The School Can't Experience

Get in touch? Email us at schoolcantpodcast@gmail.com with your feedback, suggestions or to volunteer to share your School Can't experience.

This episode takes a different shape from our usual format. Rather than a single guest, it draws together voices from more than a dozen past guests and lived experience parents to build a fuller picture of burnout.

At its centre is a reframe: burnout isn't a medical disorder or a character flaw, it's a nervous system response to chronic stress, closer to smoke from a fire than the fire itself. Once...

Permaculture designer Cecilia Macaulay joins host Leisa Reichelt for a surprising but genuinely practical conversation about how the design of our home environments can either add to or reduce the nervous system burden on School Can't families.

Drawing on 34 years of permaculture design, and on Japanese cultural practices she's studied over decades, Cecilia introduces the idea that home can be designed to work for us rather than against us, without requiring willpower, discipline, or a big cleanup effort. Her approach, which she calls Togetherness Design, starts from the principle that order is natural, and that small, well-placed...

Tiffany Westphal, director of School Can't Australia, joins host Leisa Reichelt to discuss a common stressful experience facing School Can't families: the school attendance plan.

Drawing on recent survey research conducted with the School Can't Australia community, Tiffany reveals some genuinely shocking findings, including that 46% of families were presented with an attendance plan with no prior consultation, 29% were never consulted at all, and 73% felt pressured to agree to a plan they didn't think would work. Only 20% said their plan reflected the advice of their young person's allied health or medical team.

Tiffany and Leisa explore...

Rachel, a parent from southern Tasmania, joins host Leisa Reichelt to share her lived experience supporting her son, now in Year 11 and engaged with school, through what has been anything but a straightforward journey.

Rachel's son is autistic with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance, or Pervasive Demand for Autonomy), ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia and a high IQ. That combination created enormous challenges in settings that weren't designed to accommodate his needs. But also enormous possibilities when the right supports were finally in place.

Rachel walks us through the early warning signs from daycare onwards, a primary school...

Consulting nurse Laura Hellfeld joins host Leisa Reichelt to explore one of the least-talked-about challenges facing School Can't families - hygiene and self-care.

When young people are in burnout, the capacity for everyday self-care tasks like showering, brushing teeth and eating can quietly disappear, often leaving parents feeling confused, worried, and like they're somehow failing.

Laura explains why this happens, drawing on nervous system science, interoception, sensory processing and the body's response to trauma and chronic stress. She offers a compassionate, practical framework for understanding what's really going on and how to respond.

...

Corinne Smith describes herself as a "reluctant homeschooler". Someone who never planned to be home educating, but who found herself there after her child experienced School Can't from preschool onwards, through multiple school settings, including Montessori.

Rather than retreat, Corinne founded KinHub,  a registered charity in Sydney's Inner West. Kinhub is a a community built specifically for kids who don't fit into mainstream school and the families who are holding it all together alongside them. In this episode, Corinne shares:

Judith came across School Can't Australia on the internet and suddenly, something that had puzzled her for over sixty years finally had a name.

Now 66, Judith grew up missing roughly half her schooling. Nobody called it School Can't. Nobody really knew what to do. And for most of her adult life, she'd assumed her experience was unique until she stumbled across the School Can't community and realised how familiar her story would sound to families navigating this today.

In this episode, Judith looks back on her experience with the perspective only six decades can bring...

We've just passed 50 episodes of The School Can't Experience — and many of those have been lived experience episodes: families coming on to tell us what School Can't has actually been like for them in real life.

In going back through all of those episodes to prepare this one, something became very clear. Different families, different states, different children, different journeys — but so many of the same themes appearing again and again

Episodes mentioned — listen to the full stories

Play and filial therapist Dr. Kate Renshaw joins host Leisa Reichelt to explore how play therapy can support children and families experiencing School Can’t, especially when kids struggle with traditional talk-based therapies. 

Kate describes why play therapy is developmentally sensitive and how the family-based approach, filial therapy can be powerful for both parent and child. She discusses creating consistent, relationally safe support across home and school. 

This episode also explores Kate’s evidence-based Teacher’s Optimal Relationship Approach (TORA), designed to help teachers use play-therapy-informed relational skills in everyday classroom interactions. Kate highlights research showing...

In this week’s episode, Sydney mum, Jodie, shares her lived experience of School Can’t with host Leisa Reichelt.  Jodie’s teenage daughter experienced a sudden mental health and School Can’t crisis after a house move in February 2025, following earlier anxiety, social struggles and bullying.

As her daughter became severely dysregulated, ran away, and experienced suicidal ideation, Jodie describes intense pressure from school and clinicians to force attendance and make home “less comfortable,” which she felt escalated distress.

After months and emergency callouts, she pulled her daughter out of school and registered with international...

Dr Billy Garvey joins us on the School Can’t Experience Podcast to discuss why it shouldn’t be considered normal for children to struggle at school, and how the education system often fails to meet kids’ emotional and developmental needs. 

Together with host Leisa Reichelt, they explore early intervention and trusting parental instincts, the harms of dismissing distress as “just a phase,” and why trauma and bullying don’t build resilience. 

Billy emphasises agency and autonomy, relationship-based school re-entry, and the value of listening to a child’s lived experience—especially for neurodivergent kids. 

He explains co...

Lucette, a mum of two neurodivergent girls, education advocate and author, speaks with our host, Leisa Reichelt about a School Can’t journey that began as “Daycare Can’t” and “Kinder Can’t.” Lucette describes years of difficult drop-offs, restraint collapse, and escalating distress—including absconding and family crisis—before her eldest child, ‘Big A’, was identified as autistic and ADHD with high sensory needs, and the family began using more PDA-aligned, low-demand communication. 

Despite extensive home-provided supports and an early advocacy consult to understand school rights and adjustments, a change of teacher in Grade 1 coincided with worsening experiences a...

This week we welcome Laura, a nurse and mum of three in Victoria, to share her family’s experience supporting her 15-year-old daughter, Mimi, through ongoing School Can’t. 

Laura describes Mimi’s early anxiety, neurodivergence, and how returning to school after COVID intensified distress, leading to escalating attendance struggles in high school, especially without close friendships and with limited school wellbeing capacity. 

She explains the daily realities of getting out the door, the impact on work and family relationships, and the personal parenting work required to shift away from “just make them go” approaches. 

Practica...

This week we welcomed Jessica, an OT and mother of two neurodivergent children, to share her lived experience of School Can’t. Jess’s eldest child experienced early anxiety and separation difficulties through escalating distress in primary school. 

Jess describes navigating borderline ADHD diagnosis, later recognising broader neurodivergence, trialling and stopping stimulants due to aggression on comedown, and finding both supportive and adverse school interactions. 

After a severe panic attack and medical leave, the family shifted to homeschooling and gradually rebuilt capacity through neurodivergent-friendly social groups, parent education (including Dr. Ross Greene’s Collaborative Proactive Solution...

Professor Linda Graham (Queensland University of Technology), Director of the QUT Centre for Inclusive Education, joins host, Leisa Reichelt to discuss research showing that universally accessible teaching and assessment improves outcomes for neurodivergent students and benefits all learners. 

Professor Graham shares her own experience of being pushed out of school, her pathway to university, and her commitment to changing education for students like herself and her neurodivergent children. 

She advises families to understand rights under the CRPD, the Disability Discrimination Act, and the Disability Standards for Education, emphasizing schools’ obligation to consult students and parents and...

Host Leisa Reichelt is joined by  18-year-old Althea and her mum, Claire to talk about about Althea’s School Can’t experience through high school in Melbourne. 

After early positive years at school COVID stuck, meaning much of Years 7–8 were done on Zoom, disrupting connection and engagement with school. By Years 9–10 sensory overwhelm was escalating but getting accommodations involved battles, meanwhile academic pressures and worsening mental health led made it harder and harder for Althea to attend school. 

Following ADHD and autism diagnoses, Althea and Claire explored alternatives and ultimately were able to do homeschooling with a part...

Rachel, a School Can’t mum and occupational therapist, joins host Leisa Reichelt to talk about her family’s experience supporting her child through severe school distress and School Can’t. 

Rachel describes years of intense support, including leaving work for three years and spending hours daily on school grounds, difficulties with school responses, and the impact on the whole family during COVID, before transitioning to home education to reduce stress and improve wellbeing. 

They discuss the value and timing of autism identification for understanding, self-esteem, and support. Rachel explains what occupational therapy is, how OTs help...

Leisa Reichelt speaks with autism researcher and clinical psychologist Dawn Adams (OTARC, La Trobe University) about what the latest School Can’t research is showing. 

Dawn shares international insights on how neuro-normative school policy and assessment can drive school distress, and why lived experience and co-designed research matter. She outlines OTARC findings that child anxiety can predict later school non-attendance years in advance, and that an autism-specific, parent-based anxiety prevention program in the preschool years was linked to far fewer school attendance challenges. 

They also discuss fluctuating capacity, autonomy, and student-identified school stressors from the Stud...

Psychologist Emma-Rose Parsons joins host, Leisa Reichelt to discuss how Individual Learning Plans (ILPs/IEPs) can become practical, neurodiversity-affirming tools rather than “tick-the-box” paperwork. 

Emma-Rose explains ILPs should document reasonable adjustments, support equal access to curriculum and school life, and help schools meet obligations under relevant disability and equal opportunity legislation—ideally through true collaboration with parents and, where possible, students.

They identify common red flags and Emma-Rose shares examples of better goals focused on access and regulation. The episode also covers school objections around “fairness” and staff capacity, noting the need for better whole-community understandi...

This week we bring you a special live recording of the Lived Experience panel from the launch of the 'Understanding School Can’t' ebook. Featuring previous podcast guests Diana, Mark, Simone, and Yani, the discussion ranges draws from their personal journeys and explores the challenges they faced with School Can’t, and the wisdom they wish they had known earlier.

The panel offers powerful reflections on the importance of community, dealing with isolation and stress, and practical advice on navigating educational systems. They also touch on the significance of self-care and finding hope during difficult times.

...

In the first episode of the 2026 School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt discusses the challenges 'School Can't,' with the Directors of School Can't Australia, Tiffany Westphal and Louise Rogers and discuss some of the content of the new ebook, Understanding School Can’t published by School Can’t Australia in January.

Download a copy of the Understanding School Can’t ebook here: https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/minibook

We explore the early and often missed signs of School Can't, harmful but well-meaning advice, and why it's essential for parents and carers to inv...

You're invited to attend the virtual launch of School Can't Australia's new ebook. 

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/resource-launch-understanding-school-can-t-a-guide-for-parents-and-carers

Please help us plan content for next years episodes - send your feedback and ideas to schoolcantpodcast@gmail.com or send us a text.

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Welcome to the School Can't Experience Podcast hosted by Leisa Reichelt. In this episode, Wendy, a high school teacher and foster parent, shares her story of caring for her foster son Jax, who has struggled with school attendance for several years.

Wendy shares the various challenges they have faced with the education system, their experiences with foster care, and their journey towards finding an appropriate learning environment for Jax where he is now truly seen, understood and supported. 

The episode also highlights the importance of understanding neurodiversity and advocating for children with special needs.

In this episode, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Tanya Valentin, a neuro-affirming family coach from New Zealand. 

Tanya shares her journey of discovering her neurodivergence and her family's experiences with school burnout and autism. They discuss the challenges, grief, and shame faced by parents, and the transformative power of finding new paths to education and parenting. 

Tanya also talks about the resources and support available for families dealing with similar issues. Tune in to hear insights on breaking societal norms and fostering genuine connections with your children.

00:00 Welcome to th...

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Pavlina McMaster, Coordinator at the Home Education Network to shed light on some common myths about Home Education, including: 

Useful resources:

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt speaks with Kate Broderick, a dual qualified speech therapist and occupational therapist, about the transition from behaviorism to a relationship-based approach in education. 

Kate shares her personal journey as a parent of neurodivergent children and discusses the importance of building trust-based relationships to create safer and more inclusive learning environments. 

They consider the challenges and strategies for advocating for educational transformation and the critical role of nervous system safety in child development. Kate also introduces her upcoming book as a resource for teachers an...

In this episode Melisa and her son Jamie to share their inspiring story with host, Leisa Reichelt. Jamie, who struggled with conventional schooling due to autism and other challenges, found an unconventional but successful educational pathway.

Despite difficulties including bullying, sensory challenges and a lack of support in school, Jamie flourished through home education, ultimately enrolling in university at a young age and recently earning a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. 

We explore the challenges and successes of their journey, including the importance of education redesigned to suit the learning needs of the individual, and the s...

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, hosted by Leisa Reichelt, we discuss the best strategies for preparing children for school transitions. 

As the school year ends, many parents are concerned about how to set their children up for success in the next academic year, especially when transitioning between primary and high school. 

Guests Tiffany Westphal from School Can't Australia and Louise White, who recently completed her PhD on supporting autistic students with transitions, share their insights and experiences. 

Topics include the importance of proactive preparation, communication strategies with teachers, and und...

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Pavlina McMaster and Heidi Ryan from the Home Education Network (HEN) to discuss the challenges and benefits of home education for neurodivergent children & young people.

Pavlina and Heidi share their personal experiences, highlighting how home education caters to the unique needs of these children, fosters motivation, and supports mental health. 

The conversation also touches on the initial fears parents might have, the organic learning process, and the critical importance of creating a safe and supportive learning environment. Both parents of y...

In this episode, host Leisa Reichelt speaks with Hugh Viney, CEO of Minerva Virtual Academy (MVA), the UK’s fastest growing school that specifically caters to kids whose needs are not met by the mainstream school system.

MVA's unique model centers on a 'happiness first' ethos, providing a blend of self-directed online learning, live lessons, mentoring, and community activities. Hugh explains how MVA caters to diverse student needs, including those facing mental health challenges and neurodivergent learners, creating an educational environment where happiness and well-being are prioritized. 

The conversation also touches upon the challenges and opp...

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Esther Jones, a UK-based parent and unschooling advocate and author of The Parent's Handbook to Unschooling Yourself. 

Esther shares her personal journey of unschooling her three children and the principles behind the philosophy. We explore how parents can inadvertently present the biggest challenges to unschooling success,  the importance of self-compassion, and how to foster an individualised, supportive and engaging learning environment. 

Discover practical advice and insights on transitioning from traditional schooling to an unschooling approach, and learn about the significance of...

Em Hammond of Neurowild joins us for this special episode. Em, a speech therapist and illustrator, emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting neurodivergent children, particularly in educational settings. 

We talk through Em’s resource called ‘Reasons Why Autistic Kids May Not Be OK With ‘Having a Go’ and why this request can be ableist, dismissive of our kids experience and ultimately traumatising. Em highlights the importance of validating children's experiences  and asking them about the best ways we can offer them support that actually helps.. 

00:00 Welcome to the School Can't Experience Podcast

00:26 Introducing...

Happy school holidays (in Australia) to all who celebrate. As a holiday special we are revisiting this popular episode, an interview with clinical psychologist Monique Mitchelson.

We explore the often misunderstood concept of resilience, especially for our neurodivergent young people.

Monique, who is autistic and ADHD herself, shares her journey and highlights the challenges and necessary shifts in education systems to support neurodivergent children and young people. Together, they discuss the limitations of traditional exposure therapy, the impact of sensory overload, and the importance of adopting neurodiversity-affirming practices in schools. 

00:00 W...

In this episode host Leisa Reichelt is joined by Dr Kara Johns to discuss the crucial role that General Practitioners (GPs) can play in supporting families struggling with School Can’t.

Dr. Johns, a GP from South Australia, shares her personal and professional insights on handling School Can't situations. They explore the importance of building strong GP-family relationships, navigating the Australian health system, and the Medicare safety net. 

The episode also touches on the impact of emotional health on children's school attendance and provides practical advice for parents dealing with similar challenges.

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt discusses the recent Australian Network for School Attendance Conference with Tiffany Westphal and Louise Rogers from School Can't Australia. 

They share valuable insights and highlights from the event, discussing various topics such as the impact of stressors on student attendance, the importance of lived experience in shaping policies, and the complexities surrounding school attendance difficulties. 

They explore the terminology used to describe school attendance issues, how schools can use imputed diagnosis to access NCCD funding, and gaps in the perspectives of students, educators, an...

In our first parent/young person duet episode, Simone and her teenager Yani share their journey through years of school struggles, home education, and eventually finding a path forward that works. Together, they talk openly about the challenges of separation anxiety, dyslexia, School Can’t, and the toll it takes on both parent and child.

What shines through is their honesty, resilience, and the strength of their relationship as they navigate tough choices and moments of relief - from difficult mornings at the school gate to the freedom of “Beach Day.” Yani reflects on what it’s like to...

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt speaks with Symone Wheatley-Hey, an advocate for neurodivergent voices in education. 

Symone shares her personal journey of navigating 'School Can't' as a sole parent to two neurodivergent children. The discussion covers Symone's experiences with home education, the impact of PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) on schooling, and the transformation her family underwent to overcome educational challenges. 

Symone also discusses the positive changes in her children's school and their re-integration into the education system. 

00:00 Welcome to the School Can't Experience Podcast

00:27 Int...

Returning guest Dr. Naomi Fisher joins host Leisa Reichelt and School Can’t Australia’s Tiffany Westphal and returning guest Dr. Naomi Fisher to deep dive into the pressing issue of parental burnout. 

Dr. Fisher, Clinical Psychologist and expert in supporting parents with burned out School Can’t kids, provides valuable insights into recognizing, understanding, and combating burnout among parents and carers. 

You’ll get practical tips for self-care that are achievable even for parents who have little or no time to themselves. We also discuss the impact of systemic pressures and strategies for managing chronic st...

In this episode, you’ll meet Diana, a mother of two young people with School Can’t experiences. Diana joins host Leisa Reichelt to candidly share her experiences supporting her son James through his struggles with mainstream schooling.

From early signs like separation anxiety and hating birthday parties and swimming lessons, to the challenges of advocating for access to Distance Education including supports for undertaking the Higher School Certificate (HSC).  

Diana’s story includes topics like deschooling, misdiagnosis, and the importance of tailored support.

Content warning: This episode briefly mentions a suicide threat. Please...

In this episode of the School Can't Experience Podcast, host Leisa Reichelt is joined by South Australian parents Kate and Daniel, who discuss their experiences caring for three neurodivergent children, two of whom they are currently home educating. 

They share their challenges with the traditional school system, the transition to home education, the realities of day to day life and low demand parenting, and strategies they use to support their children's learning and wellbeing. 

Kate and Daniel share candidly the complexities of home educating neurodiverse young people who have experienced school trauma, whilst balancing the ch...