Sensory Seeking vs Sensory Avoidance: Why You Can Be Both
Sensory Seeking vs Sensory Avoidance: Why You Can Be Both If you’re neurodivergent, you might recognise this… Some days you crave stimulation: music, movement, pressure, texture, intensity. Other days, the same input feels unbearable. You want quiet. Space. Less. You might cancel plans or feel instantly irritated by normal noise. It can feel inconsistent – […]
“39 Experts Debunked Polyvagal”? What That Actually Means (and Why It’s Being Shared Everywhere)
If you’ve been online lately, you’ve probably seen posts saying something like: “Polyvagal Theory debunked by 39 experts.” It’s a strong headline. It’s also the kind of headline that spreads fast – because certainty is addictive when we feel confused. But that “39” detail often gets misunderstood. So let’s slow it down and make it […]
Polyvagal Theory Criticism: Positive Bias, What’s Debated, and How to Stay Grounded
Polyvagal Theory is trending again with “debunked” headlines. A grounded look at the criticism, positive bias, and how parents and practitioners can use polyvagal insights ethically. With a clip from Dr Stephen Porges himself 7/02/24
Finding Home When You Don’t Fit Anywhere (Even in ND Spaces)
Finding Home When You Don’t Fit Anywhere (Even in ND Spaces) A little while ago, I got a message from a friend that stopped me mid-scroll. Not because it was dramatic, or urgent… but because it was simple, honest, and reciprocal. She said she’d been thinking about me. That she could see how much I’d […]
Why Shouting Happens in Families: A Nervous-System View of Escalation (And What Helps Instead)
Why Shouting Happens in Families: A Nervous-System View of Escalation (And What Helps Instead) If you’re a parent, you might recognise this… You don’t want to shout. You promise yourself you won’t. You try breathing, counting, coping. But in the moment – noise, mess, urgency, non-stop demands – your voice rises anyway. And then you […]
Siblings, Sensory Clashes, and Fairness: Why “Equal” Doesn’t Always Work
Siblings and Sensory Clashes, and Fairness: Why “Equal” Doesn’t Always Work If you’re a parent, you might recognise this… Two children. Two nervous systems. Two completely different needs. One child needs noise and movement. The other needs quiet and space. One child seeks touch and closeness. The other feels overwhelmed by it. One child can […]
Towelgate at the Gym: One Funny Story About Sensory Sensitivities (and Why It Matters)
Today I got stopped three times at the gym. Not for doing something dangerous. Not for breaking a rule. Because… “Your towel’s getting wet.” Reader, welcome to “Towelgate”. above = photo of said towel this story is about. Burnout and the “paying-but-not-going” gym membership I’ve just started back at the gym after taking a year-long […]
Morning Battles With Kids: A Window of Tolerance Routine That Actually Helps
Morning Battles With Kids: A Capacity-Friendly Routine That Actually Helps Mornings can feel like a daily fight: getting out of bed getting dressed eating breakfast leaving the house And if your child is neurodivergent (ADHD/Autistic/AuDHD) or anxious, the morning squeeze can be even bigger – emotion-based school avoidance, time pressure, transitions, sensory discomfort, and […]
Teacher Burnout Prevention: A Nervous System Capacity Plan (Sandwich of Capacity™)
Teacher Burnout Prevention: Capacity Planning for Staff Nervous Systems Teaching asks your nervous system to do a lot, all day: rapid transitions constant social demand emotional labour high sensory input high stakes decisions little recovery space So burnout prevention can’t just be “try harder to cope.” It needs a capacity lens. The Sandwich of […]
Inner Critic (Critical Parent): How to Soften that voice
How Do I Quiet My Inner Critic? (Critical Parent vs Nurturing Parent) A harsh inner critic often believes it’s helping – preventing rejection, failure, or shame. But shame rarely creates steadiness. It usually creates collapse or rebellion – beleive me I’m sharing this from a lived and professional perspective. It tightens the nervous system instead […]