The Autism Mums Podcast

A child's digestion, sleep, sensory responses, mood, attention, and behaviour may look like separate concerns, but they are often connected.In this episode of The Autism Mums podcast Victoria and Natalie are joined by Amber Brooks, DC, APRN, FNP-C, CACCP, BCIP, MAPS who explains the gut-brain connection in clear, parent-friendly language. She shares how communication between the digestive system, immune system, nervous system, and brain can influence how children feel, function, and respond to their environment.Listeners will learn how to recognise patterns, understand behaviour as communication, and move beyond addressing symptoms in isolation. The goal is not to blame the gut for every concern, but to help parents see the whole child and know what questions to ask next.About Dr Amber BrooksAmber Brooks, DC, APRN, FNP-C, CACCP, BCIP, MAPS is an Integrative Pediatric Wellness Coach and the founder of Healing Roots Pediatrics. She has spent nearly 20 years helping children and families navigate developmental delays and complex health concerns through an integrative, whole-child approach.She holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic, a Master's degree in Nursing, four Bachelor's degrees, and advanced certifications in pediatric and functional wellness. Her work helps parents understand how digestion, sleep, nutrition, sensory responses, behavior, and development may be connected.Rather than focusing on symptoms in isolation, Amber helps families recognize patterns, understand what their child's body may be communicating, and identify clear next steps. Her goal is to give parents the education, guidance, and structured support they need to move forward with greater clarity and confidenceKey TakeawaysThe gut-brain connection is a constant conversation between the nervous system, immune system, and the chemicals the gut helps produceWhen a child's gut is uncomfortable or inflamed, it can show up in how they feel, how they sleep, and how they behave, not just as digestive symptomsMood, attention, sleep, and behavior are often connected rather than separate issues requiring separate solutionsChildren with developmental delays or autism typically experience some combination of constipation, restricted eating, sleep problems, or other digestive concernsTracking food, mood, poop, and sleep for five days can reveal patterns that connect seemingly unrelated symptomsPosturing behaviours such as leaning over furniture, pressing on bellies, or hanging upside down can be signs of digestive discomfort rather than sillinessThe pickier the child, the more pain they are likely experiencingFinding food swaps that look similar to preferred foods is more effective than forcing new foods and risking negative associationsParents should avoid trying multiple supplements and dietary changes all at once without professional guidanceStarting with small, consistent routines around sleep or bathroom tracking is a safe and practical first stepParents should trust their instincts if they feel something is off, even when told to wait and seeNo one needs permission to seek an evaluation or ask for helpA Free Gift from Dr Amber for listeners of The Autism Mums PodcastYour child may be telling you something. For parents of children with developmental delays and Autism: a free guide to the gut-brain connection, with a Body Clues Checklist and a 7-day tracker to help you spot what may really be behind the meltdowns, the sleepless nights, and the short list of foods. https://get.healingrootspediatrics.com/autismmomConnect with Dr Amber BrooksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingrootskids/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealingRootsPediatrics/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HealingRootsPediatricsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healingrootskidsPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/HRPkids/Connect with The Autism MumsWebsite – https://theautismmums.com/Substack - https://theautismmums.substack.com/Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmumsFollow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmumsFollow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums

We've been hearing from so many mums in our community lately who are struggling with school and the different options, so we wanted to bring this incredibly important conversation with Laura Vermeulen back to the top of your feed.If your child is struggling to attend school, you might be wondering what the options are. In this week's episode of The Autism Mums Podcast we welcome back Lauren Vermeulen from Victory-us to talk about EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At or In School).BiographyLauren is the founder of Victory-us, an independent SEND Teacher - supporting, empowering and providing EOTAS to send children. Lauren has taught in a variety of schools and SEND provisions, leading emotional regulation, behaviour support trainings and PSHE. She has expertise in supporting children with bespoke and tailored learning and mental health support, to ensure children flourish on education otherwise than at school. She now supports children their families who can’t access school and need tailored support.Key TakeawaysEOTAS stands for Education Otherwise Than At or In School. It is specifically for children who hold an EHCP - this is what sets it apart from elective home education. When a child has an EHCP and cannot be educated in a school setting, the responsibility for funding and meeting that child's needs sits with the local authority, not the parent.EOTAS is not the same as home education. If your child has an EHCP and you are educating them at home, the local authority still has a legal duty of care - and that includes funding. The LA must ensure all of Section F is being met.Getting EOTAS agreed can be a lengthy process. Local authorities are required to work through a list of provisions under Section 61 before EOTAS can be agreed - from mainstream, to resource bases, to specialist and independent schools, to online provision. This is why having a well-written EHCP that accurately reflects your child's needs is so important from the start.EOTAS is not just a tutor. A proper EOTAS package should address all of Section F - educational, health, and care needs. Emotional regulation, OT, SALT, therapy, and community access can all be part of the package, not just academic learning.Positive evidence matters. When building a case for EOTAS, it's not just about what isn't working - it's about evidencing what does. Is your child engaging with an online platform? A tutor? An activity based on their special interest? All of this counts.Section 19 is a different but related route. If your child cannot attend school for health reasons (including emotional school-based avoidance), and has had 15 or more consecutive days out of school, Section 19 may apply - even without an EHCP. It's intended to be temporary, but it can be a valuable window to collect evidence of what works.The goal of EOTAS is holistic, not just academic. Lauren challenges the idea that education means the national curriculum. Life skills, emotional regulation, self-advocacy, sensory needs, and community access are all valid - and essential - parts of a child's education.EOTAS can and should be reviewed regularly. Families should expect six-weekly check-ins with the LA, as well as annual review. If the LA identifies a school placement, parents are not obligated to accept it - as long as they can evidence why it would be less suitable than the current provision.You don't have to figure out the package alone. Lauren works with families to design bespoke EOTAS packages built around the child's interests, needs, and outcomes - starting with what the child loves and working backwards from there.Mentioned in This EpisodeMindJam — Emotional and SEN support for young people through gaming, game design and digital skillsKiwi STEM Boxes — subscription-based learning activity boxes referenced in the context of EOTAS packagesLisa Lloyd - ASD with a G&T Connect with LaurenBook a free 30 minute call with Lauren via the Calendly link on the bottom right-hand side of her website.Website: www.victory-us.co.ukInstagram: @victoryus.lvConnect with The Autism MumsWebsite – https://theautismmums.com/Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmumsFollow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmumsFollow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmums

Half-term brings its own kind of pressure, even before Halloween enters the picture. In this episode, Victoria and Natalie talk about what happens when routine disappears for a week, Halloween itself, what the holidays are 'supposed' to look like, and building a version that actually works for your family.Key TakeawaysHalf-term can bring anxiety even when a child is genuinely excited to be off schoolHalloween costumes and face paints can feel uncomfortableA visual timetable can help make an unstructured week far easier to manageKeeping a simple record of appointments, meetings and behaviour patterns can be helpful to use as evidence for diagnosis, EHCPs and panel reviewsQuiet downtime after an activity can help some children recover and regulateConnect with The Autism MumsWebsite – https://theautismmums.com/Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmumsFollow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmumsFollow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums

In this episode, we’re joined by John Ossipinsky, known online as “The Lymph Man,” to talk about a part of the body most of us never think about, the lymphatic system. John has spent years studying how this network of vessels clears waste and inflammation, and he shares his take on how it might connect to the way our children feel, think and cope day to day. He covers posture, diet, deep breathing, and a simple shoulder exercise you can try at home.BiographyJohn Ossipinsky, known as LymphMan, is a Lymphatic Health Coach and host of The Lymph-Brain Revolution Podcast. He’s spent over 30 years as a Certified Lymphedema Therapist, with advanced training in CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation, helping thousands of clients improve their quality of life. In this episode he talks about how supporting the lymphatic system, movement and inflammation can help teens and adults on the autism spectrum feel more balanced.Key TakeawaysThe lymphatic system has no pump of its own, unlike the heart and blood. It relies on movement, posture and breathing to keep it flowing.Poor posture and long periods on screens with the head down restrict lymph flow in the neck, something John says affects adults and children alike.When the lymphatic system can’t clear cellular waste, it builds up as inflammation, which can show up anywhere in the body: skin, joints, brain.Diet has a direct effect on lymph flow. A typical Western diet (meat, bread, white flour, sugar) is acid-forming, and acidity restricts the lymphatic system.Small daily habits, deep breathing, movement, and what John calls the “Lymph Man Shoulder Shuffle”, can noticeably improve lymph flow in just a few minutes.Mentioned in This EpisodeJohn’s free gift: Lymphatic System Health Guide & 7-Day Plan — https://www.johnossipinsky.com/lymphmans-lymphatic-system-health-guideConnect with John OssipinskyWebsite: www.HealthyLymphSystem.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lymphman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LymphManTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lymphman_john_ossipinskyX: https://x.com/LymphManYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LymphManLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ossipinsky-60520914/Connect with The Autism MumsWebsite – https://theautismmums.com/Substack - https://theautismmums.substack.com/Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmumsFollow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmumsFollow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums

In this episode of The Autism Mums Podcast, we're talking about the mistakes schools and professionals make that might seem small to them but can be enormous for autistic children and SEND families.We share our own experiences of placements that worked and placements that broke down, including in specialist schools and alternative provisions where you'd expect staff to know better. We talk about what happens when promises aren't kept, when communication breaks down and when timelines drift, and why for some children, once trust is gone, there's no easy way back.We also talk about why parents raise concerns early, why that isn't being overprotective, and what schools can do that same week when a parent says their child is close to not coming in.Key TakeawaysKnowing the child before they arrive matters. Reading the EHCP and asking parents about likes, dislikes and triggers can make or break a placementThe first session counts. For many autistic children, one bad experience can lead straight to refusalKeeping promises is essential to a child's sense of safety, and broken promises are rarely forgottenYou can ignore the behaviour, but you should never ignore the child. A child left alone in a shutdown can feel abandonedWhatever caused a meltdown or shutdown needs addressing quickly, not days laterIgnoring requests for meetings or a child's anxieties is one of the fastest routes to placement breakdownClear timelines help anxious children. "Later" needs to mean a specific day and timeSchools don't get endless chances. With some autistic children it can be one strike, not threeOnce a child says they're done, there's often no way back, so needs must be met much earlierChildren who mask or comply at school may be holding it together until they get home, so parents often see the full picture when staff don'tParents aren't trying to be difficult. They're trying to stop the placement they fought for from breaking downPlacement breakdown is rarely sudden. It usually follows weeks, months or years of anxiety, broken trust and missed opportunitiesWhat Schools Can Do When a Placement Is at RiskAcknowledge the concern quicklyBelieve the parentSpeak to the child in a way they can manageGive a clear plan and follow up when promisedAvoid making promises they can't keepRepair broken trust directlyReview things in days or weeks, not monthsUnderstand that attendance problems are often a sign of distress, not defianceMentioned in This EpisodeEducation, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)The National Autistic Society's EarlyBird programmeConnect with The Autism MumsWebsite: https://theautismmums.com/Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theautismmumsFollow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theautismmumsFollow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theautismmums