SEND Parenting Podcast

EP 166: Beyond the Label empowerning parents of ADHD Girls

SEND Parenting Podcast

Show Notes

Today is a special one. It is publication day for my debut book, Beyond the Label: Empowering Parents of ADHD Girls, and I wanted to mark it by recording something just for you. In this episode I share the things I wish someone had told me the day we got Alexandra's diagnosis. Why ADHD is so consistently missed in girls, and what it actually looks like in the home rather than the classroom. The one symptom that causes more chaos in families than almost anything else, and that does not even ap...

More from SEND Parenting Podcast

Jul 28, 2026

In February 2026, the UK government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, issued a white paper outlining recommendations and reforms to the schools and SEND system in England. In this live masterclass, Olivia discusses the good, the bad, and the key points from this paper that impact you, and to do that she is joined by Kelly Jarvis, Head of Advocacy and Consultancy at Sunshine Support and Education Consultant Sara Donnelly. Read the white paper and full report here: https://www.gov.uk/governme...

Jul 14, 2026

How many times has your AuDHD child missed a deadline, or simply not done something really important? Spoiler alert: they’re not lazy or naughty, because neurodivergent brains do not process things in the same way. Their reward system is entirely different. And their executive dysfunction can make even the most straightforward tasks feel impossible. I am joined by Nicola McAllister, a specialist in child development and founder of The Regulated Child, to break down why our children can’t just...

Jun 30, 2026

In today’s attention economy, parenting has never been more challenging. Our children are surrounded by gadgets, technology and screens actively trying to distract them from you. And they’re really good at it! So what do we do about screen time, how much is too much, why do our kids always prefer to look at their screens over the world around them - or us - and what can you do about it? I am joined by Ekta Khera, illustrator and founder of Tiny Thinks, to discuss the big questions around scre...

Jun 16, 2026

Parenting at the best of times is hard work, but having a neurodivergent child is like parenting on steroids. Nothing works, you never feel like you can catch a break, and worst of all, you often feel like you’re not good enough. If this sounds like you, this episode is going to help you find your mojo again. Dr. Olivia is joined by Dr. Melita Ash, a clinical psychologist and the director of Percuro Psychology, a specialist practice in assessing and supporting anxiety, neurodivergence and sch...

May 13, 2026

What happens when a child spends their entire life being told they are “too sensitive,” “not trying hard enough,” or that they “have so much potential”… while secretly struggling just to cope? In this deeply moving and honest conversation, Dr. Olivia Kessel is joined by author and illustrator Eliza Fricker to explore the hidden reality of growing up as an undiagnosed autistic girl. Inspired by Eliza’s powerful new book, Could Try Harder, this episode unpacks the emotional cost of masking, peo...

See all episodes →