“Therapy isn’t about fixing someone; it’s about empowering them to recognise their own strengths.”

In this debut episode of Your Voice Matters, host Asma Jacob, founder of Achievable Journey, shares her inspiring story and vision for the podcast. Joined by her friend Jude, Asma discusses her journey as a SEND Holistic Therapist, working with children and adults with special educational needs.

Asma reveals why she started this podcast: to create a safe space where the SEND and neurodivergent community can feel heard and validated. She explains how she empowers her clients by focusing on their unique strengths and building trust-based relationships, using techniques like Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), solution-based psychotherapy, and emotional freedom techniques.

In this episode, you'll learn about the core values behind Your Voice Matters and get a sneak peek into the powerful conversations to come.

Key Takeaways:

· Every individual is unique, and therapy should meet people where they are.

· Building a community is key to reducing isolation and fostering connection.

· “When you’ve seen one autistic person, you’ve seen one autistic person.”

Learn more about Achievable Journey

Follow Your Voice Matters and connect with Asma on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

Remember to subscribe to Your Voice Matters wherever you listen to podcasts!

Share this episode with someone who could benefit from hearing the voice of the SEND and neurodivergent community.

“Surround yourself with people who understand, and you do find your tribe.”

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob chats with Carly Considine, an autistic adult and advocate for the neurodivergent community. Carly shares how her diagnosis brought clarity and improved her mental health, while also opening up about raising three autistic children.

She explores the diverse experiences of neurodivergent individuals, the importance of understanding autism in girls and women, and the value of finding a supportive community. Carly’s story offers inspiration, practical advice, and encouragement for anyone navigating similar journeys.

Key Takeaways:

• A diagnosis can bring clarity and support mental health for individuals and families.
• Every neurodivergent individual’s experience is different and should be treated as such.
• Autism in girls and women can present differently, requiring greater awareness and understanding.
• Building a supportive community is essential—online groups can be a great place to start.

“Facebook support groups are incredible. You find like-minded friends, like-minded parents, and even autistic adults. You become a community.”

About Carly:
Carly Considine is an autistic adult diagnosed in 2015, with two autistic daughters diagnosed in 2019. She is a passionate advocate for the neurodivergent community, with a special focus on female autism and comorbidities like ADHD. Carly has volunteered with the National Autistic Society and continues her advocacy work online, sharing her experiences to support others.

Learn more about _Achievable Journey

Follow Your Voice Matters and connect with Asma on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and _X.

Remember to subscribe to Your Voice Matters wherever you listen to podcasts!

Share this episode with someone who could benefit from hearing the voice of the SEND and neurodivergent community.

“Strategies are a really important thing with PDA, but we tend not to call them strategies. We refer to them as helpful approaches because there’s no one-size-fits-all.”

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob talks with Melanie Phipps, a PDA Parenting Mentor and Coach, and a mother of three boys, including one with a PDA profile on the autism spectrum. Melanie shares her personal journey navigating the challenges of PDA and discusses the importance of empowering neurodivergent individuals through flexible, supportive approaches rather than conforming to societal norms.

Together, they explore what PDA is, how it manifests, and practical methods to create accommodating environments. Melanie also shares insights on the role of masking and the need for understanding in both home and community settings.

Key Takeaways:

PDA is characterised by anxiety-driven avoidance of everyday demands, requiring thoughtful, individualised approaches.

Flexible strategies, or “helpful approaches,” can support children with PDA while reducing stress and fostering growth.

The importance of recognising and respecting masking behaviours, while creating spaces where individuals feel safe to “unmask.”

Empowering neurodivergent individuals means adapting to their needs, not forcing conformity to societal expectations.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to PDA. What works one day might not work the next, but having a toolbox of approaches makes all the difference.”

About Melanie:
Melanie Phipps is a PDA Parenting Mentor and Coach and a mother of three boys. Her personal journey includes navigating the complexities of PDA and autism diagnoses for her sons, a 17-year-old with a dual ASD/PDA diagnosis and a 10-year-old with an ASD diagnosis. Through her experiences, Melanie advocates for a greater understanding of PDA and supports families on their own journeys.

Melanie’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/positivelypda

Melanie’s website: https://www.positivelypda.co.uk/

PDA Society Website: https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/

Learn more about _Achievable Journey

Follow Your Voice Matters and connect with Asma on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and _X.

Remember to subscribe to Your Voice Matters wherever you listen to podcasts!

Share this episode with someone who could benefit from hearing the voice of the SEND and neurodivergent community.