Together With Rho

11/05/2025

Happy Mothers Day
To those important to us, who support us, who show up each and every day no matter what, who are positive role models, who give their time, who are there for us, who constantly advocate, who love unconditionally…THANKYOU

13/04/2025

Are you looking for fun, interactive, skill building and learning activities to keep the kids busy over the school holidays. Or an alternative Easter gift too much chocolate?

23/03/2025

14/03/2025

If you watch one video today make it the extended version of this.

I know many in our Together With Rho can relate to Hugh sharing his open letter. Thankyou Hugh for sharing this honest and raw. Parenting neurodivergent children takes heart and strength you didn’t know you had.

I see you, I hear you, I feel it too, I am right here walking along side you.

Tissues required. Take care 💔

18/02/2025

Did you know?
In Australia, there are many organisations and government agencies that have initiatives to support people with disabilities to access the community and assist those who provide care for them?

Some are free, others have a cost. Some have eligibility criteria and require an application process. Each individuals support needs are different and only some may be applicable and needs can change over time. Check your individual state.

Please share any others you know of.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
www.hdsunflower.com/au

We Care Card
www.carercard.vic.gov.au

Companion Card
www.companioncard.vic.gov.au

National Assistance Card
www.nationalassistancecard.com.au

Concession & Health Care Cards
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/concession-and-health-care-cards

Disability Parking Permits
VIC - www.accessibleparking.vic.gov.au/permits
NSW - www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/driver-and-rider-licences/health-conditions-and-disability/mobility-parking-permits

Aspect Autism Card
www.aspect.org.au/alert-card

07/02/2025

With the new school year well under way, thankyou to the teachers who are taking time to get to know their students and build connection and relational safety. And to those teachers who have contacted families and asked past teachers and professionals, listened and are implementing the supports needed you are awesome.
Learning in your classroom will be safe, accessible, rewarding and positive😊

Teachers thank you for embracing our precious kids and teens over the last few weeks. The relationships that are forming now are critical to the year's success. Education can only happen in a safe, supportive environment. Learning depends on relationship!

Getting to know your students is not fluff time. 🧡

The kids who are thriving have stories of teachers who are caring, accomodating and supportive. Please know that they are talking about you around dinner tables, with their neighbourhood friends and grandparents! You are hot news atm!

Thank you for another killer post supporting teachers

30/01/2025

For many students and their families navigating the school setting can be challenging. It might be their first experience, an adjustment to change or just another day taken in their stride.

While there are many schools and teachers doing amazing inclusive and supportive things to meet the needs of all their students, it can still be very hit and miss, yes even in 2025 with our increased awareness of all types of diversity.

There is a mismatch in schools of the physical environment, expectations, curriculum and teaching strategies that can make or break access to learning, both academic and social. This is difficult because schools are genuinely trying to do their best but they often can’t/don’t support the diverse learning needs of every student consistently. There are many factors at play and it’s not a quick fix - from government to school leadership, staff education and training, funding, resourcing, addition support and implementation of evidence based strategies. There are huge gaps in knowing what best practice looks like and what needs to be implemented and what is actually realistic and achievable…burnout here we come!

Everyone wants and deserves to feel safe, respected and happy, belong and be included, do their best, be successful, and feel proud of their individual achievements however they look.

So as we head into the new school year, take a moment to pause and think about more than what you see…
* the child who has really low attendance
* the child who can’t get out of the car at the school gate
* the child who runs out the classroom
* the child who is always on the move
* the child who daydreams and off in a world of their own
* the child who is loud or makes noises
* the child who always talks about animals or reads the same book
* the child who sits away and doesn’t join in
* the child who is always late
* the parent who forgot the special activity, to return the note or who doesn’t show up at events
* the child who asks a hundred questions on repeat
* the child or parent who looks close to tears or is crying
* the child who never finishes their work
* the child who wears casual clothes or takes their shoes and socks off
* the parent looking frazzled, disheveled or tired
* the child who reacts when someone touches or moves their things
* the child who brings the teddy or toy and won’t let it go
* the child who has the same things in their lunchbox every day
* the child that doesn’t respond to you when you say hello, call their name or offer to help
* the parent who’s always fidgeting wants a long chat or can barely wave/smile/say hi
* the child who’s always fidgeting and touching stuff
* the parent who shoves their child in the gate or classroom door and bolts
* the child who never has what they need, looses things and has a mess everywhere
* the child who has to be first or last in line or has to sit here…

We often don’t know their story, what’s happening at this moment or why the school setting isn’t meeting their needs. But we can show kindness, understanding and offer support. This parenting and raising children jig isn’t easy.

As Dr Ross Greene says “kids do well when they can”. And if they can’t WE need to change the environment, our communication, our expectations, provide an alternative, reduce the demands or increase the support until they can.

So please just be KIND.
❤️ TWR

28/01/2025

The NeuroWild Shift - amazing! 💚

If you are looking to change your approach, be more supportive and get better outcomes, give this a try.

I SEE YOU.
I HEAR YOU.
I GOT YOU.

Another fantastic resource by Em NeuroWild

27/01/2025

Medication can be used to prevent, treat, manage and cure. They can also be misused. For some, it is life saving and for others life changing giving individuals their health, improved quality of life, happiness and well-being. Medication can be used for a short period of time, a longer time, intermittently or even required life long. For some medication is a first-choice, others an informed and considered choice, for another it may be the last choice after trying all other options and others the only option.

We are lucky with continued advances in research, technology and availability.

Medication is one support used to help people, often in combination with other supports. Other supports like diet, exercise, stress management, lifestyle changes and therapies can also be beneficial in achieving the desired and best outcomes. There is no one size fits all and this often means lots of professional help seeking, discussions, information sharing, time, tests/assessments, decision making, money, trialing and revising plans. There is choice and different options, but not for everyone.

There continues to be societial stigma around medication use as a support for mental health and disability. This can be a huge barrier, causing judgement, guilt and shame. Comments like “they just need to calm down” and “discipline will help” and “it’s just bad parenting” are very unhelpful and hurtful. All brains and bodies work differently.

It’s interesting how over time there has been a greater awareness and acceptance of the use of medication for pain relief, asthma, diabetes, cancer and epilepsy to name a few.

Some individuals and families choose not to or can’t use medication for their own reasons and that’s ok. There are many factors that contribute to their decision like:
* access to appropriate health services (GP, specialists, paediatrician, psychiatrist, etc)
* availability and cost of medication
* past negative experiences/trauma/family history
* have tried it but the side effects outweighed the benefits
* keep trying but haven’t found the right fit professional, diagnosis, medication or dose yet
* access to information, education, training and resources
* other medical conditions/complex health
* co-parenting challenges and consent
* an individual’s choice to refusal to take medication
* cultural or religious considerations
* sensory sensitivities in administering medication

At different times, there is a shortage of medications availability due to increased demand or reduced manufacturing. Like the current shortage of Concerta (methylphenidate hydrochloride)
a medication used in the treatment of ADHD. This interrupts the treatment plan and can cause delays and stress trying to find alternatives or securing limited supplies. With the start of the school year almost here the anxiety is increasing for many parents/carers and students around how they will cope without the support of their medication.

Like all support strategies there are benefits and challenges, options, time and place for medication. So whether you are a medication user, supporter, decliner or anti-medication the choice is yours. Find what works for you and your family, be kind and respectful of the decisions of others - for you may not know the journey they are on.

21/01/2025

If your house is anything like mine, the mixed emotions and resulting changing behaviours are in full swing with the anticipation of school going back next week.

There is excitement, seeing friends again, lots of change, new teachers/classrooms/peers/subjects/schools, uniforms, different experiences, demands, routines, expectations and fun.

How can you prepare and set things up for success?

💚 BE PREPARED - check booklists and uniforms and make sure everything fits and you have all the required supplies. You might be able to smash out the shopping in one trip or need to spread it out over a few outings.

💚 check your schools STARTING DATE as each school and even year levels are different

💚 let your child have some INPUT - they will be more likely to wear clothes they like the feel of or design, eat lunch from the lunchbox they choose and can open, etc.

💚 LABEL everything with your child’s name

💚 CREATE SYSTEMS to help with organisation - colour coding, a spot for school bags to be kept, uniform for the day out the night before, study/homework space, etc. Then practice using them for a few days before school goes back.

💚 make a list of PREFERRED breakfasts and lunch box FOODS - put this up in the kitchen, kids are more likely to eat foods they have choice in, help make and when they feel listened to.

💚 use VISUAL SCHEDULES (pictures & words) and TIMERS (count up/count down/beat the buzzer/clocks) to help get ready - encourage age appropriate INDEPENDENCE. We don’t do for others what they can do for themselves.

💚 start using a BEDTIME ROUTINE that is the same every night and bring back bedtime by 10-15 minutes a night (kids often stay up later in the holidays)

💚 reduce SCREEN TIME - remember no devices/screens in the bedroom (yours or theirs)

💚 set up a family CALENDAR so everyone can see what they have on. Families are busy and logistics are tricky. Your child may need one just for them to reduce overwhelm. Let them be part of creating it and filling it in. Use pictures for younger children.

💚 factor in after school APPOINTMENTS and ACTIVITIES and limit these in the first few weeks to allow time to settle in and re-adjust to school life. Back up the demands.

💚 allow plenty of DOWN TIME doing enjoyable and regulating activities e.g. colouring, listening to music, walking the dog, shooting hoops, reading, etc. A day at school (or work) is tiring - remember RECOVERY TIME is just as important as learning time! This may also include reducing hours of work for teens with casual jobs to get the balance right.

💚 COMMUNICATION is key - make contact early with your children’s key staff, ask questions, share information (you are your child’s advocate and know them the best) and work collaboratively to solve any challenges that arise.

💚 one size doesn’t fit all - some kids require ADDITIONAL SUPPORT or to do things in alternative ways so they can learn and do their best. Accommodations, modifications, support strategies, meeting sensory and learning needs are so important for success.

Kids do well when they can - Dr Ross Greene.

💚 what you see isn’t always what you get??? Kids are masters at behaving differently in other settings - some mask really well, others let it all out, some resist, others go quiet or get loud. Be a DETECTIVE: try to find out what’s going on behind the behaviour and attitude. Sometimes it’s as easy as asking “what’s up” or “tell me about it”. Kids can usually tell you what they need/want, listen and compromise on a suitable solution.

💚 work with your child, this is a partnership and you want them to thrive and be happy (not just survive and get through each day)

💚 seek help from your child’s school, wellbeing team or professionals for advice and strategies - you don’t have to do it alone.

Wishing our Together With Rho community a wonderful and successful school year however that looks for you.

01/01/2025

We would like to wish our wonderful Together With Rho community a happy new year.

2024 was a year of goals, achievements, challenges, curveballs, growth, opportunities and learning. It was also about balance, knowing my limits and survival.

Now let’s see what’s in store for 2025…

May your:
* needs be met
* supports be available
* good times and hard times be shared
* expectations be achievable
* strength carry you through
* demands meet your capacity and skills
* wins be celebrated, no matter their size
* progress be positive, no matter the pace
* health and happiness be a priority
* reminders to stop, slow down, rest, reset, breath be acknowledged and actioned

24/12/2024

Together With Rho would like to wish every one a very Merry Christmas.
Thank you all for joining us. It’s been a wonderful year of learning and growing.
May the festivities be just what you want and need them to be 💚 ♥️ 💚 ♥️ how ever that looks for you!