True Colours Connect

23/02/2026

I could not love this more❤️ 🌈brute made me look! Glad I did 👀

The other day, I let my Autistic/ADHD 12 year old BRIEFLY out of my sight.... and came back to her screaming like a Pterodactyl,

with her hands in clawed,
T-rex pose,

as she chased a 30+ year old
bearded man,
towards the parking lot.

I had only stepped into the park bathroom for 4 minutes.

Was she having some kind of meltdown??!! This wasn't like her!
_________________________

The man looked scared, as he ran to a truck and climbed in.

Eleanor threw a handful of dirt at his truck and kept shouting.

It sounded like she said "I will YEET you to the curb, Son!"

What was going on??!!
_____________________________

Before I could even process, a small, androgynous tween--
wearing black jeggings, a button up cardigan over a t shirt, and a knit cap--
approached my child,
and burst into tears.

"Eleanor!" I shouted.
___________________________

She looked at me and grinned,
"Don't worry, Mom. I took care of it. That a** grown man was commenting on this kid's butt and how clothes fit their curves.

It was making them uncomfortable. It was gross. They're like...my age.

And he was following them but didn't look like he was with them.

So I made a scene, got loud, and acted crazy. It worked!"

The tween nodded and smiled at Eleanor.
________________________

I was torn between concern and admiration. I hugged her and asked, "How did you get so confident?"

Eleanor beamed.
"Well...I wasn't, really. I was anxious, but then I remembered what you told me, one time.

You said I should never comply with people who want me to be a quiet victim.

I should make noise and draw attention, because being quiet only helps the PREDATOR.

And Predators get nervous when Prey acts crazy.

In the wild, animal Predators think
the Prey has some kind of contagious disease causing the behavior change.

And in people, Predators think
the Prey might have some secret weap*n that could cause lasting damage to the Predator."
________________________

I kissed Eleanor's forehead.

"And your secret weapon is wisdom, isn't it?!"
_________________________

*paraphrasing*

Eleanor grinned again, "Nah. It's Autism.

Because I'm Autistic, people try to act like I'm super unusual and hard to include but it's not true.

They just don't want to bother.

I see it happen all the time and I notice because my brain is really good with patterns.

But it isn't just Autistics who get treated like that.

Girls get it too!

People tell you to act like a lady but really they mean you should be submissive. Like Prey.

A lady takes only what she is offered. She smiles even when she is upset.

A lady has to accomodate herself because she can't let anyone know she needs help.

I can't do that. I'm Autistic.

When I'm upset, I Tic.
Then I need to stim to calm down.

I can't hide that they are making me uncomfortable.

They are gonna a notice me.

They are gonna think I'm vulnerable.

There's no point in cooperating. So, I gotta go off script and imitate them.

If they are weird and creepy, I gotta get weird and creepy.

If they are taking up too much space, I gotta invade THEIR space.

It freaks them OUT.

People think Autistics have to follow the same patterns every time but they don't get that only applies to sensory stuff.

When it comes to social stuff, we don't give a f**k what people think!"
____________________________

"I like your strategy. But next time, please alert me to what's going on."

Eleanor didn't answer me.

She asked the tween for their phone and put her number in it. She told them to text if they ever needed help.

The tween took off.

Then Eleanor took my hand as we walked to our car.
_____________________

"I didn't need to alert you," she said. "I know precisely how long your bathroom breaks take. You were about to come out. I time you."

"You time me?" I asked.

"LOL, Mom, duh. Brave doesn't mean I'm not anxious. I often count when you aren't with me. It keeps my brain busy."

"Your brain is always busy," I replied.

"Yeah," Eleanor laughed, "How else am I gonna change the world?!"
_________________________

So....that was my most memorable interaction in the last week.

Did YOU have any memorable experiences lately?

Anyone make you really angry?
Or really proud?

Anyone make you laugh?
_____________________________

*picture from the Drag Bingo I recently took Eleanor to. Drag Queens are FIERCE and I wanted to give her some awesomely fierce, role models. Loads more pics in the comments.

09/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1WhMnNXQcp/?mibextid=wwXIfr

28/01/2026

Let’s Talk About “School Can’t” — The Part Nobody Sees

Every time I write about school can’t, parents message me in tears, not because they’ve failed, but because someone finally put words to their lived reality.

School can’t is not:
✘ defiance
✘ manipulation
✘ entitlement
✘ “picking and choosing”
✘ a parenting issue

School can’t is a nervous system response.
It is the body saying, “I have reached my limit.”

And once you see it through that lens, the entire story changes.

What school can’t actually looks like?
It’s the child who wants to go but physically can’t get out of bed.
It’s the one who gets dressed, then collapses in tears by the door.
It’s the teen who tries to walk through the gate but freezes.
It’s the child who holds it together all day, then melts down the moment they get home.
It’s headaches, nausea, shutdowns, irritability, panic, overwhelm.
It’s the child who can’t explain why, because they don’t know either.

It’s a body-level NO, not a behaviour-level no.

Why school can’t happens (especially for PDAers):
✔️ Constant demands from the moment they wake
✔️ Transitions, unpredictability, noise, expectations
✔️ Being evaluated all day long
✔️ Social pressure + masking
✔️ Loss of autonomy
✔️ Executive functioning overload
✔️ Sensory overwhelm
✔️ Feeling misunderstood or unsafe
✔️ Burnout that nobody knew was building

School can’t usually arrives after years of coping, pushing, masking, trying, and absorbing more than their nervous system could hold.

The hardest part for parents:
It looks invisible to the outside world.
You hear things like:
“Just make them go.”
“They need resilience.”
“You’re enabling this.”
“They’ll fall behind.”
“Everyone has to go to school.”

But your child isn’t fighting school.
They’re fighting their nervous system.

And you’re the one holding it all, the guilt, the pressure, the fear, the judgment, the unknown future.

What actually helps?

Reduce pressure, not increase it
Force makes school can’t worse, not better.

Create safety first
No child learns, copes, or connects in fight-or-flight.

Look for early warning signs
Irritability, avoidance, shutdowns, lateness, tummy aches, school refusal mornings, these are communication.

Explore alternative pathways
Part-time loads, online learning, interest-led education, TAFE, homeschooling, flexible timetables, all valid.

Support recovery from burnout
Rest is not giving up.
Rest is the bridge back to stability.

Use collaboration, not compliance
“What would make school feel safer?”
“What’s the hardest part of the day?”
“How can we work together?”

Know that this isn’t always permanent
Children who experience school can’t can thrive. just not under pressure.

And to the families living this:
You’re not failing.
You’re not imagining it.
You’re not creating the problem.
You’re witnessing your child hit a limit that most people never see
and you’re choosing compassion over force.

That makes you a safe parent, not an enabling one.

12/01/2026

12/01/2026

Weekend creative expression…

Starting with repainted wooden blocks and curiosity…
ending with three unexpected visitors: a peacock, an eagle, and a deer.

A reminder of the beauty that can emerge when we create without pressure — and let the process speak first.

07/01/2026

✨ Studio Window Reset – Summer Water Worlds ✨

Our studio window has been gently reset into a summer water theme — a sensory invitation inspired by the warmer days and the way water can soothe, regulate, and open imagination.

Inside the window are three small therapeutic worlds:

🌊 Ocean World — mermaids, treasure and underwater landscapes for wonder, depth, and adventure
🏖️ Pool Fun — playful scenes of drinks, floaties and selfies for joy, connection, and lightness
🌳 Park & Pond — picnic moments, still water and gentle nature scenes for rest, safety, and calm

Water can be a symbol of regulation, emotion, movement and renewal. As Melbourne heats up, we wanted the studio window to reflect something that can visually “cool” the nervous system, while offering different emotional doorways — excitement, playfulness, or quiet ease.

Which world would you choose today?

Next time you walk past, take a moment to notice which scene your body and imagination are drawn to. Our choices often tell a story. ✨

06/01/2026

Today in the studio, Brianna and I gave the art table a little glow-up 🌈

No big plan.
No mood board.
Just colours, curiosity, and a “let’s see what happens” kind of energy.

We moved things around, added splashes of fun, followed what felt good, and let the table become whatever it wanted to become.

And honestly… it was so much fun.

A little reminder that not everything has to start with a concept.
Sometimes the magic is in just going for it.
Hands in. Colours out. Trusting the process.

The studio feels extra happy tonight 💛✨

— Lisa
True Colours Connect

19/12/2025

Gratitude as We Wrap Up 2025 💫

As we take a short break over the holidays, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to every single person who walked through our doors this year — especially those who journeyed near and far to find us at our new location. 🌈

Your trust, presence, and courage have made 2025 incredibly special.

We’re so grateful to be part of your story, and we can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.

Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season and a bright start to the New Year. ✨

With warmth,
True Colours Connect

01/12/2025

Spending a little birthday break in Dromana because I’m turning the big 5-0!
Took a wander down to Rosebud today and found these amazing 3D earrings by — total mermaid magic. 🧜‍♀️✨
Thank you Natalie, it was so lovely meeting you and your mum!
Charlie is hanging with me in this pic as we head back to our cosy spot with my lil fam… and of course, a stash of art supplies. 🎨💛
Feeling grateful, colourful and almost fifty!

21/11/2025

We have a new little friend in the studio now! She’s a little shy and may blend in with her surroundings sometimes! But if you look closely you will spot her! ………What should we name her? 🌈

12/11/2025

Very exciting to have this beautiful new store open up two doors down from True Colours Connect ! Shoutout to the beautiful Clare for joining us in mount street, go in and say hello and purchase some goodies! Christmas is literally weeks away!!!!

05/11/2025

Time well spent.