Inside The SEND System: The Truth Every Parent Needs To Hear

Inside The SEND System: The Truth Every Parent Needs To Hear

Navigating the SEND system can feel overwhelming, isolating and, at times, impossible. In this episode of We Missed The Memo, I sit down with experienced SENDCo Hannah Dillon for an honest conversation about what really happens behind the scenes in schools. Whether you’re at the very beginning of your journey, waiting for an assessment, battling for an EHCP, or simply trying to understand your child’s needs, this episode is packed with practical advice, reassurance and insight. Together we discuss: • The role of a SENDCo and how they can support your family • Early signs that a child may need additional support • SEN Support vs EHCPs and what they actually mean • Why behaviour is communication • How to work positively with your child’s school • Common misconceptions about autism and additional needs • Sensory processing, masking and emotional regulation • What parents can do if they feel their child isn’t being heard • The importance of understanding the child, not just the diagnosis • Advice Hannah wishes every parent knew from the very beginning If you’ve ever felt like you’re fighting the system alone, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not alone, and that understanding is one of the most powerful tools we have. Resources mentioned in this episode 🎥 ASC Explained for Children A brilliant animated video to help children understand autism in an accessible and positive way. https://youtu.be/Ezv85LMFx2E?is=mZKqkyms4gNgX-S- [https://youtu.be/Ezv85LMFx2E?is=mZKqkyms4gNgX-S-] 🎥 Life with ASC: Sensory Aversions An excellent video exploring sensory differences and how they can affect everyday life. https://youtu.be/aPknwW8mPAM?is=v7ja4F-oWjhugoCI [https://youtu.be/aPknwW8mPAM?is=v7ja4F-oWjhugoCI] Helpful organisations for parents • IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) [https://www.ipsea.org.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]⁠ Free legal advice and information to help families understand SEND law, EHCPs, appeals and their child’s educational rights. (IPSEA [https://www.ipsea.org.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]⁠) • National Autistic Society Education Support [https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/education/extra-help-at-school/england/ehc-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com]⁠ Comprehensive guidance on autism, education, EHCPs, school support and navigating the education system. (National Autistic Society [https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/education/extra-help-at-school/england/ehc-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com]⁠) • NHS Autism: School Support [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/autism-and-everyday-life/school/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]⁠ Information about educational support available for autistic children, including EHCPs and reasonable adjustments. (nhs.uk [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/autism-and-everyday-life/school/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]⁠) • Autism Central [https://www.autismcentral.nhs.uk/guidance/getting-help-school?utm_source=chatgpt.com]⁠ Free guidance and resources for families, including support around education, diagnosis and everyday life. (autismcentral.nhs.uk [https://www.autismcentral.nhs.uk/guidance/getting-help-school?utm_source=chatgpt.com]⁠) Remember, asking for help isn’t asking for too much. Every child deserves to be understood, supported and given the opportunity to thrive. 🎙️ If this episode helped you, please follow We Missed The Memo, leave a review, and share it with another parent, teacher or professional. Together, we can create more understanding and fewer children who slip through the cracks. 💜 Looking for more support with your own health and wellbeing? The LWL App is your all-in-one women’s health community, designed to help you feel stronger, healthier and more confident at every stage of life. Inside the app you’ll find: • Expert workout programmes for all fitness levels • Home and gym workouts • Nutrition plans and hundreds of recipes • Support for perimenopause, menopause, PCOS and women’s health • Educational resources to help you better understand your body • A supportive community of women on the same journey ✨ Start your FREE 3-day trial today: https://www.leanwithleanne.com/we-missed-the-memo-podcast You can also connect with Leanne on social media for more women’s health education, podcast updates and behind-the-scenes content. 📱 Instagram: @leanwithleanne 🎙️ Podcast: @wemissedthememo

When Autism Rewrites The Story Of Motherhood

For many women, becoming a mother comes with a certain fairytale story. But for so many the reality is much different. In this powerful and deeply honest episode of We Missed The Memo, we sit down with Julie and Danielle, two amazing mums raising autistic daughters, to talk about the realities of parenting a child with additional needs. We discuss the emotions that many parents are afraid to say out loud. The grief of letting go of expectations, the guilt that can come with it, the isolation, the exhaustion, the constant fight for support, and the unconditional love that exists alongside it all. This is not about fixing their children. It's a conversation about understanding them. Julie and Danielle share what life is really like behind closed doors, from navigating diagnoses, school systems and public judgment, to celebrating milestones that others may take for granted. They discuss how autism didn't change who their children were, but it did rewrite their understanding of motherhood, family and what truly matters. Whether you're a parent of a neurodivergent child, know someone who is, work with children, or simply want to better understand autism, this episode offers an honest, compassionate and eye-opening perspective on a journey that is so often misunderstood. Because every child deserves to be understood, and every parent deserves to feel seen. And every mother deserves not to miss the memo on this one! 🎧 Listen now on: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube We Missed The Memo. 💜 Support, Resources & Information • National Autistic Society (UK): https://www.autism.org.uk • Ambitious About Autism: https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk • Autism Central Parent Support: https://www.autismcentral.org.uk • Contact (Support for Families with Disabled Children): https://contact.org.uk 📱 Looking for support with your own health and wellbeing? The LWL App gives you access to workouts, nutrition support, women's health resources, recipes and expert guidance to help you feel your best. 🎁 Start with a FREE 3-day trial. https://www.leanwithleanne.com/we-missed-the-memo-podcast

"The Day Our Baby Died Was The Day Luna's Legacy Was Born!" - The Story Behind Luna's Fund

The Day Luna Died Was The Day Her Legacy Was Born: The Story Behind Luna’s Fund Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions around baby loss, stillbirth, neonatal death, grief and bereavement. In this deeply moving episode of We Missed The Memo, Leanne sits down with Aimee Green, founder of Luna’s Fund, to share the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter Luna and how that unimaginable loss became the beginning of a legacy that is now supporting families across Devon and Cornwall. What started as one family’s darkest moment has grown into a lifeline for bereaved parents navigating baby loss and pregnancy after loss. Aimee opens up about grief, motherhood, healing, and the powerful mission behind Luna’s Fund, a charity created to ensure that no family has to face this journey alone. Together we discuss: 💜 Luna’s story and the inspiration behind Luna’s Fund 💜 Life after baby loss and navigating grief 💜 The realities of pregnancy after loss 💜 The support bereaved parents really need 💜 Why practical support can make all the difference 💜 Creating a community where families feel seen, heard and supported 💜 How Luna’s legacy continues to change lives every single day Luna’s Fund supports families following stillbirth and neonatal loss, as well as parents navigating pregnancy after loss. Their services include practical and emotional support, pregnancy after loss scans, support groups, family events, food deliveries, nursery redecoration, wellbeing breaks and much more. If this episode resonates with you, please consider supporting the incredible work Luna’s Fund does for families across Devon and Cornwall. Donate to Luna’s Fund: https://www.lunasfund.com/donate [https://www.lunasfund.com/donate] Find out more about Luna’s Fund: https://www.lunasfund.com [https://www.lunasfund.com] Need support from Luna’s Fund: support@lunasfund.com [support@lunasfund.com] 07498 599888 [tel:07498%20599888] Registered Charity Number: 1184371 [tel:1184371] ⸻ 🎙️ About We Missed The Memo We Missed The Memo is the podcast tackling the conversations women’s health forgot to have. From fertility, pregnancy, menopause and mental health to grief, chronic illness and everything in between, we’re here to make sure no woman feels alone in her experience. ⸻ 💛 Try The LWL Women’s Health Method Ready to take control of your health with expert guidance, workouts, nutrition support and women’s health education? Start your FREE 3-day trial today: https://www.leanwithleanne.com/we-missed-the-memo-podcast [https://www.leanwithleanne.com/we-missed-the-memo-podcast] The LWL Women’s Health Method provides evidence-based support for women navigating fat loss, perimenopause, menopause, strength training, confidence and long-term health. Follow Leanne: @leanwithleanne Follow the podcast: @wemissedthememo

"The Babies We Never Got To Bring Home"

This is the conversation nobody ever thinks they’ll need… until they do. In this deeply emotional episode of We Missed The Memo, we’re talking about miscarriage, molar pregnancy and stillbirth… and the babies who were loved long before they ever arrived. “The Babies We Never Got To Bring Home” is a raw and honest conversation about pregnancy loss, grief, trauma, motherhood and the life changing reality of walking out of hospital with empty arms. We discuss: *  Miscarriage and the emotional aftermath  *  What a molar pregnancy actually is  *  The shock of pregnancy complications nobody prepares you for  *  Stillbirth and navigating unimaginable loss  *  Relationships, guilt and surviving grief  *  The silence surrounding baby loss  *  Why these conversations matter so much for women and families  This episode may be difficult for some listeners, so please listen gently and take care of yourself if this topic feels close to home. 🤍 If you or somebody you love has been affected by pregnancy or baby loss, support is available: * Tommy’s [https://www.tommys.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Sands [https://www.sands.org.uk?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * The Miscarriage Association [https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Molar Pregnancy Support Foundation * Petals Baby Loss Counselling [https://www.petalscharity.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. 💛 Podcast listeners can also access a free 3-day trial of the Lean With Leanne app here:  Lean With Leanne Free Trial

'I Couldn't Save My Mum... But Maybe I Could Help Save Someone Else's'

What happens when grief becomes purpose? In this emotional episode of We Missed The Memo, we sit down with Liv to talk about losing her mum to breast cancer, and how that devastating loss inspired her passion for helping other women through her work with CoppaFeel!. This isn’t just a conversation about breast cancer. It’s a conversation about daughters, families, fear, early detection, body awareness, and the life changing importance of checking your chest and knowing your normal. Liv shares her mum’s story with honesty and heart, while also opening up about the mission behind CoppaFeel! and why these conversations matter so much. Because sometimes the memo we missed… could save a life. 🎧 In this episode we discuss: *  Losing a parent to breast cancer  *  The emotional impact cancer has on families  *  The importance of checking your breasts regularly  *  Signs and symptoms women should never ignore  *  How CoppaFeel! is changing awareness for younger women  *  Why early detection matters  *  Turning grief into purpose and advocacy  ⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions around cancer, illness, grief and loss. Breast Cancer Support & Resources CoppaFeel! [https://coppafeel.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] A UK breast cancer awareness charity encouraging everyone to check their chest regularly and know the signs of breast cancer. NHS Breast Cancer Information [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and support. Breast Cancer Now [https://breastcancernow.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Support services, helplines, forums and breast cancer education. Macmillan Cancer Support [https://www.macmillan.org.uk?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Practical, emotional and financial support for people affected by cancer. Cancer Research UK [https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Trusted information on breast cancer research, symptoms and treatment. You, Me & The Big C Podcast [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0608649?utm_source=chatgpt.com] BBC podcast/documentary series created by Rachael Bland, Deborah James and Lauren Mahon discussing the realities of living with cancer. BBC Documentary: CoppaFeel! and Kris Hallenga’s Story Learn more about the powerful story behind CoppaFeel! and its founder Kris Hallenga. 💙 Want support with your health, fitness and confidence journey? The Lean With Leanne App gives women access to: *  Home & gym workouts  *  Perimenopause & menopause support  *  Fat loss coaching  *  Nutrition guidance  *  Expert women’s health education  *  A supportive female community  https://www.leanwithleanne.com/we-missed-the-memo-podcast 🎁 We Missed The Memo listeners can access a FREE 3 day trial via the link above. Follow the podcast for more honest conversations around women’s health, fitness, hormones and the things nobody ever properly prepared us for 💛