Frances Kaplan Educational Psychologist

04/11/2025

The holidays can be a time of joy, connection, and rest, but for many neurodivergent families, they can also bring disruption, sensory overload, and stress. Between changes in routine, travel, unfamiliar environments, and social expectations, even the most wonderful time of the year can feel overwhelming.

Join us for a gentle, affirming workshop where we’ll explore how to create a holiday season that feels safe, meaningful, and genuinely joyful for your neurodivergent family.

Together, we’ll discuss:

🌲 Why changes in routine and environment can feel destressing for autistic individuals

🎁 How to manage gifts, surprises, and sensory overload in a way that honours everyone’s needs

🕯️ Practical ways to maintain regulation, connection, and calm

💬 Strategies for communicating support needs with extended family and friends

❤️ Creating your own family traditions that feel authentic and sustainable

This is not about perfection, it’s about finding connection, comfort, and joy in ways that work for you.

Let’s reimagine the holidays, together.

25/10/2025

16/10/2025

Recognising your neurodivergence is the beginning of a marvelous adventure, but my question following a feedback session is always: "So what?"

What does this mean for you?
What does this mean for work?
What does this mean for home?
What does this mean for school?
What does this mean going forward?

The purpose of assessing is to answer questions and put in place support. It may also mean working through some deep-seated trauma. Sometimes, it shifts your entire world view, rewriting your past, present, and future. While that sounds scary, it's often the birth place of forgiveness, connection, and belonging.

15/10/2025

I see how fearful clients are when coming in to be assessed. They are worried that I will find something wrong with them, or that I won't understand. They write out pages of information to jog their memory, and they send me numerous e-mails with evidence of their lived experience.

But a good assessor isn't looking to make you less. We are simply trying to answer questions that you have, for example, "why am I struggling so much?"

I love stories, and I pick data from your narrative. Sure, I'll add some questionnaires and ask for reports from your youth. But the real nuanced data, come from hearing you tell your story.

#

14/10/2025

Allow me to reintroduce myself.

13/10/2025

For the uni students, pushing to get those group projects done!

You're amazing, you've got this, just keep swimming!

11/10/2025

08/10/2025

A huge thank you to Gina for researching and writing this post. Admittedly, I'm not strong with the financial side of an Autism diagnosis, but this article is most helpful in assisting parents navigate ways to recover some costs involved in supporting an autistic child.

20/09/2025

A wonderful client introduced me to this app. It's has a mix of body-doubling, planning, regulation, and motivation options to help you get through tasks.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3330250/Ithya_Magic_Studies/

06/09/2025

Parents of autistic children often feel isolated, misunderstood, and unsure of their parenting decisions.

This group aims to offer a safe space where autistic parents can meet others and build a community of like-minded people.

I will facilitate this online group, providing guidance through psycho-education. But the magic really occurs when parents support one another.

For more information, reach out to Blue on 083 676 1462.

01/09/2025

This interactive, online workshop is designed to help parents and partners gain a deeper understanding of autism from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective.

Together, we will explore how autistic people experience the world (socially, emotionally, and sensorily) so that we can be AUsome partners in this journey through life.

Through discussion, reflection, and practical strategies, we will learn how to support autistic peoples unique strengths, needs, and communication style.

The aim is to foster stronger connections, reduce misunderstandings, and create an environment where autistic people can thrive.

Contact Blue on 083 676 1462 or info@ndhive.co.za to secure your spot.

06/07/2025

I jump on every opportunity offered to me to advocate for neurodivergent people. The SAALED conference this year was one of those sparkling moments. I was blown away by the teachers eagerness to talk and learn about classroom opportunities. The speakers were all naturally affirming and on top of their game. Thank you to SAALED for this chance to advocate for children who are misunderstood and struggling.