Flourish Allied Health Services

20/05/2026

Join host "Howl and Hiss", as they present this Special SEND Edition of the renowned British Quiz Show. It features my daughter Siouxsie answering questions ...

14/05/2026

23/04/2026

O is for Occupations need Interoception

Interoception isn’t just about emotions.
It helps guide participation in many of the activities that make up daily life.

Body signals help us notice things like hunger, fullness, urgency, fatigue, discomfort, attraction, stress, and relief. Those signals provide clues that help us adjust, care for our bodies, and participate in the occupations that matter to us.

Interoception influences many everyday experiences, including:
• toileting
• feeding and eating
• sleep
• sexuality and consent
• parenting
• leisure and joy
• school
• work
• healthcare

When interoception is supported, people often gain more information about their bodies and more tools for navigating daily life.

If you want to explore how interoception influences everyday activities, you can read more here:
https://www.kelly-mahler.com/resources/blog/interoception-and-daily-life-body-awareness-drives-participation/

Image Description: Green tile with turquoise writing at the top that reads, ”Occupations need interoception”. A white square with a graphic of a clock in the middle has nine images around it: a girl waking up, a girl showering, a girl doing yoga, a girl eating at her kitchen table, a girl biking to work, a girl sitting at her desk, a girl grocery shopping, a girl eating with a man, and a girl sitting on the couch and reading.

28/03/2026

DLD is often called a hidden condition.

You might not notice it right away—but behind the scenes, a child may be:
🔹 Working twice as hard to follow conversations
🔹 Struggling to find the right words
🔹 Feeling left out socially

And many people don’t even know DLD exists.

Awareness = understanding
Understanding = support

Let’s make the invisible visible. 💜💛

26/02/2026

26/02/2026

https://icannetwork.education/neurodivergent-student-script-book/

22/02/2026

It is completely natural to feel that sudden jolt of fear when you see a child climbing a little too high or balancing on an uneven edge. As parents and educators, our first instinct is to protect them from every possible bump and bruise because we care so deeply for their safety. However, when we say be careful, we might accidentally be stepping in the way of their most vital development - cerebellum development.

The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for coordination, balance, and motor control, and it thrives on the data it receives during these moments of physical challenge.

When a child navigates a risk, their cerebellum is working hard to map their body in space and refine their movements so it makes less errors each time. If we always intervene or remove the challenge, we are actually denying that part of the brain the practice it needs to keep them safe in the long run.

Instead of letting fear take over, try to offer support through questions that prompt them to think. Asking a child where they plan to put their foot next or how their body feels in that position helps them build a lifelong skill for risk assessment.

You are not just preventing a fall today, you are giving their brain the tools to prevent falls tomorrow and into their adult future.

Real safety is about building a child who is capable and aware of their own body.

If you would like to explore more ways to use language to build resilience, you can find further guidance in my online risk management resources.

21/02/2026

Starting really is the hardest part, and there’s a good brain-based reason for that. 🧠

Task initiation asks your brain to spend extra energy upfront, especially when a task feels unclear, boring, or emotionally loaded. That resistance you feel is your brain protecting its resources.

One way to work with this is to lower the bar to starting, not finishing.

Add music. Write down one tiny step. Set a short timer. Give your brain a clear on-ramp and an endpoint.

Once you’re in motion, things often feel easier because your brain has already done the hardest part.

You’ve got this. Progress counts. Little by little! ❤️

14/02/2026

COMMENT '332' ⏱ and I will send you this Printout to help children navigate time blindness!
💡 Often an overlooked cause of behaviour is ⏰ Time Blindness.
This week on my podcast I am sharing “What Time Blindness” might look like and “What to do”.