Join Anna Kennedy as she interviews Shola Folarin Ogunde, a senior education practitioner, autism consultant, and mother of a 17-year-old autistic son named Jesse. Shola shares her unique perspective on autism, having first encountered it as a teacher years before her own son’s diagnosis, and discusses how her background in education and her husband’s work as a psychiatric clinical manager helped prepare them for their autism journey. The conversation dives deep into how COVID-19 has dramatically impacted both the teaching profession and families with autistic children, revealing the challenges of maintaining essential support systems during lockdown. Shola discusses the isolation faced by families, the creative use of direct payments for meaningful engagement activities, and the crucial need for virtual support forums during these unprecedented times.