Tag: mental-health
-
Surviving the School Run with Neurodivergent Kids: A Battle Won Before 9 AM
If you’ve got neurodivergent kids, you’ll likely know the scene all too well: mornings filled with wailing, flailing, and full-body refusals. Getting them dressed, fed, and out the door for school feels less like a daily routine and more like a grueling endurance challenge. By the time you’ve arrived at the school gates, you’re frazzled,…
Written by
·
-
When Your Kid Refuses to Settle into Preschool: Could It Be Autism?
When my son E couldn’t settle into preschool, I thought it was separation anxiety. But the real issue was sensory overload — and it led to an autism referral. Here’s what I wish I’d known sooner.
Written by
·
-
The Battle of the Brain: Living with Noise Sensitivity and Tinnitus (And Losing It at 4 A.M.)
It was 4 a.m. on a bitterly cold morning, and there I was, crying in the middle of the street, hunting for that noise. A sound that defied description—like a fridge buzzing through a wall, yet somehow managing to vibrate my very soul. It taunted me, no matter where I turned. I stomped around like…
Written by
·
-
Navigating Social Challenges with Autistic Kids: A Realistic Approach
Socialising with neurodivergent kids isn’t always about playdates and parties. My boys thrive in structured settings but need weekends to decompress. After years of trying to “do it right,” I’ve embraced their need for quiet time. Turns out, kids can be happy little hermits—and that’s perfectly okay.
Written by
·
-
Finding Acceptance: My Social Journey with AuDHD
The author reflects on their challenging experiences with socialization as an AuDHD individual. They recount feeling tolerated rather than included, facing bullying, and navigating workplace social dynamics that led to mental health struggles. Ultimately, through connecting with accepting peers, they rediscover their identity, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections and self-acceptance.
Written by
·
-
Tips for Meltdowns at the Dinner Table: What Works for Us
Mealtimes in our house are where meltdowns are most likely to erupt. And since meals happen three times a day, you can imagine the deep sighing that goes on around here. Both of my boys ate everything as babies. During weaning, nothing was off-limits—they happily devoured small, slightly mushy versions of our meals. I thought…
Written by
·
-
When Transitions Get in the Way of Life: The Autistic Petrol Station Drama
If you’re anything like me, you’ll know this scene all too well. You’re driving home, and the fuel light has been flashing for the past two days. You’ve passed several petrol stations, mentally prepping yourself each time to pull in and fill up. But as the station looms closer, you just… drive past. Again. By…
Written by
·
-
Understanding Autistic Overwhelm: A Personal Journey
For the last few years, I’ve been on a mission to figure out how my brain works. I like answers—clear, concrete, and definitive answers to any challenge I face. Unfortunately, this journey doesn’t come with many of those. Since my teenage years, I’ve been a tightly wound ball of anxiety and stress. It’s as though…
Written by
·
-
Handling School When Your Child Is Facing Autistic Burnout
Between Christmas and Easter during Large Child’s first year at school, things started to settle. Or so I thought. But one persistent issue kept cropping up: exhaustion. Large Child cried every day before school, saying it was “too much.” But sometimes, the cries were different—deep, guttural sobs. His face was pale, his eyes glazed. As…
Written by
·
-
Autistic Masking: What to Do When School Can’t See Your Kid Isn’t Coping
During Large Child’s first term at school, I started hearing reports that he was “coping much better.” The tears had lessened, he was staying calm, and while he was still virtually mute, the feedback was sparkling. The reality at home told a very different story. Every day after school was a battle. The moment we…
Written by
·
