Why the usual classroom strategies backfire for demand-avoidant kids…and what actually works instead. TL;DR The gap: Refusal, shutdowns, and escape behaviour are typical autistic stress responses, but when a demand triggers them, they get read as defiance instead. Why...
Why nearly-equal custody time doesn’t mean nearly-equal impact on a PDA child’s nervous system TL;DR What’s happening: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a profile within the autism spectrum where everyday demands can trigger a genuine fight, flight, or freeze...
Part 3 of 3: Neurodiversity at Work TL;DR Physical workplace adjustments, particularly around sound and light, have meaningful impact on neurodivergent employees’ performance, wellbeing, and occupational longevity, though the research base is still developing Employer...
TL;DR The problem: Most therapy for autistic and neurodivergent people was designed by and for neurotypical brains, and research now shows it frequently causes harm rather than healing. The shift: Neuroaffirming therapy starts from a fundamentally different premise,...
Understanding the PDA profile in children and adults TL;DR What it is: PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) is a profile within the autism spectrum where everyday demands trigger a profound fight, flight, or freeze response in the nervous system; not a behavioural...
The Gradual Slide into Isolation It’s Saturday morning at the local playground. Emma (pseudonym) hoped this would be a simple outing; a chance for her three-year-old, Liam, to play, and for herself to connect with other parents. But within minutes, Liam begins...
Why Neurodivergent Families Need a Different Approach to Discipline “You just need to be more consistent.” If you’re a neurodivergent parent, or parenting a neurodivergent child, you’ve probably heard this advice more times than you can count. It’s the go-to mantra of...
“I know what I’m supposed to do, but in the moment, I just can’t” If you’ve ever said this, you’re not alone. As a neurodivergent parent, you’ve probably read about self-regulation strategies, maybe even tried them; breathing exercises, mindfulness apps, grounding...
Finding a therapist can be hard. If you are autistic or neurodivergent (ND), it can feel even harder. You might wonder if your therapist will understand you, support you, or judge you. That’s why it’s so important to find someone who is neurodiversity-affirming. What...
Created by Stacy @ stacyfinch.com & Adrianne @ discoverautism.ca The holidays are full of potential for connection, joy, and, let’s face it, some chaos. For families with neurodivergent children, the season can bring extra challenges. Bright lights, noisy...