Sensational Minds

21/08/2026

What if there was another way of understanding and supporting our children?

As mums of neurodivergent children and professionals who work with families every day, Zoe O'Sullivan and I know how overwhelming things can feel when a child is struggling with anxiety, emotional regulation, attention, focus or school.

In this conversation, we share our own experiences, the challenges we've faced as parents, and explore alternative approaches that supported our families, including amino acid therapy and neurofeedback.

This is not about fixing children or offering quick fixes. It's about understanding what might be happening beneath the surface, being curious about unmet needs, and exploring different ways to support children to thrive.

With the return to school approaching, we hope this conversation provides reassurance, new perspectives and perhaps a little hope for families who may be feeling stuck.

🎧 Watch the podcast here: https://youtu.be/myGUsHj7HOM?is=2NQnyEIb7IMuNeKs
To learn more about the approaches discussed in the podcast, visit: 🌐 neurobalance.uk/sen-betweeners

If this resonates with you, please feel free to share it with another parent, family member or professional who may find it helpful.

💜 Rhiann NeuroBalance

Natural ADHD, ADD, autism, and AuDHD support in Essex. Amino Acids Essex clinic. Neurofeedback for children and adults. Emotional regulation, ADHD burnout — no medication needed.

17/08/2026

📅 Assessment dates are now available for September, October and November.
We currently have capacity for Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia assessments, with flexible payment options available. We know that finding the right provider is so important but also knowing that the right support is available afterwards too. If we aren’t the right fit, we will find you a service who is!
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.sensationalminds.co.uk

12/08/2026

Thinking about online education for your child or young person?
Tomorrow, our wonderful partners Minerva Virtual Academy will be at Maldon Promenade Park meeting families from across Essex.
We’re proud to work alongside Minerva because their values align so closely with ours. They provide a genuinely person-centred approach to education, recognising that every young person is unique.
This is a great opportunity to meet the team, ask questions and chat with families who have experience of online learning.
Unfortunately, I can’t be there myself, but I know you’ll receive a very warm welcome.
📍 Maldon Promenade Park
☕ Informal meet & greet
ℹ️ Details in the comments
For many young people, finding the right educational environment can be life-changing. If you’re curious about online education, we’d encourage you to pop along and find out more. 💙
EssexFamilies

10/08/2026

September is coming... and for some families, that can bring more anxiety than excitement. 💛
While many people are talking about new uniforms, fresh stationery and getting back into routine, some parents are quietly carrying a different set of thoughts.
“Will they manage?”
“How will they cope with the changes?”
“What if last year happens again?”
“What support will be in place?”
The transition back to school can bring a lot of unpredictability. New teachers, different classrooms, changing expectations, unfamiliar routines and the uncertainty of what lies ahead can feel overwhelming for children and young people, especially those who are neurodivergent or have additional needs.
If this sounds familiar, please know that you are not alone.
It’s okay to start preparing now. Small conversations, visual supports, visits to school, social stories and gentle discussions about what September might look like can all help reduce uncertainty.
Most importantly, remember that a successful transition doesn’t have to look perfect. It doesn’t have to be smooth every day. Progress is not measured by the absence of challenges but by feeling understood, supported and safe enough to navigate them.
As September approaches, be kind to yourself too. Parents often carry the emotional weight of transition alongside their child.
One step at a time. One day at a time.
You’ve done this before, and you don’t have to do it alone. 🌱
ADHDSupport ParentSupport SchoolTransition NeurodivergentChildren SensationalMinds SENDFamilies AdditionalNeeds InclusiveEducation

09/08/2026

A little Sunday favour... 💙
If Sensational Minds has ever helped you, your child, your family, your school, your workplace or someone you care about, I would be incredibly grateful if you would consider taking 10 minutes to nominate us for a Neurodiversity in Business Award.

The Neurodiversity in Business Awards recognise organisations making a positive impact for neurodivergent people, with nominations open until 31 August 2026.

https://neurodiversity.org/events/2026-nib-awards/

We're a small, independent organisation based in Colchester. We don't have a large marketing team, a national profile or a huge budget behind us. What we do have is an amazing community of families, schools, professionals and supporters who believe in what we're trying to achieve.

Truthfully, this isn't really about winning.
It's about being seen.

It's about helping Sensational Minds be part of the conversation alongside larger organisations. It's about raising awareness of the work being done every day to support neurodivergent individuals and their families.

Every nomination helps demonstrate that our work matters and that there is a need for the kind of person-centred, practical and compassionate support we strive to provide.

So if you have 10 minutes spare this Sunday afternoon, your nomination could make a genuine difference.
Thank you for supporting our small business and our mission to help more people access understanding, support and opportunities to thrive. 💙

We are proud to announce the launch of the very first Neurodiversity in Business (NiB) Awards.

06/08/2026

Week 3 of the school holidays…

You’ve just sat down for five minutes with a cup of tea.

You open your phone for “just a quick scroll”…

Before you know it you’re deep into Google searching:

🔍 Autism assessment near me
🔍 ADHD assessment for my child
🔍 Private dyslexia assessment UK
🔍 How long is the waiting list?
🔍 Can I trust this service?
🔍 Will anyone actually help us afterwards?

Because once school starts again, you know those questions won’t disappear.

Then, finally…

You find Sensational Minds.

A service that doesn’t rush assessments.

A team that takes the time to get to know the person behind the referral.

A service that aims to complete assessments within 6 weeks of referral, where clinically appropriate, rather than keeping families waiting for months.

And perhaps most importantly…

We don’t disappear once we’ve given you a diagnosis.

We provide guidance, practical recommendations and post-diagnostic support because we know diagnosis is the beginning of the journey, not the end.

Whether you’re looking for Autism, ADHD or Dyslexia assessments, we’re here to walk alongside you from your very first enquiry.

💚 Connection first. Gold standard clinical assessment, with you at the centre.

Find out more or book a consultation at:
🌿 www.sensationalminds.co.uk

SchoolHolidays ParentSupport NeuroaffirmingCare AutismUK ADHDUK DyslexiaUK

05/08/2026

Some days really remind me why we created Sensational Minds

Today started with a planning meeting with a school, looking ahead to September and discussing how we can best support their provision.

From there I moved into an online coaching and mentoring session with a young person before finding myself sitting on the floor building structures with lollipop sticks with a wonderful 6 year old.

Then came gem art, which required so much time, patience and perseverance. A skill that I am skill developing… if you have ADHD… it’s a though one!

With another you person, we explored kinetic sand and fluffy sand and spent time lying on the floor with legs resting up the wall, hands stretched above our heads, practising deep breathing and talking about regulation and what our bodies need. (I think by this point, I need it more 😂🤭)

I finished the day with a wonderful parent, navigating EHCPs and thinking through the next steps for September.

When I stop and reflect, the variety within one day is incredible. SEND specialist. SENCO. Coach and mentor. Advocate. Trusted adult. Safe space. Support doesn’t stop just because school is closed.

Seven different people. Seven different journeys. Seven opportunities to meet someone where they are and help them move forwards.

It reminds me just how important post-diagnostic support really is. An assessment is only the beginning. The real impact often comes afterwards, when children, young people and families have someone alongside them to help make sense of what comes next.

I feel incredibly grateful for the trust that people place in us and for all of the wonderful connections we have the privilege of building every day.

Now though, after a busy day in London yesterday and a full day today, it’s time for a cup of tea and a walk along the beach to download, process and recharge. 🤍

04/08/2026

What a day. 💚

Today I had the privilege of delivering “The Female Face of Neurodiversity”to the incredible women’s network at Bulletproof® London.

To stand in front of a room full of inspiring, intelligent and genuinely curious women, all wanting to better understand neurodiversity and how it can present in females, was such a privilege.

There was honesty.
There was vulnerability.
There were brilliant questions.
There were shared experiences.
Most importantly, there was a collective commitment to breaking down the stigma and taboo that still surrounds neurodiversity in women.

For far too long, so many women have been overlooked, misunderstood or have spent years masking who they really are (I am one of those 🤚🏻)Seeing organisations create spaces where these conversations can happen openly gives me so much hope for the future.

A huge thank you to inviting me and for championing these important conversations. Your passion for creating inclusive workplaces is inspiring. Thank you also to every single member of the Bulletproof Women’s Group for your warmth, engagement and willingness to learn. You made the session something really special.

And finally… I have to mention my personal highlight of the day… 🤣

Walking into the ladies’ toilets and discovering my event poster proudly displayed on the back of the cubicle door!

I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to see my own face in a bathroom. It certainly wasn’t on my career bingo card, but I’m taking that as a win! 😂

Here’s to more conversations.
More understanding.
More curiosity.
More women feeling seen.

Together, we’re changing the narrative around neurodiversity, one conversation at a time. 💚

Neuroinclusion BulletproofLondon Leadership SensationalMinds WomenSupportingWomen