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I never want to forget. autism autistic autistic burnout communication community identity parenting trauma Jan 05, 2024

This is an image of me, deep in the trenches, around a decade ago.

My husband would message from work each day and ask how 'things' were.

Some days, I couldn't speak. I'd send pictures. This was one of those days, and I remember and still feel that exact moment. I was in the bathroom,...

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Which comes first? Trauma or PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance)? anxiety autism autistic children parenting pathological demand avoidance Jan 03, 2024

Often it's enough to be in a world that does not accept us, or that we find so incredibly challenging in terms of the differences between the way we are wired to exist and live; and the way society is set up.

There are huge disparities between the two. Inconsistencies in what we know...

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It never gets easier autism autistic boundaries children mental health parenting Sep 27, 2023

It never gets easier, nor am I ever better prepared for the moments my autistic children (and I) are exposed to another parent’s grief stricken story about their autistic child.

I was conditioned to believe that the first of my children to be identified autistic had 'disappeared' and there...

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Kristy Forbes - inTune Pathways
Stop looking away from intersectionality
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Stop looking away from intersectionality adhd antiracism autism autistic intersectionality lgbtqia+ parenting racism Oct 14, 2021
 
 
(Warning: This written content includes discussion around themes of racism, transphobia, homophobia, suicidality.)
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Almost every time I address the topic of intersectionality on my social media, people unlike, unfollow and sometimes, openly, confidently and obnoxiously...
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I’ll never ‘overcome’ my PDA neurobiology. behaviours parenting pathalogical demand avoidance pda radical acceptance Aug 13, 2021
I’m often asked how, as a PDAer, I am able to overcome my need for control in parenting my own children with a PDA profile of autism.
 
I don’t overcome it.
 
I’ll never ‘overcome’ my neurobiology.
 
It is central to my being and doing.
 
...
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I remember every single name, every single humiliation. adhd autism identity parenting pda trauma Aug 13, 2021

At fifteen years old, I left school midway through Year Nine and went into the workforce.

 

I vehemently expressed that I would not return to school and with that, my mother said if I was not returning, I needed to get a job.

 

I worked in the local bakery, something I was so proud of....

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My university days went like this. education learning styles neurodivergent parenting Aug 12, 2021
I'm not an autistic researcher.
 
I am not a psychologist.
 
I take my hat off to my neurokin who are.
 
I am forever grateful to those who are engaged in research and academia, creating significant and important social change and opportunities for the autistic community and...
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She is so much more. autism behaviours parenting schooling Aug 05, 2021
I often touch on how important it is to move beyond the generic support framework for our autistic children in the classroom. This includes a timer, dot points on the board and visuals.
 
Whilst these are really great supports for many of our children, I often see them used without...
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We bring our children home. autism neurodivergent parenting schooling Jul 22, 2021
We bring our children home
From failed systems
That have been enabled not to care
Not to care for our children
 
For us; when we were the children
We educate our children
And while trying to create a safe space
For their trauma to unravel
Our trauma too, unravels
 
Our children are...
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Where my grief came from. autism parenting selfcare Jul 15, 2021
This morning as I was barefoot walking through the garden, connecting with the earth, I felt a deep sadness come over me.
 
My instinct was to push the sadness away and to think of something else fast in order to distract myself; but as soon as I became conscious of this, I returned to...
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An invitation to lead with love. autism neurodivergent parenting Jun 17, 2021
Contrary to popular parenting advice, the time when our children return to the safety of our energy after being in trouble is not the time to lecture.
 
It is not the time to remind our babies why we were angry or what they did wrong and why they should never do that thing again.
 
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Food, glorious food! anxiety parenting pathalogical demand avoidance pda Jun 04, 2021

Trigger Warning: Mentions food, eating disorders and sensory aversions.

Please note the below is my personal experience and I am not a qualified medical professional or dietician.

 

Food. Glorious food.

Let’s talk about it.

 

In our family, we’ve had a variety of...

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