OMATAS Blog: Resources, Articles & Podcasts

Lauren Edmunds dives deep into the challenge of balancing regulation and progress for children with anxiety and conditions like PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance). She discusses how creating a low-demand environment can help manage dysregulation without sacrificing progress, emphasizing the importance of regulation for learning.

Lauren Edmunds shares a heartfelt conversation with a father navigating the challenges of raising a child with autism, ADHD, and anxiety. She explores the struggles parents face in maintaining balance between their own needs, their relationships, and their child’s high demands. Through practical strategies and a shift in mindset, she highlights the importance of flexibility, prioritisation, and self-care.

Lauren Edmunds delves into the common struggles parents face with their children’s homework and why the way we approach it matters. She challenges the growing trend of “no homework” schools and emphasizes the importance of homework as a tool for connection, skill-building, and long-term academic success.

Lauren Edmunds explores a controversial yet crucial topic: Are some children placed in expensive remedial environments when the real challenges stem from their home environment? She discusses how anxiety, rather than intrinsic learning difficulties, can sometimes be the root cause of academic struggles, and how family dynamics may play a significant role.

Lauren Edmunds discusses the importance of setting firm, consistent boundaries for children, especially those with anxiety or control-related behaviours. Using the metaphor of a bouncing castle, she explains how children need structure to feel safe and secure. Without clear rules, their world can feel unpredictable and overwhelming. She shares a real-life example of children testing their limits and highlights how parents can maintain firm yet compassionate boundaries. By staying regulated, empathetic, and consistent, parents can help children develop emotional resilience and a sense of security that lasts into adulthood.

Lauren Edmunds explores the complexity of attention in children, moving beyond labels like ADHD and the assumption that medication is the only solution. She discusses the nuances of focus, comparing a typically attentive child to one struggling with anxiety and divided attention. Through vivid examples, Lauren explains how sensory processing, anxiety, and environmental factors impact a child’s ability to learn. By addressing regulation, sensory input, and emotional well-being, we can better support children in developing sustained attention in a way that truly helps them thrive.

Lauren Edmunds explores the fascinating ways in which the human body protects itself, especially in children with learning difficulties. She emphasizes the importance of teachers and caregivers developing the skill of non-judgmental observation, identifying patterns in behavior, and collaborating with parents and professionals to support children effectively. By staying curious and open-minded, we can better understand the underlying causes of challenges and create a more supportive environment for children to thrive.

In this episode, Lauren Edmunds explores the true meaning of inclusion beyond just its definition. She discusses how inclusion is reflected in our behaviours, language, and attitudes, both in social settings and within education. Lauren highlights the importance of self-awareness and small, intentional changes that can create a more inclusive environment, especially for children with learning delays. She emphasizes that meaningful change starts with adults and their willingness to model inclusivity in everyday interactions.

In this episode, Lauren Edmunds, founder of a school for children with learning delays, explores the impact of reading fiction on children’s emotional and social development. She discusses how storytelling fosters empathy, enhances emotional regulation, and strengthens family connections. Lauren also shares insights on choosing meaningful stories and making reading an engaging, everyday habit.

In this episode of The Lauren Edmunds Podcast, Lauren explores the concept of the “13th voice”, the idea that people often need to hear something multiple times and from different perspectives before they are ready to truly understand and embrace it.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Lauren Edmunds Podcast, Lauren delves into the complexities of assessing children’s skills in school. Drawing from her experience as the owner of a special needs school in Johannesburg, she highlights the disconnect between traditional evaluation methods and the broader, real-world abilities children often demonstrate.

In this episode of The Lauren Edmunds Podcast, Lauren dives into the age-old dilemma faced by working parents: What do you do when your child is sick? With two kids of her own, Lauren understands the pressure to send them to school, especially when work commitments pile up.