EP 2 - A Mother's Journey: From Overwhelmed to Empowered

Nicolle studied marketing, worked in hospitality and call centres, then found her calling in disability care after becoming a mother. Today, she's a qualified Early Childhood teacher with two boys, 16 and 14, both on the autism spectrum.

In this powerful episode, Nicolle opens up about the moment her son's kinder teacher inspired her to change careers, the six-year journey to qualify as an Early Childhood teacher, and what it's like to navigate the system as both parent and educator.

We talk about:

• Her varied career path and finding her purpose in disability care

• When her eldest was diagnosed with ADHD in Grade 2, then autism in Grade 6

• The Year 7 crisis that forced them to change schools

• How martial arts training with Vickie helped her son open up and thrive

• Building confidence, making friends, and finding belonging

• Her son's occasional struggles with diagnosis denial

• Stepping back from full-time teaching after COVID and family losses

• Working at a chiropractic wellbeing centre and doing weekend support work

• Bringing lived experience to her work with other neurodivergent families

• Advice for parents who've just received an autism diagnosis

Nicolle's story is about resilience, advocacy, and the power of finding the right environment and support for your kids.