Chad Blair - Neurodiversity Consultant

This is a disgrace

Online diagnosis for autism no longer accepted by MSD Autism New Zealand says the Ministry for Social Development is trying to save money by declining funding applications for people diagnosed via telehealth.

Training on Equalizing in PDA Children and Teens Does your child constantly destroy things, control and criticize you (or a sibling) and/or fixate on doing exactly the thing that you told them not to do? 😳...

A KEY 🔑 to understanding ADHD is:

(1) to understand each individual “executive function” (EF) ✨✨✨ {e.g., the “individual” EF’s of organizing, prioritizing & starting}

AND

(2) to always keep in mind that individual executive functions (EF’s) work together in different combinations ✨✨✨ {e.g., the ACTIVATION “bucket” of EF’s}

This is why we often see “inconsistencies” in aptitudes and skills in ADHD...

Teachers or parents may think:

✨”I know he remembers this, so why isn’t he now?”✨

OR ✨”she did it yesterday, why can’t she today?”✨

OR ✨”they should be able to do this because I know they’ve done stuff similar to this with no problems”✨

OR ✨”why is he so mad? This didn’t bother him at all yesterday?!”✨

If there is one additional EF added to a bucket, or one taken away, that could create the differences in “output” or “reactions” you may see...

The visual I created here is an overview of the types of Executive Function combinations frequently used in activities that we do every day✨

More to come on how these EF’s combine and how we can assess these specific EF’s for individualized supports, to best prepare ourselves and our kids to navigate the complexities of work, school and relationships✨

Consciously Lisa

Every week, we will upload new resources to our website that may prove useful for the community.

School can be an overwhelming place for autistic and other neurodivergent children. This resource contains tips for making your classroom an easier place to be for children with sensory sensitivities.

You can find this resource here: https://autismnz.org.nz/resources/sensory-friendly-classrooms/

Other resources can be found at: https://autismnz.org.nz/resource.

This link can also be found in our bio

Motherhood Redefined 💔

Positive Pathways Helping Autistic and PDA children and whanau to live their best lives

Credit to Mollys ADHD mayhem - gorgeous material and super informative 😍

Personally, I’m huge for singing, repeating words/phrases, fidgeting and cracking my joints ❤️

For those who have been wondering... "AuDHD" is an unofficial term used by people who have both autism and ADHD to simplify sharing that they have both.

It comes up a lot in neurodivergent spaces, so I thought I'd share. 😊

Every Friday, we will upload new resources to our website that may prove useful for the community.

This resource outlines strategies for helping your child understand their own feelings.

You can find this resource here: https://autismnz.org.nz/resources/helping-children-recognise-feelings/

Other resources can be found at: https://autismnz.org.nz/resource.

This link can also be found in our bio

It is absolutely part of the problem.

🛑 If your child is struggling to attend school, don't force them. 🛑

It won't create a better outcome, and will end up making them feel that no-one is listening. It inevitably fractures relationships...

We have SO much help for you.. We know this time of year is hard. So here's everything you need in order to help your child - whether you're a parent or a teacher.

💛 SCHOOL AVOIDANCE AWARENESS WEEK 💛
******** 23rd-27th SEPTEMBER 2024 ********

Read more, sign up for webinars and get involved: https://www.schoolavoidance.co.uk/events

1️⃣ Watch our vast collection of school attendance difficulties webinars and courses here: www.sunshine-support.org/academy

2️⃣ Read our article on School Attendance Difficulties, a great starting point and contains a 3 step approach to helping your child: https://www.sunshine-support.org/school-attendance-difficulties-and-school-related-trauma

3️⃣ Request a call from our advice team by completing the contact form here: https://www.sunshine-support.org/advice-and-support

📕 Dept for Education’s guidance is also very helpful: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63ee20a3d3bf7f62e5f76ba4/Summary_of_responsibilities_where_a_mental_health_issue_is_affecting_attendance.pdf

We are looking forward to supporting you 💛

What are the REAL reasons for school avoidance? It's not that a child is naughty or has bad parents, it's not that they 'want to play truant' or are willfully 'refusing to do the right thing' - we hear these nonsensical claims a lot!!!

There are SO many reasons! Mainly down to unmet needs and a mismatch of environments.

What are your thoughts?

🛑🛑 NEED SOME HELP WITH THIS? 🛑🛑

I recommend any of the following, or ideally all of them as you’ll get everything you need from all options.

💛 SCHOOL AVOIDANCE AWARENESS WEEK 💛
******** 23rd-27th SEPTEMBER 2024 ********
Read more, sign up for webinars and get involved: https://www.schoolavoidance.co.uk/events

1️⃣ Watch our in-depth webinars ‘on demand’ on School Attendance Difficulties (we have a huge collection looking at things from many different angles) which will help you pin point exactly what is going wrong and how to fix it. You can watch this within our Sunshine Academy learning platform for parents here: www.sunshine-support.org/academy

2️⃣ Read our article on School Attendance Difficulties, a great starting point and contains a 3 step approach to helping your child: https://www.sunshine-support.org/school-attendance-difficulties-and-school-related-trauma

3️⃣ Request a call from our advice team by completing the contact form here: https://www.sunshine-support.org/advice-and-support

Need more immediate help? Here are our details of our advocacy service..

➡️ ADVOCACY SERVICE - If you need help please do complete the application form here: https://tinyurl.com/Sunshinesupportadvocacy

📕 Dept for Education’s guidance is also very helpful: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63ee20a3d3bf7f62e5f76ba4/Summary_of_responsibilities_where_a_mental_health_issue_is_affecting_attendance.pdf

We are looking forward to supporting you 💛