Sensibly Speaking

07/01/2026

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06/01/2026

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06/01/2026

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27/12/2025

24/12/2025

24/12/2025

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I Have Autism. I Want You to Know This at Christmas.

Christmas can look joyful from the outside, but for many autistic children it can feel overwhelming, confusing, and exhausting.

I created this resource to help children and their families gently share what Christmas can be like for them — and what really helps. It’s designed to support understanding from relatives, friends, and the wider family, without a child having to explain themselves again and again. Other diagnoses to follow over the coming days.

This free download includes
– Colour versions (masculine and feminine)
– Printer-friendly versions
– A child-led version where they can draw themselves or add a photo

It’s about making space, reducing pressure, and helping every child feel safer, seen, and understood during the festive season.

Free download — follow instructions in the visual.

19/12/2025

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The accumulation of demand in a PDA nervous system

For many PDAers, it’s rarely one demand that tips things over.
It’s the quiet, constant build-up.

The small things.
The “expected” things.
The invisible things no one thought to name.

Getting dressed.
Transitioning.
Being watched.
Remembering rules.
Responding the right way.
Holding it together socially.
Knowing someone is waiting.

Each one on its own might seem manageable.
But in a PDA nervous system, demands don’t seem to reset back to zero, they more so tend to stack.

And when that stack gets too high, the body doesn’t negotiate.
It protects.
We might see:
• sudden avoidance
• shutdown or withdrawal
• externalised distress that seems out of proportion
• avoidance that looks confusing or contradictory
• a person who can one moment and can’t the next

Instead of asking, “What’s the behaviour?”
We can hold curiosity and ask:
“How much demand has already accumulated today?”

Support often looks less like pushing through and more like:
• reducing background and hidden demands
• offering choices without expectation
• using declarative, non-directive language
• allowing pauses, exits, and repair
• prioritising felt safety over compliance

For PDAers, capacity isn’t about motivation or skill.
It’s about nervous system load.

When we notice the build-up, and respond early,
we don’t just help prevent meltdowns.
We communicate "you’re safe. I’m paying attention. We can do this together."

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18/12/2025

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16/12/2025

YES!!
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Repost from .is.here

“Behind” only exists when kids are compared.

Take comparison away, and focus on where your child is at and where they are going.

12/12/2025

Hormones are SO important!!!
It affect SO much of how our body & brain function on any given day!

Hormonal impact is also further exaggerated when running alongside any neurodivergence.

ALWAYS ask your GP to start there first!!
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11/12/2025

Every now and again, I have one of those days where I wonder if what I do REALLY matters, really makes a difference…

Those days usually coincide with (mostly) senseless battles with the NDIS and prayers for someone in their planning/approvals team to just have an OUNCE of common sense…

(These prayers are then quickly followed by prayers confessing the discontentment of my grumbling heart and a need for renewed gratitude and perspective…these families HAVE funding, the HAVE access to incredible supports, things that people in developing countries merely dream of…!)

BUT TODAY…
The best Christmas gift made it into my WhatsApp inbox.
One of my super complex, ++ high needs, 4yo clients was approved for a life changing piece of equipment that will, in every sense, support their quality of life and meaningful participation in activities - especially with their family visiting from NZ these school holidays!!!

It was nearly 250 pages worth of content: Risk Assessments, Safety Plans, Positive Behaviour Support Plans, Visuals, Social Stories. Developed and put together after weeks of behaviour observations and recordings, reading other therapists’ reports, talking to the family, the teachers, reviewing legislation) - to catagorically evidence and prove that the specialised stroller is indeed NOT a restrictive practice…

That for this little person, it is a safe space, a space to take a break from the busy world around her, the object that lets her know transitions to new places/activities are coming (so her body and brain can prepare) and the ONLY thing that allows her Mums and her toddler sister to access the community SAFELY and with confidence!!!

So INCREDIBLY grateful!!!
Thank you, Jesus!!
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Feeling so honoured and blessed to have supported this family and SO excited to continue working with them in the new year!!

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(Shared, with consent and from my personal fb page ☺️)