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 so...
Apr 05, 2023•6 min•Ep. 58
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 ene...
Mar 29, 2023•14 min•Ep. 57
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 oft...
Mar 23, 2023•17 min•Ep. 56
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...
Mar 16, 2023•10 min•Ep. 55
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 th...
Mar 09, 2023•15 min•Ep. 54
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...
Mar 02, 2023•9 min•Ep. 53
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...
Feb 23, 2023•16 min•Ep. 52
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 y...
Feb 16, 2023•11 min•Ep. 51
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 ...
Feb 09, 2023•5 min•Ep. 50
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 de...
Feb 02, 2023•10 min•Ep. 49
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 of...
Jan 26, 2023•13 min•Ep. 48
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 t...
Jan 19, 2023•10 min•Ep. 47
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...
Jan 12, 2023•15 min•Ep. 46
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 ...
Jan 05, 2023•11 min•Ep. 45
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 batteri...
Dec 22, 2022•8 min•Ep. 44
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, a...
Dec 15, 2022•7 min•Ep. 43
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. Ani...
Dec 08, 2022•9 min•Ep. 42
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...
Dec 01, 2022•15 min•Ep. 41
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. Mas...
Nov 24, 2022•12 min•Ep. 40
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. ...
Nov 17, 2022•22 min•Ep. 39
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 i...
Nov 11, 2022•13 min•Ep. 38
In this episode, Aniesa talks all about the power behind saying no. In modern life, it’s all too easy to say yes to things you either don’t want to do or don’t have time for, creating more stress and anxiety in your life. Listen in to hear how and why you should learn to start saying no. KEY TAKEAWAYS The better you become at saying no, the more your stress and anxiety will be reduced because you are only doing and saying yes to the things you want to do and critically, have time for. Saying no ...
Nov 03, 2022•5 min•Ep. 37
After conquering her nerves and attending an Ethics Committee question and answer session for funding for her Masters research project, Aniesa reflects on on the lack of resources in education and healthcare which results in a large number of children going without the provision that they need. KEY TAKEAWAYS Due to lack of resources, basic assessments for care of children are not being carried out. If you are aware as a parent of what your child should be receiving and pursue it, you are often l...
Oct 27, 2022•9 min•Ep. 36
Aniesa is an empty nester! In this week’s episode, Aniesa reflects on the last few weeks now her youngest is at University. The highs, the lows, and the cheaper food bills. KEY TAKEAWAYS Aniesa’s youngest left for University three weeks ago. The silver lining of having no children at home is the abundance of food available! An empty nest may be quieter, but don't worry; the pets will always be there to demand your attention. BEST MOMENTS “I felt like I was leaving my heart on just a random stree...
Oct 20, 2022•6 min•Ep. 35
Aniesa chats with Jodie Isitt, founder of The Nurture Programme, offering bespoke training and support for teachers, carers, and parents of children with additional needs. Jodie has three autistic children and was diagnosed autistic during the pandemic lockdown. In today’s episode, she discusses the obstacles of being a parent of a child with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) and how she works to help others with neurodivergent children. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Nurture Programme started during the p...
Oct 12, 2022•29 min•Ep. 34
Product Design student Sean Fraser continues his discussion with Aniesa on the relationship between ADHD-diagnosed kids and education, focusing on the products used to aid Occupational Therapy sessions. Aniesa explains the process of encouraging kids to build obstacle courses to regulate behaviour and how lockdown affected in-person Occupational Therapy sessions. KEY TAKEAWAYS It’s essential to set goals for children and be mindful of them during sessions If kids are unable to focus during sessi...
Oct 05, 2022•14 min•Ep. 33
Sean Fraser, a final-year Product Design degree student, talks to Aniesa about the resources and techniques available to aid ADHD-diagnosed kids in building a better relationship with education. In part one of this two-part interview, Sean and Aniesa discuss the difference between how girls and boys present their ADHD symptoms, how changes can be made in a classroom setting to accommodate an ADHD student, and the products available on the market to aid productivity and routine. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sea...
Sep 28, 2022•32 min•Ep. 32
Large scale events and overwhelming environments can cause sensory overload. Join Aniesa as she explains how to deal with sensory overwhelm, crowds and transitions. Learn how to become child-led and discover how to help anyone struggling with sensory overwhelm. KEY TAKEAWAYS It’s important to remember that if you as an adult are experiencing sensory overload, it is likely, even more, overwhelming for a child. Everybody reacts differently to environmental transitions so it is vital to be consiste...
Sep 21, 2022•6 min•Ep. 31
How do you apply lotions and creams to your child? Join Aniesa as she explains our children's tactile defensiveness, how to go help your children become comfortable with light touch and stickiness and how to help them regulate their nervous system. KEY TAKEAWAYS One of the questions I got asked when it came to their kids, being tactile defensive was how you go about putting on creams and lotions. One of the difficulties that parents have is our children's tactile defensiveness. For example, when...
Sep 14, 2022•6 min•Ep. 30
It is almost back to school time. Aniesa dives into the chaotic time of back to school in today’s episode of The Sensational Kids Show. Listen in to discover how to prepare your child for school and create a successful routine. KEY TAKEAWAYS It’s important for your health and your kid's health to make sure your kids are getting a lot of exercise. In the run-up to school, it’s vital that your kids are as active as possible so they do not struggle with their endurance or stamina. Make sure your ch...
Sep 07, 2022•14 min•Ep. 29
