Épisodes

  • Autism Anger Comminication with an Autistic Grandson and the e Scooter Hunt iServalan™

    Autism Anger Comminication with an Autistic Grandson and the e Scooter Hunt iServalan™
    Jun 10 2025
    15 min
  • Finding My Way: Autism, ADHD, and the Threads That Bind Us By Sarnia de la Maré FRSA

    Finding My Way: Autism, ADHD, and the Threads That Bind Us By Sarnia de la Maré FRSA
    Jun 10 2025
    Finding My Way: Autism, ADHD, and the Threads That Bind Us By Sarnia de la Maré FRSA

    I never imagined I’d be writing this.Not because I feared it, but because for the longest time I didn’t have the language. Or the time. Or the perspective. Life has a way of flinging diagnoses at you like paint at a wall—chaotic at first, overwhelming—and only later do you step back and begin to see the whole picture forming. That’s what this blog is for. To reflect. To connect. And hopefully, to help.This is the story of how I came to understand not just autism and ADHD—but the way they pulse through my life like an invisible rhythm I’m only now learning to dance to.The Tragedy That Reframed EverythingIt started, as these things often do, with my grandson. Beautiful, brilliant, baffling. A whirlwind of energy, obsession, noise, love, and—when overwhelmed—stillness so total it broke my heart.His mother, my daughter in law, had just been diagnosed with severe multiple sclerosis. Our family was reeling, and the task of care fell, in many ways, to me. Suddenly I wasn’t just a grandparent—I was his translator, his shield, his anchor.What does his Autism and ADHD mean?What followed was a strange kind of backward awakening. As I threw myself into understanding what he needed, I began reading, journaling, researching—and realizing that so much of what I was learning didn’t just describe him. It described me. It described us.Not just me, but other family members too—sisters, cousins, ancestors remembered as “difficult” or “daydreamy” or “wildly clever but odd.” Slowly, a lineage revealed itself. One diagnosis, then another. The family tree was no longer simply made of names—it was a map of neurodivergent lives, misunderstood for generations.Daily Life: Chaos, Creativity, and CareCaring for my grandson is both the most sacred and most exhausting thing I do. Our days are unpredictable—sensory meltdowns followed by sudden joy, hyperfocus on numbers or wheels or space, nocturnal lifecycles, terror of change, the need for his noise and not other people's.I keep journals, well podcasts actually, hundreds of recordings of fragments, feelings, observations. Sometimes they are practical: meal ideas, routines, triggers. Sometimes they are just a way to scream into the recorder when I’m too tired to speak. I experiment constantly as my grandson grows and our lives unpredictably entwine.And then there’s me.I’ve always been labelled intense, impulsive, scattered, “eccentric” in a flattering mood, “too much” in a less kind one. Mostly though, and this one always hurt, 'mad'. I have always created—art, music, ideas, endless projects—but struggled with focus, overwhelm, sensory sensitivities. The more I read about autism and ADHD, especially in women, the more I saw myself reflected back.I sought a formal assessment. I have not yet received it but I cried at being past the first hurdle and allocated a psychiatrist—not because I was sad, but because I was seen, and maybe, just maybe, after 62 years, I could understand who the heck I am.This Blog: A Place to Breathe, to Speak, to ListenSo here we are. A personal space, a digital hearth, where I can speak openly not just about neurodivergence but about living it—through care, through creation, through collapse and reassembly.This blog matters because I need it, and maybe you do too.I’ll be sharing:
    • Excerpts from my daily journals
    • Reflections on multigenerational diagnosis
    • Strategies for navigating care roles with limited support
    • Resources and reviews of sensory toys, apps, books
    • Stories of resilience and rage, laughter and love
    • Guest posts from others in the neurodivergent and carer communities
    I’ll also invite dialogue—comments, messages, shared stories. There will be hard days, and hopeful ones. I want this to be a space where we don’t have to explain ourselves. Where we can hold space for each other’s contradictions and complexities.Looking Beyond: From Surviving to CreatingThrough all of this, my art and music remain lifelines. Creativity is where I metabolise the overwhelm, where I turn the dissonance of life into something beautiful. I will be linking my projects here too—from sensory art collections to soundscapes designed for regulation and release.Autism and ADHD aren’t barriers to creativity. They are often the source of it. They are lenses, filters, accelerants, fire.I hope this blog will shine a light on that—not in spite of the challenges we face, but because of the way we keep rising.With love and curiosity,
    Sarnia
    🖋️ Writer, Artist, Carer, Neurodivergent SoulP.S. You can subscribe for updates, follow our journey on social media, or share your own story in the comments. Let’s build something beautiful here. Together.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    4 min
  • The iServalan Music School and Autism Activism in a Digital Age

    The iServalan Music School and Autism Activism in a Digital Age
    Jun 8 2025
    15 min
  • Exploring the Kodály Method in Music Education by Sarnia de la Maré FRSA #musicpodcast

    Exploring the Kodály Method in Music Education by Sarnia de la Maré FRSA #musicpodcast
    Jun 8 2025
    #audiobook #sarniadelamareExploring the Kodály Method in Music EducationA Timeless Approach Reimagined for the Digital Age📝 Blog Contents:What is the Kodály Method?Origins and PhilosophyKey Components of the MethodBenefits of the Kodály ApproachKodály in the Classroom: Traditional PracticesCriticisms and ChallengesKodály and the 21st Century: Adapting to Online LearningIntegrating Kodály into Modern Digital Pedagogy🎼 What is the Kodály Method?The Kodály Method is a comprehensive approach to music education based on the work of Hungarian composer and educator Zoltán Kodály. It emphasizes the development of musical literacy through singing, with a focus on learning music the way we learn language—through active, joyful experience.Rather than relying on expensive instruments or passive listening, Kodály centers around the human voice, developing internal musicianship from the inside out.📚 Origins and PhilosophyZoltán Kodály (1882–1967) believed that music education is a basic human right and should begin in early childhood. Drawing inspiration from folk music and the natural progression of language acquisition, his philosophy can be distilled into three central beliefs:Music belongs to everyoneMusicianship begins with the voiceMusical literacy should be taught with the same care as reading and writingKodály collaborated with teachers to reform Hungarian music education, creating graded materials, folk song collections, and curricula still used around the world.🧩 Key Components of the MethodSinging First: Voice is the primary instrument.Movable-do Solfège: Training pitch relationships using syllables (do, re, mi…).Hand Signs: Visual reinforcement using Curwen hand signs.Rhythm Syllables: Ta-ti-ti, etc., to internalize timing and pulse.Folk Songs: Culturally relevant and age-appropriate material.Sequential Learning: Concepts introduced step-by-step in a developmental order.🌟 Benefits of the Kodály ApproachDevelops audiation (inner hearing)Strengthens pitch and rhythm accuracyBuilds confident sight-reading and improvisation skillsEncourages active participation and joy in learningAdapts well to group and individual settingsCulturally inclusive when folk repertoire is expanded🏫 Kodály in the Classroom: Traditional PracticesIn a typical Kodály-based classroom, students might:Begin with echo songs and call-and-response gamesUse hand signs as they sing scales or folk melodiesClap, stomp, or use body percussion to understand rhythmTransition from sound to symbol with notation gamesCreate their own melodies using learned motifsThese techniques support musical fluency, making students not only performers but also readers and thinkers of music.⚖️ Criticisms and ChallengesWhile widely respected, the Kodály Method is not without critique:Eurocentrism: Early implementations focused heavily on Hungarian and Western folk materialResource Demands: Requires well-trained teachers and structured curriculumLimited Instrumental Focus: Less immediate application for non-vocal musiciansRigid Sequence: May not suit all learners or cultural contextsHowever, modern adaptations increasingly incorporate diverse musical traditions and flexible pedagogies.💻 Kodály and the 21st Century: Adapting to Online LearningThe COVID-19 pandemic and the growth of remote education prompted a reevaluation of traditional methods, including Kodály. While originally designed for in-person interaction, its principles translate surprisingly well to digital platforms:Interactive videos and games for solfège and rhythm drillsVirtual choirs and apps like Acapella for ensemble singingHand sign tutorials via video conferencingScreen-sharing notation software for reading and compositionDownloadable folk song libraries for home practiceThe simplicity of voice and hand signs makes the method accessible, even with limited tech.🌐 Integrating Kodály into Modern Digital PedagogyDigital pedagogy aims to enhance learning using technological tools while preserving core educational values. The Kodály Method, though rooted in 20th-century thought, adapts beautifully to today’s educational needs when guided by these principles:✅ PersonalizationDigital tools can tailor Kodály sequences to individual learners. Apps and interactive websites can assess pitch, rhythm, and fluency in real time, adjusting content as needed.✅ EngagementGamified solfège exercises, rhythm games, and digital storytelling with folk songs keep students interested and motivated.✅ Community BuildingOnline singing circles, digital performances, and collaborative composition spaces foster a sense of shared musical experience.✅ Multimodal AccessUsing visual (hand signs), auditory (songs), and kinesthetic (movement) elements supports neurodiverse learners, including those with ADHD and autism.✅ Scaffolding for EducatorsDigital repositories, pre-recorded tutorials, and online certification platforms empower music tutors to build or ...
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    6 min
  • Welcome to The Autism Caravan, Let's Find Out all About it #sarniadelamare

    Welcome to The Autism Caravan, Let's Find Out all About it #sarniadelamare
    Jun 6 2025
    Autism Caravan Fundraising Page

    My name is Sarnia and I am a mother and grandmother to wonderful autistic and ADHD individuals who bring me delight each day.
    Travelling with AuDHD can be difficult and I want a mobile safe space to offer at festivals and fairs around the country. Here is a breakdown of our project.

    Fundraiser Description:
    A Sensory Sanctuary on Wheels – Bringing Joy, Relief, and Inclusion to Festivals and Events Across the UK

    Hello friends, families, and supporters,

    We are excited to introduce The Autism Caravan which will be a fully equipped, mobile sensory space designed to bring comfort, fun, and inclusive engagement to children and young people with autism and ADHD. Our mission is simple but powerful: to create safe, stimulating environments at festivals and events where neurodiverse children can play, explore, and relax – while offering vital information and support to their parents and carers.

    What We’re Creating:
    The Autism Caravan will be a converted motorised vehicle fitted with:

    Soft play equipment for safe, active movement.

    Sensory toys and tools to calm, stimulate, and engage.

    A quiet tent for decompression and quiet time, for children who need a break from the noise and bustle of the outside world.

    A gazebo and awning setup to provide shaded, weather-protected outdoor space for workshops, crafts, and family interaction.

    Tech & Interactivity:
    Our goal is to provide three touchscreen stations, all connected and loaded with:

    Custom apps and software specifically designed for neurodivergent users aged under 16.

    Entertainment and games that are calming, engaging, and adaptable for ADHD and autism spectrum users.

    Rainy day activities that can be enjoyed indoors, including drawing tools, sensory stories, and audio-visual puzzles.

    The tech will be secured, safe, and easy for children and families to use with little assistance.

    On the Road with Purpose:
    We aim to travel to:

    Family-friendly festivals

    Community days

    Educational and health events

    Awareness campaigns

    Special autism-focused celebrations

    Wherever we go, The Autism Caravan will offer:

    A calm retreat from overwhelming environments.

    Inclusive fun and learning experiences that build confidence.

    Information and signposting for carers and families on support services, therapies, and local resources.

    Why It Matters:
    Autistic and ADHD children are often excluded or overwhelmed at public events due to lack of provision. The Autism Caravan is a direct response to this gap. We are building a space where children can just be themselves – free of judgment, fear, or sensory overload. A place that values their joy, needs, and potential.

    ️What We Need Help With:
    We are fundraising for:

    The vehicle itself – a reliable van or caravan suitable for safe conversion.

    Interior fitting and conversion for sensory use.

    Soft play & sensory equipment

    The quiet tent, gazebo, and awning

    Touchscreen devices + software licenses

    Activity materials, books, and educational toys

    Fuel, insurance, and travel costs for our first tour

    Website & app development for future bookings and info-sharing

    We estimate a starting need of £15,000 – £25,000, depending on vehicle availability and conversion costs.

    How You Can Help:
    Every single donation will take us a step closer to launch. If you can:

    Donate anything you can afford

    Share this page with your network

    Sponsor a piece of equipment or a festival stop

    Connect us with vehicle donors, tradespeople, or tech partners

    We would love to hear from you. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of so many children and families who need more than just inclusion – they need spaces designed for them.

    Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Let’s build a caravan where all minds can shine.

    Sarnia de la Mare
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    4 min
  • The Autism Caravan Project Episode 758 - iServalan™

    The Autism Caravan Project Episode 758 - iServalan™
    Jun 6 2025
    13 min
  • Finding a muse for music creation by musician artist iServalan™

    Finding a muse for music creation by musician artist iServalan™
    May 30 2025
    15 min
  • Getting my autism tests is stressful, and the hunt for ny viola d'amore is slow progress #iServalan™

    Getting my autism tests is stressful, and the hunt for ny viola d'amore is slow progress #iServalan™
    May 23 2025
    14 min