The festive season is often sold to us as a time of joy, connection and celebration, but for many children, young people, families and neurodivergent adults, it can also be one of the most overwhelming periods of the entire year. Routines shift. Sensory environments intensify. Social expectations grow, and on top of that, we’re all carrying our own stories: grief, change, transitions, burnout, financial strain and the pressure to “stay jolly.” As a specialist Occupational Therapist, I see...

I am tempted to make some lame jokes about how learning to drive 'drove me mad' or was the 'road to Hell', but let's just say it was tricky! Many neurodivergent individuals excel at driving, such as professional racing driver Bobby Trundley, NASCAR driver Armani Williams, and international karting driver Elliott Shaw. However, many struggle with this task. This is not an intelligence issue; it is not a common-sense issue; it is a processing difference. Understanding this, using task analysis...

Halloween can be such a mix of excitement and anxiety, especially for those of us who are neurodivergent. The lights, the noise, the costumes, the crowds; it’s a lot. And if you’re a neurodivergent parent, like me, trying to make the day magical for your child while managing your own sensory limits can feel like walking a tightrope in an ill-fitting clown costume.   Parents often feel overwhelmed before the day even arrives. Pumpkin carving sounds lovely in theory, but in practice, it can...