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Perth, WA
Think Autism

Paediatric Occupational Therapy

15/08/2025

How has identity-affirming language shaped your view of Autism? ✨

The way we describe Autistic traits shapes how others understand and treat Autistic children.

Our words can either uphold harmful assumptions or shape a more respectful and inclusive world that values Autistic ways of being.

We can honour Autistic identity and still offer the supports and accommodations that help Autistic children thrive. Respect and support are not mutually exclusive.

08/06/2025

Connection is the foundation that makes everything else possible. When a child feels safe and connected - through strong, trusting relationships - they can access learning, explore their environment and engage meaningfully with others.

Through these relationships, we come to understand a child’s interests, strengths, sensory needs, communication style, pace, preferences and patterns of regulation. We discover how to individualise support, how to respond in ways that feel safe for them, how to adapt their environments, and how to move at their pace.

Without this foundation, even the best strategies can fall flat. Because how can we expect communication, engagement or regulation… without safety and connection?

🟢 Connection is not optional.
🟣 It is not a bonus.
🟢 It’s not a phase we move through.
🟣 It’s not something we tick off before the “real” work begins.

It is the work. It IS the intervention. ✨

19/12/2024

What do you want for Christmas?

This Christmas, we wish for:

🔴 Understanding and celebration of neurodivergent children
🟠 Inclusive education in our schools
🟡 Greater awareness and acceptance in our communities
🟢 Accessible accommodations for all
🔵 Therapies that empower and honour individual needs
🟣 Workplaces that value neurodiversity
⚪️ Timely funding from the NDIS for essential supports
⚫️ Neuroaffirming practices from professionals

29/10/2024

At its core, co-regulation is about two nervous systems connecting, where one person’s regulation influences another’s. Co-regulation is necessary first to survive and then to thrive. It is a biological imperative - a need that must be met to sustain life and to experience well being. As we grow, we add the ability to self-regulate, but we never lost the need and the longing to be safely connected to others. Through co-regulation, a foundation of safety is created and nourishing connections follow. (Dana, n.d.)

Here are some ways you can foster co-regulation:
🔴 Attune to the person’s pace and emotions
🟠 Structure the environment to support emotional and physical safety
🟡 Focus on connection
🟢 Model regulation strategies
🔵 Validate their feelings
🟣 Signal safety in tone and body language
🟤 Be present
⚪️ Practise active and empathetic listening

What strategies do you find most effective in supporting co-regulation?

12/09/2024

When supporting an Autistic person during a meltdown, the best thing you can do is be there to offer support in a calming manner, importantly, without judgement.

Avoid actions that may escalate their distress, such as:
➡️ Telling them to stop or dismissing their experience
➡️ Forcing them to endure the trigger
➡️ Displaying annoyance or impatience

Instead, focus on ensuring their safety and emotional well-being by:
➡️ Guiding them to a quiet, low-stimulation space to help them calm
➡️ Using sensory supports such as noise-cancelling headphones, dimming the lights or soothing music
➡️ Allowing them the space and time needed to process their emotions

With empathy and understanding, you can make a meaningful difference during these challenging moments and be the supportive ally an Autistic person needs.

What else would you add? ✨

29/07/2024

🔍 A neurodiversity-affirming lens recognises neurological differences as natural variations in the human experience. Rather than pathologising these differences, this approach celebrates neurodiversity and seeks to create environments and support systems that respect and accommodate diverse learning and communication styles.

Although it has been suggested that behavioural approaches like Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) are evidence-based, they have also been highly controversial within the Autistic community. Bioethicists have questioned whether these practices may violate human rights by failing to respect neurodivergent individuals’ autonomy and self-determination.

By adopting a neurodiversity-affirming approach, we can build more inclusive, empathetic and affirming support systems for neurodivergent individuals. This involves a profound and necessary paradigm shift away from outdated behavioural practices. 💫

29/06/2024

Autism masking involves the conscious or unconscious efforts of an Autistic person to change their external behaviour to blend into social situations. It involves suppressing or hiding Autistic traits and behaviours in order to appear more neurotypical and fit in with social norms. This can involve strategies like carefully monitoring body language, scripting conversations and imitating social cues.

Autistic people may mask to avoid stigma, discrimination and negative social consequences. Masking can also be a way to form connections with others and to be accepted in social settings. While masking may provide short-term benefits in certain situations, it is not a sustainable or healthy long-term strategy for Autistic individuals. Maintaining the mask requires constant vigilance and energy, often leading to burnout, anxiety and depression.

Instead, the focus should be on creating more accepting, inclusive and accommodating environments that embrace neurodiversity and allow Autistic people to authentically express themselves. This requires widespread understanding, empathy and meaningful support for the Autistic community.

19/06/2024

Autism is a neurological difference, not a defect or disorder that needs to be "fixed”. Autistic individuals are whole and complete as they are. Let’s prioritise supporting Autistic individuals, advocating for their inclusion and educating society about neurodiversity. 💡🌈

15/06/2024

Here are some suggestions for language use preferred by the Autistic community. ✨

As allies and advocates for the Autistic community, it's our responsibility to use affirming language when discussing Autism. The words we choose have real-world implications - they shape how society understands Autism, and importantly, how Autistic individuals think about and understand themselves.

If you're ever unsure of the most respectful language to use, ask an Autistic person for guidance. Whether that's someone you know personally or reaching out to the broader Autistic community, getting input directly from Autistic voices is the best way to ensure you're using language that is inclusive and affirming.

06/06/2024

✨ PDA ✨

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), also known as “Pervasive Drive for Autonomy” is a profile that has gained increased recognition in recent years.

PDA is characterised by an intense, pervasive drive for autonomy and a heightened sensitivity to demands that threaten that autonomy. Individuals with a PDA profile respond to demands as if they were a direct threat to their safety or well-being.

It's important to note that PDA is not formally recognised in diagnostic manuals but many people have come to identify with this profile. Research is still evolving, and there are ongoing discussions around the best ways to conceptualise, assess and support individuals with PDA.

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Perth, WA

Telephone

+61475770730

Website

https://www.thinkautism.com.au/

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