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Creative Parenting for Neurodivergent Children – Part 1

Creative Parenting for Neurodivergent Children – Part 1

by | 4, Feb 2026 | ADHD, AuDHD, Autism, Inspiration, Neurodivergent, Parenting, Uniqueness

Creative Parenting for Neurodivergent Children

The Quiet Power of Gentle Systems

When people talk about parenting neurodivergent children, the conversation often swings between two extremes — rigid control or complete chaos.

What rarely gets named is the third way — creative structure.

Not imposed.

Not authoritarian.

But quietly intelligent systems that reduce friction in everyday life and allow sensitive nervous systems to settle.

I didn’t grow up with parenting manuals or behaviour charts.

What I grew up with were small, imaginative systems my Mum invented because the usual approaches didn’t work for us.

At the time, they simply felt like how our household functioned.

Looking back now, I can see how deeply regulating they were.

They didn’t try to change who we were. They changed the environment around us.

When the World Is Too Loud, Systems Become Safety

As neurodivergent children, my brother and I bickered a lot.

Not because we were defiant or difficult — but because everything felt amplified.

Fairness mattered intensely. Predictability mattered even more.

Small decisions carried emotional weight far beyond what adults often expect.

Rather than intervening emotionally every time, Mum stepped sideways and created systems that removed the heat altogether.

Calendar days were one of those systems.

Odd days were mine. Even days were his.

On your day, you chose. On the other day, you waited.

What this quietly dissolved was the endless negotiation that drains nervous systems dry.

There was no argument to win, no injustice to correct in the moment. Tomorrow already existed. That single fact did something profound: it let the body stand down.

For neurodivergent children, knowing when your turn is can be more regulating than getting your way.

Predictability Without Punishment

Another system sat on the fridge: a simple list of expectations and consequences.

Pocket money wasn’t automatic. It was earned.

And if you crossed a clearly defined boundary, there was a clearly defined outcome.

There were no – 

  • Lectures,
  • Raised voices, or
  • Emotional withdrawal.

What this taught us wasn’t fear — it was orientation. 

We knew where we stood. 

The ground didn’t shift beneath us depending on Mum’s mood or exhaustion level. 

That kind of consistency builds trust in the world itself.

For a sensitive nervous system, unpredictability is often more distressing than consequence.

Humour as Regulation

Some of Mum’s systems were quietly practical.

Others were playful.

The “Ejector Seat” in the car was pure theatre.

There was no actual button, of course — but as children, the possibility was enough.

What mattered wasn’t the threat, but the tone. It was light. Almost conspiratorial.

Boundaries delivered with humour land very differently in the body.

Where fear tightens, play opens.

And open nervous systems regulate faster.

Fairness You Can Feel

“One divides, the other chooses” might be one of the most elegant parenting tools ever invented.

Not because it explains fairness — but because it embodies it.

You learn quickly when fairness lives in your own hands.

There was no moralising. Just lived experience.

These Systems Were Never About Control

None of these approaches were designed to make us compliant.

They were designed to make daily life workable for children with big emotions, strong justice sensitivity, and nervous systems that reacted quickly to stress.

They created:

  • Fewer emotional spikes
  • Less sensory overload
  • More internal stability
  • A sense that the world was coherent, not arbitrary

That matters more than we often realise.

Watch the Video: Creative Parenting for Neurodivergent Children – Part 1

In this video, I share some of the amazing strategies that my own mother created to navigate life with her neurodivergent kids! (Part 2 will be out soon – stay tuned.)

A Closing Reflection

If you’re an adult reflecting on your own childhood, you may recognise this feeling — that some unseen intelligence held things together for you.

And if you’re parenting now, perhaps you’re already inventing your own quiet systems without naming them as such.

You don’t need to replicate anyone else’s approach.

You only need to listen closely to what your own and your child’s nervous system is asking for.

Gentle structure can be a form of love.

Exploring Further…

If you’re carrying a sensitive nervous system — whether shaped in childhood or through ongoing caregiving — my work is designed to meet you gently where you are. Read more here.

Neurokin: Finding People Who Truly Understand You

Neurokin: Finding People Who Truly Understand You

by | 17, Sep 2025 | ADHD, Autism, Communication, Empowerment, Inspiration, Neurodivergent, Uniqueness

Neurokin: Finding People Who Truly Understand You

The Search for Belonging

Have you ever been surrounded by people yet felt completely unseen? The room hums with chatter, glasses clink, and laughter ripples through the air — yet you feel like a ghost, watching life happen around you but not quite part of it.

Loneliness isn’t always about being alone; sometimes, it’s about being misunderstood.

For many neurodivergent people, this is an everyday experience. We mask who we are, replay conversations in our heads, and wonder if we’ve said too much, too little, or something strange. We ache for connection yet feel exhausted by the effort it takes to fit in.

But then — you meet someone who does get you.

Someone who senses the world in a way that feels familiar. Someone who doesn’t need an explanation for your quirks, sensitivities, or deep passions. With them, your nervous system exhales.

That person is part of your neurokin.

What Is Neurokin?

Neurokin are people who resonate with the way your neurodivergent brain works.

They don’t just tolerate your differences — they recognise, appreciate and value them.

Conversations feel natural, silences feel safe, and even your nervous system relaxes because you’re not on high alert, trying to fit in.

When you find neurokin, there’s a shift. The weight of “otherness” starts to lift, replaced by a quiet sense of belonging.

Why Finding Neurokin Matters

Living without neurokin can feel like being permanently on the outside looking in. You might question your worth, wonder if you’re “too much,” or retreat into isolation to avoid judgment.

But connecting with neurokin changes everything.

  • Psychologically, it validates your experience and helps you feel seen.

  • Emotionally, it nourishes you, creating a sense of ease and safety.

  • Socially, it allows you to drop the mask and simply be yourself.

Even one connection with a neurokin can transform how you move through the world — making life feel lighter, less lonely, and far more authentic.

How to Find Your Neurokin

Finding neurokin isn’t about meeting lots of people — it’s about finding the right ones. Look for communities where you feel accepted and understood, such as:

  • Groups built around neurodivergence. (Like my free group – Different… and Loving It!)
  • Spaces centred on shared interests and passions.
  • Workshops, events, or online forums that encourage open, respectful conversation.

Notice who makes you feel safe, seen, and comfortable in your own skin — those are the connections worth nurturing.

Nurturing Neurokin Connections

Shared understanding is powerful, but every relationship still needs boundaries, empathy, and care.

Nurture your neurokin connections with kindness and honesty.

When you do, you create a small but meaningful sanctuary where belonging comes naturally. 

Watch the Video: What Is Neurokin?

For more on the concept of neurokin and why it matters so deeply for neurodivergent people, watch my video:

Final Thoughts

Finding your neurokin is not just about connection — it’s about thriving. It’s about finally feeling understood, valued, and at home in your own skin. You don’t have to navigate life alone.

Supporting Neurodivergent Teens with Compassion and Space

Supporting Neurodivergent Teens with Compassion and Space

by | 31, Jul 2025 | ADHD, Autism, Neurodivergent, Shutdowns, Uniqueness

Supporting Neurodivergent Teens with Compassion and Space

If you’re parenting or guiding a neurodivergent teen — whether they’re autistic, ADHD, PDA, dyslexic, or wonderfully wired in other ways — you know how delicate this season of life can be.

Teens naturally crave independence, but for neurodivergent young people, this need is often magnified by a nervous system that’s easily overloaded. As a life coach and sound healer specialising in neurodivergence, I’ve witnessed time and again how gentle support, rather than heavy-handed help, makes all the difference.

Respecting their nervous system

Neurodivergent teens are often scanning for social and sensory threats without even realising it. What looks like “overreacting” may simply be their body protecting itself.

Pushing, pressuring or micro-managing can make them retreat even more. Try instead:

✅ “Would you like some help organising your week or prefer to handle it solo?”
✅ “I’ll be in the next room if you need me.”

These little shifts honour their autonomy — and calm their vigilant nervous system.

Less talking, more presence

Not every teen wants to “talk it out.” Words can scrape like sandpaper on raw nerves, especially when emotions are high.
So consider text messages, shared notes, or quiet parallel activities. Sometimes healing happens side by side, not face to face.

Honour their sensory recovery

After a day of bright lights, noisy corridors and constant social decoding, your teen might decompress by lying in bed scrolling. It’s not lazy — it’s survival. Their body needs this reset.

Co-regulate together

One of the most profound tools is simply your calm energy. Breathe slowly, soften your voice, ground your feet. Your nervous system will gently invite theirs to settle too.

This is where my sound healing comes in — the vibrations of bowls, drums or chimes can do wonders for both of you, regulating through resonance.

A reminder: they’re not broken

So many neurodivergent teens believe they’re too much, or not enough. They need to hear:

  • “It’s okay to rest.”

  • “Your brain isn’t wrong, it’s just different.”

  • “I love who you are.”

Want more gentle insights?

I go deeper into this in my video Supporting Neurodivergent Teens Without Smothering Them — watch it below.

You’ll also find these valuable:

  • Understanding PDA in Children (especially as demand avoidance often carries through to teens)
  • Why Eye Contact Can Feel So Hard (and That’s Okay) (because social overwhelm is real)

You can find these — along with soothing sound sessions, supportive chats, and honest reflections for my neurokin — on my YouTube channel, Different… And Loving It!

Supporting neurodivergent teens isn’t about fixing them. 

It’s about offering them spacious compassion so they can unfold into their truest selves.

Why I Still Say Neurodivergence Is a Superpower

Why I Still Say Neurodivergence Is a Superpower

by | 17, Jul 2025 | ADHD, Autism, Boundaries, Empowerment, Inspiration, Motivation, Neurodivergent, Uniqueness

Why I Still Say Neurodivergence Is a Superpower

I know not everyone likes the term “superpower” when it comes to autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or other forms of neurodivergence.

Some say it sugarcoats real challenges. Others feel it sets unfair expectations. And I hear that — truly.

But here’s why I still say it.

Because For Many, The Starting Point Is Feeling Broken

When you grow up being constantly corrected, misunderstood, or labelled as “too much” or “not enough,” you internalise the belief that there’s something wrong with you.

Many of the neurodivergent people I work with (and this includes me) spent years feeling defective. Masking, shrinking, trying to meet standards that were never designed for our brains or bodies.

So when I say “your neurodivergence is a superpower,” it’s not to deny the hard bits. It’s to disrupt the old story that we’re somehow fundamentally flawed.

The Double-Sided Coin

Neurodivergence often means living with big challenges: sensory overload, executive dysfunction, overwhelm, social burnout.

But the same brain wiring that makes us struggle can also be what makes us shine.

  • That laser focus on a passion?

  • The way patterns jump out where others see nothing?

  • The creative problem-solving, deep empathy, or fierce sense of justice?

That’s not in spite of being neurodivergent. That’s because of it.

What It Feels Like Inside

When I’m in a flow state — writing, making music, or guiding a sound session — it’s like my entire nervous system is lit up from the inside. Everything clicks. Colours feel brighter, ideas spark, connections form effortlessly.

Is it overwhelming sometimes? Yes.
Is it beautiful? Also yes.

It’s why I sometimes describe neurodivergence as having a sensitive instrument — finely tuned, sometimes fragile, but capable of picking up and creating things others might miss.

Why “Superpower” Still Matters To Me

Because it reframes. It says:

  • You’re not broken, just different.

  • Your traits are not defects, they’re part of a beautifully complex design.

  • You have capacities that are unique — and deeply needed in this world.

It’s also about hope. About planting the idea that even if school, work, or relationships have felt like relentless uphill battles, there’s still immense value in how your brain and body work.

Of Course, Challenges Are Real

Saying “it’s a superpower” doesn’t mean ignoring meltdowns, shutdowns, executive dysfunction, or the exhausting reality of living in a world not built for us.

But it does invite us to see the whole picture — including the brilliance and magic woven through our differences.

Keep Exploring With Me

I talk more about this in my video Why I Still Say It’s a Superpower (Even When Others Don’t).

If you’ve ever felt caught between “I’m struggling” and “I’m extraordinary,” this one’s for you — it’s about rewriting the old narrative of brokenness into one of worth and wonder.

You might also love:

You can find these — along with soothing sound sessions, supportive chats, and honest reflections for my neurokin — on my YouTube channel, Different… And Loving It!

You’re not less-than. You’re not too much.

Your neurodivergence holds its own kind of superpower — whether that means seeing connections others miss, feeling life intensely, or loving with your whole heart.

And that’s something worth celebrating.

10 Traits of Neurodiverse People That Are Often Not Understood

10 Traits of Neurodiverse People That Are Often Not Understood

by | 10, Jul 2025 | ADHD, Empowerment, Inspiration, Neurodivergent, Uniqueness

10 Traits of Neurodiverse People

It started over tea with a friend.

We’d barely sat down when she said, “I think my son’s brain just works differently. He remembers everything, feels so deeply, and can’t let something go if it doesn’t make sense.”

She wasn’t asking for a diagnosis—just clarity. As she shared story after story, I found myself nodding in recognition. So many of her son’s behaviours mirrored patterns I’ve seen in my work with neurodiverse kids and adults: intense focus, heightened sensitivity, and a unique way of seeing the world.

If you’ve ever felt like you or someone you love experiences life more vividly—more intensely—this list might help you understand why.

Here are 10 traits of neurodiverse people I often see in my work as a coach, sound healer, and tutor.

1. A High Level Of Self-Awareness

Many neurodiverse people have an exceptional ability to observe and articulate their inner world.

They may notice shifts in their emotional state, their energy, or how different environments affect them—often long before others do.

This can be both a gift and a burden, especially when others dismiss or misunderstand it.

2. Deep Knowledge In Special Interest Areas

When something sparks curiosity, it really sparks curiosity.

Whether it’s marine biology, animation, or vacuum cleaners, the ability to retain detail and understand complex systems runs deep.

These “deep dives” are often a source of both joy and regulation.

3. A Unique Personal Rulebook

Neurodiverse people often develop their own set of internal rules—ways the world should work.

These might seem arbitrary to others, but they provide a sense of order and safety.

Sometimes these rules apply just to them; other times, they expect those around them to follow suit, especially when fairness or logic is involved.

4. Sensory Sensitivity (And Overwhelm)

Whether it’s the low hum of a fluorescent light, the chaos of peak-hour traffic, or the sharp scent of a cleaning product, sensory input can become overwhelming.

One student of mine flapped her hands when stressed—a perfectly valid self-regulation strategy, yet misunderstood by her family. Others might rock, pace, or retreat into quiet.

These are not behaviours to “fix”—they’re important clues about regulation and overload.

5. Deep Focus And Attention To Detail

One glance, and a neurodiverse mind might absorb everything.

The crooked picture frame, the subtle shift in someone’s tone, the fact that Tuesday’s bin truck came seven minutes early.

This attention to detail can mean getting “stuck” on something small—but it also leads to precision, insight, and brilliance.

Want More?

This post accompanies my latest YouTube video, where I talk through each of these traits (and more).

If you’re curious about neurodiverse experiences, or just want to feel seen and validated, I’d love you to watch this video as I identify all 10 traits…

Understanding the traits of neurodiverse people isn’t about labelling or diagnosing—it’s about recognising differences and learning to support them.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or simply navigating your own identity, these insights can offer clarity and connection.

And maybe, like my friend over tea, you’ll begin to recognise that there’s nothing “wrong” at all—just a different way of being. 

One that’s worth celebrating. 🎉

Come and join the conversation
in my (free) community.

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You’re Not Too Sensitive

You’re Not Too Sensitive

by | 4, Jun 2025 | ADHD, Autism, Inspiration, Neurodivergent, Uniqueness

You’re Not Too Sensitive — You’re Wired for Deep Awareness

“You’re just too sensitive.”

Heard that before?

For many neurodiverse people—and anyone who feels deeply—this phrase lands like a judgment. It’s often said with frustration, dismissal, or even pity. 

But here’s the truth:

You’re not too sensitive.
You’re precisely sensitive enough.

Your nervous system isn’t faulty. It’s finely tuned. 

You’re wired to notice details, energy shifts, subtle sounds, tiny injustices, unexpected beauty. 

Where others might rush by, you pause. You feel. You see. And that is a profound gift.

🌿 Sensitivity ≠ Weakness

Let’s clear this up: being sensitive doesn’t mean being fragile. It means being deeply aware.

You might:

  • Sense tension in a room before anyone says a word

  • Feel overwhelmed by bright lights, strong smells, or background noise

  • Cry during music, movies, or at the sight of something beautiful

  • Need time alone to reset after socialising

  • Notice patterns, inconsistencies, or small acts of kindness that others miss

None of this means you’re broken. It means you’re in tune. In a world that rewards speed and surface-level interaction, your deep awareness is a quiet kind of power.

🌀 The Link Between Sensitivity and Neurodiversity

Many neurodiverse people—especially those with autism, ADHD, or traits linked to sensory processing—experience heightened sensitivity. 

This can show up physically (like noticing every flicker of fluorescent lighting) or emotionally (like feeling the mood of a friend before they even speak).

We’ve been taught to hide this. To mask. To “toughen up.”

But what if the world needs more feeling, not less?

🔍 What Your Sensitivity Tells You

Think of it like this: your sensitivity is feedback. It’s information. It tells you when something is off, when a space feels safe, when someone needs support. It also tells you what brings you joy, peace, comfort, and connection.

Instead of ignoring it, you can learn to listen. To trust it.

And to build a life that honours it.

💖 You Deserve Environments That Feel Kind

You don’t need to be less sensitive.

You need environments that are more aligned with how you function best.

That might mean:

  • Choosing quieter cafés

  • Wearing soft clothes in calming colours

  • Surrounding yourself with people who respect your pacing

  • Saying no to things that leave you overstimulated or emotionally drained

These choices aren’t indulgent—they’re necessary. For your nervous system, your creativity, your wellbeing.

🌸 You’re Allowed to Be Fully You

You were never meant to fit into a world that silences sensitivity.

You were meant to help shape a world that honours it.

So the next time someone says you’re too sensitive, you might pause… and smile.

Because now you know:

  • You’re not too sensitive.
  • You’re deeply aware.
  • And that’s your strength.

🎤 Share Your Thoughts

What will you say next time someone says you’re “too sensitive”? Share in the comments below – let’s inspire each other!

And if you feel inspired, come and start chatting in our Different… And Loving It! community.