ADHD and Autism Pre - Assessment Mini Course Pt 1 of 3 with Connor Johnson

Are you struggling with behaviours? Do you feel like a bad parent? Can’t cope? Don´t worry it’s not you. This free mini course will help. In Part One of this special 3-part mini-course, NHS practitioner Connor Johnson joins Cliff to discuss the foundational knowledge every parent needs while awaiting or undergoing assessment for autism and ADHD. They explore the importance of sleep, nutrition, and exercise as the building blocks for supporting your child’s development, as well as providing practical strategies you can use right away. Disclaimer - This mini-course shares professional guidance and strategies for parents, but it's not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you have any concerns about your child, please speak to your GP or healthcare professional, as each situation is unique. EPISODE REVEALS Working with your child´s circadian rhythm makes improving sleep easier e.g. light exposure. Temporarily moving bedtime routines closer to when your child naturally falls asleep can help. Try eating at the table. It helps your child to see others enjoying different foods. Use some of Connor´s gamifying ideas to help them to try more foods. Sometimes food issues are related to sensory perception e.g. a hard green apple and a soft red apple are very different - some children will eat one but not the other. Let your child decompress before mealtimes. Swimming can be a good form of exercise. When a child acts out, ask yourself, "What is my child trying to communicate?" Regularly check in with your child to keep lines of communication open. BEST MOMENTS "Anxiety can be massively related to behaviour and some of the difficulties we see with sleep." "Stay calm and calmly bring them back to their room. Maybe have a little script in your head of just one or two sentences." “It might not always be clear what is being communicated, but behaviour is communication.” GUEST RESOURCES Connor Johnson is an Assistant Practitioner at NHS Snapdragons Centre https://www.medwaycommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk The Children’s Public Health Nursing Team at Snapdragons can give advice on: Eating issues: weight, dietary needs, healthy snacks, faddy eating, etc. Allergies, including anaphylaxis (severe reactions) Asthma Diabetes Epilepsy and other chronic conditions Behaviour Emotional well-being Supporting you and your child as they grow Listen to the full series on Parenting Autism and ADHD: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/parenting-autism-and-adhd/id1810681675 https://www.youtube.com/@ParentingAutismandADHD It's also available on all major podcast platforms. RESOURCES 👉 10% off your first order Vivanmn LINK - https://vivanmn.com/cliff New Parenting Autism and ADHD community - https://discord.gg/SbXd34QV Cliff´s book - ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/3trk6pw CONTACT ME Instagram: @cliff_kilmister08 ⁠https://www.facebook.com/cliff.kilmister/⁠ X - @KilmisterCliff HOST BIO Cliff Kilmister is a dedicated parent, advocate, and cat whisperer with firsthand experience raising a child with autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Having navigated the challenges of school refusal, meltdowns, and sensory sensitivities, Cliff brings an empathetic, real-world perspective to the podcast. Cliff offers practical advice, expert insights, and personal stories to help families facing similar struggles. He to raise awareness about the growing need for the education system to adapt to the increasing neurodiverse population. Join the community on Patreon to share experiences, access exclusive content, and work together for change!