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Blog

3 October 2025• by

When the Doctor Says “Let’s Wait and See…”: Practical scripts for parents and carers

At the Nurture Programme Trauma Conference, October 2025, I shared a talk called Hidden Health: How Unrecognised Needs Add to Trauma. One of the themes we...

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Blog • Projects and Resources

30 September 2025• by

Information Gathering Templates: For PANS/PANDAS Conference 2025

As part of our preparation for the conference, I also developed three information-gathering templates (a huge thank you to Helen for her feedback and...

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December 4th, 12 pm - 1.30 pm GMT Thank you for being here, Laura Hellfeld RN, MSN, PHN, CNL Connect with me on social media BlueSky, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalised support and care tailored to your specific needs.

Blog

22 September 2025• by

What Is Diagnostic Overshadowing and Why Does It Matter?

Have you ever gone to the doctor with a concern, only to have it dismissed as ‘part of’ your disability, neurodivergence, or mental health diagnosis?...

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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 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 a silver fork and butter knife at an angle to a white plate. All are on a pink background.

Blog

26 May 2025• by

Hypermobility & Ehlers Danlos & How They Affect Food & Eating

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic connective tissue disorders that affect the body’s ability to produce or process collagen, a protein...

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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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A photo of a shower head with running water. The shower head is silver in colour and water is coming out quickly. There are blue tiles in the shower.

Blog

10 May 2025• by

“How Do I Get Them to Shower?” Rethinking Hygiene Support in Care Roles

After running workshops in various care settings with staff who support disabled young people and adults, I noticed a common theme emerging - questions about...

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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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Blog

25 April 2025• by

More on Eating in Context: Understanding Food Preferences Without Pushing for Change

In a previous post 'Context Eating: Why We Prefer Specific Foods in Specific Settings', we explored how some young people and adults alike tend to eat certain...

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A photo of 3 crackers lined up on a white background. The crackers are orange and square shaped.

Blog

19 March 2025• by

Context Eating: Why We Prefer Specific Foods in Specific Situations

Some kids and adults may eat specific foods and in very specific contexts. This can be confusing and and even feel frustrating for parents and carers who see a...

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Blog

4 March 2025• by

Supporting PDAers with Hygiene: A Compassionate Approach

Navigating hygiene can be challenging for any young person. For PDAers, these transitions can feel especially overwhelming. Traditional approaches to personal...

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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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A photo of a toilet inside what looks to be a private bathroom. The toilet has the lid up and is white and the walls are white with a toilet roll mounted.

Blog

15 January 2025• by

Hypermobility & Ehlers Danlos & How They Affect Toileting

What are Ehlers Danlos & Hypermobility Syndrome? Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic connective tissue disorders that affect the...

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Blog

7 January 2025• by

Getting the Language Right about Autism

We know that language matters. Our word choice expresses ideas and meanings on the subjects we are speaking about. Therefore, our word choice when discussing...

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Blog

5 December 2024• by

Getting to Know More About PDAers: The Less Discussed Characteristics

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is often understood through its most prominent traits, such as anxiety and resistance to everyday demands. However, there...

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Blog

25 November 2024• by

Received a New Medical Diagnosis? A Beginning List of Questions to Ask Your Care Provider

Receiving a new medical diagnosis can feel overwhelming, with so many questions and decisions to navigate. Having a prepared list of questions to ask your care...

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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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Projects and Resources

1 November 2024• by

Podcasts & Guest Chats

Thank you to those who have generously invited me onto their platforms to have a natter. Please find some of the podcasts and chats below....

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