The Neurodivergent Naturopath

11/04/2026

A few fun facts about me 👇

I’m always learning, probably reading something or deep diving into a new topic, the latest topic was a practitioner course in paediatric gut microbiome.

I love a good fantasy book.. when I get time that is.

I’m raising and home educating my neurodivergent kids, so I get how full life can feel!

I have a very soft spot for golden retrievers (but of course you knew that one!)

The beach is my reset button, but we live a long way from the beach now and still trying to find places that offer the same kind of reset.

And despite my best efforts… I am terrible at growing plants 😂 indoor or outdoor, it doesn't matter.

But the biggest one that matters?
I understand what it’s like to be trying to support your health, your kids, and everything else… all at the same time.

So, in clinic I do things differently to a lot of other practitioners I know.

I look at what you have capacity for and build from there to create change in your life that actually sticks and is DOABLE
- No overwhelm
- No all or nothing
Just support that meets you where you’re at 🤍

Have a great Sunday!!!

10/04/2026

One of the first things I look at in clinic isn’t just what you’re eating; it’s what you have the capacity to actually follow through with.

Because there’s no point handing you the “perfect” plan if you’re already exhausted, overwhelmed, and running on empty. Sure, it might be okay initially but a few weeks on you'll fall off the band wagon again.

So this is where we do things differently, We build your nutrition around your real life

That might look like working out what low capacity meals would work well for you and your family (quick, thrown together meals) or ready made options. Or sometimes it's simple upgrades/tweaks to what you’re already eating.

Enough support to start buying back capacity
Because food is not all or nothing (which I see SO often!!)

👉 Fed is best, not just for babies and children, fed is best for adults too 👈

When your body is supported consistently, even in small ways, things start to shift:
You have more stable energy
You have better digestion
You are less overwhelmed around food
And from there, we build

If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of knowing what to do but not having the capacity to do it, this is exactly where we start.

When you're ready, here is the link:
https://neurothrive-health.simplecliniconline.com/diary

The Neurodivergent Naturopath. NeuroThrive offers naturopathic health care and counselling therapies for neurodivergent families. Specialising in Autism, ADHD, ARFID and Eating Disorders associated with neurodivergence.

09/04/2026

You’re tired…
but not just the “I need a nap” kind of tired. It feels like it's deep in your bones and always lingering in the background.

It's been more like:
You have no energy, but you're wired at night
Your gut feels off no matter what you eat
Your hormones all over the place

And maybe you’re doing everything you’re 'meant to be doing'… but it’s not working
That’s usually the point people come to me.

It’s gut, nervous system, hormones, stress load… all interacting in a way that no one has actually explained to you properly. So you keep trying random things, hoping something sticks.

This is where we do it differently:
We look at the full picture
We figure out what is actually driving your symptoms
And from there we build a plan that works with your life, not against it.

No overwhelm
No guesswork

If your body feels off and you’re ready to actually understand why, you can book an initial consultation. Otherwise, if you're not quite sure where to start, start with a free 15 min naturopathic call.

Here's your link: https://neurothrive-health.simplecliniconline.com/diary

08/04/2026

Baby Gagging on foods?

One of the most common concerns when starting solids is gagging.
And it can be really confronting to watch. But gagging is not the same as choking. Gagging is a protective reflex. It helps stop food from going too far back in the mouth before your baby is ready to manage it.

In early feeding, the gag reflex is more sensitive and sits further forward on the tongue, some gagging can be part of learning but if it is happening frequently, intensely, or your baby seems overwhelmed by most textures, it may be a sign they are not quite ready yet, or that the textures need adjusting.

It is always okay to slow things down.

Choking is different, and it is important to know the signs. Choking is usually:
• silent or very quiet
• difficulty breathing
• a weak or absent cough
• possible colour change

If you are ever unsure, always intervene and seek help. When starting solids, it is important to:
• stay with your baby while they are eating
• offer age appropriate food sizes and textures
• sit them upright and supported

Over time, the gag reflex becomes less sensitive as their skills develop.

This is why slow, messy, and supervised feeding matters, because your baby is learning how to eat safely.

07/04/2026

When to introduce solids (it’s not just about age). When it comes to starting solids, most people are told a number.. Usually around 6 months (This number was between 4-6 months back when I had babies which is far too early for little bellies!).

But it’s not just about age. It’s about readiness. Because your baby is not just learning to eat, they need to be ready to manage food safely and comfortably.

Some signs your baby may be ready include:
• sitting with support and good head control
• showing interest in food or watching you eat
• reaching for food or opening their mouth
• reduced tongue thrust reflex

This is usually around 6 months, but there can be some variation.
Starting too early can make feeding more difficult, especially if your baby is not developmentally ready.

Waiting until they show signs of readiness supports both safety and a more positive feeding experience.

And even once you start, remember:
1) It is not about how much they eat.
2) It is about exposure, learning, and building familiarity over time.

06/04/2026

When you start solids, it can feel like everything suddenly becomes about how much baby is eating.

How many spoons?
How much actually gets swallowed?
Do they “like it” or not?

But there is so much more happening in those early stages.

Bub is learning how food feels in their hands and mouth (yep, it's a messy process). They are getting used to new textures, smells, and temperatures. On a microbiome level, their gut is being exposed to new inputs that help shape their little ecosystem.

And their nervous system is working out whether this whole experience feels safe.

So that's what I mean when I say it's not just about nutrition. It is about learning. And when you shift the focus away from intake and onto exposure, things often feel a lot less pressured. Baby does not need to eat a 'full meal' to benefit. They're building familiarity, tolerance, and confidence with every interaction.

23/03/2026

I’ve updated my website to better reflect the work I do supporting women and neurodivergent families 🤍

Over time, my clinic has grown into something much deeper than just naturopathy.

I work with women who are exhausted, overwhelmed, running on empty, and trying to hold everything together. I work with children who are navigating feeding challenges, sensory needs, gut issues, and big emotions.

And most of the time… I’m supporting both.

Because it’s never just one person in isolation when it comes to families.

This is why my work now centres around:
✨ Hormones, energy, and nervous system support for women
✨ Feeding and regulation for neurodivergent kids
✨ Gut & vaginal microbiome
✨ Practical, realistic strategies that actually fit into real life

Many families find me when searching for a neurodivergent naturopath who understands both women’s health and children’s needs, and that’s exactly what I’ve built this space to reflect.

If you’ve been feeling like your body is struggling, your child is struggling, or everything just feels harder than it should…

You can explore more here:
www.neurothrive.com.au

Let me know what you think!

20/03/2026

One of the most fascinating things about breastfeeding is that it is not static. Your breastmilk is constantly adapting.

There is a feedback loop happening between you both. When you hold your baby close, kiss them, and spend time skin to skin, you are being exposed to their microbes.

Here’s the amazing part.

When you are kissing your baby’s face, head, or skin, your body is naturally sampling which microbes are present on them and collecting information. That information then signals your immune system to adjust your breastmilk, particularly immune factors like antibodies, to help support your baby. So when Bub is sick… kiss away, my friend.

Here’s what is happening:
Those microbes interact with your immune system, and in response, your body can tailor your breastmilk to meet your baby’s needs. This is one of the ways babies receive targeted immune support in early life.

We all know how incredible breastfeeding is. But it is not the only way to support your baby’s gut. There are some really powerful things we can do, even with formula feeding. I’ll share more on that later this week 🤍

20/03/2026

Nine years ago, this was me.

Skin to skin, completely in love, completely exhausted, and unaware of how much was unfolding beneath the surface.

At that time, I didn’t understand the microbiome like I do now (although I wish I did because I'd do so many things different).

In those early moments, my baby’s gut, immune system, and internal ecosystem were beginning to take shape through exposure, touch, and connection.

What I understand now is this:
The microbiome is not built in a single moment.
Birth plays a role, yes.
But it is only the beginning.

From there, the gut continues to develop through repeated inputs.

- Skin to skin contact
- Feeding patterns
- Environmental exposure
- Nervous system regulation

These early experiences help guide how the gut, immune system, and digestion mature over time.

This is why I take a broader approach when supporting babies and families. Because when we zoom out, we can see that gut development is not about one factor. It is a process.

And it is something we can continue to support well beyond those first few moments.

I’ll share more on that tomorrow 🤍

16/03/2026

When your child eats the same food every day, then suddenly refuses it...

One week your child wants the same food every single day.
Pasta every dinner or the same meal every morning, lunch and dinner. Maybe it's a particular yoghurt that must be the correct colour and brand.

Then suddenly… they will NOT touch it (usually after we've fully stocked the fridge of it of course!)

Parents often feel confused when this happens. This pattern is called food jagging, and it is actually very common in childhood, with neurodivergence & also ARFID (Important to note that this is not confined to just kids either).

Food jagging usually happens when someone eats one food repeatedly for a period of time, then stops eating it altogether. There can be several reasons for this.

🫶Sometimes they need a period of predictability and safety with food. Eating the same thing repeatedly helps the nervous system feel calm and familiar.
🫶Sometimes the sensory system becomes overloaded with that particular flavour or texture, and the brain simply needs a break.
🫶Sometimes it is part of normal developmental curiosity, where they rotate through preferred foods.

For neurodivergent people, sensory processing can make these patterns even more noticeable.

The helpful approach is often:
🫶Gentle variety without pressure
🫶 Offering foods alongside familiar ones
🫶Keeping mealtimes predictable and calm
🫶 Allowing them to return to foods when they are ready
Many people eventually cycle back to foods they previously refused.

For children, food learning is rarely linear. It tends to move in little loops and phases as children grow. And those phases are part of how their relationship with food develops over time.