Unpacking Autism with Reena Anand

The thought of trying to take your autistic child for any kind of health check-up can be a daunting one. As parents, we’re all aware of the increased possibility of stress and meltdown that visiting a new place – with new people and procedures – can cause. In this episode, Reena talks to optometrist Katherine Anguige, who will assuage your fears with incredibly useful and reassuring advice about how to approach appointments, as well as interesting facts about eye health and how certain issues might present alongside autism.

Another inspiring episode today, this time featuring Ritu Kiran-Jackson, who has turned the impressive skillset she honed in the corporate world towards supporting and advocating for autistic members of society, particularly as they enter the world of work. Ritu’s journey began when her young son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, and in founding Aubilities, Ritu is helping to drive societal change in a world that is still overwhelmingly designed for its neurotypical inhabitants.

In this episode, Reena is in conversation with cognitive neuroscientist Dr Rachel Taylor, who explains how kindness towards ourselves is vital in facilitating the wellbeing which allows us to be there for others. Dr Taylor is also an enormous advocate for societal change towards autism acceptance, and as well as delving into her fascinating research theories, she offers essential self-care tips to parents of autistic children.

Today’s episode brings some hard-hitting truths about mental health problems and autism, as Reena introduces psychiatric nurse consultant Lavinia Dowling, whose wealth of experience in a wide array of organisations has meant she really became aware of their limitations. There is a silver lining in this mental health services crisis however, in that it led to Lavinia setting up her own organisation: The M Word. Listen in for Lavinia’s invaluable advice about how to get a consultation and ongoing support for your child, without being fobbed off by the professionals who are meant to be helping you.

In this episode, we talk about the importance of keeping conversation flowing between home and school, and how your child’s teaching assistant (TA) is their biggest support at school – there for all the highs and lows, celebrating progress and wins, and really getting to know your child as an individual. Maria Asnaghi is Reena’s son Evy’s former TA, and she shares some of the methods she used to help him regulate and understand his emotions, how she became aware of his unique flashpoints, and what helped to diffuse difficult situations in the playground. She also discusses what parents can do to ensure that their child’s day goes as smoothly as possible, right from the start.

This is the Unpacking Autism Theme Tune by Paul McGoun. Paul titled the track 'Just Another Day'.

Today’s special mini-episode introduces musician, artist, and all-round renaissance man, Paul McGoun. Paul is autistic, and is the composer of the theme tune for Unpacking Autism, which was written especially for the podcast. Reena chats with Paul to find out what his thought process was when he created this bespoke piece of music, and how it symbolises how he sees the world.

Today Reena speaks with Iqra Babar, who is a trainee teacher and passionate advocate for autistic voices. As she says, no amount of professional interest or expertise can compare to the lived experience of someone who’s actually autistic, and she urges parents of potentially autistic children to reach out to #actuallyautistic people via the hashtag. She discusses getting her diagnosis as an older teenager, finding a group of friends who understand and accommodate her, and how she feels that the Islamic faith accepts her autism, but that there is still work to do within the Muslim and wider South Asian community.

Anyone who is concerned about their child’s speech will not want to miss today’s episode. Reena gets some really in-depth advice and practical tips from speech and language associate practitioner Dipaley Patel, who has put many of them into practice with her own autistic daughter Ashley, and seen an amazing improvement in her communication in the years since Covid. Dipaley also dispels common myths about speaking multiple languages, and why you shouldn’t be afraid to speak to your child in your mother tongue.

This week, Reena is in conversation with the CEO of Special Needs Community, Olivia King-Boateng, whose son was born with Down’s syndrome and later also diagnosed with autism as a result of her intervention. Generous and inspirational, she used the knowledge she gained from professionals in the first years of her son’s life to help other parents struggling with their own children’s special needs, culminating in the foundation of Special Needs Community, of which she is CEO. Join Reena and Olivia as they discuss the pressure on relationships that an SEN diagnosis can have, how different cultural understandings can cause conflict, and how you need to learn as much as you can to become the best advocate for your child.

In this episode, Reena is delighted to be joined by Dr Shermina Sayani, a consultant paediatrician with a ten-year special interest in autism, who works in the ethnically diverse East London borough of Newham. Any parent navigating the early days of a possible autism diagnosis for their child will find her reassuring advice and down-to-earth explanations of neurodiversity hugely comforting. Dr Sayani has a particular understanding of the additional challenges that can be faced by families from a Black, Asian or ethnically diverse background, and works hard to counter any misconceptions about autism as a ‘western disease’.

Before diving into the full episodes, learn a little more about host Reena Anand, her background, the impetus behind the podcast, and what she plans to bring to the community of autism parenting. Do listen and feedback on what would be helpful to you, and let her know what you would like to hear more of.