A New Year, Big Transitions & a Broken Foot | NeuroDADverse EP.30

Episode 30 🎧 In the NeuroDADverse this week, Ben and Dan return for the first episode of 2026, reflecting on the strange reset that comes with a new year, especially when neurodivergent family life doesn’t pause for calendars.This week includes a significant medical scare, a broken foot, hospital visits, difficult sensory decisions, and the careful balance between safety, regulation, and trust. Alongside the challenges, the episode becomes a powerful reflection on how far their children and they as parents have come.In this episode, we talk about:•The emotional weight of returning to routine after Christmas•Managing medical situations with ND children•Pain stimming, safety concerns, and regulation trade-offs•Hospital visits, advocacy, and processing time•When independence and vulnerability coexist•How injuries highlight both progress and ongoing support needs•Calm wins after chaotic weeks•Reflecting honestly on the highs and lows of 2025•Why resilience doesn’t mean “finding things easy”•Hopes for 2026 that focus on joy, autonomy, and self-belief•Letting go of pressure and trusting your child’s pace🎙️ Two dads. One mission. Raising ND kids in a very NT world.💡 If this episode resonates, whether you’re a zebra, a stripy horse, or still figuring it all out. There’s space for you in the NeuroDADverse.🔔 Subscribe for weekly real-talk on neurodivergent parenting📢 Like, share, or leave a comment to help more families find us📧 Get in touch: [email protected]🌐 Find us in all the usual places:linktr.ee/NeuroDADverse🎧 Listen on:•Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/NeuroDADverseApple•Spotify: bit.ly/NeuroDADverseSpotify📺 Watch full episodes + clips:Spotify: bit.ly/NeuroDADverseSpotifyYouTube: youtube.com/@NeuroDADversePodcast📲 Follow & connect:•TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neurodadverse•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurodadverse/•Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582530685142•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/neurodadverse-podcast/?viewAsMember=true TImestamps00:00 – Welcome to Episode 30 & the Start of 202600:44 – Returning to Routine After Christmas01:48 – Three Words of the Week: Reset, React & Rejoice03:36 – Medical Updates & Subtle Worries05:22 – Reframing Wins vs Challenges06:00 – Stimming, Safety & Pain Feedback08:56 – When Regulation Behaviours Become Concerning11:58 – Balancing Acceptance With Protection15:09 – Understanding Pain Stims & Sensory Feedback17:33 – When You Just Need to Observe, Not React20:13 – Family Gatherings & Unexpected Injuries21:09 – The Fall, the Foot & Processing What Happened22:49 – Hospital Decisions & Giving Thinking Time24:54 – X-Rays, Uncertainty & Breaking the News26:04 – The Walking Boot & Sensory Challenges27:11 – Trust, Advocacy & Medical Trauma28:41 – Independence Isn’t Linear29:34 – Living With Ongoing Support Needs30:33 – Break & Reset31:23 – Wins of the Week & Finding Calm Again33:58 – Shared Meals & Regulation Wins38:20 – Quiet New Year Moments That Mattered41:21 – Calm as a Win (Even If It’s Boring)42:28 – Family Rituals & Flexibility44:18 – Looking Ahead: School, Birthdays & Puberty45:36 – Pride, Fear & Letting Go of Complacency48:01 – Reflecting on 2025: Resilience & Growth49:33 – Seeing Progress When Daily Life Is Hard51:06 – Communication Beyond Words53:18 – Hopes for 2026 Without Pressure55:16 – Joy Over Achievement57:31 – A Reminder of How Far You’ve Come58:50 – Final Reflections & Community Thanks59:22 – You’re Doing Great. You Are Enough.🔗 Hashtags:#NeurodiverseParenting #SENDLife #AutismAdvocacy #ParentingPodcast#NeuroDadverse #DifferentNotLess #ADHDDads #AutismFamily Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.