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Resources

Welcome to the Resources section.

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Whether you're a parent, educator, clinician, or someone seeking personal understanding, the resources section offers links to many websites, books, clinical resources and podcasts.

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You might find some of the books and other resources in our consulting rooms if you want to check them out in person.

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Please contact us if there are other resources that would be useful to share.

Websites

Australian Childhood Foundation

The foundation exists to protect children and restore childhood through the power of love.

Trauma

Autism Awareness Australia

Useful information on understandings NDIS for Adults.

Autism

Neurodivergent Ally

Affirming Resources for Therapists, Schools, & Families

Autism | ADHD | Parenting | Education

Berry Street

Berry Street has provided services to children, young people and families for over 140 years. One of Australia’s largest independent family service organisations.

Trauma

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation provides personal child safety education to children and young people at no cost, to prevent abuse and promote lifelong health and wellbeing. 

Parenting

National Disability Insurance Scheme

The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life. 

Support

Carers SA

Carers SA is a state-wide organisation, with skilled and professional staff working across country and metropolitan South Australia.  Carers SA also provides a number of services to young people (aged 5-25) in a caring role.

Support

​“Autism is a Spectrum” Doesn’t Mean What You Think

Autism isn’t one condition. It is a collection of related neurological conditions that are so intertwined and so impossible to pick apart that professionals have stopped trying. Author: C. L. Lynch.

Autism

The Australian EDS & HSD Network

A group of medical and allied health professionals, focused on providing support for people living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD).

Autism | ADHD

Purple Orange

A social profit organisation on a mission to create a world where people who live with disability get a fair go at what life has to offer.

Support

Exam stress and neurodiversity

I’m worried about my neurodivergent teen’s stress levels during exams. How can I tell if they’re really struggling?

Parenting

Strategies for Adults Living With ADHD

With treatment and behavioral changes, you can learn how to handle ADHD to increase productivity and fulfillment. These simple, effective strategies can help you manage symptoms to focus and thrive.

ADHD

Onwards & Upwards Psychology

Sandhya is an experienced practitioner working with autistic/ADHDer children and their families to help support you in leading an authentically neurodivergent life. 

ADHD | Autism 

DSP Help  - Social Security Rights

DSP Help is a free resource for DSP applicants and their support workers. DSP Help is here to help you understand the Disability Support Pension and guide you through the application process.

Disability

Yellow Ladybugs

Yellow Ladybugs is a non-government organisation, dedicated to the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls, women and gender diverse individuals.

Autism | Neurodivergence in Women 

School Can't Australia

School Can’t Australia understands the challenges and distress of caring for a child or young person experiencing school attendance difficulties. 

Parenting

Shine SA

SHINE SA can support your sexual and reproductive health and relationship wellbeing in a safe and inclusive space. Offering comprehensive clinical services including General Practice service.

Support | Education

Reframing Autism

An Autistic-led charity, reframing the understanding of Autism through education, resources and research, underpinned by lived experience as Autistics.

Autism

CREATE Foundation

CREATE Foundation is the national consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience. 

Support

​Celebrations: Neurodivergent-friendly ideas to help make celebrations a success for the whole family

Changes to everyday routines, such as celebration days and events, can be difficult for neurodivergent people to manage and get more complex within a family situation.

Autism | ADHD | Parenting

PDA Society

The PDA Society builds awareness and understanding around PDA and demand avoidance so that everyone can get the understanding and support they need to thrive.

Autism

Discussing autism diagnosis with kids

More families are deciding when to share this information with their child. Some parents worry that doing so will “label” their child, or make others treat them differently. But what’s the best way to start that conversation? And what does your child need to know?

Autism | Parenting

Autistic Pregnancy & Parenthood Hub

Guidance, stories, research and resources for Autistic people, their families and health professionals.

Parenting

Virtual tours helping families connect

An innovative virtual tour is helping ease fear and anxiety in children ahead of supervised family visitation thanks to two colourful and animated characters.

Support

Social Media

Kristy Forbes

Kristy Forbes is an autistic/PDAer parent to autistic/PDA children and an educator.

Autism | ADHD | Neurodivergence in Women | Parenting

Chloe Hayden

Chloe Hayden is an AuDHD actor and advocate. Author of Different Not Less.

Autism | ADHD | Neurodivergence in Women

Yellow Ladybugs

Yellow Ladybugs is an organisation that helps female-identifying autistics have their voices heard.

Autism | Neurodivergence in Women

Sandhya Menon 

Sandhya Menon is an AuDHD Psychologist. Author of Brain Forest/Rainbow Brain.​

Autism | ADHD | Neurodivergence in Women

Neurowild

Em is a AuDHD Speech Pathologist, Mum to three ND kiddos, artist, and illustrator of excellent neuroaffirming educational graphics.​

Autism | ADHD | Neurodivergence in Women | Parenting

Butterfly Foundation

Butterfly is the national charity for Australians impacted by eating disorders & body image issues.

Eating Disorders

Podcasts

ADHD Mums

The ADHD MUMS podcast is a safe place where everyday Australian Mothers with real stories can discuss their struggles with ADHD, motherhood, and life.

ADHD | Parenting

Exploring Neurodiversity

The Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast from Play. Learn. Chat. is for adults who support Neurodivergent children.

ADHD | Austism | Neurodivergence in Women 

Anomalous with Em Rusciano

A love letter to the neurodivergent community and a roadmap for neurotypical people. Anomalous is at the forefront of the neurodiversity movement, reframing the way Australians have traditionally understood ADHD and Autism.

ADHD | Austism | Neurodivergence in Women 

Yellow Ladybugs

This popular podcast invites #actuallyautistic people to talk about their journey, to help you with yours. 

Autism | Neurodivergence in Women 

The Neurodivergent Woman

A podcast for neurodivergent women, hosted by clinical psychologist Monique Mitchelson and clinical neuropsychologist Michelle Livock. Covering Autism to ADHD and everything in between.

ADHD | Austism | Neurodivergence in Women 

The Neurodiversity Podcast

The Neurodiversity Podcast talks with leaders in the fields of psychology, education, and beyond, about positively impacting neurodivergent people. 

ADHD | Autism

Books

Out of the Box: A one-stop guide to navigating neurodivergence

ADHD | Autism

Front cover of book Out of the Box

The only Australian book that brings together expert advice, lived experience, interviews and up-to-date resources to help neurodivergent children thrive. 

​My Brain is a Race Car: A children's guide to a neuro-divergent brain

ADHD | Children's Book

Front cover of book My Brain is a Race Car

A story to help understanding a neurodivergent brain.

The Rainbow Brain

ADHD | Autism | Children's Book

Front cover of book The Rainbow Brain

A groundbreaking children's book that is the first of its kind to understand both autism and ADHD together.

Neurodiversity! What's That?: An introduction to neurodiversity for kids

Children's Book

Front cover of book Neurodiversity What's That

This book is a fun introduction to neurodiversity written by a neurodivergent mum aiming to improve the self-esteem and confidence of children.

ADHD Is Our Superpower: The Amazing Talents and Skills of Children with ADHD

ADHD | Children's Book

Front cover of book ADHD Is Our Superpower

In this book you will meet different girls and boys with ADHD who can do amazing things.

Hey Warrior: A book for kids about anxiety

Children's Book

Front cover of book Hey Warrior

Kids can do amazing things with the right information. Anxiety explained, kids empowered. 

The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens

Autism | Children's Book

The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide.jpg

This book explores what it feels like to be a young person on the autism spectrum and looks at all the brilliant things people on the autism spectrum can do.

Square Me, Round World: Stories of growing up in a world not built for you

ADHD | Autism

Square Me Round World.jpg

Square Me, Round World is an illuminating collection of seven short stories that perfectly capture the essence of growing up feeling different.

When my brain is messy

Autism | Children's Book

When my brain is messy.jpg

A children’s picture book about autism and how to regulate BIG emotions related to sensory processing differences.

Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed For You

Autism | ADHD | Neurodivergence in Women

Divergent Mind.jpg

A paradigm-shifting study of neurodivergent women—those with ADHD, autism, synesthesia, high sensitivity, and sensory processing disorder—exploring why these traits are overlooked in women and how society benefits from allowing their unique strengths to flourish.

Me and My PDA: A Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance for Young People

Autism | Children's Book

me and my pda.jpg

This beautifully illustrated guide helps young people (aged 10+) with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) to understand their diagnosis, develop self-awareness and implement their own personalised problem-solving strategies.

Some Brains: A book celebrating neurodiversity

ADHD | Autism | Children's Book

Front cover of book Some Brains

Some Brains encourages us all look for our strengths and to understand that brains are like fingerprints - uniquely, wonderfully ours.

The Explosive Child: Sixth Edition

Parenting

Front cover of book The Explosive Child 6th Edition

The groundbreaking, research-based approach to understanding and parenting children who frequently exhibit severe fits of temper and other challenging behaviors.

The Brain Forest

Autism | Children's Book

Front cover of book The Brain Forest

Come explore The Brain Forest, which follows a mother and her son down the path of understanding the different ways brains can be.

​The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin

Autism | Children's Book

Front cover of book The Girl Who Thought In Pictures

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin is the first book in an educational series about the inspirational lives of amazing scientists

Neurodivergent Ninja: A Children’s Book About the Gifts of Neurodiversity

Children's Book

Front cover of book Neurodivergent Ninja

Neurodivergent Ninja shares the challenges of neurodiversity. Find out what happens in this story about embracing neurodiversity.

The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods

Autism | Neurodivergence in Women

Autism-Friendly guide to periods.jpg

Promoting the fact that everyone either has periods or knows someone who does, the book reduces the anxiety girls face in asking for help.

The Autistic Trans Guide to Life

Autism

The Autistic Trans Guide to Life.jpg

This book explores what it feels like to be a young person on the autism spectrum and looks at all the brilliant things people on the autism spectrum can do.

A Different Sort of Normal

Autism | Neurodivergence in Women

A Different Sort of Normal.jpg

A real-life completely true story about being unique. The beautiful, and beautifully illustrated, true story of one girl's journey growing up autistic, and the challenges of navigating the 'normal' world around her.

Different, Not Less: A neurodivergent's guide to embracing your true self and finding your happily ever after

Autism | ADHD

Different, Not Less.jpg

This is a moving, at times funny story of how it feels to be neurodivergent as well as a practical guide, with advice for living with meltdowns and shutdowns, tips for finding supportive communities and much more.

Standing Up for Myself Book for Neurodivergent kids and teens

Autism | ADHD | Children's Book

Standing up for myself.jpg

This is a beautiful book with heartfelt and positive messages for Autistic kids and teens aged 9 to 15 years , or thereabouts. It teaches them about consent, personal space, and how to advocate for their needs.

Your Brain Is A Wonderful Place

Children's Book

Your brain is a wonderful place.jpg

A joyful, rhyming picture book that helps children understand and celebrate the many ways brains can work. Written for children aged 2–10.

Social Stories

Social stories: Step by step procedure guides

These simple step by step explanations can be used to prepare your child before a procedure to help them become familiar with the steps involved, reducing anxiety.

Autism | ADHD | Children | Parenting

Example: Going to the Hospital

An example social story for parents/carers to prepare your child for hospital. The social script has photos of the Valley Children's Healthcare centre.

Autism | ADHD | Children | Parenting

Example: My Visit to Hospital

An example social story for parents/carers to prepare your child for hospital. The social script has photos of the East Melbourne campus of St Vincent's Private Hospital.

Autism | ADHD | Children | Parenting

Say less show more

The Say Less Show More (SLSM) initiative seeks to provide support with a series of simple photo stories (visuals) that illustrate what will happen during a physical examination or blood test.

Autism | ADHD | Children | Parenting

Resources for clinicians

Autism CRC

Autism CRC provides the independent, national capacity to develop and deliver evidence-based outcomes through our unique collaboration with the autism community, research organisations, education and health professionals, industry and government.

Autism

News: Eating disorder treatment needs a different approach for neurodivergent people, advocates and experts say

Lisa Bloom has shared her story of eating disorder recovery. Author: ABC News: Brendan Esposito.

Autism | Neurodivergence in Women | Eating Disorders

Coventry Grid Research

The Coventry Grid for adults: a tool to guide clinicians in differentiating complex trauma and autism.

Autism | Trauma

Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD 

Written by two neurodivergent psychologists, this workbook offers acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and self-compassion skills tailored to the needs of neurodiverse people.

Autism | ADHD

Neurodivergent Me: Cards to Explore your Neurodivergent Identity

The ND me cards help individuals to build a positive sense of neurodivergent (ND) identity, and to overcome negative self-beliefs (e.g. “There is something wrong with me.”). 

Autism | ADHD

Modification of the Coventry
Grid Interview (Flackhill et al,
2017) to include the Pathological
Demand Avoidant profile

The Coventry Grid Interview was designed to be used by clinicians as part of a comprehensive assessment process.  This paper adds further to the Coventry Grid Interview by including items which might help to identify children with a Pathological (or Extreme) Demand Avoidant profile.

Autism | ADHD

ADHD – Executive Functioning 

​What is it like to live with ADHD? If you have ADHD, you probably know that it can affect all areas of your life. We all tend to experience ADHD a bit different, but our struggles are underpinned by the same issues. Everyone with ADHD has some issues with executive functioning.

ADHD

Talking Body Image with Autistic Young People

Developing a positive body image may help to prevent the development of eating disorders among young people.

Autism | Parenting

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

“It feels like holding back something you need to say”: Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults accounts of sensory experiences and stimming.

Autism 

Support and Adjustments

Students with literacy or numeracy difficulties require sufficient intervention to enable these students to continue to develop their literacy or numeracy skills.

Education

News: The struggle of IVF when you're neurodivergent

Liz, who works as a clinical and counselling psychologist, has been motivated by her experience to develop a program helping neurodivergent women navigate IVF. Author: ABC News, Liz Bancroft, as told to Kellie Scott

Autism 

‘I’m sick of being the problem’: Autistic mothers’ experiences of interacting with schools for their autistic children

Successful partnerships between families and schools can substantially improve children’s success in and out of school. Yet parents of autistic children often report considerable challenges with their children’s education.

Autism | Parenting

From Neurodiversity to Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice

TThere is a great deal of self-reflective work that needs to occur before therapists can genuinely adopt a neurodiversity-affirming stance.

ADHD | Autism

The Long-Term Impact of ADHD on
Children and Adolescents’ Health-Related Quality of Life

Results From a Longitudinal Population-Based Australian Study in children aged 4 to 17 years,

ADHD

Autism DSM-5

Resource from Very Helpful Chats - Autism Support Levels (a DSM-5 re-write)

Autism

Recognising and responding to physical and mental health issues in neurodivergent girls and women

We suggest how clinicians might increase their awareness of diagnosis and management of their problems with mutual benefit.

Neurodivergence in Women

ARFID at School

Successful strategies for managing ARFID at school.

Eating Disorders

The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills

Did you know that Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills can be useful for Autistic and ADHD individuals too?

Autism | ADHD

Spoon Thieves

Spoon Thieves is a deck of cards depicting the daily activities, situations, and demands that use up the mental, physical and emotional resources of autistics or ADHD-ers.​

Autism | ADHD

Investigating the mental health of Autistic working parents: A scoping review

Few studies have explored the mental health of Autistic working parents, despite mental health being a research priority for Autistic people. This scoping review aimed to assess the type and extent of evidence relating to the mental health of Autistic working parents.

Autism

Neuroaffirming care values the strengths and differences of autistic people, those with ADHD or other profiles.

At the heart of the National Autism Strategy, currently in development, is neurodiversity-affirming (neuroaffirming) care and practice. But what does this look like?
Author: The Conversation: Josephine Barbaro.

Autism 

News: Autism diagnosis can transform teens' lives, but parental response crucial to wellbeing, future outcomes

​Research psychologist and autistic advocate Dr Jac den Houting says the most critical factor for an autistic person is the response of family and friends that follows their diagnosis. Author: ABC News, Dimitria Panagiotaros.

Autism | Parenting

The Neurodivergent Students’ GuideTo Starting High School

Part of a support network in Australia
called I CAN Network. Providing mentoring for autistic and other neurodivergent kids in schools and online,

Autism | ADHD

Autism—It's Different in Girls

Research suggests Autism often looks different in females, many of whom are being misdiagnosed and missing out on the support they need.

Autism | Neurodivergence in Women 

News: Making the arts sector more inclusive, and smashing autism myths, one event at a time

A project led by autistic people has been holding events and training staff at some of Australia's biggest arts institutions to help them become more sensory-friendly. Author: ABC News, Nas Campanella and Evan Young.

ADHD | Autism 

Best practices and processes for assessment of autism spectrum disorder – the intended role of standardized diagnostic instruments: 

When used appropriately, standardized autism diagnostic instruments may inform and enhance diagnostic decision-making and treatment planning.
Author: The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 
Somer L. Bishop and Catherine Lord.

Autism

Auditory environments influence
the link between Autistic traits and
quality of life

Research into Autistic people’s auditory environments and their impacts on quality of life is limited. Results from an online survey to understand how auditory environments influence the relationships between Autistic traits and impacts on quality of life (iQoL) due to sound sensitivity.

Autism

Finding the True Number of Females with Autistic Spectrum Disorder by Estimating the Biases in Initial Recognition and Clinical Diagnosis

Starting with a clinical dataset of 1711 children <18 years old, four different methods were employed in an inductive study to identify and quantify the biases and calculate the proportion of females missed. 

Autism | Neurodivergence in Women 

Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings

Healthcare environments can be challenging for all patients but autistic people may require specific accommodations to allow equitable access. 

Autism

Burnout as experienced by autistic people

This systematic review thematically synthesised research on how autistic people understand and experience burnout.

Autism

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