Moving Home Considerations to Support Autistic Young People
Moving homes can present numerous exciting possibilities. We may have selected a home that is a better fit for our needs or preferences moving forward. The home may be more financially sustainable, a more accommodating size for our growing family, or a more convenient location for accessing valued activities or supports in the local area (e.g., health services, hobbies, education/employment, and family-time). We may be excitedly anticipating the associated novelty or embracing the opportunity to reorganise our way of living.
Is it hot in here? Raising awareness of the perimenopause-menopause transition for Autistic and ADHD women
Over the course of her life, a woman can experience various hormonal changes starting from pre-adolescence through to post-menopause. For adult women presenting to therapy at our clinic, the transition phase of perimenopause - menopause and how it intersects with Autism and ADHD, is often a hot topic of discussion for the over 40s in our individual sessions and groups.
A Deeper Dive into Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
Dysphoria signifies a significant disconnect between one’s emotional state and what is considered a comfortable or positive experience. While RSD is not an official clinical diagnosis, it is a term that resonates with many individuals who struggle with extreme emotional sensitivity, particularly in the context of ADHD.
Core emotional needs and how we can meet them in childhood
As a psychologist, often my role is to ‘fix’ presenting problems when they arise or assist if a client is in crisis. Often this can be more difficult and can be a much slower process to support clients to return to a healthy way of functioning.
Autistic Joy
Autistic joy is not just about happiness, it’s about experiencing life in a way that is deeply authentic to one’s autistic identity. ‘Joy’ as a general concept can be defined as “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness”.
Cultural differences and their impact on Autism
Cultural myths about Autism and other disabilities can deter people from seeking help. Information that may be helpful for one person might be too much, or too little, or even confusing for another.
Autism and Grief
Grief is a universal experience for us all and can come in many forms. Most of us know grief to be associated with the loss of a loved one or pet, however we can also experience loss without death being a factor.
The Benefits of Yoga for Autistic Individuals
Yoga encourages mindfulness and self-awareness which are both powerful tools for helping us to understand our emotions and teaches self-regulation. Through regular practice of yoga techniques such as meditation, mindfulness and focused breathing, we gain insight into our emotional responses and manage stress and anxiety more effectively. The slower, deeper, more rhythmic breathing practiced in yoga, allows us to tap into the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for activating the relaxation response in our body. For autistic folk, who may experience heightened levels of anxiety or emotional dysregulation, yoga offers a calming space to explore and understand their emotions without judgement.
Au-dulting: Navigating the Transition to Adulthood
For many young Autistic people, their families, and school staff, the transition to adulthood is a daunting one, marked by significant changes in available services. More than half of young Autistic adults are not successfully transitioning to adulthood in the first two years after high school. However, proper planning can ease this difficult transition and ensure that Autistic individuals build the skills and establish the support that will allow them to flourish in adulthood.
The Importance of Psychometric Testing for a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) in Children
It is common for children with learning difficulties to describe themselves as feeling "dumb" or "stupid," and to compare themselves negatively to their peers. As a result, these children can lack confidence in attempting academic tasks, experience low self-esteem and peer victimisation, and symptoms of anxiety.
Lived Experience of an ADHD Diagnosis in Adulthood - Let's Move Toward ND Affirming Practice
A few weeks into our friendship she told me she had been diagnosed as an adult with ADHD. We talked about how girls and women are so overlooked and underdiagnosed. She shared with me the process she had been through to get diagnosed and the benefits she felt had come with that diagnosis.
Mindfulness and Neurodivergence
How much do you really know about mindfulness and what it is? Here I aim to dispel a few myths and help you learn more about what is involved in this ancient way of understanding ourselves and approaching the world.
ADHD and Executive Functioning: How are they connected?
Many of the behaviours linked to ADHD - like being easily distracted, highly active, or acting without forethought - are believed to derive from challenges with executive functioning skills. But what exactly are these skills?
Autistic Burnout
Autistic individuals often face unique challenges in navigating a world that may not always be attuned to their needs. One aspect of this experience that has gained increasing attention is Autistic burnout.
A Therapist’s Cheat Sheet for Identifying the Child PDAer
How do you know when you have a child who is a PDAer in the therapy room? There is no quick and definitive answer to this…sometimes you just ‘know’ and other times you sit with indecision for a very long time – ‘Are they or aren’t they?’.
Autism and Screen Time
As the world becomes increasingly shaped by digital technology, the topic of screen time and its impact on Autistic individuals, including those with a Pathological Demand Avoidant (PDA) profile, has become a largely discussed topic.
Parenting Your Autistic Child
Parenting an Autistic child can take more thought and resources than parenting a non-Autistic child with research showing significant parenting stress levels for parents of Autistic children. These parents may experience a myriad of feelings including worry or guilt, as well as hope and fear about their child’s future. In addition, numerous expectations and unspoken societal pressures can be felt more strongly for parents of Autistic and neurodivergent children.
Inclusion Starts With Knowledge: A Path to Increasing Inclusivity for Neurodivergent Individuals
Imagine the power of the greater community comprehending the struggles and triumphs of someone with ADHD, sensory sensitivities, or complex trauma. When we seek out knowledge of others' experiences, we gain insight into the challenges and strengths of those individuals.
Supporting Neurodivergent (including PDA) Children on an Overseas Holiday
Taking a trip overseas, whether it be to a new or familiar place, may come with numerous challenges and high levels of uncertainty. The thought of an overseas trip or a family holiday can be daunting even for those of us who are well accustomed to travel.
Supporting the Needs of Autistic People in Healthcare Settings
Studies show that Autistic people have a reduced life expectancy and poor physical and mental health outcomes. There are likely many Autistic people accessing mental and physical healthcare services that are not receiving services that best support their individual needs, as well as those who are who have not disclosed, are yet to be formally identified or have been misdiagnosed with other mental health conditions.