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29 August 2025• by

Podcast Episode: Making Hygiene Accessible for Neurodivergent Kids

In this episode of From Burnout to Balance, Tanya is joined again by Laura Hellfeld, a neurodivergent nurse and parent educator, to explore the layered...

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A photo of a stethoscope and medical mask laying on a very light blue background. The stethoscope is yellow and there are 2 red, heart shaped chocolates.

Blog

22 July 2025• by

Understanding Food Choices Beyond ‘Picky Eating’: Medical Conditions and Their Impact on Eating Habits

Food choices and eating habits are often viewed through a behavioural lens, with labels like 'picky eating' commonly used to explain them. In my work, it’s...

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A photo of inside a classroom. There are no students or staff. There are rows of desks in a classroom with white walls and hanging lights. There is a blank chalk board at the front.

Blog

15 July 2025• by

“Who Decided This?” Listening to PDA Young People About School Disconnection

I recently spent time with a group of older primary and early secondary-aged young people and their parents. We were gathering to talk about self-care tasks in...

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A photo of a young person with cat face painting. They have shoulder-length, light brown hair, are pale skinned and are smiling at the camera.

Blog

24 June 2025• by

PDA and Play: Power, Pretend, and Pushing Back Against Norms

Play for PDAers is a powerful, meaningful way to connect with the world on their own terms. It's a space where demands reduce, control returns to them, and...

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A round shaped, pale pink alarm clock is to the right of the photo and at a tilted angle. The alarm clock is against a pink background.

Blog

11 June 2025• by

Waking Up Can Be Hard: Understanding Sleep Inertia and Easing Into the Day

Waking up sounds like it should be simple. You just open your eyes and start the day, right? But for many people, especially those with specific sleep...

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A photo of inside a classroom with no people. There are rows of blue seats with wooden top desks all facing the same direction. There are windows in the back that look onto greenery.

Blog

28 May 2025• by

Demanding Respect from PDAers in the School Setting: Why Hierarchy Backfires & What Builds True Connection Instead

It’s a phrase many of us have heard, or even said in the school setting: "They need to learn to respect adults." "They have to follow instructions, it’s...

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A photo of multiple rows of matchsticks and one match has been burned. The matchsticks have red tops and are lined up on a pink ground.

Blog

12 May 2025• by

Believing Teens: What We Say Matters, A blog inspired by the 2025 Autistic Burnout Conference

As part of my presentation at the 2025 Autistic Burnout Conference, titled Believing Teens: Beyond Exhaustion, I’ve been exploring how the words we use when...

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Photo of a jam sandwich. The sandwich has white bread and the strawberry jam is coming down the sides of the crust.

Blog

27 April 2025• by

‘Same Food’ or ‘Safe Food’ and When Our Language Matters

When people use terms like same food or safe food, they’re often referring to someone’s favourite food—a food they have a strong emotional or sensory...

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A person napping on their couch under a white blanket and wearing leather moccasin slippers.

Blog

4 April 2025• by

The Power of a Tiny Nap: Why Even a Few Minutes Can Make a Difference

Sleep can feel like a luxury, especially if you’re caring for little ones who need support overnight, working unpredictable shifts, or simply balancing too...

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Photo of someone adding a sticker to a behaviour chart. The chart is on a wall and there are green, yellow and orange rows that stickers can be added to. A pale hand is adding a blue sticker.

Blog

2 April 2025• by

PDAers and Compliance: Understanding the Real Challenge

For those who do not yet understand the neurotype, PDAers are often described as defiant and always pushing back. This misconception can lead to frustration...

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A photo of a red, muted microphone button.

Blog

29 March 2025• by

Situational Mutism: A Compassionate Approach

The term Situational Mutism is much preferred to Selective Mutism. The word ‘selective’ implies choice, but in reality, someone experiencing situational...

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A young person who appears upset in a bedroom. They are sat on the ground, bent over their knees and head in their arms. They are wearing a green hoodie and jeans and have short, brown hair.

Blog

20 March 2025• by

Autistic Burnout and the Mismatch of Support

Autistic burnout is a state of extreme exhaustion—physical, emotional, and cognitive—resulting from prolonged masking, sensory overload, and navigating a...

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Blog

4 March 2025• by

Going to Bed for Any Other Reason Than Sleep: Taking the Pressure Off

Going to sleep is quite the transition — and for many, it’s a huge demand or pressure....

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a photo of a rainbow umbrella in the rain

Blog

1 March 2025• by

Is it PANS/PANDAS: Taking a Curious Look

If your child is neurodivergent and struggling, they may be experiencing neurodivergent burnout. However, if the change was sudden and may have been following...

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An image of a blue-lined piece of paper with the letters 'ADHD' written in the centre and in various colours. There are bunched up, colourful pieces paper all around.

Blog

17 February 2025• by

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About ADHD Medications

Deciding on ADHD medication is a significant step that you likely have put a lot of thought into and would benefit from open communication with your healthcare...

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Photo of 3 red strawberries in front of a pink background.

Blog

10 February 2025• by

Why We Need Low Pressure Food Opportunities

Food and eating are deeply personal areas where young people, particularly PDAers, have a natural sense of needing some control to feel secure. This makes it...

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Photo of spilt cheerios and milk. Cheerios are scattered along with a small pool of milk on the left side. Pink background.

Blog

3 February 2025• by

How to Get them to Eat: Rethinking Some Traditional Parenting Strategies

Food opportunities can often be a source of stress for families. Many parents and carers have shared with me that they feel like they are constantly...

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A pale hand holding up a yellow unhappy face in front of a blue background.

Blog

12 December 2024• by

Distress Language: How to Tune into What Your Child Can’t Say

Has your neurodivergent child ever said things like, “I hate you,” “I hate myself,” “I wish you would die,” or “I want to die” during a...

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A photo taken of warm yellow fairy lights

Blog • Projects and Resources

15 November 2024• by

A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas

Ditch the Expectations and Meet Your Needs A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas features contributions from people with a variety of different...

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An image of the cover of Gabby's Glimmers. The title is in the top centre and in purple. Gabby is standing front and centre and facing the reader. Gabby has brown hair with a rainbow clip and yellow glasses. Their eyes are closed and they are gently smiling. Gabby is holding a jam sandwich and their best friend, pet rat, is standing on their right shoulder and their tail is in a heart shape.

Blog • Projects and Resources

14 November 2024• by

Gabby’s Glimmers: A Children’s Book About Gabby and Their Favourite Jam Sandwich

Gabby’s Glimmers is a rhyming children’s book about Gabby who is a creative, board game playing and scary-loving kiddo that adores a jam sandwich. ...

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