Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Beyond the Spectrum, Clint sits down with Sydney mum Shauna Hawkes for a very open conversation about raising her 13-year-old daughter, who has been diagnosed with ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).

Shauna shares the reality of parenting a teenager who is confident, energetic and incredibly likeable, but whose impulsivity and risk-taking can create some very challenging situations.

They talk about school suspensions, vaping and alcohol, medication, counselling, sibling impacts and what happens when the usual consequences simply don't seem to matter.

But a big part of this conversation isn't about trying to "fix" a child.

It's about the parent.

Shauna talks honestly about learning to regulate herself, protecting the relationship she has with her daughter and questioning whether sometimes the parent needs support just as much as the child does.

Her advice to parents receiving a diagnosis is simple: look after yourself too. When you're regulated and supported, you're in a much better position to make decisions for your family.

We also talk about the impact challenging behavior can have on siblings, co-regulation, communicating with your partner and the value of sometimes having someone simply listen without trying to solve the problem.

It's an honest conversation about a family that doesn't have all the answers, and isn't pretending to.

Sometimes knowing you're not the only family figuring this stuff out is enough.

Short episode summary

Clint talks with Sydney mum Shauna Hawkes about parenting her 13-year-old daughter with ADHD and ODD. They discuss school suspensions, risk-taking, medication, sibling impacts, parental self-care and what happens when traditional consequences don't seem to work.

Key topics

• Parenting a teenager with ADHD and ODD
• When consequences don't seem to work
• School suspensions and challenging behavior
• Risk-taking, vaping and alcohol
• Medication and counselling
• Protecting the parent-child relationship
• The hidden impact on siblings
• Parent overwhelm and self-care
• Co-regulation
• Learning to listen without immediately trying to fix things
• Trusting yourself as a parent

If you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏

Send us Fan Mail

In this heartfelt episode of Beyond the Spectrum - Conversations with Parents on Autism and Beyond, Clint sits down with Erica, a teacher, mother of two children with Level 3 Autism and ADHD, and soon-to-be published author.

Erica shares her family's journey from the early signs of autism through diagnosis, school challenges, separation anxiety, masking, meltdowns, and the daily realities of raising two neurodivergent children with complex support needs.

The conversation explores:

• Early signs and diagnosis of autism in boys and girls
• The hidden impact of masking
• School refusal and separation anxiety
• Supporting siblings with very different needs
• Why self-care isn't selfish for parents
• Trusting your instincts and advocating for your child
• Finding hope, strength and purpose through adversity

Erica also discusses her upcoming book, The Bonds Between Us: A Mother's Journey Raising Two Neurodivergent Hearts, and why she hopes it helps parents feel less alone on their journey.

Whether you're at the beginning of your autism journey or years into it, this episode is packed with practical insights, honest reflections and a powerful reminder that there is support, hope and community available.

"Your child hasn't changed. You're simply learning to understand them differently."

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

If you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏

In this episode of Beyond the Spectrum - Conversations with Parents on Autism and Beyond, Clint chats with Lauren and Janine — two mums who migrated to Australia and are raising children with level 2 autism and ADHD.

They unpack:

• The reality of masking in girls and boys - and why it delays diagnosis
• Early supports that moved the needle - ECDP, Bush Kids, OT, speech, small schools
• Advocating in kindy and school - when to push, when to change environments
• Age-appropriate ways to talk to kids about diagnosis and self-advocacy
• The cost - financial strain, sibling dynamics, isolation, and nervous system overload
• Self-care that actually happens - micro-breaks at home, parent coaching, therapy assistants
• Building your ASD village - Facebook groups, local parents, therapists, and honest friendships
  
  

If you’re at the start of the journey or somewhere in the messy middle, this convo is full of practical tips, honest emotions, and the reminder to trust your gut - and find your people.

Listen, share, and tag someone who needs this today.

If you enjoyed listening and found this content valuable we'd appreciate it if you could provide a positive review and to share this with your network to potentially reach and help more parents and families 🙏