My ADHD Coach

How lucky we were to have this in Brisbane! Did you attend? What did you learn?

COLLABORATIVE CARE, THE FUTURE OF ADHD
We're excited to introduce the keynote and guest speakers for this year's Conference. These renowned experts and advocates will share their groundbreaking research, personal experiences, and innovative strategies to help you better understand, treat and manage ADHD.
REGISTER before 31st of May for early bird savings

https://mers.cventevents.com/event/7th-AADPA-Conferenc
https://aadpa.com.au/2024-annual-adhd-conference/

If you are in Brisbane, come along!

We are thrilled to announce Assoc Professor Renata Shoeman as one of our keynote speakers -
Bridging the gap: triumphs and trials in ADHD care in underprivileged communities. (Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation)
Renata Schoeman (MBChB, MSocSc, MMed, FC Psych, PhD, MBA) is Assoc.
Professor: Leadership and Head of the Healthcare Leadership MBA
specialization stream at the University of Stellenbosch Business School, Cape
Town, and a virtual faculty member of the University of Stellenbosch Business
School Executive Development Program. Co-founder and Director of
Goldilocks And The Bear, Renata has been in full-time private practice as a
general Psychiatrist for more than 15 years with special interests in disorders
affecting attention, concentration, learning and memory, such as ADHD.
Register before June 16 for early bird registration
https://aadpa.com.au/2024-annual-adhd-conference/

🇦🇺 School support for students with ADHD 🧠

Students with ADHD are entitled to support and accommodations to help them succeed in their education. Schools are required to provide reasonable adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act and the Disability Standards for Education.

Some common support strategies for students with ADHD in Australia include:
- Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) that outline specific accommodations and goals for the student
- Access to a school counselor or psychologist for additional support
- Extra time on assessments or exams
- Preferential seating in the classroom
- Use of assistive technology, such as noise-cancelling headphones or organizational apps

If you or your child has ADHD, we can create a supportive environment that enables your student to thrive academically.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey - reach out to My ADHD Coach if you need assistance.

There are resources and support available to help students with ADHD succeed in school! 📚

💪

The next support group is now SOLD OUT. Looking forward to the next 5 weeks as we learn together on our ADHD journey.
See you Monday.

Hey , this event is SOLD OUT. Looking forward to seeing you for the next 5 weeks as we learn together on this ADHD journey!

SOLD OUT - ADHD Parent Support Group

Commencing Monday 20th May, for 5 Weeks - Online 12-1:30pm, $125.
This group aims to increase your understanding of your child and develop effective strategies to increase your confidence as an ADHD parent.

We will discuss:
• Understanding ADHD
• Why & how it affects your family
• Reasons for challenging behaviours
• Practical parenting strategies
The support group environment is non-judgmental and empathetic and facilitated by an expert ADHD Coach.

To Join visit link below

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/adhd-parent-support-group-tickets-896752168877?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Are you good at recognising when your Social Battery is running low?
What do you do, once it’s almost out of charge?

The Kids Who Can't Four Corners is the home of Australian investigative journalism.

Can you relate?

10 Things You Need to Know About Your Autistic Partner

Introduction

Maintaining a fulfilling relationship with an autistic partner, whether in a dating context or a marriage, can provide unique challenges that enrich your understanding of love and connection. While your autistic partner may have initially displayed intense interest, you might notice them seeking more alone time or communicating their emotions differently. In this post, we delve into ten aspects of understanding your autistic partner, enabling your relationship to thrive.

1. The Value of Solitude
Your autistic partner faces challenges in social interactions that can lead to exhaustion. Solitude becomes their essential means of recovery. An autistic woman once described it as needing an hour of solitude for every hour of social engagement. The strain of social events multiplies with more people, especially certain individuals. Conversations with you often factor into their daily social capacity. Engaging with friends and family during the week or weekend can result in overwhelming fatigue. Solitude isn't just a preference; it's a necessary coping strategy to prevent depression and burnout.

2. Passion: A Source of Renewal
An autistic partner aptly stated, "Art is as vital as oxygen to me." This emphasises how immersing themselves in an all-encompassing interest isn't just a pastime; it's a replenishing sanctuary. Amid a society that emphasizes conversations and socializing, understanding their need for deep involvement in interests like work, model trains, art, or motorbikes can be challenging.
Embracing this need for intense focus is a genuine act of love in an autistic relationship. Whether you engage in their passion or explore your own, fully embracing this form of escape and rejuvenation without guilt is essential. Nurturing these unique interests enriches your connection and creates an environment where both partners can thrive.

3. Honesty: A Core Trait
Your autistic partner's unwavering honesty is a notable strength that fortifies the foundation of trust in your relationship. However, it's worth acknowledging that there are instances where a gentle "white lie" might resonate better with non-autistic partners.
Consider moments when a compliment on your appearance or perspectives could deepen your emotional connection. Expressing praise often strengthens relationships. While their dedication to truthfulness might occasionally seem to overshadow relationship dynamics, remember that their intent isn't criticism. Their commitment to honesty reflects their unique way of offering support and expressing love.

4. They may not be able to talk about feelings or an inner world.
Autism often coincides with a condition called alexithymia, which essentially means a lack of words for emotions. When you inquire about their feelings, their inability to articulate them likely stems from their challenges in verbalising and recognising, not a reluctance to share. Expressing genuine thoughts and emotions is particularly demanding for an autistic individual, owing to alexithymia and struggles with self-reflection – a characteristic of autism.
This difficulty in self-disclosure might create emotional distance in the relationship, leaving you desiring deeper emotional intimacy. Understanding these nuances can aid in fostering a stronger connection despite the barriers to discussing inner feelings.

5. Love Expressed Differently
Autistic individuals display love and empathy differently, as brain scans revealed that when they express feeling love and affection for someone, different areas of the brain are activated than for non-autistics. The empathy circuitry of the brain is also working differently. While they do feel love and empathy, conveying these emotions might not align with conventional methods, leaving you yearning for connection.
Affection could be demonstrated through practical actions, like tidying up, instead of the typical eye contact, verbal expressions, or physical touch. Embracing these distinct displays of affection enhances understanding and strengthens your bond.

6. Sensory Sensitivities
Your awareness of your autistic partner's sensitivity to everyday noises and discomfort with specific lighting is just the surface. The depth of how profoundly the sensory world affects them might be underestimated. Coping with the distress caused by the pain and stress of certain common sensory experiences consumes a significant amount of their daily energy, leaving less for your relationship in the evenings.
Tactile sensitivities, whether hypo (too little) or hyper (too much), can even extend to the bedroom. For instance, light touches might be excruciating or bothersome, while deep pressure could be soothing. Acknowledging these sensitivities and their energy demands enhances your comprehension and paves the way for a more considerate relationship.

7. Navigating Change
Autism often brings challenges with change, even in minor aspects. Your autistic partner might have masked this trait, but as your connection deepens, you could observe their discomfort with variety and aversion to surprises. Understand that their reliance on repetition and specific routines isn't about annoyance or control, but rather a means to find solace and manage the complexities of life. Recognising this aspect fosters empathy and a more harmonious partnership.

8. Social Gatherings and Quality Over Quantity
Social gatherings can be challenging for your autistic partner. They might consistently opt out of attending gatherings with friends and family, leading to feelings of offence. During such times, you might experience a sense of isolation when socialising.
It's important to understand that their avoidance isn't aimed at rejecting your loved ones, but rather stems from their inclination towards less frequent and more intimate social interactions. Particularly with unfamiliar faces or large groups, like at parties, they might feel less motivated. Prioritising quality over quantity in socialising is significant for them. Your understanding, acceptance, and support in this matter can strengthen your bond and create a more comfortable environment.

9. Perspectives Differ due to Neurology
Being autistic is not a choice and it is certainly not an inferior way of being or a character fault. Being autistic means that an awesome brain is working slightly differently, especially for being able to read people and make inferences about what they want, expect, or need from you quickly and innately. When your autistic partner does not read your verbal or nonverbal communication accurately, they are not trying to be uncaring or obtuse, they are simply missing the cues because their neurology does not make it easy to read them. Even when you have explained your perspective fully, they may still struggle to fully understand and accept it. An autistic partner can seem at times extraordinarily single-minded and egocentric about certain topics, and it is important to keep in mind that they are not being selfish, they are demonstrating difficulties with perspective-taking, because of their different neurology.
While challenges in communication and perspective-taking can arise due to neurological differences, both non-autistic and autistic individuals can work together to bridge these gaps.
In communication, it's important to remember shared responsibility: understanding how neurodiversity plays a role in communication and recognising that effective interaction relies on clear expression from all parties and active listening for accurate comprehension.

10. The Art of Camouflaging
Your partner might be concealing parts of their identity and emotions as a means of survival. However, this camouflage can lead to exhaustion, diminished self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression, distancing them from their authentic self. This struggle could leave both you and them questioning their true essence.
Amid this process, irritability and a need for solitude might become more common. Camouflaging, while intelligent, requires careful balance. Your autistic partner needs an environment of safety to shed these layers and reconnect with their genuine self. By providing this understanding and security, you play a crucial role in their journey towards authenticity.

In Conclusion
Your autistic partner has some unbeatable and deeply lovable personality qualities, possibly including honesty, commitment, loyalty, inquiring mind, creativity, and a compassionate heart. However, they still can sometimes drive you crazy and leave you wondering why you are in the relationship. An autistic brain is one that works differently, and in verbal, intelligent, autistic adults this can cause confusion for their partners. Understanding and accepting your autistic partner in the ways we describe above may give your relationship the best chance to flourish.

Where to from here?
On the 25th August 2023, we are presenting a live webcast on Autism in Couple Relationships. This live webcast aims to equip participants with knowledge and strategies for increasing relationship satisfaction where one or both partners are autistic. We recognise and celebrate the qualities of both partners and present strategies commonly found to help improve neurodiverse relationships. Tony and Michelle draw on their extensive experience in autism and couples counselling to present this event.

https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/product/webcast-event-autism-in-couple-relationships-25-august-2023/

What is alexithymia? Broadly the root meaning of the word is "no words for emotions". Here's some more features of this behavioural/cognitive pattern that's relatively newly recognised in the field of psychology. Thanks itsemilykaty 🕊️

It was a great night chatting about everything ADHD at Distractd last night. If you have not made it to an event yet, it’s worth it!

Thankyou to all who attended last nights DISTRACTD. It was a great night as usual and as always the knowledge from the experts blows me away and I’m always left so inspired , excited and more understanding of myself and my ADHD so thankyou to those wonderful experts Coleen from myadhdcoach Candice and Sarah and Hammy and . Thankyou to for hosting us also .

Come along tonight 6pm, I’ll be talking about coaching!

Introducing Coleen Measday who will be joining us Wednesday night this week at Marketta . We can’t wait to hear from her .

Gold Coast parents help your child engage in learning with a tutor who understands their ADHD.
Contact us today 0401220550

We hear you, life with ADHD can be difficult to navigate at times.
You don't have to struggle alone.
Our ADHD coaches understand ADHD and can provide you with support, education and guidance to help you thrive with ADHD and make positive change in your life.

Message us here and start a conversation about getting support for your ADHD.

Need help to thrive with ADHD?
Coaching can help you understand ADHD, set goals and use proven strategies and ADHD-friendly tools to achieve them.
Contact us today!

www.myadhdcoach.com.au

Senate inquiry into barriers for the assessment of ADHD and support services for people with ADHD went public today!

https://www.facebook.com/stories/110150148399998/UzpfSVNDOjk4NjA1ODY2NTk1ODY4OA==/?view_single=1&source=shared_permalink&mibextid=W9rl1R

www.facebook.com

We hear you! Schooling can be tough with ADHD!
But with the right supports and adjustments it can get easier.
We know what's possible and how to ask for the support you need.

Message us here to start a conversation about how we can help you talk to school to access ADHD support and adjustments.

Hi, I'm Colleen and I totally understand living with ADHD can be challenging and parenting ADHD kids can be an emotional roller coaster.
But you don’t have to do it alone.

With the right supports and education living with ADHD can be easier, that’s why I love ADHD Coaching.

I founded My ADHD Coach to help people navigate their ADHD journey and thrive.

So if there’s something ADHD related you need help with reach out.

E: [email protected]
P: 0401 220 550

Have you done the Triple P program?
It’s free for Queenslanders!

How do you know when it's time to seriously think about changing your child's school? Most young people will have patches during their school career where it feels hard. Sometimes this will lead families to ask whether a new school is the best option.

Great film, take a look if you have not seen it!

Most people are aware that ADHD exists, but did you know that ADHD affects 10% of children and a growing number of adults globally?

Zoom Appointments now available. You can still visit us in-person in Southport (Wednesday's and Friday's).

Psychiatrist's view on ADHD Coaching.

Dr. Daniel Amen on the Power of ADHD Coaching If you've tried medication, counseling, and every other alternative therapy out there, ADHD coaching might be the next step in your treatment plan.

ADHD Coach, Michelle Toner - Awarded Order of Australia
Fantastic recognition for years of helping change the lives of those with ADHD!

Congratulations to Dr Michele Toner 2021 Order of Australia Recipient Congratulations to Dr Michele Toner on being awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to community health.

How amazing! Australia now has Clinical Practice Guidelines for ADHD! 🥳

Professor Adam Guastella from the University of Sydney speaks on the ABC about the importance of our new Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline for ADHD. Available 5th October 2022
https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NEWS202214072156