http://www.neuroinclusion.com.au/

Neuroinclusion, 1 Merino Entrance, Perth (2026)

11/01/2026

Sensory seeking is the nervous system communicating a need to regulate that deserves support rather than shame. 💫

Many neurodivergent people seek movement, pressure, sound, textures or visual input because it helps them feel safe, focused and regulated 🧠

It can look like:
✨ constant movement or crashing
✨ touching or fidgeting
✨ chewing clothing or pencils
✨ loving strong flavours,
✨ bright lights
✨ playing or making loud music

📌 How OTs support sensory seekers
Neurodiversity-affirming OTs try to understand it. We assess sensory needs, identify what supports regulation, adapt environments, and provide practical strategies that respect autonomy. 🧠

📌 Why infantilising supports are a problem
Teens and adults are often given tools called “toys” or reward systems. This can create shame, ignore identity and prioritise “looking compliant” over feeling regulated. Support should be individualised, holistic and collaborative. 🌈

📚 Our new Sensory Seeking eBook explores the why, the nervous system, and practical strategies you can use right away.

📩 Want the link?
👉 Comment “SENSORY” or DM us and we’ll send it to you.

11/01/2026

📘 New Resource Alert: Sensory Seeking eBook Now Available! 🎉

At Neuroinclusion, we know that understanding sensory needs is essential for creating truly inclusive environments where neurodivergent people can thrive. That’s why we’re excited to share our latest resource with you:

👉 Sensory Seeking eBook is our new neurodiversity-affirming guide written by a neurodivergent occupational therapist.

This eBook dives deep into:
✨ What sensory seeking really looks like
✨ Why it matters for regulation, engagement and wellbeing
✨ Practical strategies you can start using today at home, in the classroom, in clinic, or in community spaces

Whether you’re a parent, educator, therapist, or support worker, this resource helps you move from guesswork to confidence. This equips you with the knowledge to support sensory seekers with respect, empathy and effectiveness.

📥 Small investment. Big impact.
Make sensory seeking understood and design environments that let every body and mind flourish.

🔗 Grab your copy here: https://www.neuroinclusion.com.au/product-page/sensory-seeking-ebook

10/01/2026

NEURODIVERGENCE & DRIVING 🚗✨

Driving is a meaningful occupation that supports independence, employment, community access, choice, control and social connection. Occupational therapists support safe, confident and skilled driving for people across the neurodivergent spectrum.

🔎 Important reminder:
NOT ALL TYPES OF NEURODIVERGENCE = UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Eligibility to drive is determined through specific on- and off-road assessments completed by a Driver Trained OT and GP, based on legal fitness-to-drive standards. Support, adjustments and the right pathway matter.

🧭 What Driver Trained Occupational Therapists do (Australia):
• Complete clinical off-road and on-road driving assessments
• Provide reports to licensing authorities
• Recommend strategies, supports & vehicle modifications
• Understand sensory, attention and regulation differences
• Advocate with licensing agencies
• Support NDIS participants where appropriate
• Explore alternative transport options when needed

🆚 Driving Instructors ≠ Driving OTs
Driving instructors teach road rules and vehicle handling (important!)
They are not trained to assess medical fitness to drive, complete licensing reports, or clinically support neurodivergent needs. Best outcomes happen when instructors work with a Driver Trained OT, rather than instead of one.

🛣️ Accessing a Driving OT:
• Ask your GP or health professional
• Self-refer to a Driver Trained OT service
• Use NDIS funding under Improved Daily Living where it aligns to goals
• Search via Occupational Therapy Australia and filter for “Driver Trained”

⚖️ Licensing outcome ≠ quality of OT
Not everyone will obtain a licence. That disappointment is valid.
Driving OTs balance goals, legal responsibility, safety, and thorough assessment. Outcomes must be both supportive and safe.

📚 Important resource to know:
The 2022 Assessing Fitness to Drive standards recognise autism as needing individual assessment, not blanket assumptions.

💙 Neurodivergent people deserve equitable access to driving pathways, informed support, and clinicians who understand their brains.

08/01/2026

Following our team’s PD from Sue McCabe yesterday, we have to share more about OTs and sleep. 💤

Understanding how sleep works can make a huge difference to how we support ourselves (and our kids and clients) to rest well 😴

🧠 Process S – Sleep Pressure
This is our homeostatic sleep drive. The longer we’re awake, the more “sleep pressure” builds, making us feel sleepier as the day goes on. It’s driven by the build-up of adenosine in the brain.
☕ Caffeine blocks adenosine, which is why it helps us feel more awake.
🏃‍♂️ More activity and exertion during the day → greater sleep pressure → often better sleep quality and quantity.

🌗 Process C – Circadian Rhythm
This is our internal body clock ⏰ It helps our body recognise when it’s time to be alert and when it’s time to sleep.
☀️ Morning light is the strongest signal, suppressing melatonin and promoting wakefulness.
🌙 Reducing light exposure in the evening supports melatonin release and prepares the body for sleep.

🛌 Sleep Architecture
This is the structure of our sleep, cycling through stages (NREM 1, 2, 3 and REM) in 90–110 minute cycles.
🌊 Deep sleep dominates earlier in the night, with REM increasing toward morning.
This patterned cycling supports memory, learning, emotional regulation, and overall health. Differences in sleep architecture can signal sleep disorders.

💡 Key takeaways:
✔️ Light matters
✔️ Routine helps
✔️ Movement supports sleep pressure
✔️ Neurodivergent people may have unique sleep needs and honouring this is important

If this was helpful, save this post for later and share with someone who struggles with sleep ✨

07/01/2026

You are not a burden 💛

You are not a burden for having support needs that others don’t.

You are not a burden for needing a familiar person to co-regulate with.

You are not a burden for requiring sensory supports to feel safe and regulated.

You are not a burden for relying on therapy to process your emotions.

You are not a burden for having boundaries that protect your health.

You are not a burden for needing reminders or help with daily tasks.

You are not a burden for using communication aids and supports.

Your needs are human needs.
Support is not something you have to earn.

Interdependence is how humans are meant to thrive. 🌱

If this resonates, save this post for the days the shame creeps in.

And if you support someone else, let this be your reminder to meet needs with compassion, not judgement. 💬✨

06/01/2026

✨ HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT ✨

We are beyond excited to share that Neuroinclusion is expanding to MELBOURNE ✨

✅ From February 2026, our neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy services will officially be available in-person in Victoria.

🗺️ This expansion has been a long-held dream. Growing up in Western Melbourne, I’ve always aimed to support more neurodivergent children, teens, adults and families with care that is affirming, ethical and grounded in lived experience 💛

✨ What this means:
• Neurodiversity-affirming OT
• Strengths-based, individualised support
• Experienced clinicians who get it

📣 Spots are already filling fast, so if you’re in Melbourne and have been waiting for Neuroinclusion, now is the best time.

👉 Send through your enquiries ASAP to secure a place for February 2026.

Melbourne, we can’t wait to work alongside you 🫶

05/01/2026

Have you heard of this? 👂

Emotion Coaching is a neurodiversity-affirming strategy to process and understand emotions. 💛

💻 Developed by Dr John Gottman Emotion Coaching is a 5-step, relational approach that builds emotional intelligence, regulation and connection.

💡 Instead of asking “How do we stop this behaviour?”
Emotion Coaching asks “What is this emotion trying to tell us?”

🧠✨ Emotion Coaching supports all of neurodiversity to:
• recognise emotions as they happen
• name and validate emotional experiences
• feel safe enough to express big feelings
• learn regulation skills over time (not in the moment of distress)

📚 It’s strengths-based, connection-focused, and grounded in the belief that emotions are information to be processed and understood.

When we prioritise relationship over control, we create emotionally safe spaces where children, teens and adults can grow, self-advocate and regulate in ways that work for their nervous system.

Because emotional skills aren’t taught through compliance.
They’re learned through connection 🤍

04/01/2026

Clear instructions = neuroinclusive practice 🧠✨📋

Many people don’t struggle with doing tasks. We can struggle with unclear, implied, or overwhelming instructions 😮‍💨💭

Neuroinclusive instructions:
• are explicit, not assumed 🗣️➡️🧠
• are broken into manageable steps 🪜
• are offered in multiple formats 📝🎧📸
• use clear, concrete language 🔍
• reduce cognitive and sensory load 🌿
• normalise asking for clarification 🙋‍♀️💬

This isn’t about “lowering standards” 🚫⬇️
It’s about removing unnecessary barriers so people can access expectations fairly 🛠️⚖️

When instructions are clear, people feel safer 🫶, more confident 💪, and more capable, for all humans 🧠🌈

Clarity is care 💛
Inclusion is intentional 🎯

03/01/2026

Book now to be apart of our Creative Crews at our Osborne Park Clinic ✨

💡 Our Creative Crews are small, neurodiversity-affirming group sessions designed (one for teenagers and another for adults) who want space to create alongside others, without pressure, comparison or deadlines.

✍️ Bring your own craft ideas and materials, or explore the creative supplies available on the day. This isn’t a structured class. It’s a body-doubling space where ideas can unfold naturally, inspiration can flow, and creativity is supported through shared presence 🤍

🎨 Whether you’re painting, drawing, stitching, building, or experimenting with something new, you’re welcome exactly as you are.
✨ Led by an occupational therapist
✨ All skill levels
✨ All identities
✨ No rush, no rules, no expectations
✨ Follow your own flow

📍 OSBORNE PARK CLINIC
🎨 CREATIVE KIDS CREW
📅 13th of January 2026
⏰ 1:30–3:30pm

📍 OSBORNE PARK CLINIC
🎨 CREATIVE ADULTS CREW
📅 14th of January 2026
⏰ 1:30–3:30pm

Come create with others for connection and joy. 💫

📧 DM us to learn more or secure your spot today as there’s only 4 spots per group

30/12/2025

✨ NEW YEAR. NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

🗓️ 2026 gives us 365 chances to do better for ourselves, our communities, and all of our neurodiversity.

🌈 365 opportunities to create more inclusion
• Validate all experiences & identities equally
• Value diversity in humanity
• Advocate for equitable access to supports
• Prioritise health & wellbeing
• Stay curious, not judgmental
• Actively address discrimination
• Design systems that honour fluctuating capacity
• Create affirming environments

✅ 365 opportunities to set realistic, compassionate goals
• Identify your preferred experiences & needs
• Build a regulation toolbox
• Celebrate progress over perfection
• Align actions with your values
• Maintain support systems
• Make time for pleasure
• Support consistent hygiene
• Accept fluctuating capacity (because it’s human)

📣 365 opportunities to advocate for neurodiversity
• Amplify minority voices
• Build inclusive education options
• Learn from neurodivergent people
• Reduce people-pleasing & fawning
• Push for fairer funding criteria
• Support neurodivergent leaders
• Change policies
• Be an active ally

✨ Inclusion is a daily practice.
Let’s make 2026 the year we design a world that works for more people.

💬 What’s one way you’re committing to neuroinclusion this year?

28/12/2025

Our most-used OT resources of 2025 🧠✨
(Not an ad)

🌈 These were the tools we reached for again and again to support our beautifully diverse clients. This is not because they’re flashy, but because they work:

🛝 Soft play — regulation, confidence and joy
🫧 Bubbles — breath, rhythm and shared attention
🛋️ Baha bean bag — deep pressure and safe rest
📊 MYSET assessment — understanding sensory profiles, not “behaviour”
🐒 Funky monkey bars playground — strength, risk-taking and fun
🃏 Uno & card games — connection, turn-taking and flexibility
🧠 Spoon theory cards — language for capacity and energy
🧪 Slime, putty & Play-Doh — regulation through the hands
📝 Whiteboards — low-pressure planning and expression
📦 Cardboard — creativity, autonomy and endless possibility

Because meaningful therapy isn’t about expensive equipment.
It’s about safety, curiosity, choice and meeting people where they’re at 💛

27/12/2025

Executive functioning isn’t something you either have or don’t have. It’s actually a set of cognitive skills that change across the lifespan 🧠✨

📚 From early childhood to adulthood, executive functioning develops, fluctuates and is shaped by our nervous system, environment, emotional load and support. Stress, burnout, trauma, sensory overload, life transitions and health all impact our access to skills like planning, organisation, task initiation, emotional regulation and flexibility.

✨ For neurodivergent people, these differences require more understanding and compassion as part of our neurodiversity. Executive functioning can look strong in one season of life and inaccessible in another. That doesn’t mean skills have been lost. It means capacity has changed.

💡 When we stop blaming individuals and start adjusting expectations, environments and supports, people across all ages are more likely to thrive. Supporting executive functioning isn’t about pushing harder. It is about creating safety, reducing load and working with our nervous systems 💛

📘 We’ve just released our brand new ebook exploring executive functioning across the lifespan through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. This digital pdf offers practical, evidence-informed and grounded in real-world support.

👉 Comment “YES PLEASE” below and we’ll send you the link to get your own copy.

🧠 Because understanding executive functioning changes everything.

Neuroinclusion

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