Swimming | Hatty Ashdown
In this episode of Neuroshambles, Mark is joined by returning guest Hatty Ashdown - not only a parent of a neurodivergent child, but also a brilliant comedian, writer and host of the Funny Mummies podcast. Together they dive into the deceptively simple but totally chaotic world of swimming.
For children with autism, ADHD, PDA, and other forms of neurodivergency, swimming can be simultaneously a magical sensory experience and an absolute logistical nightmare. From the infuriating act of trying to get them to swim in the first place, to negotiating the changing room routine, navigating the lockers and dealing with their antics in the pool, Mark and Hatty share candid and hilarious tales of what it’s like to take your neuro-exceptional brood swimming - and why we keep doing it, despite the enormous faff.
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CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS (Estimated):
00:00 - Intro & Meet the Guest: Hatty Ashdown06:00 - Topic of the Week: Swimming09:00 - Why do neurodivergent kids love swimming?15:00 - The challenge of teaching neurodivergent kids to swim30:30 - The massive faff of a swimming trip: Hatty's routine37:00 - The massive faff of a swimming trip: Mark's routine42:00 - The chaos of changing rooms46:30 - The stress of the lockers53:00 - Shenanigans in the pool59:30 - Losing their goggles1:04:00 - The Positives: the joy of swimming1:08:00 - Neurodiversity champions1:12:00 - Tiny epic wins1:15:00 - What the Flip? Moments1:20:00 - Wrap-Up and Where to Find Hatty
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LINKS TO STUFF WE MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:
• Hatty Ashdown’s Website – https://hattyashdown.com/
• Funny Mummies Podcast: Basics – https://pod.link/1451332466
• Funny Mummies Podcast: VIP (Patreon) – https://www.patreon.com/FunnyMummiesPodcast
• Bella Ramsey (Neurodiversity Champion) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bella_Ramsey
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CONTACT US
🌐 Website: www.neuroshambles.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: @neuroshambles
🎵 TikTok: @neuroshamblespod
📘 Facebook: Neuroshambles
🧵 Threads: @neuroshambles
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CREDITS
🎶 Theme music by Skilsel on Pixabay: https://pixabay.com
Neuroshambles
A fortnightly podcast about the ludicrous realities of being a parent of neurodivergent kids. Lapsed comedian Mark Allen has three kids - two diagnosed autistic with ADHD and one highly-suspected autistic. Each episode, he swaps stories with his guests about the challenges they’ve had dealing with seemingly simple events, such as birthday parties, holidays, mealtimes, and leaving the house.
- No. of episodes: 42
- Latest episode: 2025-07-09
- Kids & Family Health & Fitness Mental Health Parenting
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