Show Notes
Today, Cliff welcomes Lisa Bond, who is herself neurodiverse. Lisa is a training, learning and development specialist who has hands on experience of counselling, advocacy, and litigation for neurodiverse families. Lisa works for AYC Psychology who offer a range of neurodiverse assessment services and is the founder of Impact Training.
She lives in a Rainbow house of neurodiversity she and her son have ADHD, and her two daughters have autism. Together, they discuss whether the NHS or private assessment route is best, what a good assessment should look like and how to get one. They also cover why flexibility and providing choices works better than ultimatums, the positive role humour can play in neurodiverse households and tips to help you to navigate family life and the assessment process.
EPISODE REVEALS
If you choose to seek a private consultation, make sure they are properly qualified, use standardised assessments, proper equipment and are following NICE guidelines.
If someone hesitates when you ask about their qualifications, that is a big red flag.
Offering someone with neurodiversity a choice rather than an ultimatum usually leads to better outcomes.
If your child is coming home exhausted, recognise that as a sign your child is masking. They are not coping despite appearing to do so to their teachers.
The equality act is very clear that you do not need a diagnosis to get adjustments put in place. But realistically you will struggle to make that happen.
Be kind – to yourself, your kids, and the people around you, including those you are seeking support from.
BEST MOMENTS
"Nobody would go private if the NHS were providing what we needed."
"Look at the Google reviews. It is important that you get a really good assessment."
"If you can understand the why….you can look at the right techniques."
"You are processing on a different operating system. The whole world´s on a MAC and we´re on a I don´t know what this operating system is."
EPISODE RESOURCESwww.psychologyassessmentservices.co.uk
www.impacttrainers.co.uk
CLIFF´S SOURCES
Famisafe Parental control App Link: https://wondersharesoftware.pxf.io/ParentingAUDHD
What to Do When Your Child Shuts Down: Real-World Parenting Strategies for Neurodivergent Kids Who Shut Down, Refuse School, or Just Stop communicating with you:
The Mandela effect scifi novel https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/2017413402
CLIFF´S SERVICES
Are you struggling with anxiety and want support from someone who has been there and come out the other side? - Message Cliff here and take advantage of his founding members offer: https://m.me/cliff.kilmister
Are you feeling overwhelmed with EHCP paperwork or are you stuck? Cliff, who has personally been through the process offers body-doubling and step-by-step support. You can contact him here - https://m.me/cliff.kilmister
CONTACT ME
Instagram: @cliff_kilmister08
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cliff.kilmister
X - @KilmisterCliff
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingAutismandADHD
HOST BIO
Cliff Kilmister is a dedicated parent, advocate, and cat whisperer with firsthand experience raising a child with autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Having navigated the challenges of school refusal, meltdowns, and sensory sensitivities, Cliff brings an empathetic, real-world perspective to the podcast. When he's not helping his child thrive, he’s dodging the evil stares of his three cats, who are plotting to take over the world (fortunately, they still haven’t figured out how to use the tin opener). Cliff offers practical advice, expert insights, and personal stories to help families facing similar struggles. Cliff is focused on connecting with professionals and networks to raise awareness about the growing need for the education system to adapt to the increasing neurodiverse population. Join the community on Patreon to share experiences, access exclusive content, and work together for change!
More from Parenting Autism and ADHD
If you’re a grandparent or family member supporting a neurodivergent young person, it can be hard to know what’s behind their behaviour, or how best to help. Today, we sit down with Jean Ramsay of Coaching for Schools, to talk about what she learned from a career in teaching.
If you regularly come home from work completely wiped out or spend the weekend worrying about a meeting on Monday, you are not alone, lots of neurodiverse people feel that way. Today, sit down with Jodie Steele, the founder of NeuroTalks, to discuss why that happens and what you, your employers and others can do to solve this issue.
Sarah Warley joins us to discuss her experience with appearing on Channel 4’s controversial documentary The Great ADHD Myth, including the last-minute title change, why so much of her contribution never made it into the programme, what was cut and the debate it sparked across the ADHD community.
In this fascinating episode, I’m joined by Chris Marsh, an ADHD specialist, root cause therapist and fellow neurodivergent thinker, for a deep conversation about ADHD, trauma, anxiety, productivity, healing and what it really means to be “normal.”
In this episode I sit down with autism coach Sam Loprete to talk about growing up undiagnosed, feeling “odd but not sure why,” and only later discovering you have ADHD. We swap stories about childhood moments that were seen as shyness or bad behaviour, but were really signs of overwhelm, unclear rules, and needs no one thought of.