--- title: 'Lived Experience' url: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/lived-experience' markdown: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/lived-experience.md' date: '2026-09-09' description: "What can families going through similar experiences teach us? No two families' journeys look the same, but hearing how others have navigated similar challenges can make an isolating experience feel a little less lonely. Parents, young people, and carers bring a kind of expertise that only comes from living it — what actually helped, what didn't, and what they wish someone had told them sooner. Here, we share their stories to offer hope, validation, and the reassurance that you're not on this journey alone." --- # Lived Experience ### Filter by type: - [ Article ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/lived-experience?type=Article) - [ Podcast ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/lived-experience?type=Podcast) - [ Video ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/lived-experience?type=Video) - [ Transcript ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/lived-experience?type=Transcript) - [ All ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/lived-experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/03.toolkit/02.early-intervention/how-children-build-meaning-through-play/maksym-kaharlytskyi-child-playing.jpg) ### Article: How Children Build Meaning Through Play [Article: How Children Build Meaning Through Play](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/early-intervention/how-children-build-meaning-through-play) This article explores Olive Austin’s teaching journey and her belief in play as essential to early childhood development. Through a conversation with her… [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ Home Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Home%20Life) [ Early Intervention ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Early%20Intervention) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/the-silent-cost-of-exclusion/tierblundell.webp) ### Podcast: The silent cost of exclusion [Podcast: The silent cost of exclusion](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/the-silent-cost-of-exclusion) Research shows that children from marginalised groups, particularly those from black Caribbean backgrounds and those with neurodivergent profiles like… [ School Avoidance ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Avoidance) [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ ADHD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ADHD) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Neurodivergence ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Neurodivergence) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/01.adhd/living-with-adhd/debbie-adhd.jpg) ### Video: Living with ADHD - Debbie's Story [Video: Living with ADHD - Debbie's Story](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/adhd/living-with-adhd) In this film, Debbie explores how an earlier diagnosis could have helped her receive the right support and understanding in school. [ ADHD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ADHD) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/06.about-us/05.nip-in-the-bud-news/interview-with-kitty-nabarro/stigma-and-discrimination-grandmother-experience.jpg) ### Podcast: Interview with Kitty Nabarro [Podcast: Interview with Kitty Nabarro](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us/nip-in-the-bud-news/interview-with-kitty-nabarro) Alis Rocca talks to the co-founder of Nip in the Bud, Kitty Nabarro. Kitty co-founded Nip in the Bud together with her husband, Daniel, in 2015 and is… [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/02.autism/raising-an-autistic-child/autism-carrie-and-david-14.jpg) ### Video: Raising an autistic child [Video: Raising an autistic child](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/autism/raising-an-autistic-child) Carrie and David describe how their happy child began to feel excluded and different when they started school. The outside world is so structured towards… [ Home Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Home%20Life) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/09.ptsd/ptsd-and-me-real-life-experiences/ptsd-and-me.jpg) ### Video: PTSD and me: real life experiences [Video: PTSD and me: real life experiences](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ptsd/ptsd-and-me-real-life-experiences) Exposure to traumatic events is very common in young people. After a trauma, a child may feel distressed, tearful or in shock; if these feelings persist,… [ Trauma ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Trauma) [ PTSD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:PTSD) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/02.autism/being-dad-fathers-reflect-on-raising-autistic-children/Anil-father-carer.jpg) ### Video: Being Dad: Fathers reflect on raising autistic children [Video: Being Dad: Fathers reflect on raising autistic children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/autism/being-dad-fathers-reflect-on-raising-autistic-children) In families with autistic children, Dads can find themselves navigating family life without many people asking how they're getting on. Three fathers talk… [ Home Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Home%20Life) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/02.autism/living-with-autism-dan-and-charlie/charlie-talks-about-autism.jpg) ### Video: Living with Autism: Dan & Charlie [Video: Living with Autism: Dan & Charlie](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/autism/living-with-autism-dan-and-charlie) Dan tells us how his 9-year-old son Charlie was diagnosed as autistic and what his has meant for their daily life. [ Home Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Home%20Life) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/05.self-harm/emilys-journey-from-self-harm-to-recovery/emiy-self-harm.jpg) ### Video: Emily's Journey from Self-Harm to recovery [Video: Emily's Journey from Self-Harm to recovery](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/self-harm/emilys-journey-from-self-harm-to-recovery) Emily talks about her journey through self-harm to recovery and what she would say to her 13-year-old self. [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) [ Self Harm ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Self%20Harm) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/from-exclusion-to-oxford-tier-blundells-mission-to-reduce-school-exclusions-in-the-uk/tierblundell.webp) ### Article: From Exclusion to Oxford: Tier Blundell’s mission to reduce school exclusions in the UK [Article: From Exclusion to Oxford: Tier Blundell’s mission to reduce school exc…](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/from-exclusion-to-oxford-tier-blundells-mission-to-reduce-school-exclusions-in-the-uk) Following our podcast conversation with Tier Blundell, this piece shares how unrecognised ADHD and racism led to his school exclusion, and how he went… [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ Stigma ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Stigma) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/my-voice-matters/supporting-girls-with-autism.jpg) ### Video: My Voice Matters [Video: My Voice Matters](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/my-voice-matters) We’re excited to join Place2Be with the focus on “My Voice Matters” by highlighting the many voices of the children whose experiences and perspectives… [ ADHD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:ADHD) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/03.toolkit/02.early-intervention/the-importance-of-early-intervention-my-story-of-an-adult-diagnosis-of-autism/Early-intervention-My-story.webp) ### Article: The Importance of Early Intervention: My Story of an Adult Diagnosis of Autism [Article: The Importance of Early Intervention: My Story of an Adult Diagnosis o…](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/early-intervention/the-importance-of-early-intervention-my-story-of-an-adult-diagnosis-of-autism) Discover the importance of early intervention through Jon’s powerful story of an adult autism diagnosis. Learn how missed support in childhood can shape… [ Stigma ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Stigma) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Neurodivergence ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Neurodivergence) [ Early Intervention ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Early%20Intervention) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/parenting-a-child-with-ocd-kitty/ocd.png) ### Video: Parenting a child with OCD - Kitty [Video: Parenting a child with OCD - Kitty](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/parenting-a-child-with-ocd-kitty) In primary school, Kitty and Daniel's daughter often worried about harm coming to herself and others. She was finally diagnosed with OCD when she was … [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/01.depression/depression-and-me/depression-and-me.jpg) ### Video: Depression and me [Video: Depression and me](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/depression/depression-and-me) This short film features real-life accounts of Depression experienced by young people. Through their words, we see the importance of early intervention… [ Bullying ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Bullying) [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ Depression ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Depression) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/04.eating-disorders/bulimia-susannas-story/Child-and-Food-Cropped-image.jpg) ### Video: Bulimia - Susanna's story [Video: Bulimia - Susanna's story](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/bulimia-susannas-story) Susannah became bulimic while still at primary school. She was a very active child and excelled in sports and dance. In this film, she shares her experience… [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) [ Eating Disorders ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Eating%20Disorders) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/06.anxiety/anxiety-and-me-real-life-childrens-experience/Anxiety.00_03_47_16.Still009.jpg) ### Video: Anxiety and Me - Real Life Children's Experience [Video: Anxiety and Me - Real Life Children's Experience](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/anxiety/anxiety-and-me-real-life-childrens-experience) This short film features real-life accounts of Anxiety experienced by young people. Through their words, we see the importance of early intervention by… [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/02.autism/a-fathers-journey-through-severe-autism/damien-autism.jpg) ### Podcast: A Father’s Journey Through Severe Autism [Podcast: A Father’s Journey Through Severe Autism](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/autism/a-fathers-journey-through-severe-autism) In this episode we talk about all things fatherhood, how Alex has changed Damien’s life beyond recognition, the trials and the joys of their journey together.… [ Home Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Home%20Life) [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/02.autism/transcript-of-growing-up-with-autism-by-tylan/tylan-and-autism.jpg) ### Transcript: Growing up with Autism: Tylan's Story [Transcript: Growing up with Autism: Tylan's Story](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/autism/transcript-of-growing-up-with-autism-by-tylan) I felt very alienated growing up. At school, I just felt like I wasn't like anyone else, and like, there must be something wrong because I'm not understanding,… [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/02.autism/video-of-damien-talks-about-expectations-for-dads-of-autistic-children/damien.jpg) ### Video: Damien talks about expectations for Dads of Autistic Children [Video: Damien talks about expectations for Dads of Autistic Children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/autism/video-of-damien-talks-about-expectations-for-dads-of-autistic-children) The stress, demands and worry of parenting a child with additional needs can be tough and can test the most resilient of parents. Damien talks to the Nip… [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/02.autism/transcript-of-5-year-on-life-on-the-autism-spectrum/dan-and-charlie.png) ### Transcript: 5 year on: Life on the Autism Spectrum [Transcript: 5 year on: Life on the Autism Spectrum](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/autism/transcript-of-5-year-on-life-on-the-autism-spectrum) So here we are five years on, aren't we from the first film. Charlie hadn't seen that until we had a look at it last night, but he enjoyed seeing himself… [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/02.ocd/ocd-and-me-real-life-child-memories/ocd-real-life-experience.jpg) ### Video: OCD and me [Video: OCD and me](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/mental-health/ocd/ocd-and-me-real-life-child-memories) In this film, Olivia gives an honest and detailed account of her personal experience of the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which she had since the… [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) [ OCD ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:OCD) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/02.autism/dan-and-charlie-5-years-on-life-on-the-autism-spectrum/DanCharlie-V_2.jpg) ### Video: Dan & Charlie: 5 years on, life on the Autism Spectrum [Video: Dan & Charlie: 5 years on, life on the Autism Spectrum](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/autism/dan-and-charlie-5-years-on-life-on-the-autism-spectrum) Charlie shares how important it is to get a diagnosis early on and to find out what makes you happy, whilst his Dad, Dan explains how his son has learned… [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/04.neurodivergence/02.autism/growing-up-with-autism/tylan-and-autism.jpg) ### Video: Growing up with Autism [Video: Growing up with Autism](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/neurodivergence/autism/growing-up-with-autism) Tylan felt alienated at school, thinking everything they did was wrong. Having a diagnosis of autism helped them but they developed anxiety, felt overwhelmed,… [ Autism ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Autism) [ Lived Experience ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Lived%20Experience) --- ## Navigation - Parent: [Toolkit](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit.md) - Previous: [Building Trust with your children](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/early-intervention/building-trust-with-your-children.md) - Next: [Life of a SENCO](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/early-intervention/life-of-a-senco.md)