{"podcast":{"title":"Neurodivergent Conversations |  Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, PDA, Emotional Regulation, SEND parent, Meltdowns, Special Needs Parent","slug":"neurodivergent-conversations-autism-adhd-audhd-pda-emotional-regulation-send-parent-meltdowns-special-needs-parent-7045757","podcast_index_feed_id":7045757,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/TSF1839726867","website_url":"https://theunfinishedidea.com/","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/fa1b7630-6add-11ef-8991-e780026733ef/image/94edbc93ffb3415e25227348db67306e.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"That Sounds Fun Network","episode_count":103,"summary":"What’s it really like parenting a child with ADHD and autism? How can parents, teachers, and communities better support neurodivergent children? How do autistic and ADHD individuals experience the world? Each week, we explore these questions with practical strategies, emotional insight, and real stories. I’m Greer — a mum of two boys (and two dogs!) raising a child with special educational needs (SEN) alongside my husband. Our daily life looks different from the norm, but it’s full of love, advocacy, and growth. I started this podcast to create a space for parents of neurodivergent kids, educators, and allies to learn, connect, and build understanding together. You’ll hear parenting tips, advocacy guidance, sensory strategies, and personal reflections that shine a light on both the joys and challenges of neurodivergent parenting. Through heartfelt solo episodes and guest interviews, we’ll talk about EHCP or IEP processes, school support, emotional regulation, and the big feelings that come with raising ND kids. Whether you’re here as a parent of an autistic or ADHD child, a late-diagnosed adult, a teacher seeking insight, or someone wanting to understand the neurodivergent world,…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-09T22:18:52.818817+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/neurodivergent-conversations-autism-adhd-audhd-pda-emotional-regulation-send-parent-meltdowns-special-needs-parent-7045757"},"episode":{"title":"Buddy Dogs: How the Right Dog Can Build Confidence, Connection, and Calm for Kids With Vision Impairments","slug":"buddy-dogs-how-the-right-dog-can-build-confidence-connection-and-calm-for-kids-with-vision-impairments","published_at":"2026-04-09T05:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/neurodivergent-conversations-autism-adhd-audhd-pda-emotional-regulation-send-parent-meltdowns-special-needs-parent-7045757/buddy-dogs-how-the-right-dog-can-build-confidence-connection-and-calm-for-kids-with-vision-impairments","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/neurodivergent-conversations-autism-adhd-audhd-pda-emotional-regulation-send-parent-meltdowns-special-needs-parent-7045757","url":"https://mgln.ai/e/424/traffic.megaphone.fm/TSF9584314839.mp3?updated=1775683129","audio_url":"https://mgln.ai/e/424/traffic.megaphone.fm/TSF9584314839.mp3?updated=1775683129","summary":"What if the first positive thing connected to your child’s diagnosis was… a dog in a little jacket that makes people smile? In this episode, Greer talks with Robbie Campbell from Buddy Dogs, a service within Guide Dogs UK that places specially matched dogs with children who have vision impairments—often alongside other complex needs. Robbie explains why Buddy Dogs exists: guide dogs are trained for mobility and require a level of independence that simply isn’t realistic for most children. But the companionship, confidence, and connection that dogs bring? That can be life-changing for kids and families. Robbie shares what he sees again and again: dogs becoming an “icebreaker” in public, helping kids feel more confident talking to others, and even opening doors for children to speak about their vision impairment in a new way—sometimes for the very first time. For some families, the Buddy Dog becomes a shift in the emotional story: instead of isolation and heavy equipment drawing stares, there’s a warm, inviting focus that brings people closer. You’ll also hear how Buddy Dogs are different from guide dogs: Buddy Dogs aren’t trained for mobility tasks. They’re placed for companionship and day-to-day confidence-building—and they’re typically dogs who didn’t continue down the guide dog route, but are still beautifully suited for family life. Matching is taken seriously, including what a particular dog needs and what each family’s lifestyle can support, with training and ongoing check-ins to make sure the partnership stays strong. The conversation also touches on neurodivergent families: many kids in the programme are also autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent. Robbie describes how dogs often become natural regulators—helping with transitions, reducing anxiety, and brin…","meta_description":"What if the first positive thing connected to your child’s diagnosis was… a dog in a little jacket that makes people smile? In this episode, Greer talks w…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1553,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/neurodivergent-conversations-autism-adhd-audhd-pda-emotional-regulation-send-parent-meltdowns-special-needs-parent-7045757/episodes/buddy-dogs-how-the-right-dog-can-build-confidence-connection-and-calm-for-kids-with-vision-impairments/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/neurodivergent-conversations-autism-adhd-audhd-pda-emotional-regulation-send-parent-meltdowns-special-needs-parent-7045757/buddy-dogs-how-the-right-dog-can-build-confidence-connection-and-calm-for-kids-with-vision-impairments.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}