The Neuroverse Foundation

03/09/2026

WildFire Wellbeing Services Est 2023 put on a brilliant conference today! All of the speakers were phenomenal. Shae attended representing The Neuroverse Foundation, but of course she had on her mum hat, teacher hat, peer support hat.

10/10 no notes!! Head over to the WildFire Wellbeing website for more information on all of the incredible speakers. We can confirm they are all neuroaffirming legends!

26/08/2026

Book Week can be so hard for ND kids, but it is just another thing parents/carers have to deal with. We hope Book Week has been manageable for you and a bonus for anyone who really enjoyed the week!

In honour of book week we would love to hear what books you would add to this list of affirming books perfect for our ladybugs? 💛 P.S. You can grab all five from our online shop: https://yellowladybugs.myshopify.com/collections/books-and-resources

Image description: Five book suggestions

* All Brains Are Different — created by Alisa Mlakar, Katie Koullas and Natasha Staheli; illustrated by ◾️Trish Burton - Creative .
* The Brain Forest — written by Sandhya Menon; illustrated by Kushla Ross.
* I Am a Yellow Ladybug — story by Katie Koullas, in collaboration with Natasha Staheli and Chenai Mupotsa-Russell ; illustrated by Chenai Mupotsa-Russell.
* The Rainbow Brain — written by Sandhya Menon aka Unpacking Neuroaffirming Psychology Practice - Sandhya Menon ) ; illustrated by Kushla Ross.
* Michael the Volcano Engineer — written by Emma Ring Emma Ring - Psychologist ; illustrated by Clare Dunstan.

12/08/2026

The proposed changes to the NDIS are scary. It is important to remember it has not happened yet. The Bill has to pass through parliament.

On Monday, Megan Spindler-Smith, Acting CEO of People with Disability Australia, Sophie Cusworth, Chief Executive, Women With Disabilities Australia and Dr Martin Laverty, Chief Executive, Aruma addressed The National Press Club outlining the very serious and real reasons this Bill cannot pass.

We have so many incredible people fighting for the 760,000 NDIS participants currently on the Scheme. You can show your support by sharing this post or even writing to, or calling your local MP. There are also petitions you could sign that going around too.

I know you’re burnout, but we need to rally the scraps of capacity we have remaining to do the thing to save the NDIS.

Watch the address in full on ABC iView or on YouTube

https://youtu.be/hyESala7q5U?si=fWe6loAKwf_6j4PW

pressclubaust
National Press Club of Australia
📸 Fernanda Pedroso Photography

09/08/2026

Good morning!

How has your start to term three been? Ours, you ask? ROUGH!

Nevertheless we persist…

I’d like to make a book recommendation. This book was actually recommended to me by my own dietitian. She’s phenomenal! We’ve been working out how to talk to our child about ARFID.

ARFID isn’t very well known, but it is becoming increasingly identified as we come to better understand the human experience with food.

It’s called Brave Every Day by Erin Allen. I haven’t read it yet because ADHD 😂 but that is how much faith I have in my dietitian. The other book I saw and just grabbed it. I also have not read it 😂

Side quest…We have been lucky enough to have been given another grant but we are just working through the guidelines and other details.

So watch this space…carer events are coming!

26/07/2026

You are welcome and loved here ❤️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🌈🧠✨

Happy Disability Pride Month! 🌈

This annual observance was created to celebrate the signing of the Americans with Disability Act in 1990 (on this day of 26 July) and has become a worldwide movement.

I see this as a month to celebrate pride in who I am as an Autistic person, the important contribution people with disability can make to society and the way we work together to build a more inclusive society. I’m proud of all I’ve achieved throughout my lifetime and celebrate the work that’s been done to create a more inclusive society.

Disability Pride does not seek to minimise the challenges we go through, such as the barriers we face, nor does it celebrate the challenges people with disability face as we go through society. There are things I wish I didn’t have to go through such as the extra effort required to adapt to a world built for neurotypical people, people misunderstanding me because I present differently to the typical population or the sensory overload I experience. However, I am proud of our advocacy to create a more inclusive society.

May we continue to advocate for a more inclusive society for people with disability - removing barriers, developing a greater understanding of the uniqueness of each person with disability and ultimately, celebrating who we are.

I’ve included the Disability Pride flag in the image. This flag represents the mourning and anger for victims of ableist violence, negligence, and abuse. The diagonal band represents cutting through and overcoming the barriers faced by people with disability, while the colours of the pride flag are red for physical disability, yellow for neurodiversity and developmental disability, white for sensory disability, blue for mental health and psychosocial disability and green for invisible and undiagnosed disability.

Happy disability pride!

- Daniel

[Image description: Pride flag cropped into a circle. The words say ‘Happy Disability Pride’. The background is a rainbow gradient with a coloured pencil texture]

24/07/2026

This is happening - to everyone! Even those with physical disabilities, such as wheelchair users. We are in a terrifying situation when wheelchair users are losing access to funding to purchase adequate and necessary equipment for their mobility needs!!

Share this with everyone who needs to know this! No one’s NDIS plan is ‘safe.’

15/07/2026

With all of the viruses going around at the moment, you are no doubt struggling as much as you usually do, but now you’re rocking a fever, runny nose and cough. Please reach out for help!

I know you don’t want ANOTHER appointment, but contact Different Journeys. They are amazing and make referrals FOR YOU.

I took the leap after Daryl ( ) from Speaking Insights asked me to accept the help available. I’d dodged it for 12 months. I will admit when I am wrong. I WAS VERY WRONG. One session with Different Journeys I had 4-5 referrals completed FOR me. This can be for practical support, NDIS support, support for children experiencing School Can’t, checking you’re accessing all of the financial assistance you’re eligible for from Centrelink, the list goes on!!!

Two of the referrals provided me as a carer (but for the family) vouchers for prepared meals from places like Dinner Ladies & We Feed You and a fuel voucher! I did have the option of an Endota Spa voucher, but at the moment I need other support.

That’s an example, it is case by case because each carer and family are unique. Your support needs will vary from ours and the next person.

It’s completely free and you do not even have to call them. You can do the self referral form on their website here https://www.differentjourneysautism.com/carer-self-referral/

If you can do ONE thing for yourself, then let it be filling in the form for Different Journeys. You deserve it!!

11/07/2026

Forgive the amateur image compilation, but it’s more about the information right 😅

This has been taken from the National Guidelines you can download your own copy here: https://www.autismcrc.com.au/best-practice/assessment-and-diagnosis

PDA is recognised in Australia and has been since 2023. “…a behavioural profile within autism.”

No, it isn’t recognised as a standalone diagnosis.

No, it isn’t in the DSM-V.

No, it isn’t in the ICD-11.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t impact your life.

It’s real and it is HARD!

29/06/2026

carersvictoria are inviting all carers of people with a disability to contribute to The State Disability Plan.

Carers Victoria is hosting carer consultations to support and amplify the voice of unpaid carers in the development of the new State Disability Plan (2027-2031).

This is an opportunity for carers of people with disability to share their perspective of the current service system and priorities for the future.

https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/state-disability-plan-carer-consultations/