This is a heartfelt and empowering conversation between our host, Sarah Billingham, and special guest, Jo Long. Get ready to delve into the importance of setting boundaries, prioritising self-care, and navigating the unique challenges and joys of parenting children with special educational needs. 

You'll hear Jo's personal journey, insights on embracing autism, and practical advice for finding support and balance. Tune in as they explore how to raise confident, happy kids while taking care of yourself along the way.

Here are the Highlights:

06:52 Our society is not set up for autistic people.

12:06 Changing your language to shift negative perceptions. 

18:46 Prioritising self-care and personal needs over others.

20:24 Communication is crucial for healthy relationships.

24:10 Planning self-care is essential for its execution.

26:46 Felt isolated raising autistic child.

29:51 Some parents hesitate to seek 1-on-1 support.

33:57 Delegation in teamwork and family life.

37:08 Setting boundaries is important for family balance.

About Sarah Billingham:

Sarah Billingham is a specialist speech and language teacher with a focus on emotional regulation. Her service, Confident Kids, equips parents, carers and practitioners with expert knowledge and the practical tools they need through training, coaching and group programmes. 

Becoming a parent changed Sarah’s perspective on parenting and early childhood development and deepened her interest in understanding the regulation needs of both children and their families. 

Qualifying in 2004, she initially worked in mainstream primary education and went on to lead a specialist speech and language resource base. She worked as Assistant Headteacher at a specialist SLCN school for five years and went on to lead their independent multidisciplinary assessment service until December 2021. 

Sarah was a committee member of NAPLIC (National Association of Professionals Supporting Language and Communication Development) for five years. She is a Regional Makaton Tutor. 

Connect with Sarah:

Website -  https://www.confidentkids.co/

Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/confidentkids.co

FB community -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ConfidentTransitions

Instagram @confidentkids.co

Email sarah@confidentkids.co

Free downloads: 

Choosing a School for a Child with Additional Needs

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy

Easing Your Child’s Communication Frustration

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy_copy

How do I know if my Child’s Emotional Outbursts are ‘Normal’?

https://www.subscribepage.com/z1k2j3_copy_copy_copy

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

About Jo Long: 

Jo is a Coach for Mums of Autistic Children, her son Bookasaurus is bright, and autistic with ADHD. She understands those feelings of isolation, fear, and guilt, and provides mums with a safe space to share fully with someone who gets it (no diagnosis needed). She creates an easier and more enjoyable family life and empowers women to fulfill their passions.

Jo supports mums in finding solutions to reduce their children’s anxieties/aggression;

to build sibling/friend relationships and to help their children feel comfortable going into school/nursery.

She achieves this by sharing with women how to understand, communicate with, embrace, and adapt to their children/partner, develop their mindset so they get out of their own way, look after their wellbeing, and take a joint parenting approach with their partners.

When mums work with Jo they feel calmer, in control, inspired, and motivated to move forward. She coaches women over Zoom or in person if they’re local, she offers 1:1s with text check-ins and group courses.

Website:https://learningtoloveautism.com/support-for-mums/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jo.learningtoloveautism/ 

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/jo-long-b8a380247

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jo.learningtoloveautism/