Education and Neurodiversity: Nicole Bateman chats with Charlotte Mountford

05/14/25 • 27 min

In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Charlotte Montford; educator, specialist autism support teacher, and founder of Badger Education. Charlotte shares how a volunteering experience at university sparked a lifelong passion for inclusive education, and how both her professional journey and personal experience raising neurodivergent children have shaped the work she does today.

We talk openly about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting, the frustration of delayed diagnoses, and why it’s so important to recognise each child as a unique individual. Charlotte’s perspective is rooted in deep understanding, and her work is all about helping educators feel confident and supported in making a real difference.

What We Cover:

How Charlotte’s early experience in a special school influenced her career
What it’s like navigating the system both as a parent and professional
The power (and pressure) of being an advocate when things don’t feel right
Why Charlotte set up Badger Education and the kinds of support it offers
Real talk about autism, assumptions, and the importance of truly knowing the child in front of you
Practical ways educators can create more inclusive learning spaces

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Check out our Season 1 and 2 sponsor The Super Sensory Squad who support kids in understanding the eight sensory systems and emotional regulation using their penguin squad at: www.thesupersensorysquad.com and www.instagram.com/thesupersensorysquad

What We Cover:

How Charlotte’s early experience in a special school influenced her career
What it’s like navigating the system both as a parent and professional
The power (and pressure) of being an advocate when things don’t feel right
Why Charlotte set up Badger Education and the kinds of support it offers
Real talk about autism, assumptions, and the importance of truly knowing the child in front of you
Practical ways educators can create more inclusive learning spaces

Previous Episode

Autism Acceptance: Nicole Bateman chats with Tynisha from Visible Autism

Autism Acceptance Day: Masking, Diagnosis and Visibility with Tynisha from Visible Autism

in this Autism Acceptance Day special, Nicole Bateman speaks with Tynisha from Visible Autism about her lived experience as an autistic woman and her journey to self-understanding and advocacy.

In This Episode:

Masking and Late Diagnosis – Tynisha shares how she masked her autistic traits throughout school and the ten-year journey it took to receive her diagnosis. She reflects on how being misunderstood led to exhaustion and challenges with self-identity.
University and Reasonable Adjustments – Despite having a formal diagnosis, Tynisha discusses the lack of appropriate adjustments at university, the impact this had on her education, and the wider issue of inaccessible systems.
The Story Behind Visible Autism – Tynisha talks about the creation of Visible Autism, a clothing brand designed to promote neurodivergent visibility and spark conversations about the autistic experience.
Documenting the Autistic Experience – A look at Tynisha’s upcoming documentary, where she shares her reality of navigating the world as an autistic person, breaking stereotypes, and advocating for acceptance over awareness.

This episode is great listening for anyone wanting to understand the reality of autistic masking, the barriers to diagnosis, and why true visibility and acceptance matter.

Conversations with a SEND Mum - Education and Neurodiversity: Nicole Bateman chats with Charlotte Mountford

Transcript

00:02:09.979

Hello, and welcome to conversations with an SEND Mom with your host Nicole Bateman. And today I am joined by Charlotte Mountford from Badger Education, who is a mom of three. So Charlotte, welcome. Thanks. Great to be here. Very good to have you. So, first of all, would love to know your connection to the SEND neurodivergent community, please. So I was thinking about this before I came on, and it kind of goes back quite a long way. So when I was at university in my la