Supporting Neurodiverse Children in Rose Bay

Is about listening to people's real-life stories and understanding that they're the ones who know best about their own experiences

It's about learning from what Neurodivergent people have been through to make sure their experiences are are at the centre of our learnings. This also means respecting when someone figures out that they might be neurodivergent and letting them decide how it affects them.

We advocate for change that supports your child, NOT intervention that aims to change your child

Our society is built for people whose brains work in a certain way, but not everyone's brain works like that. We are are passionate about finding and fixing the things that make it hard for people whose brains are different.

Instead of trying to change Neurodivergent people, we should change the world around them to make it easier for them.

We believe all play is ok

Identity is unique

Validating differences means not calling differences problems, but seeing them as part of what makes people unique. It's like saying, "It's okay to be different."

When we talk about neurodiversity, it means there's not one "normal" way for our brains to work.

It's important to know that saying differences are okay doesn't mean we're ignoring the aspects that are hard for Neurodivergent people or the help they might need. It just means we don't think of those aspects as bad, or like Neurodivergent people are failing at something.

Respect autonomy

Respecting autonomy means letting people be in charge of their own bodies and choices. It means they can say no to things and decide what's good or not good for them. Only they know what's best for them.

We show respect for autonomy by:

  • Letting people control what happens to their own bodies.

  • Letting them decide what they want to achieve.

  • Allowing them to make choices about their lives.

  • Listening to their own stories and understanding their experiences.

  • Letting them choose how they want to deal with their differences.

Strengths based approach

We presume competence and take a strengths based approach in our practice.

Presuming competence means believing that everyone can understand, think, learn, and do things, instead of just focusing on their challenges.

Honouring all forms of communication

Everyone communicates in different ways, and talking with your voice isn't the only way to do it. Everyone should have a way to talk that works for them.

We make sure everyone can communicate by:

  • Finding out what ways each person likes to communicate.

  • Teaching ways like AAC (that's short for Augmentative and Alternative Communication) to people and their families.

We should support and understand everyone, no matter how they communicate.

Nurturing positive self identity

Feeling good about who we are is really important for people whose brains work differently.

We support Neurodivergent people feel good about themselves by:

  • Recognising that being different is okay.

  • Figuring out what they’re really good at.

  • Talking about and understanding any feelings of shame they might have.

  • Finding friends who understand them and make them feel good.

  • Helping them to change how they talk about themselves.