The Highs and Lows of Life as a Neurodivergent Parent

Unmasking Mum

Lisa Lloyd, bestselling author of Raising the SEN-Betweeners and campaigner known as 'ASD with a G&T', is a fun-loving mum of two neurodivergent children. As a content creator and co-founder of SEND Reform England, she uses humour and honesty to raise awareness of hidden disabilities and share the realities of parenting kids who don’t fit the mould, offering support and community to those on a similar journey.

I have always been weird. Not in a mysterious, sexy way. More like a ‘Where’s her carer?’ kind of way. 
 
Like any new parent, when Lisa Lloyd became a mum, her own needs were put at the bottom of a very long list. But for Lisa, adapting to life with kids was an uphill struggle – one with frequent meltdowns, from her as well as them. When both her children were diagnosed with autism, it all started to add up. Her behaviours growing up, the jobs she couldn’t keep, ALL the emotions … maybe there was a reason for it all. 
 
In Unmasking Mum, Lisa draws on her story of being diagnosed with autism at age 41 to shine a light on the highs and lows of parenting when you’re neurodivergent and offer helpful tips she's learnt along the way. From the sensory overload of life with kids, to their terrible sense of personal space and the imposter syndrome that rears its ugly head when other people’s children are just perfect – with humour and honesty, Lisa is pulling off the mask, for every parent who feels they too are 'weird'. The mask is stuck quite hard, but bit-by-bit, it’s peeling away, revealing a Lisa who has been hiding all along.

Lisa Lloyd

This incredible book has brought a lump to my throat and made me laugh out loud. It's one of the most loving and tender accounts of motherhood I've ever read and it has helped me better understand our friends and family who are raising neurodivergent children and continuously fighting for support. A really important book.

You don't need to be a SEN parent to enjoy this warm and honest book. Unapologetically real with her anecdotes, Lisa guides us through the reality of raising children with autism. From quirky family outings, to the intricacies of sensory overload, she illustrates that every day is an adventure filled with unexpected lessons. Heart-warming and honest with magnificent humour sprinkled throughout, Lisa gives a comforting message which doesn't include one bit of 'mum guilt'

Lisa writes with an honesty that is both refreshing and important. Her words echo the voices of many mothers. Any SEND parent will be able to relate to this book.

An honest guide to parenting the kids who fall between the gaps

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 
 
'One of the most loving and tender accounts of motherhood I've ever read' – Sarah Turner 
 
'Heartwarming and honest with magnificent humour sprinkled throughout' – Clara Batten 
 
'Lisa writes with an honesty that is both refreshing and important' – Kellie Bright, actor and SEN Parent 
 
The highs, the lows and the delightfully neurospicy – this book is for every parent raising the ‘in-between’ children in a neurotypical world. 
 
How many times have you heard ‘he doesn’t look autistic’ or ‘she seems fine to me’? Do you sometimes feel alone as a parent, like no one really gets it? And have you ever watched in horror as your child told a friend their house was ‘boring and smelly’?! 
 
If any of that sounds familiar, it’s time to throw out the perfect parenting guides and join Lisa Lloyd on this rollercoaster journey of raising neurodivergent children who don’t fit the mainstream but aren’t considered ‘severe’ either. Lisa has been there and is ready to tell all – from the confusion of the early years and discovering your child is neurodivergent, to navigating a school system that doesn’t seem to fit, and the daily frustrations of picking your battles (and losing most of them). 
 
Ever wondered what would happen if you took your autistic three-year-old on a haunted ghost ride? Or what your reaction would be if your seven-year-old grabbed a stranger’s backfat in the changing rooms? Wonder no more! Raising the SEN-Betweeners is a very honest guide for all those parents in similar shoes, navigating the challenges, joys and hilariously unpredictable moments every day. If that is you, this book will make one thing very clear: you are not alone.

Raising the SEN-Betweeners

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Praise for Raising the SEN-Betweeners

This incredible book has brought a lump to my throat and made me laugh out loud. It's one of the most loving and tender accounts of motherhood I've ever read and it has helped me better understand our friends and fa ...

You don't need to be a SEN parent to enjoy this warm and honest book. Unapologetically real with her anecdotes, Lisa guides us through the reality of raising children with autism. From quirky family outings, to the ...

Lisa writes with an honesty that is both refreshing and important. Her words echo the voices of many mothers. Any SEND parent will be able to relate to this book.

This incredible book has brought a lump to my throat and made me laugh out loud. It's one of the most loving and tender accounts of motherhood I've ever read and it has helped me better understand our friends and fa ...

You don't need to be a SEN parent to enjoy this warm and honest book. Unapologetically real with her anecdotes, Lisa guides us through the reality of raising children with autism. From quirky family outings, to the ...

Lisa writes with an honesty that is both refreshing and important. Her words echo the voices of many mothers. Any SEND parent will be able to relate to this book.

This incredible book has brought a lump to my throat and made me laugh out loud. It's one of the most loving and tender accounts of motherhood I've ever read and it has helped me better understand our friends and fa ...

You don't need to be a SEN parent to enjoy this warm and honest book. Unapologetically real with her anecdotes, Lisa guides us through the reality of raising children with autism. From quirky family outings, to the ...

Lisa writes with an honesty that is both refreshing and important. Her words echo the voices of many mothers. Any SEND parent will be able to relate to this book.

Books by Lisa Lloyd

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