Positive Futures Queensland

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This weekend may bring up tough emotions for some people.

If you're worried about someone, let them know you're thinking of them and are there to support them with what they're going through.

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I've said this before.
And I'll say it again.

If the person is doing well with supports- it's because the supports are effective.

Leave them there.

Yes?

Em 🌈

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Today is World Fragile X awareness day.🧡💚💙World Fragile X Day celebrates families impacted by Fragile X and highlights advancements of research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure.
Fragile X syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects a person’s development, especially that person’s behaviour and ability to learn. Fragile X can affect:
Communication skills
Physical appearance
Sensitivity to noise, light, or other sensory information
Fragile X syndrome is the most common form of inherited intellectual and developmental disability (IDD).

World Fragile X Day celebrates families impacted by Fragile X and highlights advancements of research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure.

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Maybe it's because you can cover your eyes and imagine what it would be like to never see anyone or anything ever again. And imagine how difficult the world would suddenly be to navigate. But you realise you could never explain what the world looks like to someone who'd never been able to see it. You can imagine their world, they cannot imagine yours.

Maybe it's because you can plug your ears and imagine how it would be never to hear anything or anyone ever again. And imagine all the things you'd miss and how difficult it would become to interact and communicate with the ease you currently do. But you realise you could never explain what the world sounds like to someone who has never heard it. You can imagine their world, but there's no way they can imagine yours.

But when it comes to 'invisible' issues and disabilities? How do you begin to understand? I mean, as a neurotypical you could look at the presentations and struggles and complications that a neurodivergent has and imagine. But you don't. Because how can you understand what it's like? Do you try? Or do you just see someone who's being difficult? Not applying themselves? Not trying hard enough? How can you imagine how difficult it is to struggle through a world and it's systems and environments that to you seem straightforward. Sometimes stressful, yes, but not debilitating.

How do you begin to understand all the issues that surround neuroodivergence in all its many presentations?

What if I told you you didn't need to have lived it? What if just told you you only had to accept what you were being told as the truth? What if all you had to do was show compassion? Change your expectations to meet that truth you've been told? What if I told you you don't need to change the whole world for neurodivergents, only the interactions you have with them? Because if you all did that then the whole world would change. 💕

Healing tears ...let your tears speak the words your mouth can't find.

https://www.facebook.com/share/CwbjXwWg9835bE8f/?mibextid=xfxF2i

Many people with eating disorders keep their condition secret or won't admit they have a problem. Recovery isn't linear. With the right professional, social and emotional support you can get better from an eating disorder. 🧡💚💙

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9 Reasons To Use Visuals

▪️ Visuals are permanent (spoken words disappear)
▪️ Visuals allow time for language processing
▪️ Visuals prepare
▪️ Visuals help kids see what you mean
▪️ Visuals help ALL students
▪️ Visuals help build independence
▪️ Visuals are transferable between environments and people
▪️ Visuals have no attitude (no tone, no frustration, no disapproval)
▪️ Visuals help reduce anxiety

Credit: Kristin Wiens () of North Star Paths. Link to free download of this graphic and others on can be found in comments below.

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I am going to prelude this post by saying that masking is a different experience for everyone. There's no one size fits all, or any specific way of doing it. Not everyone does it, and those who do may not do it all the time. There is no right or wrong.

And or course there are those of us late diagnosed (and I include late self diagnosis) who may have masked throughout their lives, not even realising that's what it was.

But I think one common feature people who do mask can agree on. And that is how exhausting it is. And stressful. And how masking that stress caused by masking can lead to trauma. And masking the trauma causes yet more exhaustion. And stress. And trauma.

And so what about when we are so exhausted we cannot mask it?

My experience is that it hits me in a wave. All of it. And there's nothing left to hold back everything with. No energy to hide the stress. No energy to mask the trauma. And it's never pretty.

This is my attempt to explain it. Although I am not sure it makes sense to anyone else. Have you been through this yourself? Does this represent your own experience in any way?

https://diversitydoodleprint.etsy.com

PFQ will be sharing snapshots of a variety of mental health challenges over the next few weeks. Let us know if you would like one spotlighted.
Do you or a loved one live with bipolar disorder? 🧡💚💙

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What Masking Looks Like In School...

[Image of a perfectly folded origami creation made of blue paper. Text reads, 'In school: Perfectly put together, well behaved'. Below is a crumpled ball of blue paper. Text reads, 'At home: Upset, anger, unable to cope.']

Credit: Lucy Roth (Educational Mental Health Practitioner)

There are many different types of mental health conditions, including psychosocial disabilities and (other) mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm. Keep an eye on our page over the next few weeks as we share information about the extensive variety of mental health challenges people experience.
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Mental health matters

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Fluctuating capacity.

Today I was productive. I worked literally all day on my biggest project.
And the outcome was good (I think).

Tomorrow is probably going to be less productive.
Because I’ll be juggling more.

Don’t feel bad when you have days with lower capacity.
And try to remember that your kids will have those days, too.

Em 🌈

Whatever Mother’s Day may bring up for you, I invite you to greet it with space, curiosity, and compassion. If it represents beauty, gratitude, and unconditional love, celebrate that! If it brings up feelings of doubt, guilt, sadness or shame, let that have your gentle awareness and know you’re not alone. 🧡💚💙

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Social media rarely shows the whole picture 💚

but also and stop comparing ourselves to people we "think" have it all going on, because they probably don't! 💚