NeuroSpicy Phoenix

20/05/2026

02/04/2026

One of the biggest fears of autism is the DENTIST
But those worries were swiftly put to ease today.

Massive shout out to Watkins Dental & orthodontics in Inverell.

If you have a child with Autism or sensory issues I 100% recommend giving them a call.

Calm , relaxed, and encouraging from start to finish. Thank you Sophie & Kelly for a 🦷rific experience.

30/03/2026

Enjoying the simple joy of an autumn picnic is for everyone!

Let's ensure our community parks are accessible and welcoming for children with autism.

Let's create more spaces for connecting with nature and each other.

​ Korina Lacey

12/03/2026

The department’s menstrual hygiene program makes period products readily available at school. For NSW students, having access to free products could improve attendance at school or participation in learning activities.

Both primary and secondary schools can organise these products for their students free of charge. Students and parents will be informed by schools on how they can access the sanitary products during school hours in a safe and discreet manner.

Pads and tampons are available to students at no cost through dispensers installed in school toilets and other selected locations. This might be different in each school, based on local needs and preferences.

Period underwear is available at no cost to students. School staff can place orders once they know the student’s size, colour and style preference. This can be organised through the school’s front office administrative staff as required.

09/02/2026

Together we can do anything 🤜🤛
Having access not only to the local community BUT also to the experiences away from your local environment are some of the biggest moments for those on the Spectrum.

New places and environments can be scary, however, with patience & the right people to help you can make what once seemed impossible possible.

Over 700km travelled, oceans, aquariums, marinas, resorts, busy shopping plazas, traffic and so many people & HUGE thumbs ups and SMILES 😃

Working one on one, finding just the right combinations of interests and sensory kits, we achieved BIG GOALS.

05/02/2026

Austin Appelbee is 13 years old.
He recently failed his swimming assessment because he couldn't swim 350 metres continuously.

Last week, he swam about 4 kilometres through choppy ocean waters - where sharks are known to frequent - to save his family's life.

When their inflatable paddleboards drifted out to sea off the WA coast, Austin's mum - with her heart in her mouth and as a last-hope desperate prayer - sent him back in a leaking kayak to get help. When that failed, he ditched the kayak and then the life jacket (it was slowing him down) and swam.

For four hours. Through waves and wind. Who knows what was in the water. In open ocean.

He told himself, "Not today. I have to keep going."
When his legs buckled on the sand, he ran another 2km to call emergency services. His family was rescued just as darkness fell.
Police called his efforts "superhuman." (His swimming instructor probably wishes they'd seen this side of him.)

This is a heroic story. I love it. But I'm sharing this because:

Austin didn't become a different kid in that moment. The same determination, grit, and love that got him through those waters was already there. The crisis just revealed it.

I'm constantly reminding parents - you don't know you're resilient until you have to be resilient. And being resilient doesn't usually feel resilient. It feels like "I can't" far more than it feels like "look at me being awesomely resilient".

We spend so much time worrying about whether our kids are ready for life's challenges. Whether they're tough enough. Capable enough. Whether we've done enough.

Austin's story reminds me that kids have reserves we can't always see in the everyday moments. And that's when it really matters, they'll find what they need.

What an incredible young man.