Kids refusing medical help | Michelle Parton

2025-11-19

This week, Mark is joined by Michelle Parton – a long-time Neuroshambles listener and parent of two neurodivergent children. They explore one of the more baffling challenges of raising our kids: why do so many of them flat-out refuse medical assistance? From hiding lava lamp injuries to meltdown-inducing blood tests, Mark and Michelle swap tales of their kids’ iron-willed resistance to all forms of treatment – even when they’re clearly in pain, bleeding, or itching uncontrollably. Together, they explore the many reasons this might be happening – from sensory issues and PDA to past trauma, masking, and a fundamental lack of trust in ...

From hiding lava lamp injuries to meltdown-inducing blood tests, Mark and Michelle swap tales of their kids’ iron-willed resistance to all forms of treatment – even when they’re clearly in pain, bleeding, or itching uncontrollably. Together, they explore the many reasons this might be happening – from sensory issues and PDA to past trauma, masking, and a fundamental lack of trust in strangers in latex gloves.

It’s funny, cathartic, at times heartbreaking – definitely one for anyone who’s ever tried (and failed) to administer Calpol to a deeply suspicious neurodifferent child.

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CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS (Estimated):

00:00 – Intro & Meet the Guest: Michelle Parton

03:00 – Topic of the Week: Refusing Medical Help

08:00 – Kids hiding injuries

13:00 – Dysregulation about the prospect of going to the doctor

17:30 – Trust issues with medical professionals

23:00 – Lyme disease and the unholy nightmare of blood tests

29:00 – Trying to administer medication

35:00 – The impact of sensory overwhelm: Plasters, creams & the taste of medication

42:00 – The added complication with PDA kids

47:00 – The role that masking might play