The School Can't Experience

• #22 - Lived Experience Common Themes

  In this episode, host Leisa Reichelt compiles into stories shared by six parents—Jennie, Marissa, Mark, Jane, Emma, and Lisa—who talk about their struggles and revelations while caring for children who struggle with school attendance. From early signs of stress and school-related anxiety to burnout, the episode highlights common themes like masking, parent blaming, and the importance of understanding nervous system responses. As parents shift their focus from compliance-based pressures to well-being, they share transformative journeys that led to better outcomes for their children and themselves. Tune in for heartfelt stories that underline the challenges and breakthroughs experienced by families navigating the School Can't journey.00:48 School-Related Anxiety Starts Early and Is Often Missed06:33 Masking at school, meltdowns at home08:43 Burnout and Shutdown: When School Becomes Impossible12:35 School Pressure and Systemic Pushback18:07 Relief and Recovery Through Removing Pressure22:35 Finding New Pathways and Rebuilding Autonomy24:32 Whole Family Healing and Self-Discovery27:12 More Information and ResourcesLived Experience Episodes:Lisa McLean - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447546/episodes/17421617Mark Thompson - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447546/episodes/17343389Marissa Taylor - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447546/episodes/17012454Jennie Plummer - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447546/episodes/16923948Emma Gilmour - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447546/episodes/16887755Jane Nicholson - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447546/episodes/16803563Send us a textSupport the show School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected] DisclaimerThe content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.

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• #21 - School Based Stressors with Tiffany Westphal

  This episode features a conversation with Tiffany Westphal, Director at School Can't Australia. With host, Leisa Reichelt, Tiffany helps us explore the top six school-based stressors identified in a survey conducted for the Senate Inquiry into School Refusal. They discuss the nature of stressors, and the key findings from the research, providing valuable insights for parents, carers, and educators to better support children struggling with school attendance and distress. Discover practical advice on identifying and addressing stressors and empowering students to self-advocate for their needs.00:00 Welcome to the School Can't Experience Podcast01:04 Introduction to Tiffany Westphal and School Can't Australia02:48 Understanding School-Based Stressors06:38 Key Findings from the Research08:01 Top Stressors Affecting Students09:25 Challenges in Communicating Distress12:49 Schoolwork not of Interest17:21 Teacher and School Expectations19:21 Difficulties Meeting Expectation of Self19:45  School Placing Responsibility on Student to Change 21:15 Strategies for Supporting Students25:54 Conclusion and ResourcesRecommended ResourcesSchool Based Stressors (School Can’t Australia) - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/sca-articles/school-based-stressorsSchool Can’t Australia Response to Senate Inquiry into School Refusal (PDF) - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/650b88a22a161901937f376c/t/654b065138c56659cc37f3f3/1699415633581/Response+to+Inquiry+recommendations-+SCA.pdfStudent Stress Investigation Cards - https://www.studentstressinvestigation.com.au/Send us a textSupport the show School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected] DisclaimerThe content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.

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• #20 - Lived Experience with Lisa McLean

  In this episode, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Lisa McLean as they discuss her daughter Mia's struggles with school attendance and anxiety. Lisa shares her family's journey from identifying early signs of anxiety in primary school, navigating high school challenges, understanding the mind-body connection, to ultimately finding alternative educational pathways. They discuss the stress and pressure felt by the entire family, the impact of trauma, and strategies such as homeschooling and mental health support and how Mia has emerged from the experience as an independent young person, optimistic for a rewarding future.00:00 Welcome to the School Can't Experience Podcast00:27 Introducing Lisa McLean and Her Family01:41 Early Signs and Struggles in Primary School03:42 Challenges in High School04:53 Seeking Help and Initial Interventions08:46 The Turning Point: Homeschooling and Alternative Education16:08 The Impact of COVID-19 and Family Healing23:19 Finding a New Path: TAFE and Independence29:00 Reflections and Advice for Other Parents33:11 Closing Remarks and ResourcesRecommended ResourcesThe Body Keeps The Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk (Book) - https://www.amazon.com.au/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748When the Body Says No by Gabor Mate (Book) - https://drgabormate.com/book/when-the-body-says-no/Lisa’s things she wished she knew (from one mum to another): https://stan.store/Calmlifeproject/p/what-i-wish-i-knew-from-one-mum-to-anotherLisa’s instragram: https://www.instagram.com/calmlifeproject/Lisa’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calmlifeprojectSend us a textSupport the show School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected] DisclaimerThe content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.

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• #19 - Executive Function at School with Emma Brooksby

  This week we’re talking with Emma Brooksby, Managing Director at U&I Educational Partners, about the demands school places on executive function.Emma, who has ADHD and a background as a school principal, shares her journey and offers insights into how executive function challenges manifest in educational settings and ways to support students who have executive function challenges.We explore strategies to help kids succeed despite executive function challenges and Emma also highlights alternative educational pathways and resources available.00:00 Welcome to the School Can't Experience Podcast00:55 Meet Emma Brooksby: From Principal to Advocate01:20 Emma's Journey with ADHD and Executive Function02:16 COVID-19 and the Opportunity for Educational Change05:22 Founding U & I Educational Partners06:14 Understanding Executive Function09:22 Impact of Executive Dysfunction in School14:01 Common Executive Function Challenges07:17 Supporting Kids with Executive Function Issues33:59 Alternative Educational Settings37:34 Resources for Parents and Caregivers38:27 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsRecommended ResourcesU&I Educational Partners - https://www.uandi.com.au/Goblin Tools, Magic To Do - https://goblin.tools/Harvard Centre on the Developing Child - https://developingchild.harvard.edu/Learning to Plan and be Organised (book) by Kathleen Nadeau  - https://www.amazon.com.au/Learning-Plan-Be-Organized-Executive/dp/1433822172Send us a textSupport the show School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected] DisclaimerThe content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.

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• #18 - Lived Experience with Mark Thompson

  This week we return to our Lived Experience series and host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Mark Thompson, a father of two daughters from the south coast of New South Wales. Mark shares the struggles and triumphs of raising his autistic daughter, codename Bluey, as she faces challenges with attending school. From the daycare where Bluey thrived, to the increasing difficulties in preschool and beyond, Mark shares their journey through the education system. He discusses their eventual decision to home educate,  the family stresses, and the myriad of strategies they employed to support Bluey. Mark emphasizes trusting the gut instincts of both parents and children and the importance of finding a supportive community. 00:00 Welcome 00:28 Introducing Mark Thompson and His Family01:37 Early School Challenges with Bluey04:09 Navigating Autism Diagnosis and School Supports07:13 Struggles with School and Transition to Homeschooling15:32 Homeschooling Journey and Personal Reflections19:51 The Importance of Community and Support22:09 Closing Thoughts and ResourcesSend us a textSupport the show School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on [email protected] DisclaimerThe content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.

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