequate.  BEST MOMENTS ‘We may do so to maintain control,  maintain power and have a sense of power dynamic in our parent-child relationships” ‘When a parent engages in gaslighting it can have long-lasting effects on their child's mental health and wellbeing ‘Think about the language that you are using' ‘How often do you blame your children for your own behaviour?' ‘That can make the child feel like they are responsible for the parent's wellbeing which is incredibly stressful and overwhelming [for them]' CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

There have been many difficult news stories over the past couple of weeks which has made Aniesa consider the best ways to talk to our children about these types of subjects. In this episode, Aniesa gives some strategies for helping adults talk to children appropriately and compassionately about difficult topics. KEY TAKEAWAYS  The right approach to explaining difficult topics can make all the difference in how the process the situation Chose an appropriate space to talk to your child and ensure you are actively listening to their concerns and questions. Children may need space to process the information we tell them, they may need time to ask questions late. Consider the language you use, it needs to be factual and straightforward in an age-appropriate way. Encourage questions and discussions around the situations, openness is key to them being able to process and understand what is happening. Respond to questions honestly without giving more information than they can handle. Acknowledge their emotions and validate them, let them know it's ok for them to feel upset or angry. This is crucial for their emotional wellbeing, remembering to offer reassurance and support. BEST MOMENTS ‘It's important to remember that children are sensitive, they are curious, they are really intelligent human beings' ‘It's better to use clear and direct language the conveys the message in a sensitive manner' ‘It's really important that we encourage questions and discussions' ‘We really need to validate out kids feelings' CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

In this episode, Aniesa gives a few short and simple tips for getting your child to take medication, this will be particularly helpful if you have a child who has difficulties with sensory activities.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  Use a visual schedule that shows the steps involved in taking their medication, including when and how much. Try offering choices: it is really beneficial to give children who struggle with sensory reactivity choices. Establish a routine and stick to it Distractions are helpful, such as singing a song or playing a game Mixing the medicine in desserts can be helpful or even taking it through a straw to minimise the sensory feeling if the medication is for example, gritty. There may be different ways to take a medication, spoeak to your Dr about struggles, they may be able to alter frequency or dosage.    CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

Self-advocacy is the act of speaking up for oneself and expressing one's needs, but how can we teach our kids, especially those who are neurodiverse, to self-advocate? In this episode, Aniesa gives practical ways you can start to teach your child this essential skill in life to help empower and build confidence within themselves. KEY TAKEAWAYS It can be particularly challenging for those who are neurodivergent to self-advocate for themselves when they often already struggle to communicate and demonstrate their needs. It's important that we teach neurodivergent children to appropriately self-advocate, meaning they feel heard and comfortable whilst doing so. Start teaching self-advocacy skills early. The earlier the better, children as young as 3 can begin to self-advocate. If they say no, we as adults need to respect that. We can use visual supports to help teach neurodivergent children to learn to self-advocate. This can be a useful tool even for those who are good are verbal communication. Roleplay can be a great visual support to teach self-advocacy, giving your child the opportunity to practice their skills in a safe environment. The changes in confidence when children, and their caregivers, are taught practical ways for self-advocacy are substantial, allowing them to feel empowered. Using ‘I statements' can be a very important tool in learning and teaching self-advocacy without being confrontational to others.   BEST MOMENTS “We can help our neurodiverse kids learn to self-advocate effectively and to assert their rights in a respectful and appropriate manner” “As they get older, we can teach more advanced advocacy skills such as how to communicate with people whom we might see as those with authority” “If a child doesn't like being hugged, that's fine, they can say no”  “Encourage your child to use an I statement when learning to self-advocate”   CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

In this episode, Aniesa discusses two parenting styles that have been up for big debate in the past few years: helicopter parenting and free-range parenting. Aniesa explores what these approaches to child raising are, the advantages and disadvantages to both, giving a balanced view of these parenting styles and also talks about why any parenting is never just about the child.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Helicopter parenting which is characterised by a parent's constant involvement in their child's life, is often seen as being overprotective. Free-range parenting is instead about giving children more autonomy and freedom to explore and learn on their own. One of the main criticisms of helicopter parenting is that it can lead to children who are overly dependent on their parents, struggling to make their own decisions and having a lack of resilience. The free-range approach to parenting advocates for children to have more autonomy and more independence whilst the carer still provides guidance and support. They also believe that children should choose their own interests. One of the benefits of free-range parenting is it allows children to develop important life skills such as problem-solving, decision making and resilience. The main criticism of free-range parenting is some believe that in order to thrive children need structure and guidance. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages and what works well with one family and child might not for another. Parenting styles can evolve and adapt over time and something this is essential to meet individual children's needs. There is not a one size fits all solution to parenting.   BEST MOMENTS   “His take on it was this type of parenting [helicopter parenting] is often driven by fear or anxiety and the desire to protect their child from harm”   “Helicopter parenting can lead to fear of failure as they have been constantly protected from failure in their childhood”   “Free range parents believe children should be able to make their own mistakes and learn from them”   “Free range parenting can be seen as neglectful”   “Parenting styles can evolve and adapt over time”     CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

As Aniesa observes children at play on her trip to Johannesburg, she asks the question, “How often do your children play barefoot?” KEY TAKEAWAYS  When children spend more of their time barefoot, they generally have much better balance and coordination. Being barefoot builds stronger foot muscles. Wearing shoes can compress the foot arch, leading to flat feet. Children who spend much of their time barefoot tend to have better posture, likely due to core muscle engagement as they navigate uneven terrain. Children who go barefoot may also feel less stress, as they're more in tune with their surroundings, more grounded and calm. Walking barefoot outside may also increase a child's immune system, as they come into contact with more bugs and bacteria from an early age. Children who spend more time barefoot are going to gain a greater sense of independence as they make choices as to where to walk and explore safely. BEST MOMENTS  “When children spend more of their time barefoot, they generally have much better balance and coordination.” “Children who spend more time barefoot are going to have a better connection to the earth because we know the skin on the soles of the feet is highly conductive.” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/          www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.  Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents. This show was brought to you by Progressive Media

In this week's episode, Aniesa explores after-school clubs and how pushing kids to partake in extracurricular activities can cause burnout, stress, and feelings of inadequacy for all involved. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Many parents feel they need to push their children into participating in after-school clubs to help them socialise and prepare them for new experiences. However, this can often cause stress and affect their overall well-being. Studies have shown that kids who participate in more than 15 hours of extracurricular activities can have lower grades in school. Children need time to relax and play after school. The structure of many after-school clubs leaves little room for free play and relaxation. The stress of making time for after-school activities and homework can often cause burnout in children. Find clubs that offer trial days, or more relaxed and flexible environments to allow kids to find a balance. BEST MOMENTS  “While extracurricular activities can provide really valuable experiences and skills for children, forcing kids to participate can have negative consequences on their overall wellbeing and their general development.” “Competition is really healthy in moderation, but having the constant pressure to perform at a high level can often lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem in kids, and that's quite harmful to the younger kids who don't have the emotional and cognitive skills to handle that pressure.” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.  Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Aniesa discusses how you can help children set realistic and achievable goals. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's never too early to start teaching your children how to set goals. Make goal-setting a habit and lead by example by making them part of your daily, weekly, or monthly routines. Set SMART - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound - goals to increase their chance of success. Encouraging children to set their own goals helps them to take ownership and be motivated to complete them. Help them break down their goals into smaller, less-daunting tasks and to write them down on a visible planner, or whiteboard. Help children to stay on track and encourage them to persevere. It's easy to be distracted or lose faith. Celebrate their progress!   BEST MOMENTS “I always said ‘practice makes perfect' until a little girl said to me, ‘no, practice makes progress', and I've always remembered that.” “It's never too late to teach our children about goal setting and the skills they need to succeed because there's always going to be goals set for them.”   CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.          See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the last show of 2022! Save yourself from festive burnout with Aniesa's tips to get you through the holiday season. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Plan time to rest, to sit in your pyjamas and do nothing. You know yourself and your family best, so plan to ensure everyone gets the time off they need. Take a moment every day to get outside, even if it's just to stand in your garden, and find time to go for a walk without purpose. And yes, you can put trackies over your pyjamas to do this. Don't forget batteries for those electronic gifts! Don't let your kids hug people they don't want to.  BEST MOMENTS  “Happy end of 2022, and I will see you guys on the flip side!” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/          www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on paediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of paediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.  Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rest is more than simply taking a nap. In today's episode, Aniesa discusses the six types of rest and how you can relax and recharge without having to close your eyes to sleep. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Mental rest: when you feel like there's too much going on and you need a break, find a simple task you can do to give yourself a mental rest. Sensory rest: bright lights, groups of people, and loud music can cause you to need sensory rest. Take time to remove yourself from distractions, lay in a dark room, and relax. Creative rest: if your job requires you to use creative energy, allow yourself the time to find balance and feed your soul away from your desk. Emotional rest: it takes energy to bottle up your feelings. Take a moment to process your emotions - record voice notes, talk to someone, or write them down. Social rest: spend time with people who support you, bring out the best in you and feed your soul. Give time to the people who recharge your energy, and don't drain your batteries. Spiritual rest: ground yourself. Volunteer, check in with people and take a moment to realise all that is beyond the physical self. BEST MOMENTS  “People I speak to say, “I'm always tired. I woke up tired. Sometimes I sleep really well, but I just don't feel rested. I feel exhausted.” there are actually a number of different types of rest that will help prevent this feeling of exhaustion, burnout, and overwhelm.” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/       www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/ www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on paediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of paediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.  Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, Aniesa discusses ‘Christmas Overwhelm' and how the festive season can affect our routine and mental health. The next few weeks can be exhausting for many, so take the time to set boundaries and expectations, and find ways to regulate and relax. KEY TAKEAWAYS  The Christmas season can become overwhelming, especially in a school, with the change in routine, rehearsals, singing and festivities. Those who thrive on routine and structure can struggle with this time of year. Aniesa's sunset challenge forces her to leave the house at sunset to pause and enjoy nature, allowing her to calm and relax. Yes, even in the rain. Remember to set boundaries over the holidays. See your friends and family on your terms to ensure neither you nor your children become dysregulated. Recognise when you feel overwhelmed. Find time to regulate, to practise your breathing in a quiet, safe space. Do what makes you happy. Reflect on the past year, what went well, and what you've done to make positive changes.  BEST MOMENTS  “Do what matters to you; what brings you joy. It sounds cheesy, but do what feeds your soul. If that is lying on the sofa eating chocolates and drinking Baileys while watching Christmas films, do that. Do what absolutely makes you happy.” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of paediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following on from last week's discussion about masking, Aniesa describes the symptoms and causes of burnout, both in neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals and what we can do to understand and support those who are suffering. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Masking, covered in last week's episode, often goes hand in hand with burnout. Fatigue, headaches, dissatisfaction, dietary changes, and issues with sleep are all symptoms of burnout. Burnout is episodic, and you may not realise you have burnout until you come out of it. Not everyone suffers from burnout, making it hard for them to recognise and understand it in others. Burnout is common in neurodivergent adults and children, often due to the energy used daily to mask their behaviour. Fatigue, headaches, dissatisfaction, dietary changes, and issues with sleep. Burnout can affect mental health. Neurodivergent people can often suffer from Autistic burnout and ADHD burnout. Children suffering from burnout may often find excuses not to partake in activities they've otherwise enjoyed or show disinterest in things they previously cared about. They may procrastinate, become anxious or fearful of attending school or struggle to concentrate on a task, causing them to become irritable.  Building a defined routine of breaks and boundaries can help to prevent burnout. This can include getting exercise by going for a walk, practising mindfulness, and putting yourself first. BEST MOMENTS  “[We must] make sure we prioritise our kid's mental health and our own mental health. For kids, it starts by asking them what the emotions are that they're feeling - and thinking about that for yourself as well.”  CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/          www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/   www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOSTAniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on paediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of paediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Aniesa discusses masking - what it means, how it's used as a coping mechanism, and the effects it can have on neurodivergent adults and children. KEY TAKEAWAYS Neurodivergent adults and children, such as those with autism, or ADHD, may be inclined to hide aspects of their true selves. This is called ‘masking'. Masking is used as a survival tool, as a way of protecting one's self from discrimination, labelling, or bullying. Those who mask may be completely unaware they're doing it. Masking may also be used to be more successful at work or school, make friends or make romantic connections. Copying a person's body language or tone of voice, giving expected answers to questions, and forcing eye contact, a smile, or laughter are signs of masking in social situations. Masking often occurs in situations where neurodivergent people feel misunderstood or unsupported. Masking may cause people to force themselves to experience uncomfortable sensory experiences, such as loud venues and crowds of people, in order to ‘fit in'. Masking can bring about high levels of stress, depression, and exhaustion. Some people are so good at masking that they're not diagnosed as neurodivergent until much later. Masking can lead to a loss of self, where you're so used to masking that you forget your authentic self. BEST MOMENTS “Although masking may seem really helpful, masking your true self can be emotionally draining.” "Exhaustion. If we mask constantly, we are exhausted because we are using energy. The energy that should be used on other activities or other tasks. It's that feeling of being really overloaded after a social situation, leading to you just wanting to withdraw, and be alone, and just not be in that situation.” “Sometimes people can be so efficient at masking that they don't get a neurodivergent diagnosis until much later in life. We've said it several times for women, we often get overlooked when it comes to diagnoses of autism or ADHD.” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.   Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.          See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, Aniesa discusses Spoon Theory, first coined by Christine Miserandino, and how energy levels in neurodivergent people can be affected differently and what can be done to help manage them. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Christine Miserandino first coined Spoon Theory when describing her chronic illness to a friend, using physical spoons as a unit of energy. For each activity her friend listed, Christine removed a spoon. Once all the spoons were gone, she had no energy for other activities. Many people use other items or concepts in place of spoons. Aniesa uses battery percentages.  A few months ago, when Aniesa was suffering from anaemia, merely thinking about her day took up ‘battery energy'. When considering neurodivergent children, we must consider what extra factors take up their energy.  Dealing with loud noises, flashing lights, or lots of people, can all use excessive energy. Kids may seem calm in the morning, but by school's end, they can be dysregulated due to the energy they've had to use throughout the day. We need to find ways to help ourselves and others around us add to the spoon supply. Creating safe sensory spaces for children (and adults) to escape to, planning fun activities requiring less energy, and deciding on language to convey struggle help manage energy levels. BEST MOMENTS “Personally, and that's because of how my brain works, I can't get to grips with the idea of spoons. For me, I use the analogy of a battery, and I'll speak in percentages. So, each bar of a battery is how much energy I have left.”“Think about setting up systems and structures where a person can let you know if they're struggling.” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/          www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/ www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOSTAniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on paediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of paediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation. Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As an adult with ADHD, Aniesa struggles with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). In this week's episode, she explains the symptoms and causes of RSD and how identifying it in young children will help them cope later. KEY TAKEAWAYS  In a nutshell, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is the fear of being rejected. The fear of rejection activates the same parts of the brain as physical pain. ADHD complicates the fear of rejection as it alters brain chemistry. Because of this, those with ADHD find it harder to process rejection. Teasing or being picked last for a team can trigger RSD in children with ADHD. Children will often act in one of two ways to deal with RSD. They will work extra hard to please people or avoid them altogether. RSD is hard to identify, especially in younger children who struggle to explain their feelings. Remember, "connection is everything". BEST MOMENTS  “As humans, we are social beings, we live in little groups, little packs, little tribes, and we generally are hard-wired to fit in, to belong. And we stick together in groups because that's what makes us stronger. And, because of that, the thought of being rejected, of being outcast, is very scary.” “They can either cope with the trauma of the RSD one of two ways: they can try extra hard to please people and not get rejected, or completely start avoiding those anxiety-provoking situations.” CONTACT METHODwww.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    www.facebook.com/sensationalkidslondon ABOUT THE HOST Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on paediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of paediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.  Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.