Embodied Talk

31/08/2025

We are proud to share a major step forward for children and families living with Paediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS).

A new paper published in Molecular Psychiatry (part of the Nature group of journals) has, for the first time, identified a clear biological signature in children with PANS. This research shows that PANS is not “controversial” or “just behavioural” - it is a legitimate medical condition involving the immune system, genes and brain development.

PANS Australia is proud to have contributed funding towards this research, using money raised from the national conference we hosted a few years ago. Stepping Stones Occupational Therapy for Children also generously provided support. Together, these contributions helped make this important work possible.

We thank Professor Russell Dale and his team at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead for their commitment to families and for leading the way in this critical area of research.

This paper is a turning point. Early recognition and treatment of PANS can mean recovery. Delay can lead to long-term and sometimes lifelong difficulties. It is vital that this evidence reaches paediatricians, psychiatrists, neurologists and all health professionals across Australia and the world.

Please read and share the paper widely: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-025-03127-5

29/07/2025

How are you feeling about this change to social media?

: YouTube will be included in Australia's social media ban for kids aged under 16, the federal government has confirmed.

The Google-owned platform had previously lobbied for an exemption, claiming it is a "video streaming platform" rather than social media platform.

FULL DETAILS: https://nine.social/ZUL

29/07/2025

This article talks about a small study and measurable impacts of reduced sleep. It's a small study, but it points to the negative impacts of reduced sleep for children with ADHD.

Sleep loss significantly disrupts brain connectivity and behavioral functioning in young people, with more pronounced effects observed in those with higher levels of ADHD traits.

11/07/2025

I work with clients in so many different ways. Having an old house helps me do different projects for some real world executive function tasks. We’re in the middle of building a big three bay compost bin out the front…I repurposed some old mirrored wardrobe doors for the gym in the garage. Im pretty practical so that helps. But I’m with The Female Tradie this weekend doing a Get Handy workshop to push my own knowledge and skills along. 😀

01/07/2025

Batten down your hatches!!! The trampoline at Embodied Talk might have an additional water feature at the moment…

19/06/2025

Screens!!

Editorial: Addictive screen use in adolescents poses significant mental health risks beyond total screen time, necessitating targeted interventions.

https://ja.ma/3SUI1Mv

18/06/2025

I only caught the end of this podcast this morning but it is a really interesting conversation with a neuroscientist about chronic pain and retraining your brain. If you, or someone you know experiences chronic pain, it might provide a bit of understanding and HOPE. You can find it on the ABC listen app or just Google it. I can’t seem to paste a link…

10/06/2025

We get THE best gifts!!

29/05/2025

Hormones & ADHD – A Wild Ride We Don’t Talk About Enough

Women and girls with ADHD often face a monthly rollercoaster of more than just PMS. Shifting estrogen and progesterone levels can amplify inattention, emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and overwhelm — especially in the week before menstruation.

🧠 Estrogen helps regulate dopamine — which is already in short supply for ADHD brains. So when estrogen drops before a period, so can your ability to focus, stay calm, or resist snapping at someone.

💥 If you’ve ever felt like your ADHD is suddenly out of control before your period, you’re not imagining it. Hormonal fluctuations can make symptoms worse — and understanding this link is key to managing both your cycle and your mental health.

✨ Tracking symptoms across your cycle, adjusting routines, and getting support can help. Hormonal ADHD deserves more awareness — and compassion.

14/05/2025

The last couple of mornings, getting up to exercise has felt so hard. The warm bed is tempting, the tiredness is real. But I’ve got some friends I’m working out with—and that connection has helped me push through the hard.

This isn’t about forcing myself through overwhelm. It’s about finding that middle ground—the place between comfort and shutdown—where growth happens. Where we prove to ourselves that we can tolerate hard feelings. That we can do hard things.

This is how resilience builds. Not from avoiding discomfort, but from gently moving through it with support, compassion, and intention.

And it’s how our kids learn too. If we always protect them from struggle, they miss the moment of discovering their own strength. So we show them—by showing up for ourselves first.

We can do hard things. Together.

13/05/2025

13/05/2025

It’s not what we say—
It’s what we do that leaves the biggest impression.

👀 Kids notice the little things:
• How you handle hard moments
• How you speak to yourself
• If you put down your phone when they say “look!”

They’re learning how to be human by watching you. 💛

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