MotherBloom Perinatal Psychology

05/09/2025

🧠 AUTHENTIC AUTISTIC PARENTING

Autistic babies need authentic parenting. Statistically, that is likely to align with Autistic babies needing whole-hearted Autistic parenting. Not parents who have learned to mask to communicate in "socially acceptable ways".

So I want to share with you a slide from my presentation "Held in the Tender Space: The Baby's Experience in the Autistic and ADHD Parent-Infant Dyad" at the 2025 Perinatal Training Centre conference, "Supporting Autistic & ADHD Folk in the Perinatal Period" (you can still register to access the recording!).

Me, Through the Lens of the Infant’s Experience
Here I am—as an infant.
We now know I was an AuDHDer baby.
I was described as a “difficult sleeper.”
I co-slept with my parents until I was three.
I “cried a lot.”

These weren’t signs of something wrong with me.
They were signs of a sensitive, sensory-aware, deeply connected little person—asking to be understood in the only ways she could.

Here I am again—as a first-time mum.
Still undiagnosed.
Still interpreting my experience through neurotypical expectations.
I was overwhelmed, exhausted, and wondering why bonding didn’t feel the way I thought it should.

And here I am as a second-time AuDHDer mum—still unaware of my neurotype, but now with more self-trust, a little more gentleness.

It wasn’t until my own children were 7 and 9—both beautifully AuDHDer themselves—that I began to see myself more clearly.

My identity came into focus not just through self-reflection, but through relationship—through seeing myself mirrored in my children, and understanding that what once felt like brokenness was actually difference, mis-attunement, and unmet needs.

This journey gives me a deep respect for the unspoken experience of babies, especially neurodivergent babies—and a deep belief in the healing power of being seen.

So next time you hear the promotion of anything that suggests that we need to teach Autistic babies, children or parents how to "attune" using behavioural indicators of neurotypical communication, ask yourself - Why are they preventing Autistic babies, children and adults from BEING SEEN? 🧠🪷

05/09/2025

NEW HAIR!

PSA for those of you who don't like surprises 😜

Super short, sensory friendly hairdo for me = happy face 🧠🪷

25/08/2025

23/08/2025

The Government have not declared this and it’s a significant conflict of interest.

I will also note that Autistic adults who are highly regarded, respected and leaders in the community are critiquing Andrew Whitehouse’s work for teaching our children to mask - using neurotypical indicators of social skills as the goal for autistic children.

22/08/2025

BOOK WEEK 2025 AUDHD MAMA STYLE

Last night

4pm - scaffolding AuDHD kiddo in preparedness for accepting inevitable off the shelf costume that is completely not what she has created in her mind 😬

4:30pm - mad stressful dash to Spotlight to find a store bought Zombie Cheerleader costume 😳

4:45pm - found costume but kiddo insists we must keep looking in case the other one is there 🤦🏻‍♀️

4:55pm - rummaging thru shelves for accessories, hair spray and face make up….. having never used any of the above before I’m speed-reading prices and labels to determine what we need AND trying to keep super cool while kiddo insists she needs xyz too 🤯

5:10pm - leaving and paying with costume planned and purchased 🫩

Today

7:30am - learning to apply hairspray and face makeup without getting it all over me 🫩

7:58am - frustrated text to my dear reflective supervision group apologising that I will be late (book week sums it up nicely)

8:08am - this photo 😍

8:10am - online with my understanding group of perinatal psych mums 😅

For the record - I hate book week.

It’s not my strength at all.

But thankfully almost 12yrs into this gig - this mama has some good enough moments of managing my kiddo’s unrealistic expectations of my skill set.

Also I’ve gotten much more comfortable with sitting with their disappointment without my harsh inner critic knocking me around 💜

20/08/2025

Yellow Ladybugs Katie speaks out LOUD and encourages us all to advocate in response to Mark Butler MP announcement about the NDIS which affect our children.

13/08/2025

Post-Therapy Centering

THIS

My mind and body just needed this today.

To pause and settle in a low sensory environment-

Curtains closed

Lights off.

Laying on my Shakti mat.

Weighted blanket keeping me warm and snug.

2x 10min Breath Meditations by Sharon Salzberg

Then silence and presence in mind, body and breath.

An hour later 🥰

What do you do post-therapy to re-centre? 🪷

04/08/2025

AUDHD PLAY & JOY

I turned 43 yesterday!

And this year I truly embraced the urge and wish to celebrate and play.

I asked for what I wanted!

I waited till the day to open the delivery parcels 😆

I was ‘in charge’ of my game and set it up because it’s mine!

I lay on my shakti mat (the other gift) and let myself make it more comfortable as a first time user.

I listened to my audiobook while using my neck stretching thingo, lying on a yoga mat with blankets to pad it for warmth and comfort, with my weighted blanket and eye pillow 🥰

I had a small cake celebration with our friends.

I had 2 pieces of cake 😜

I also decided to turn off the social media public birthday notification because it is SO AWKWARD to have to navigate the well-intended well wishes all day.

So why am I sharing this with you now?

Because it’s on my terms,

And because -

Who says you can’t celebrate how you want,
with play and fun and joy,
as an adult 🧠 🪷

15/07/2025

PLAYFULNESS

How many Smurfs high are you?

This was a spontaneous moment of play with the kids as we left the cinema on Saturday 😆

We stood there for a good 10mins with me taking photos of each of them.

I noticed this urge to have my own photo too!

My inner child was watching them play and wanted to join in the game.

So I did!

And it was delightful 🪷

#ɴᴇᴜʀᴏᴅɪᴠᴇʀɢᴇɴᴛ

12/07/2025

UNIQUE

A rare outing for me, wearing my comfy trackys, hoodie and my to manage the sensory needs.

At in the spacious comfy reclined chair with water, coffee and malteasers at hand.

Watching with my kiddos and their besties 🥰

The story - No Name Smurf - trying to work out who he is and what his name should be.

From the mouth of one of the friend’s -

“He should be called Unique”

🥹

Neuro-affirming parenting 🥰

Dear parents,

when you are worrying whether your whole hearted, unconditional love and support has made a difference,

Know that these moments may not always be seen by you,

But your trusted neurokin are seeing the affect 💜

These are the moments that I am so grateful for - witnessing these beautiful children in all their humanness 🪷