Welcome to the very last episode of Homebase Hope. What a journey it has been! I have loved every minute of this podcast – from the interviews to the editing – knowing that this is a resource that will live on forever for parents of children on the spectrum. I started this podcast to reach more parents and to give you a smorgasbord of ideas and interventions – so you can pick and choose what works for you and your family (and what doesn’t)….because there is not a one-size fits all approach to th...
Sep 08, 2019•53 min
Today we are talking about one of the most important topics I think we can cover – big feelings and self regulation! It doesn’t matter what age or stage your child is at, this podcast is going to be relevant. I’m super excited to be speaking with Katie Crosby – an Occupational Therapist based in the States. Katie specialises in emotions, behaviours and relationships through the lifespan. I connected with Katie over Instagram (as you do these days) and I was just blown away by her wealth of knowl...
Aug 25, 2019•45 min
Masturbation, erections, orgasms, puberty and sexual relations are NOT taboo in this podcast episode!! We cover it all in an open conversation with Nelle Francis, special needs educator and mum to a 29-year-old autistic son. We talk about how puberty presents in both girls and boys on the spectrum, common vulnerabilities, how to initiate these difficult conversations with your child (because they need to know the facts!) and practical strategies to support your child during these major life tran...
Aug 11, 2019•1 hr 8 min
Today we are talking all about sensory processing disorder and I am thrilled to be talking to Allison Davies on this topic! Allison is a Neurologic Music Therapist, educator, advocate and speaker. She has 15 years experience working as both a therapist and educator in childhood intervention and aged care, and specialises in anxiety and Listen In The post HBH 40: Sensory Processing Disorder – The Lived Experience with Allison Davies appeared first on The Wellness Couch ....
Jul 28, 2019•1 hr 1 min
You can go to all the therapy sessions in the world, but at the end of the day if the family home environment isn’t functioning well…..therapy certainly won’t be as helpful! Meet Sharon Collon. She’s an ADHD coach passionate about helping parents create home environments that are functional and joyful and by streamlining the day to day tasks with innovative systems and routines, you can get back time for the important things like enjoying your children. Sharon’s husband and eldest son have sever...
Jul 14, 2019•41 min
Today we are talking to Jeremy Samson who has turned his tough childhood experience into a learning program for children on the autism spectrum. As a kid, Jeremy had trouble understanding sarcasm and jokes. He says his brain worked in a curious way that often got him into trouble. He was bullied and he engaged in self injurious behaviours such as head banging. Eventually testing revealed why Jeremy found life more challenging than other kids his age, he had Aspergers syndrome. Jeremy’s mother, h...
Jun 30, 2019•1 hr
So what really is SPD? Today we dive deep into Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), what it can look like and what you can do to help your child. We uncover the different subtypes of SPD; sensory modulation disorder, sensory-based motor disorder and sensory discrimination disorder. I’m chatting with two energetic and insightful Occupational Therapy Assistants Listen In The post HBH 37: Making Sense Of SPD appeared first on The Wellness Couch ....
Jun 16, 2019•45 min
As we become more interested in a whole body, whole child approach to autism, it becomes important to look at what is happening at a biological level. Good food is good for everyone, we know that. But what kinds of nutritional supplementation may be beneficial for kids on the autism spectrum? What kinds of dietary modifications can be made? And where do we start? Today I chat with a renowned Australian Naturopath, Peter Mullen who specialises in working with children, where we talk about immune ...
Jun 02, 2019•57 min
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD or if you think your child fits the ADHD criteria, or even if you’re noticing signs of hyperactivity and inattention…then this podcast is for you! Today we talk all about the behaviour you may see in a child with ADHD and what strategies you can use at home, classroom hacks and how to improve focus, the social impacts of ADHD, the positive qualities and how to use a strengths-based model. I’ll be chatting with Paula Burgess. Paula is the founder of Beyond The...
May 19, 2019•46 min
Oxidative stress & mitochondria; what on earth are they and how do they relate to autism? Today we are going to make sense of this in really easy to understand language. No need to dust off the old textbook, just listen in to find out the latest research in this area. Today’ you’ll learn what environmental factors trigger oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction and you’ll be empowered with ways to improve your child’s health today! Today I am talking with the incredible Rhonda Muller....
May 05, 2019•54 min
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an autistic female? Or what’s it like to receive a diagnosis later in life? If so, buckle up, because today we are soaking up the lived experiences of the insightful Kristy Forbes! Kristy dives deep into her personal journey, why she prefers ‘autistic’ over ‘person with autism’, if there is a fundamental difference between males and females on the spectrum and the neurodiversity movement. Kristy Forbes is an autism and neurodiversity support specialist...
Apr 21, 2019•53 min
Hands up if you have a little fussy eater? Does your child only eat beige, bland carb-loaded foods? Or are they limited to certain brands? Maybe they will only tolerate crunchy foods? Do they survive on a diet of 20 or less different types of food? Do they crave junk food? Then this episode is for you! Today we are talking all about fussy eater and how to kick picky eating habits to the curb! I’ll be talking with Ashley Thurn, who is a paediatric occupational therapist and picky eating specialis...
Apr 07, 2019•56 min
Today we are soaking up all the practical advice and insights into how to make school a success, with the amazing Sue Larkey. We dive into anxiety, transitions, adjustments for tests, sensory tools and SO MUCH MORE! I have subscribed to Sue’s newsletter 7 years ago when I had my first pediatric caseload at a special development school down in Victoria. I’ve always loved Sue’s ideas because they’re super practical – and she makes everything make sense! Sue Larkey is an educator who has taught stu...
Mar 24, 2019•58 min
Chloe Hayden, better known as Princess Aspien, is a 21 year old girl with Aspergers Syndrome. Chloe struggled throughout her childhood and early teenage years feeling outcast and unable to connect with anyone. She suffered relentless bullying at school which landed her in hospital. When Chole was 18, she came to the realisation that she wasn’t the only child who had gone through these similar experiences. Chloe talks about what school life was REALLY like, how homeschooling changed her life in a...
Mar 10, 2019•42 min
Sara Harvey aka Agony Autie is autistic and was diagnosed at the age of 26 after her sons diagnosis. Sara is completely unguarded when it comes to advocating for the neurodiverse. She openly and courageously shares what’s in her heart and on her mind. Sara is shedding light on autistic behaviours and the different experiences being autistic entails. We talk all about her personal experiences, how she describes autism, what the neurodiverse movement is all about, why masking is so damaging, and w...
Feb 24, 2019•1 hr 22 min
When the brain and body are overloaded with toxins they don’t have the opportunity to function optimally. Our modern day world is full of chemicals which although are often hard to avoid, there is a great deal you can be doing to safely navigate the chemical maze. We conversation dives deep into the common toxic chemicals (‘fragrances’, phthalates & fluoride) you should be avoiding plus the everyday products you should be thinking twice about! This is one episode you can’t miss – because fri...
Feb 10, 2019•1 hr 12 min
Kids on the spectrum are drawn to digital devices, and lets face it, many kids prefer the virtual world over the real world. Electronic devices can provide predictability where kids feel safe, secure and can play a game tailored to their current interest. This sounds far more appealing than the real world which is full of unpredictability, judgement, misunderstandings, sensory overload and constant social challenges. But the tricky thing is trying to limit screen time and take back a device when...
Jan 27, 2019•49 min
We need to look at autism through a completely different lense. We need to unlearn what we have known to be true. We need to challenge deeply ingrained belief systems and embrace a whole child approach to the complexities of autism. Today it’s just you and me! I chat about how my understanding of autism was challenged when I stepped out of my therapy bubble and started to look beyond the information that was handed to me. I show you why the confusing history of autism means we need to keep our m...
Jan 13, 2019•46 min
We know genes play a major role in autism, but are you aware that autism is also heavily influenced by environmental factors? The more we learn about autism as an epigenetic condition – the more we start to realise that lifestyle really matters! This is a really empowering model to work from – because it means you can make a difference. We know there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to the complexities of autism but there are simple and effective strategies that ALL children can benefit fro...
Dec 30, 2018•1 hr 8 min
Does your child often feel isolated and have low self esteem? Chris Varney is 31 years old and has Asperger’s Syndrome. He grew up with a group of mentors who pushed him to think ‘I CAN’ and is driving a rethink of autism, from ‘I Can’t’ to ‘I CAN’!! In today’s episode Chris empowers you with ways to support your child at school and work – to boost their confidence and help them reach their full potential. Chris is the founder of the I CAN Network. The I CAN Network mentors young people on the A...
Dec 16, 2018•45 min
We know diet impacts gut health, but what else influences the state of the gut? ….It’s so much more than we think! Today we chat with Kirsty Wirth – Gut Health Guru, Founder of Kultured Wellness and mother to a child on the autism spectrum. She talks us through all the things that can help or hinder gut health….and we look beyond the diet to explore the impacts of nature, movement and SO MUCH MORE! She empowers us with so many practical tips including letting us know the type of non-toxic sunscr...
Dec 02, 2018•57 min
Today we are viewing autism through the lens of a teen on the spectrum. Clay Lewis is 16, girl crazy, car mad, loathes school and lives for music. Just your typical teenager. He’s also on the autism spectrum and is just realising he’s a person his peers want to get to know. Clay has his own bin cleaning business with a loyal customer base. His ultimate dream is to race cars but he’s willing to settle for independent living – having his own unit on the Gold Coast, owning a car and financial indep...
Nov 18, 2018•24 min
Children on the spectrum are easy targets for school bullies. I feel it is SO necessary that we shed light on what can be such a dark topic and spend a whole episode equipping you with the tools to approach bullying. We show you how you can bully proof your child! Susan Hyde is our beautiful guest who has been working in the field of education for nearly 30 years. Her background in classroom teaching lead to her interest in specialising in children’s behaviour, and boy, she has got some incredib...
Nov 04, 2018•1 hr 7 min
Today we are delving right into nutrition for kids and getting some really practical advice. Beck Warke, an incredibly knowledgable and passionate functional nutrition consultant walks us through the types of foods we should be packing into the lunchbox. We dive into the foods that sustain our kiddies energy and attention, how to navigate food labels, best shopping tips, how make the best choices if your on a plant based diet and SO MUCH MORE! Beck is the founder of the Omaha Kids In School Nutr...
Oct 21, 2018•53 min
Today we are diving into the world of Asperger’s with none other than Professor Tony Attwood. We delve into how our understanding of autism has changed over the years, what autism actually is, how you can celebrate Asperger’s, managing your child’s ‘challenging behaviour’, supporting your child through anxiety and depression ….and SO MUCH MORE! Tony has worked with thousands of individuals of all ages with Asperger’s syndrome or an Autism Spectrum Disorder and today he is sharing his wisdom and ...
Oct 07, 2018•1 hr 3 min
Do our kids actually need homework? Is it really doing them any favours? Today we are talking to a fabulous teacher who’s based down in Adelaide and she’s not afraid to speak up when it comes to ditching homework and replacing it with more time to relax, connect, move and play. Clare Crew is an early childhood and inclusive education teacher who specialises in the brain-body connection. She helps the children the system leaves behind – those with learning, attention, developmental and behavio...
Sep 23, 2018•51 min
Music and movement combined has the power to re-map the brain! Autism Movement Therapy® is a program designed by Joanne Lara – a professional dancer turned classroom education specialist turned university professor! The program is based on interhemispheric sensory integration to help children reach their potential. Music and movement can literally rewire the brain to benefit a child’s communication, cognitive function, behaviour and motor skills. And she show’s us how this is possible! Joanne is...
Sep 09, 2018•1 hr 1 min
Impaired communication is a core challenge for children with autism. However, many kids on the spectrum learn effectively through the use of visual supports. Visuals can increase predictability, reduce anxiety, improve listening and independence and empower children to effectively communicate their message. Whether you are currently using visuals or you are curious to learn more, I encourage you to strap in for some really practical advice as I chat with the amazing Shae Rodgers from Small TALK ...
Aug 26, 2018•50 min
Children with autism often experience very high stress levels which can lead to problem behaviours and a decline in their physical and emotional health. Dr Hamlin is the Associate Executive Director at The Centre for Discovery, a premier specialty centre for children and adults with complex developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorders. Today she discusses a revolutionary empowering approach which can be used on the most complex cases of autism, yet the approach itself is quite ...
Aug 12, 2018•1 hr 8 min
Today we are talking all about inflammation. Many children on the spectrum experience chronic stress caused by everyday stressors such as transitions, social situations, a diet high in processed foods and poor quality sleep. And this constant stress day after day can cause inflammation in their little bodies. Eliminating inflammation from the body requires a really holistic approach and this is exactly what we are delving into today! Today we are talking to the most enthusiastic, most passionate...
Jul 29, 2018•1 hr 4 min
