Hello!
My name is Valli.
I am a self-identified neurodivergent Clinical Psychologist, and I am passionate about supporting neurodivergent kids to understand themselves, embrace their uniqueness, and thrive in all areas of life.
With this aim in mind, I have designed a set of programs to help the adults who care for neurodivergent kids - health professionals, educators, parents, and families - to truly understand what it means to be neurodivergent, and to skilfully support the kids in their life with kindness, compassion, and respect.
Embracing Neurodiversity
with The Safe House Framework™
What is The Safe House Framework™?
The Safe House Framework is an educational program.
It's delivered online, through a mix of self-paced study and live workshops.
WHO IS THE SAFE HOUSE FRAMEWORK™ FOR?
Parents and Family Members
Psychologists
Occupational Therapists
Speech and Language Pathologists
Teachers
Medical Professionals
Mental Health Workers
Disability Support Workers
HOW IS IT GOING TO HELP ME?
It will give you a deep and nuanced understanding of autism through the lens of the neurodiversity paradigm,
and a step by step guide to the affirming approach to supporting autistic children and young people.
Why?
More children are being identified as neurodivergent than ever before.
And despite the best efforts of the adults around them, many are showing up to school withdrawn, anxious, sad, or frustrated. They are struggling to learn and connect with peers. Some are disengaged, or avoiding school completely.
At home they are struggling with big emotions, and they are burying themselves in technology because that is how they self-regulate, but devices have become a battle ground for kids and parents.
Parents and teachers often don’t know how to help.
Schools are struggling to meet the social, emotional, behavioural, and learning needs of neurodivergent students.
So what is the answer?
What is the answer?
The autistic community - the members of our community with lived experience of autism - are asking for supports and services that truly understand the autistic experience, and provide much needed accommodations.
The autistic community have been advocating for a very long time for there to be a shift in the way Autistic folk are supported by professionals.
A move towards a kinder, more respectful healthcare system… education system… and society in general.
How?
The concept of neurodiversity affirming support is still new to many people.
You may feel unsure of what ‘neurodiversity affirming’ means, and uncertain about if or how you need to change the way you are doing things.
You wholeheartedly want to support the Autistic kids in your life to thrive - but perhaps you need help to understand exactly what affirming support looks like in practice, and guidance around to how to make it work for you.
So, what is affirming support, and how do we make it a reality?
What are Neuro-Affirming Supports?
Someone who is affirming views autism as a difference, not a deficit. Affirming supports are sensitive to the needs of the child, and address the problems caused by a poor fit between the child and their environment.
How Do We Deliver Them?
The Safe House Framework is a systematic approach to identifying and removing the barriers the child is faced with day to day, and providing the understanding, accommodations, and human to human support they need to feel safe in the world, so they can learn, connect, and thrive.
My number one aim is to share helpful information, so I have kept the price as low as humanly possible to remove the financial barrier.
Or if you are someone who prefers to hold a book and turn the pages, the paperback is available on Amazon
Embracing Neurodiversity acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, learn, work, and play, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters, and their extended communities throughout South East Queensland.