Beyond the Labels

What does life after school look like when you're neurodivergent — and nobody hands you a map?

In this episode of Beyond The Labels, Ciara chats with Cathy Murphy, founder of The Next Step — a personalised support service helping neurodivergent adults navigate education, work, and the tricky in-betweens of everyday life.

With a focus on meeting people where they’re at, Cathy shares how her bespoke workshops h...

In this eye-opening episode of Beyond The Labels, we sit down with Rachel Martin, a passionate activist, parent and founding representative from FUSS Ireland. FUSS is a grassroots movement calling for change and demanding real support for parents and their children with additional needs.

Rachel takes us behind the scenes of her ongoing fight for change, exposing just how deeply broken Ireland’s current systems are. From ed...

We've reached our 10th episode! For this instalment of Beyond The Labels, we sit down with Amanda Masterson, the heart behind Daydreamers Sensory Barbering Room in Walkinstown, Dublin — a truly one-of-a-kind space designed specifically for neurodivergent children.

Drawing from over two decades of experience in the hairdressing and barbering industry, as well as her personal journey as a parent to a neurodivergent child, Am...

In this uplifting and lighthearted episode of Beyond The Labels, we explore the transformative power of equine-assisted therapy with the team at Ballyhara Equine Assisted Therapy. Discover the incredible science behind this amazing therapeutic method, and how it can help people heal—emotionally, mentally, and physically—in a serene, supportive setting. From anxiety and trauma recovery to building confidence and connection, this con...

In this heartfelt episode of Beyond The Label, we sit down with Fiona Griffin from Cottage Autism Network (CAN) to hear her powerful story as a mother navigating the challenges and joys of raising a neurodiverse family. Fiona opens up about the emotional highs and lows—from laugh-out-loud moments to the frustrations of battling for basic support. She also shares how her personal journey led her to her inspiring work with CAN, ...

What happens when the demands of everyday life feel like a threat to your very sense of self? In this eye-opening episode conducted via Zoom, I sit down with occupational therapist Sorcha Rice to unpack PDA—known as Pathological Demand Avoidance, but Sorcha reframes it as a Persistent Drive for Autonomy. With deep expertise and compassion, Sorcha talks us through how PDA shows up in real life, how schools and families can respond w...

In this powerful and inspiring episode, I chat with Nicola Vaughan, whose son Cian has the rare condition Smith-Magenis Syndrome. With only around 10 known cases in Ireland, Nicola shares her challenging journey of navigating the system to secure the vital support, resources, and school placements Cian needs. From battling bureaucracy to advocating for her son’s future, this conversation highlights the resilience and determination ...

In this raw and emotional episode, I chat with Charlotte Cahill, a Dublin-based parent and disability activist, about her relentless two-year battle to find a school for her daughter with additional needs. After facing rejection from over 60 schools, Charlotte shares her heartbreaking experience with neglect and the extreme steps she’s taken, including taking her fight to the Dáil. This conversation uncovers the urgent need for cha...

In this episode, I sit down with Niamh Maher, a solicitor dedicated to disability rights, to break down the Assessment of Need process for children with disabilities in Ireland. We discuss the challenges families face, the legal side of the process, and what parents need to know to advocate for their children’s rights.

If you're navigating the system or want to understand how to fight for better su...

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Nicola Coleman, who I had the privilege of working with in an autistic preschool. We reflect on our experiences supporting young autistic children, the incredible parents we worked with, and the importance of early intervention. We also get personal—talking about my own diagnosis journey and what it’s like navigating parenthood as mothers to neurodivergen...

In this episode, we chat with Amy Winter, an emotional regulation therapist and the founder of Little Kneaders. We dive into the realities of autistic and ADHD burnout, the struggles within the education system, and the heartbreaking ways our health services are failing neurodivergent children when it comes to mental health support.

This is an eye-opening and important conversation for parents, educ...

In our very first episode, we sit down with Jeannette from TSK Academy to talk about life as an ADHD businesswoman and the unique challenges (and strengths!) that come with it.

We also dive into her work helping workplaces create truly supportive environments for neurodivergent employees and discuss the exciting Neurodiversity at Work Conference happening this March.

Tune in for an insightful and empowering conversatio...