Fern Collective

Crafting Our Thoughts:

Today, we embarked on a creative journey that reminded us how our minds can sometimes feel like a canvas full of colors and bubbles — bright and vibrant, yet tangled with darker hues. Using paint and our trusty reusable cups, we created beautiful bubbles on paper, symbolising the thoughts that fill our minds.

As we crafted, we discussed how quickly our brains can become absorbed in overwhelming thoughts, where little bits of darkness emerge, weighing us down like heavy rocks. These muddled and blurred thoughts can lead us into a low mood, making it challenging to find balance in our mental wellness.

Through this artistic expression, we found a way to visualise and understand the importance of tending to our mental health. Let's remember to clear those heavy thoughts and invite back the lightness of the bubbles. 💭

Imagine a squirrel darting through the forest. It’s agile, quick, and adaptable, able to navigate the various challenges of its environment, from finding food to avoiding predators.

Now, let’s think about stress and trauma as a sudden, loud noise, like a falling branch or an approaching predator. Eeeek what a freight!

When the squirrel experiences this stressor, its body goes into high alert. Its heart rate increases, breathing becomes rapid, and it feels an adrenaline rush understood as similar to the human body's response to stress. This is the "fight or flight" response, meant to help the squirrel escape danger swiftly.

If the stress becomes chronic, now imagine the squirrel constantly worrying about predators nearby and the thoughts take over everything else. It begins to take its toll on the body. Just like humans, prolonged stress can impair the squirrel’s ability to think clearly and react appropriately. It might forget where it buried its acorns or be slower to respond to potential threats, much like how human brains can struggle with memory and decision-making under prolonged stress.

On a physiological level, chronic stress in our squirrel friend could lead to health issues. If it's constantly on high alert, its body may start to wear down. Its immune system might weaken, making it more susceptible to illness, similar to how human bodies react under prolonged stress.

Moreover, trauma can create lasting changes in the brain. In humans, trauma may affect areas like the amygdala, responsible for processing fear, and the prefrontal cortex, which helps with decision-making.

For squirrel, this might translate to heightened anxiety—dashing away at the slightest sound, unable to forage calmly or socialise with other squirrels.

So while our squirrel may initially thrive under short bursts of stress, chronic exposure to trauma impacts its ability to function effectively. It transforms from a nimble, confident creature to a nervous, distracted one, highlighting just how deeply stress and trauma can affect both the brain and body.

A quick but powerful feedback about our parent education session.

From the parent education class in the weekend, and a shared brainstorm which was fabulous. It became very clear and heard that stigma and the discourses of society greatly impact neurodiverse families. With that I want you to ponder the below thoughts!

Neurodiversity: A Perspective Through the Pebbled Glass of Society

At Fern Collective, we embrace the rich tapestry of neurodiversity, viewing it as a the whole self—authentic, loving, and empowered. However, when we peer through the pebbled glass of societal discourse surrounding neurodiversity, we often encounter a distorted view. This glass symbolises the barriers and challenges that individuals face, are shaped by misunderstandings, lack of awareness, and insufficient support.

The beauty of neurodiversity lies in its diversity of thought and experience, yet society frequently imposes limitations through stigma, definitions and stereotypes and huge assumptions. These barriers can manifest as behavioral challenges, social and communication misunderstandings, and a gap in knowledge and resources.

At Fern Collective, we strive to SHIFT the conversation, advocating for awareness and understanding that recognises each individual and their families unique strengths and that they are the best judge of what is the best for them. By fostering a supportive community and environments that are safe and warming, and relationships that are nurturing that allow them to be seen and heard as their whole self, we can transform this distorted view into a clearer perspective that celebrates neurodiversity for what it truly is: a source of strength, innovation, and authentic connection.

Together, we can break down the glass barriers and create a world where neurodiverse families are empowered to thrive in a world that is built for diversity not isolation and adaptations.

This post is not for everyone, but I want to share.

As I dive into a deeper biblical understanding of practice for professional development.

Something keeps coming up for me. Yes alot of new learnings but what stands out is the belief in Imago Dei. I profoundly see how this belief can influence ones approach to working with people by fostering a sense of hope.

Whether the beliefs are something for you or not, the roots in it stand out especially when I think of my scope of practice in neurodiversity and the walk alongside others in a non judgemental, caring and open approach, being respectful and flourishing authenticity and all of these have been firm in my practice allowing me to be my true self in my work and not changing to fit others expectations so societal expectations. Recognising the inherent dignity and worth in every individual.

So I finish with my ramble with : "Everyone has value" something I see alot of people forgetting in the forefront of practice.

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When I know I am going to have to respond to input, especially in front of others, or answer a question, mental energy is spent on building a script- a potential response. When I know I am safe from having to respond, anxiety lessens and I am able to absorb more information.
Image Credit MilaniCreative

Help Us Spread the Word!

At Fern Collective, we are dedicated to supporting Neurodiverse families through a range of services designed to provide wrap-around support and education.

If you know someone who could benefit from our services—whether it's through word of mouth or right here on Facebook—please share our message!

Together, we can create a stronger community and ensure that families receive the support they need.

Let’s work together to make a difference! Share this post and help us reach other parents who may need us.

Thank you for your support! 💚

Mā te whakarongo, ka mōhio
through listening, comes knowledge

Mā te mōhio, ka mārama,
through knowledge, comes understanding

Mā te mārama, ka matau,
through understanding, comes wisdom

Mā te matau, ka ora
through wisdom, comes wellbeing

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This week in school we have been thinking about our emotions and some effective ways to regulate. As a teacher, as a parent, it’s important to listen to the emotions of a child- not just to words but through the actions and expressions of the child. Every child deserves to be heard. Only then can you co-regulate to help support them.

Empowering Neurodiverse Families: Join the Fern Collective parent education class to nurture understanding, build connections, and celebrate the unique strengths of every child!"

🌿 Understanding the Challenges of Neurodiverse Families

Today in class, we dove deep into the challenges faced by children, particularly those who are neurodiverse, and the families who support them. It's so important to recognise the impact these challenges have on social interactions and the weight they carry for everyone involved.

Kindness and understanding can go a long way. By acknowledging the unique struggles that these families face, the hundred steps taken to try to prepare or make it smooth sailing before even engaging with social interactions, playdates and events, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environments and interactions.

Let’s join together in fostering compassion and understanding for both the children and the families navigating this journey, every journey is very different.

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What a beautiful community this is!

There were a lot of sad tears this morning, but there have been a lot of happier tears this afternoon with all of the support and kind words from everyone. Such a big day of many emotions.

Thank you, for creating this image for me! You are such an incredible human, and I appreciate the effort it would have required to do this. It worked ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

I'm working my way through the comments and messages and will get back to everyone. I had a commitment with my kids this morning, so I had to be away from this situation for a few hours.

I'm back and have already started to rebuild what I've lost, which was something I invested a lot of money 💸 into and many months of incredible reviews that showed social proof of how my book had helped their loved ones.

So many sacrifices made.

I started with absolutely nothing and had to build up slowly. I'm back at square 1 again, but I have a lot more support.

From the deepest part of my heart, thank you!

Tania 🦖🌈

[Image description: an illustration created by Nell Harris, inspired by characters from my book "When My Brain Is Messy." It shows the parent dinosaur that is pale pink in colour, cuddling the young autistic dinosaur, who is green with a rainbow tummy. The young dinosaur is crying. The image has a vibrant rainbow background with the words "your experiences are valid," then signed by Nell]

Parenting class is about to kick off! We look forward to seeing you all!

Tomorrow guys!

We are focusing on social interactions and family struggles around that.

Remember kids are welcome. We have activities set up and a youth worker to support them.

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Posting from Wanaka! 🌿 An important message to hold and embrace.

We wanted to share the incredible sculpture by Liew Summers that embodies the essence of nurturing, safety, and protection—core values at the heart of Fern Collective. 🤲

The open hand gesture is a powerful symbol of what the world needs more of, especially in supporting the Neurodiverse community.

It’s a reminder that these values must be the foundation of any relationship and environment for a child. Let’s work together to make this vision a reality! 💚

Brilliant! 👌

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It's the little things in life that truly matter!

This morning, we hit the road early, heading to Central Otago, and made a delightful stop in Cromwell.

While refueling our car at the Z station, we took a moment to fuel our bodies and treated ourselves to a warm hot chocolate and a delicious little cookie from our friends at Cookie Time Cookies. 🍪☕

It’s often the simplest pleasures—like enjoying a sweet treat—that can bring a smile to our faces and brighten our day.

Let’s remember to cherish these small moments and share them with others!

What little things have made a difference in your day? Share your moments of joy with us in the comments!

🌿 Exciting Creativity at Fern Collective!

In our latest session, this young person came together to create a stunning wet canvas using watercolor pens! 🎨💧 Thanks Kmart for the brillant set!

It was a joy to see their imaginations come to life on the page.

During this creative journey, we also focused on empowering the use of "I" statements for assertive language.

This valuable tool encourages individuals to express their needs and wants with confidence. 💪💬

We're proud to provide a space where young minds can not only explore their artistic talents but also develop essential life skills.

Keep shining, Fern Collective! 💖

This Saturday team!! Book your spot now. They are getting talked about. Don't miss out!

🌿 At Fern Collective, we understand that today’s celebration of Father’s Day is unique to each family. For some, it may not revolve around one traditional figure, but rather serve as an opportunity to bring significance and love to your family in whatever form that takes. 💚

It's a day to recognise the special bonds we share and to sprinkle a little extra love into our lives. Remember, it's not just about today; every day we honor the parents, grandparents, siblings and caregivers in our lives, respecting, loving, and cherishing them wholeheartedly.

No matter how today unfolds for you, let’s take a moment to reflect and practice some much-needed self-care for ourselves and our children. Together, let’s carry aroha and kindness in your hearts as we embrace our unique journeys. ❤️

Sending love and strength to our wonderful community!

🌿 Fern Collective: Exploring the Outdoors with Your Child!

Do you have a child who loves the outdoors but struggles with sensory issues? Or perhaps a little one who's not so keen on nature, but you're eager to gently introduce them or strengthen discovery to its wonders?

A great approach is connecting with the outdoors from a familiar, safe space like your car or a nearby café with an outdoor area in a relaxed and low demand opportunity. Here’s how:

🚗 Stay Comfortable: Roll down the windows to let in the fresh air. Together, sit and be present. Allow the trust and calmness fill the space.

🎨 Be Observant Together: Encourage your child to draw what they see. This helps them focus on their surroundings in a calm way without feeling unsafe, identifying sounds and smells creatively.

🌿 Build Familiarity: By noticing changes and similarities in nature, your child can slowly become more resilient to sensory stimuli until they feel ready to explore and discover in another step.

Take small steps and enjoy this bonding time! Let your child lead the time and steps in their time.

The small note flip book used for study are great to keep in the car. They can be attached to a stretch string clip with a pen so it's never losts when dropped quickly. Theese are also great to keep in your child's sensory kit for easy grab.

Exciting project alert for our gaming youth!

Our youth at Fern Collective use a gaming controller for an alternative purpose, designed to support teenagers during moments of overwhelm, frustration, and anger. 🎮

Each part of the controller serves as a reminder to redirect energy, distract oneself, and support tool reminders to regulate emotions. It integrates recognition to identify key emotions and includes coping tools like breathing techniques, counting, sensory engagement, sensory exploration and communication strategies.

The creative process was a hit, with the youth using foam stickers and pens to bring their ideas to life. Such a simple yet powerful tool for emotional support!
Can be done with coloured paper, paints or even 3D building.

🌿 Exciting News for Our Neurodiverse Families in Ōtepoti Dunedin!

At Fern Collective, we are dedicated to nurturing mental wellness and empowering our youth. We’re thrilled to offer our specialised community youth work service, designed specifically for neurodiverse families.

What We Offer:

One-on-one support for youth to help boost confidence and self-esteem. With a youth worker matched to your child's needs and passions.

Opportunities for social skill development in a safe and understanding environment.

Collaborative work with families to tailor support to individual needs.

Hear from one of our families:

"The Youth Work that Fern Collective has offered my family, mainly my 12-year-old son, has been an amazing asset to us, as it gives him his own time and space with someone to talk to outside of our family. This return has helped him with his confidence, behavior, and attitude towards schooling and in social settings."

Join us in supporting the incredible potential of our youth. For more information, feel free to reach out or visit our website!

Together, let’s nurture growth and understanding. 💚

What an opportunity!!

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Outward Bound have an 8-day course for adults (18+) with intellectual disabilities.
Limited spots are available in November 2024 and February 2025.

You’ll experience all the adventure of an Outward Bound course, with more rest breaks and more support available from three Outward Bound instructors and two support workers.
From sailing to high ropes, you’ll try all sorts of new activities, ensuring you return home with the motivation to try out new experiences and test your boundaries.

The Horizons course past participants have included those with Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and Williams Syndrome.

All participants must be:
🔶Independent in personal care (instructors can support taking medication - medication must be in blister packs)
🔶Able to communicate clearly and understand safety instructions
🔶A team player who can well with others in a group environment
🔶Able to attend without a carer, (arrangements for travelling to and from the course will be made with their associated organisation)
🔶Have experience being away from home overnight
🔶Capable of taking part in a full day of activities with rest breaks
🔶Comfortable in and around the water, including having head under - life jackets available
🔶Self-managing of inappropriate behaviour (e.g. sexual or aggressive behaviour)
🔶Able to travel independently to and from the course.

Want to know more? Check out https://www.outwardbound.co.nz/

Celebrating Creativity with Fern Collective!

Our art session was a journey into creativity, sensory experiences, and self-expression. While the photo captures the vibrant art, it also represents something deeper—the trust in our therapeutic relationships.

This trust encourages children to build resilience, break free from perfectionist traits that can be crippling and cause explosive behaviours and develop essential coping skills. Together, we embrace challenges, discover solutions, and celebrate every creative moment. 🎨

Exciting and supportive days with the team at Fern Collective 🌿

Some days, our work takes us to the great outdoors, where nature becomes our classroom. Engaging in heavy work activities helps balance our young people, preparing them for the day ahead. It’s all about letting the child take the lead, matching their pace, and being present with them. Each child is an expert in knowing what they need to meet their needs and regulate themselves.

At the heart of our approach is whanaungatanga, the building of strong foundations of connection and trust. Together, we explore, learn, and grow. 🌿🤝