http://www.onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au/

Onwards and Upwards Psychology, PO Box 643, Yarraville (2026)

11/01/2026

"Do I even have ADHD? I got this! We're SO good".

If you've ever thought this during a "good phase," you're not alone. It's one of the most common reflections among ADHDers, thanks no thanks to mountains of internalised ableism and stories of what ADHD is.

Shoutout to 's post about the rhythms of the year—how certain seasons can offer more structure, routine, and regulation opportunities.

During these periods (could be Jan for some of you), many of us experience better wellness and functioning.

Buuuuuut here's the thing: time agnosia (an ADHD trait) means we often think how we feel *right now* is how we'll *always* feel.

So even though just two months ago, you might have felt like the Chaos Gremlin, current functioning says hasta la vista to that version of you, as it fades into a distant memory.

"New year, new me... I'll finally beat ADHD this year!" You announce, new organisers abound.

Sound familiar?

ADHD functioning naturally fluctuates based on:

- Time of year and seasonal changes
- Current stress levels
- Cognitive load and demands
- Available structure and support

You're not "cured" when things feel manageable, and you're not "failing" when they don't.

They're just the very real ebbs and flows of an ADHD brain and what it means to have dynamic functioning.

Give me a whoop whoop if you relate. Is your time January (ie.now?) or was it another time in the year for you?

02/01/2026

It's been a big year.

It's been my first proper year out of burnout and learning to rest and heal, but importantly, stay that way.

Grounding in gratitude is a good place to start. As we walk into the new year, slowly slowly does it as we hold onto regulation.

Meanwhile, thank you for being here. 🥹

17/12/2025

It's that time of year to take a break.

I'll be honest - This time of year feels heavier than usual, but I am looking forward to the opportunity to offer more presence and community with those close to me.

Casual drop ins.

Cups of tea that last an hour.

Walks in nature.

Baking gingerbread.

Smelling country air.

Watching the kangaroos.

Being with the family, including those flying in from overseas who I haven't seen in years! 🥹

I'll be back online around the 7th of January, but here's wishing you well, and to a peaceful and safe holiday period.

15/12/2025

Managing big feelings? Here's one for the parents.

I am lost for words, as many are, so here is a quick guide that roots in the principles of trauma informed care.

--> Collaborate and involve them in age-appropriate ways.

--> Social connection is protective. Healing is relational.

--> Transparent decision making. Don't push their fears down but acknowledge and empower them to make decisions right now. They may choose to stay home to regulate. They may want to be dropped off rather than take public transport. Talk about ways of building safety in.

--> Support the nervous system. Ground where you can. Play is a beautiful way of doing this.

--> Recognise the impact of trauma, and in this case, working through using Jewish ways of being may provide an additional layer of protection.

Sending love to the Jewish community, as we stand firmly against anti-Semitism and any act of violence.

13/12/2025

What do you think about RSD?

I'm still curious to hear more about this, particularly to delineate RSD from perceived/actual rejection as trauma triggers.

Is it neurobiological and innate, or acquired through navigating the world as a neurodivergent person, particularly ADHDers? Is it part of the landscape of emotional impulsivity?

13/12/2025

Ever wanted a little diagnosis map for your journey after an Autism or ADHD diagnosis?

Here it isssss. This map is just for people who are looking for structure during a tough time to help them keep focused on helpful steps on their journey after an Autism or ADHD diagnosis, either as an adult or as a parent for their child.

It was designed to be linear, but of course, there's no one size fits all so do feel free to use it as you need. (Just don't skip Step 1).

I wrote a blog that will be able to cover more of the nuance, that is designed for the Australian context for anyone who has got this in their admin pile for during the school holidays.

Let me know what you think?

https://www.onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au/post/navigating-life-after-an-autism-adhd-diagnosis-essential-steps-to-take

10/12/2025

I've been making some big decisions.... after some quiet reflections on energy boundaries.

This quote has been guiding that gently.

I’ve been asking myself, “Where am I passively accepting standards I actually oppose?”

[OOF.]

Then slowly, in little miniscule ways, I’ve been making moves away from them, and towards my values and an authentic life I can stand behind.

Acceptance and Committment Therapy calls this “the choice point”.

Here are some of my quieter moments, which are by no means equivalent to each other:

🔦 Engaged with website specialists at The Digital Picnic to move away from Wix, a move that I've been saving up for

🔦 Preparing to move away from Spotify to platforms that better compensate artists

🔦 Quit my LOAPAC membership when I realized my interactions with the organisation were feeling unsafe in my nervous system

None of these were easy.

Some meant losing convenience.

Some meant uncomfortable conversations (or assumptions) about who I was as a person.

Some meant admitting I'd been complicit longer than I wanted to acknowledge, because it was just easier to stay and *hope* organisations improve, or that people would learn.

But here's the thing about integrity: it's not just what you say when people are watching.

It's what you do when it costs you something.

It's the subscriptions you cancel, the memberships you leave, the platforms you walk away from—even when no one would know if you stayed.

I’m saying something today, because I want people to know they have choices, *even* when those choices are hard, and to prompt reflection.

💭 Where are you walking by a standard you don't actually accept?

💭 What's one thing you could change today?

It doesn't have to be perfect.... But it can just be one small move to live in alignment with your values.

10/12/2025

Ever wanted a little diagnosis map for your journey after an Autism or ADHD diagnosis?

Here it isssss. This map is just for people who are looking for structure during a tough time to help them keep focused on helpful steps on their journey after an Autism or ADHD diagnosis, either as an adult or as a parent for their child.

It was designed to be linear, but of course, there's no one size fits all so do feel free to use it as you need. (Just don't skip Step 1).

I wrote a blog that will be able to cover more of the nuance, that is designed for the Australian context for anyone who has got this in their admin pile for during the school holidays.

Check it out here: https://www.onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au/post/navigating-life-after-an-autism-adhd-diagnosis-essential-steps-to-take

Let me know what you think or if there's anything that you'd add. And do share this around with those who might find it helpful so we can all do our part to ease that load 😊

09/12/2025

I’ve been noticing a wave of bulk book orders coming through lately, some with sweet requests for signed copies.

My best guess?

These children’s books are getting picked as Christmas gifts for teachers here in Australia as the school year wraps up… and honestly, it makes my heart so full.

A children’s book is a *beauuuuutiful* keepsake for teachers.

It becomes a reminder of your time together and the learning you shared this year.

It says, “I see you. Thank you for supporting my child. Thank you for the conversations, the patience, and the care and for learning together this year”.

If you’re thinking of gifting one of my children’s books to your child’s teacher, I want to help make that teensy bit more special.

Here’s what I can offer:

• 15% off when you order 5 books or more, because well, multiple kids are expensive. Use code SCHOOL15 at checkout.

• Personal notes for teachers. Pop the name in the notes section and tell me what you’d like written. If you’re not sure, I’m happy to write something thoughtful for you.

• Free express shipping from now until 17 December. If you need it shipped earlier, add EXPRESS PLEASE to your order notes and we’ll get it moving ASAP.

Wee note: We hang our little stockings up on the 20 December and start shipping again on 4 January 2026.

And because it’s the end of the year, this is also a huge thank you from me.

Thank you for using these books as conversation starters.

Thank you for gifting them to families beginning their post-diagnosis journey.

Thank you for recommending them and saying “Start here.”

I hope they always feel like a safe place to land.

If you're not sure which is the best book to choose, comment below, and I'll come right in to pick the book or resource that's most aligned for your teacher or classroom.

If you'd like to get started, check out the books here: https://www.onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au/shop-1

06/12/2025

I've started curating a list of hidden meanings as a sort of dictionary for myself, because these miscommunications can be everyday.

One example was just yesterday on a dive boat, the DiveMaster said we were going to jump off the boat. In diving, jumping off generally means taking a giant stride *into* the water so I started preparing to go back in the water.

However, I worked out thanks to my brilliant partner, that this time it was metaphorical, and he meant "to get off" the boat onto land.

Here's another example I found today. What are some examples of literal communication you see in your everyday?

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1HjHZoySko/

05/12/2025

Beyond red flags and green flags: why autistic brains might need a whole new system

I’ve seen this all over the Internet when we first learnt about neuroaffirming practice—The red flag/green flag systems which we use to teach people about safety markers.

We’ve been missing an important piece to this: binary systems can be particularly tricky for Autistic individuals, and can cause vulnerability.

We might dismiss someone entirely over one concerning behaviour that’s actually easily rectified through a hard conversation....Or rationalise away harmful behaviour because there are many surface level green flags.

Then we try to force ourselves into the “should’s”.

We “should” be feeling this way.

“Things *should* be good, because look at the green flags! Must be a me problem”

And this is where harm has been done by Autistic folk. The truth is that people are complex, and situations are complex, and we need a system that honours that complexity and our bodily signals, over what looks good on paper.

Enter: the weighted matrix approach.

Some things deserve more weight than others. There’s “how heavy are weighting this flag”, as well as “how does it shift from surface-level advertising as you get deeper in relationship?”.

Someone forgetting to text back isn't the same as someone dismissing your clearly stated boundaries.

A communication mismatch isn't the same as manipulation.

A mistake or ignorance isn’t the same as deliberate harm.

What matters is how we respond.

Does it grow? Does it change and shift over time, or does it feel repeatedly....not quite right?

Situations often aren’t that binary in real life, and so we can use plot measures like this to help us assess how we are tracking.

How does a weighted matrix help you tune into your own bodily cues of safety?

Does this reframe anything for you in terms of having a decision making tool to help conceptualise different situations?

05/12/2025

Our New Code of Conduct says culturally informed.... but what does that really mean?

We heard you.

Intersectionality has to talk about things TOGETHER, not like they're separate pieces of the person. We'll weave them together for you and with you in this workshop.

We heard that you're tired of online learning, so we said, "Hey, let's find a place to gather to learn in person" (There may or may not be the good kind of chai).

We'll be talking about all things ADHD assessment from a cultural + trauma + neurodiversity informed lens. Learn what ADHD can look like in different cultures, and why, so that when clients come knocking on your door for an assessment, you'll be well equipped to engage in complex problem solving.

Walk away from our assessment training with a toolkit and structured frameworks to conceptualise ADHD assessment when assessing CALD/CARM populations.

Best of all? This training is run by a dynamic duo of South Asian ADHDer Psychologists. We've unpacked it all, and we're sharing it at our very first workshop together.

Interested in coming? Check it out here and put it down for your 2026 PD list!

https://www.onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au/liveworkshops

Onwards and Upwards Psychology

11/01/2026

02/01/2026

17/12/2025

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13/12/2025

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