JOY, simply

05/06/2024

We definitely don't want to think about September before we've even reached the summer holiday, but we've got some new dates for our course for Educators which just might help you plan your CPD activities next year.

PDA is a profile of autism, and evidence suggests that schools are struggling to adapt to meet the needs of PDA learners. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for all education professionals to understand how they can support PDA autistic children.

This course is delivered online through two after-school sessions, and we offer discounts for groups of five or more. For questions about our training, you are welcome to get in touch at [email protected].

Tickets are available through our website: https://ow.ly/uWiY50RYqjf

30/04/2024

Leila, what a fabulous inspiration you are for all with dyslexia. Thank you for sharing your incredible story with us 🙏🏼💖🙏🏼

12/04/2024

Do you know about RSD?

Thank you to PAST - Positive Assessments Support and Training for explaining RSD so well here.

I had always suspected I may have .

When my son was diagnosed the paediatrician said to his dad and I, “it’s highly likely one of you has ADHD” and James’ dad just looked at me and smiled.

When I was finally diagnosed I don’t think anyone who knows me well was surprised! I started to research ADHD more and when doing so had my “lightbulb” moment when reading about .

It’s estimated that RSD effects 98% of people with ADHD. Symptoms of RSD can include:

• Being overly sensitive to criticism
• Sensitive to disapproval from others
• Raised anxiety
• People pleasing
• Low self-esteem
• Avoidance of social settings
• Fear of failure
• And many more

So what can you do if you’re a parent, a partner, a friend or teacher to someone who experiences RSD?

Teachers!! Remember that criticism and rejection is painful for us. That a simple eye roll makes us think you hate us! That red cross in our work is a huge FAIL to us.

Remind yourself that we constantly feel we are not good enough and you are disappointed in us. We thrive on praise and positivity! (Just not too publicly as that can be uncomfortable too.)

Friends - remember that when you don’t reply to our texts immediately or cancel plans we think it’s because you don’t like us anymore or we have done something wrong! So just reassure us by giving us the reasons why you need to change plans, couldn’t text us straight back etc.

Parents - remember that telling us off or that you are disappointed in us will leave us feeling like we are terrible people who have let you down.

Hearing we have done something wrong, bad or naughty will crush us and may trigger a response that causes us to spiral into behaviours that are perceived as negative and challenging - this just confirms our feelings that we are bad.

Everyone - please be extra mindful of our sensitivity without accusing us of being “over sensitive” when you say this to us you complete disregard our feelings and make us even more anxious and paranoid.

And if you experience RSD constantly remind yourself that you are flipping amazing.

Do you have any tips for people supporting someone with RSD? Let us know in the comment section below! 👇

28/03/2024

As people in Australia commence their Easter break… many look forward to hot cross buns, chocolate, time with family, etc and some really look forward to The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne Good Friday Appeal.

There are many children and young people that visit the RCH for treatment for mental health conditions, which include but are not limited to - eating disorders, extreme autistic burnout, depression, severe anxiety and psychosis. These children are never seen nor mentioned at The Good Friday Appeal.

Reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, begins with discussing it with the same concern and exposure as physical health conditions. It is something not to be hidden away and ashamed of.

Making children with mental health conditions invisible is not helpful. We need to address the elephant in the room and not treat mental health illness as the poor cousin to physical health illness.

19/03/2024

28/01/2024

‘Food and nutrition education in schools will be overhauled in 2024 and 2025, after a successful advocacy campaign for changes to the Australian Curriculum to prevent the development and relapse of eating disorders.’

To my teacher friends commencing the 2024 school year, I encourage you to read this…

https://theembracecollective.org/blog/bye-bye-bmi-food-and-wellbeing-education-in-schools-overhauled-to-prevent-eating-disorders-in-young-people

Thank you to EDFA Eating Disorders Families Australia, Kylie Burton and The Embrace Collective

Food and nutrition education in schools will be overhauled in 2024 and 2025, after a successful advocacy campaign for changes to the Australian Curriculum to prevent eating disorders.

08/10/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100063713001430/posts/822306019903157/?mibextid=cr9u03

FREE PARENT WEBINAR MONDAY 16 OCTOBER

🌟 Parents and carers of neurodiverse children, are you feeling overwhelmed when it comes to supporting your child through their education? You're not alone.

📅 Join us for an enlightening webinar on 16th October at 7:30 pm, featuring Amanda Lecaude and Rachel Stewart, sharing insights and strategies for parents of children with neurodiverse learning needs.

📚 Amanda has several years experience coaching neurodiverse students and their parents as an Academic Life Coach, Executive Function Coach and Organising Expert

Rachel is an author of 'Creating Connections', a transformational life coach and parent engagement specialist with many years experience transforming the relationship between parents and teachers to support children to thrive.

💡Amanda and Rachel will share techniques to advocate effectively for your child—strategies you won't find in any guidebook.

🎁 Plus, we're giving away access to resources, including a lineup of future parent workshops and invitations for our parent community.

🛑 Don't miss this chance to transform your skills and relationships as you guide your child through their education.

👉 Register today for the chance to learn and be supported by like minded parents!

https://lu.ma/advocatingforneurodiversechildren

06/08/2023

"Never forget that your words have the power to make kids believe they are brave, kind, and capable."

Credit: WeAreTeachers

26/07/2023

12/07/2023

Recently chatting to a few families I support and hearing how showering/bathing well NOT showering/bathing is a thing… especially for our little PDAers.

I hear you! And it’s a THING for many. That doesn’t make it any easier though. I’ve read a few great posts around this recently and thought I’d share one from Neurodivergent_lou

I also read some great tips from someone’s reply to another post and I’ll share that in the comments below.

Is showering/bathing a THING in your family? Any tips you’d like to share?