The helpful podcast for families with disabled children

In this powerful and deeply honest episode, we’re joined by ARFID awareness advocate Michelle Jacques, who shares her family’s journey navigating Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).Michelle speaks candidly about how her son’s eating difficulties began in early childhood and gradually became severely restrictive. She opens up about the emotional toll, and the reality of fighting for recognition and support.But this conversation is also full of hope. Michelle shares what changed when she removed pressure around food, and began to understand the sensory and anxiety-driven roots of ARFID.In this episode, we discuss:What ARFID is and early signsHow autism and sensory sensitivities can impact eatingWhy pressure around food can make things worseThe postcode lottery of ARFID diagnosis and NHS supportThe decision to implement a feeding tube and the impact it’s hadFinding community and peer supportTranscript available hereResources and linksContact’s information and advice for families with disabled children.ARFID Awareness UK provides resources and a Helpfinder tool for local support.Living with ARFID, support for parents & carers UK is a support group on Facebook with over 25,000 members.BEAT Eating Disorders offers ARFID-specific support, including:Helpfinder tool to locate services in your area.Endeavour group support.Anchor 1-to-1 sessions, access depends on location.About the hostContact is a national charity that offers families with disabled children expert advice and a place to support each other — helping them to thrive, access essential services, and campaign for a more inclusive society.About MichelleMichelle is an ARFID awareness advocate and mum of two autistic children. She shares lived experience to support families navigating restrictive eating and neurodivergence.She also co-hosts the podcast 3 Mums 1 Mission ARFID and delivers workshops for families in Essex.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss research findings into healthcare barriers for disabled families, along with practical tips for both professionals and parents to improve access.

Has your child ever felt like they don’t fit in anywhere? Or like no-one understands what things feel like?Maybe they feel like they’re the only person in the world who looks, moves or thinks like they do.Cathy Reay, disabled writer, journalist, and single mum to two disabled children, wants your child to know that they are not alone. They belong in the world exactly as they are.This is the message of Cathy’s new book, ‘How to be disabled and proud (or at least kinda sorta okay with it)’. Described as a “powerful call to action for both disabled and non-disabled children”, the book aims to encourage readers to advocate for a more accessible world and to inspire them to embrace their disabled identity. Written for children aged nine and up, it’s also an essential guide to growing up disabled. From navigating school life, finding disabled community and building confidence, to facing challenges like bullying and discrimination and learning how to value and celebrate yourself, just as you are.In this episode, we're delighted to welcome Cathy to talk about her new book - and listen out at the end for some moments that made you proud of your disabled child.Transcript: https://contact.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Podcast-episode-2-transcript.pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're relaunching our podcast with something a little different to what we’ve done before.In this rebooted series of our podcast, we’ll be featuring more interviews and guest contributions, and on the whole exploring the issues we know families care about in a little more depth.Our first episode is all about helping your disabled child make the move to secondary school. We speak to Caroline Klage, brain injury solicitor and parent to three neurodiverse children, who shares her strategies and top tips for preparing for the move.We also hear from Bridie from our helpline team, who explains what national offer day is in England and Wales and what options you have when you've been offered a school place.View a transcript of the episode.Host: Harriet SquirrelProducers: Michele Cefai, RJ Dale, Tom Bobbin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Contact parent adviser Derek gives seven good reasons why parents in Scotland should claim the benefit Child Disability Payment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.