NeuroThrive Health

18/11/2025

If your neurodivergent child becomes overwhelmed by noise, routine changes, social demand, or school pressure, there is solid science behind it. Neurodivergent brains use different pathways in the sensory system, the prefrontal cortex, and the amygdala. This means their nervous system reaches overload faster and stays in stress mode longer.

This is NOT misbehaviour. It IS a biological stress response.

School terms place neurodivergent children under constant cognitive and sensory load. Their cortisol rhythm becomes dysregulated. Heart rate variability drops. Their system shifts into survival mode and stays there.

This is why you see:
😡bigger emotions
😫sensory overwhelm
😴fatigue
🫨avoidance
😵shutdowns
😲difficulty coping

The holiday break is not just time off. It is one of the only periods each year where your child has space to decompress and restore their baseline.

This is exactly what the Nervous System Reset Program is designed to support.
You learn the science behind your child’s stress responses and sensory thresholds. You get an in depth initial consultation so I can understand your child’s patterns and the load they have been carrying. Then we create your personalised nervous system road map so you know exactly how to support them through the holidays. You also receive a return session during the break so we refine your tools and strengthen regulation while their system is more receptive.
Six weeks is the perfect window to create real change in your child’s nervous system.

This is NOT quick fix advice.
This IS evidence based support for neurodivergent children who finally have room to breathe.

18/11/2025

Therapy dogs are not just cute distractions. They are evidence based partners in care who create measurable shifts in the brain and body that support anxiety reduction and improved concentration.

When a calm and well trained dog enters the room, several things happen at once. The nervous system begins to shift out of a threat state because gentle touch and warm social connection increase oxytocin and reduce cortisol. Research shows that simply interacting with a therapy dog can lower heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and help the brain move out of constant vigilance. This is why many children and adults feel their shoulders drop the moment a therapy dog settles beside them.

Therapy dogs also help with focus. Studies in school settings and counselling settings repeatedly show that students concentrate for longer periods when a trained dog is present. The presence of a dog increases dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters that support learning, motivation, and emotional regulation. It is not magic. It is physiology doing exactly what it is designed to do when safety is restored.

There is also the social piece. Many clients, especially children and neurodivergent young people, find it easier to open up when the conversation starts with a dog. A therapy dog acts as a bridge. They create a gentle entry point for connection and allow the therapeutic relationship to form without pressure or forced eye contact. This effect is well recognised in research on animal assisted therapy and social communication.

All of this makes therapy dogs powerful allies. They reduce anxiety, deepen connection, and support the parts of the brain needed for concentration and learning. In other words, they make the therapeutic work more effective because the client finally feels safe enough for their system to settle.

16/11/2025

Sundays in our house are full of golden energy, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑜, 𝐼 𝑑𝑜n'𝑡 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝐾-𝑝𝑜𝑝 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑡. I think they have finally moved on. I mean quite literally, with our Goldies.

They have their own version of Sunday-Funday which mostly involves chasing things, finding sticks, and collecting their little glimmers, those joy-bringing treasures that make the world exciting.

At seventeen weeks old, River is still discovering everything for the first time, while Sage has stepped into the role of patient big sister, gently showing him the ropes and occasionally stealing his toys. Watching them play is the perfect reminder that joy and connection are medicine for the nervous system.

For dogs and humans alike, play keeps the body relaxed and the mind curious.

So today, follow the Goldies’ lead. Get outside, laugh, move, and let the day unfold slowly. Maybe take a moment to notice your own glimmers too, the small things that make you feel alive and grounded.

Because rest and fun are both forms of regulation, and both are completely necessary. 🌱

14/11/2025

It’s Fri-yay legends!
Our golden's remind me every day how healing play and connection can be.

River and Sage are becoming the best of friends, learning each other’s rhythm and sharing plenty of muddy adventures (thanks to the glorious Brisbane weather) along the way.

Whether you’re a human or a pup, I hope this weekend brings moments of play, rest, and connection. That’s how nervous systems reset and bodies heal.

13/11/2025

Calm Starts in the Gut
If your child’s mood, focus, or energy feels all over the place, the gut might be part of the story.

Inside the digestive tract lives an entire community of bacteria that help make neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, the same chemicals that regulate mood, attention, and motivation. When this gut environment is out of balance, kids can experience bloating, irritability, fatigue, sugar cravings, or emotional ups and downs that do not seem to match what is happening around them.

One of the easiest ways to start supporting the gut and brain connection is through food:
🌱 Add colour. Every shade of fruit or vegetable feeds different beneficial bacteria.
🌾 Include a variety of fibres such as oats, chia seeds, and lentils.
💧 Keep fluids up so fibre can do its job properly.

A happy gut helps create a calmer brain. If you have noticed your child is running on empty this term, now is the perfect time to reset their foundation before the new school year begins.

09/11/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭
Every year around this time, I start seeing the same pattern in families.
Children who have been holding it together for months begin to unravel.
😴Sleep becomes restless.
🫨Emotions are big.
🦠Their immune systems drop the moment school ends.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲’𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭.

After months of constant structure, social demands, and sensory load, the nervous system finally slows enough to process everything that has been held in.
I created the Holiday Nervous System Reset to meet children in this space of recovery.

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒.

This is when we can support better sleep, calmer moods, steadier energy, and healthier digestion. Six weeks may seem short, but it is enough to make meaningful changes that carry into the new school year.

If your child is showing signs of burnout or overwhelm, this is a gentle opportunity to restore balance and begin the year from a calmer place.

🌿 Online consults available through December and January
💬 Message me for details and I will send them through personally (no bots here)

08/11/2025

Kids (everybody, really) Need Fibre for a Healthy Gut
Fibre does so much more than keep things moving, it’s one of the most important building blocks for your child’s gut and overall wellbeing.
Here are 5 ways it helps:

Feeds good gut bacteria
Fibre is what our healthy gut microbes eat. When those bacteria thrive, they produce short-chain fatty acids that support gut lining health and even influence mood and focus.

Supports regular bowel movements
Fibre helps bulk up and soften stools, which prevents constipation and keeps waste moving efficiently through the digestive tract.

Regulates blood sugar and energy
A steady intake of fibre slows the absorption of sugars from food, reducing energy crashes and mood swings (especially important for kids who are sensitive to fluctuations).

Supports immune balance
Around 70% of the immune system lives in the gut. When gut bacteria are well-fed, they help train and regulate the immune response, reducing inflammation and reactivity.

Helps with fullness and appetite regulation
Fibre slows digestion, helping kids feel satisfied for longer and stabilising hunger cues throughout the day.

Good fibre sources for kids include fruits, vegetables, oats, flax meal, chia seeds, beans, lentils, and whole grains. Start slow and make it fun!

A healthy gut helps shape a calmer nervous system and more balanced mood, it’s one of the simplest but most powerful foundations for long-term wellbeing.

07/11/2025

Look, I know it’s only November, but in just a few short weeks the holidays will be here, and honestly, it’s the perfect time to focus on your child’s nervous system.
😴Maybe they aren’t sleeping well.
😔Maybe friendships have been tricky.
🫨Maybe they’re melting down the second you see them at pick up.
😵Maybe you’ve been navigating school refusal every morning and you're counting down to the break.

The Christmas holidays offer a rare window of time we don’t get during the school year; Six whole weeks to pause, rest, and reset the nervous system.

Where we can slow down, rebuild gut/mood balance, and help your child’s body feel safe again, so they get the opportunity to start Term 1 fully supported.

And the best part? You don’t need to cram in after school appointments when everyone’s fried, and you don’t even need to leave the house. All consults are online, at a pace that actually feels doable.

If your child’s nervous system has been running on fumes, this is your window to reset and restore before next year begins.

📅 Holiday consult bookings are now open.
I also have some options depending on how you want to work

06/11/2025

𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭: 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

The holidays are almost upon us, and this is the perfect time to help your child’s nervous system rest, recover, and find balance again.
😴Maybe they aren’t sleeping well.
😔Maybe school friendships have been tough.
🤯Maybe every afternoon feels like walking on eggshells.
🫨Or maybe you’re facing school refusal and counting down the days until the term finally ends.

The Christmas holidays give us something we don’t get during the year which is space to slow down, breathe, and reset. Six full weeks where we can calm an overloaded system, rebuild gut and mood balance, and help your child feel safe and steady again before Term 1.

And the best part? You don’t have to leave home. Consults are online, gentle, and completely tailored to your child’s needs.

If your child’s nervous system has been running on fumes, this is your window to reset and restore before next year begins.

Wait, there are options!

𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏:
-Pay as you go for The Holiday Reset Program (without the discounted rate)
- Simply book an initial appt via link below to uncover what’s driving your child’s overwhelm and create a personalised holiday plan.
- Standard consult rates apply and are outlined on the website.

𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐:
Pay upfront for The Holiday Reset Program, which includes:
💚Your initial consult
💚Report of Findings Appointment
💚Return session
- These are at a discounted rate
- Ongoing support over the holidays to help your child rest, regulate, and feel ready for Term 1.

𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂 𝑭𝑹𝑬𝑬 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒘

If you’d like the full details about the Holiday Nervous System Reset Package, just message me or comment below and I’ll send them through to you personally. I don’t have fancy tech that sends automatic links or instant replies (I’d rather connect with real people, have a chat, and make sure it’s the right fit for your family).

Bookings: https://www.neurothrive.com.au/theneurodivergentnaturopath-consultations

The Neurodivergent Naturopath. Holistic naturopathic care for children, teens, and families. Support for gut health, mood, immunity, hormones and neurodivergent wellbeing.

06/11/2025

We’re officially at that part of the year where everyone’s running on caffeine, cortisol, and Christmas concerts. If your child’s meltdowns are getting louder (and your patience thinner), you’re in the right place.

It’s been a long year for little nervous systems (and for parents too!!) This week I’ve been sharing a bit about what happens when kids finally stop: the exhaustion, the emotions, the sudden colds… and why it’s all part of the body’s reset process.

Tomorrow I’m dropping something I’ve been quietly working on for families who want to use the holidays to rebuild calm.

05/11/2025

What the nervous system REALLY needs over the holidays

By the time the end of term rolls around, most kids’ nervous systems are done.
They’ve been holding it together through noisy classrooms, changing routines, friendship challenges, and constant sensory input so when the holidays arrive, everything just… unravels.

And have you ever noticed they often get sick right as the term ends?
That’s not bad luck...it’s biology.

When the body finally stops running on adrenaline, the immune system can take a breath, too, and that’s when all the little viruses waiting in the wings decide to show up.

The holidays are actually one of the BEST times to support recovery and repair. Mornings can be calmer. Meals can be shared without rushing. There’s more sunshine, play, and space for the body and brain to slow down enough to heal.

This is when we can start teaching the nervous system what safety feels like again, through rest, nourishment, and support for the gut–brain connection.

In a couple of days, I’m sharing something special to help families use this window to build their nervous systems back up by laying some foundational blocks before Term 1 begins.

04/11/2025

It’s been a while since I’ve popped up here…
I promise I haven’t disappeared, I’ve just been deep in consults, writing, wrangling life with three neurospicy kids (and the golden retrievers, did you see our new boy, River, yet?) and also grieving the loss of my nanna.

It’s been a full season, but I’m really looking forward to sharing more about what’s been happening inside NeuroThrive again. There’s been so much growth in the families I’ve worked with lately; calmer mornings, better sleep, fewer meltdowns, and more smiles all round.

If you’ve been feeling like your child’s nervous system is running on fumes, you’re definitely not alone. I’ve got something special coming later this week that might just be the reset you’ve been waiting for. 🌿

P.S. River is deep in his therapy dog training, getting ready to be your child’s new favourite therapist 🩷