Neurodiversity Centre

18/09/2025

✨ Understanding Special Interests in Autistic Women ✨

For many autistic women, passions aren’t hobbies — they’re deep, all-consuming interests that bring both extraordinary strengths and unique challenges.

Special interests can fuel innovation, creativity, and expertise far beyond the ordinary — but they can also make daily life, relationships, and balance feel complex.

This blog explores:
🌿 The beauty and power of hyperfocus
🌿 The cycling pattern of shifting interests
🌿 What happens when people become special interests
🌿 The hidden costs of shame and masking
🌿 How to find balance while honouring authentic passions

🔗 Read the full blog post here: https://bit.ly/4nwDSvl

17/09/2025

❓What makes a space truly autism-friendly?

There are many ways — and one important part is making meaning clear.
When context is explicit, autistic people can navigate the world with greater ease and confidence. 💛

16/09/2025

Wired Differently, Understood Deeply
✨ An online support & exploration group for Autistic men

🗓 Mondays | 12:00–13:00
Oct 13 – Nov 17

📍 Online via Microsoft Teams

🔗 Find out more & book your spot: https://zfrmz.com/OJAO5CSvH0e2DzJEZRte

12/09/2025

The Emotional Landscape of Late Self-Discovery

For many women discovering they’re autistic later in life, the emotional experience can feel layered and complex.

There may be relief in finally having a framework that makes sense. Grief for years spent feeling “wrong” or misunderstood. Excitement at the thought of living more in alignment with your true self. And uncertainty about what this new awareness might mean.

These emotions can exist side by side — and none of them are wrong. There’s space for all of it on this journey.

10/09/2025

Boundaries Can Be Kind

Many individuals may find boundaries challenging — especially in a world that often expects compliance, people-pleasing, or constant availability. It might feel unfamiliar at first, but your comfort, time, and sensory space are worthy of consideration. Some people explore short, respectful responses that don’t require justification — and notice how it shifts their energy or sense of safety. Boundaries don’t have to be loud or harsh.

Sometimes they sound like:
🌱 “I’m not sure yet.”
🌱 “That doesn’t feel doable right now.”
🌱 “I need a bit of space.”

And that’s more than okay.

05/09/2025

🚨 We’re Hiring! Allied Health Administrator – Paarl (In-office)

Join our busy multidisciplinary psychology practice!
If you’re vibrant, organised, and have 2+ years’ admin experience in a medical/allied health setting, we’d love to hear from you.

✅ Manage clinician diaries & bookings
✅ Handle billing, payments & medical aid queries
✅ Provide excellent client service

📍 Paarl | 🕒 Full-time | 🗣️ Fluent in English & Afrikaans essential
📧 Apply now: https://zurl.to/EMcW?source=CareerSite

04/09/2025

✨ New Blog Post ✨
Understanding Cognitive Inflexibility in Autistic Women: When Your Brain Needs Everything “Just Right”

Many autistic women experience the world through patterns, structure, and predictability. While this brings incredible attention to detail, high standards, and deep analytical thinking, it can also make unexpected changes feel overwhelming.

This blog explores:
🔹 Why binary thinking happens
🔹 The hidden mental labour of “being flexible”
🔹 How high standards and strong justice sensitivity can be both strengths and challenges
🔹 What friends, family, and workplaces can do to support

We can build compassion, understanding, and authentic support by recognising cognitive inflexibility as a neurological difference — not a flaw.

👉 Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4621FfE

Women with autism often experience the world through a lens of structure, patterns, and clear expectations. While this creates incredible attention to detail and exceptionally high standards, it can make...

03/09/2025

✨ Executive functioning isn’t about effort — it’s about support.
When we honour different ways of thinking and learning, neurodivergent kids and adults can thrive. 💙

28/08/2025

Many autistic women go through life unseen — their experiences masked, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood. From perfectionism and people-pleasing to private meltdowns and sensory sensitivities, autism in women often looks very different from the stereotypes.

💡 Our latest blog explores these hidden signs and why recognition matters for support and self-understanding.

👉 Read here: https://bit.ly/3V9gOXe

Autism in women often remains invisible, hidden behind carefully constructed masks and misunderstood presentations that don’t fit traditional stereotypes. While autism research and diagnostic criteria have historically focused on how...

27/08/2025

𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆, 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴
Many neurodivergent individuals experience daily life as more energy-intensive — especially when navigating social interaction, sensory input, or decision-making.

Some have found it helpful to reflect on:
🔹 What supports recovery or replenishment?
🔹 What kinds of environments feel restorative?
🔹 When does energy feel most drained — and why?

There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. But noticing your patterns can offer insight into your unique rhythms — and support choices that align with your well-being.

25/08/2025

✨ Few days left to register!

Intro to Autism & Facilitation Course
📅 29–30 Aug | Online & In-person

🔗 https://bit.ly/4j4Nj2g

22/08/2025

We’re looking for an Au Pair to support two neurodivergent brothers (ages 11 & 13).

They enjoy playing Roblox, Lego, and being creative. Your role will be to provide consistent, calm companionship that meets each of them where they’re at—whether that’s quiet co-regulation, shared interests, or simply being a trusted presence.
This role is ideal for someone with experience supporting neurodivergent children—especially those with an understanding of autism and PDA.

📍 Location: Constantia
🔗 Apply here: https://zurl.to/bWpt?source=CareerSite