There were years where I became very good at pretending I was fine. Years where I smiled, succeeded, stayed quiet, stayed busy. Years where I played the part I thought would earn me love. Growing up in South Africa as a sensitive, queer child in a deeply traditional family, I learned early that being myself…
It was the 7-year anniversary of my first spoken word performance recently. I cherish the memory when after spending a long ‘Winter’ cooling my heels, I came back from some loose mania to re-emerge as a poet and writer. They are creative vocations which I recommend to anybody looking to heal from their own dark…
Listen as Laura shares parts of her journey with treatments and therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Tapping Therapy.
The Aspect Autism Alert Card is designed by Autistic people to help communicate support needs in challenging or unfamiliar situations. It’s especially useful for adolescents and adults who may find it hard to express themselves during times of stress like when interacting with emergency services, feeling unsafe, or when usual communication tools aren’t available. The…
Reframing Autism’s welcome pack includes a number of resources for those who have received a new autism diagnosis: • Discovering that you are Autistic• Autism acceptance, self-compassion and self-care• Developing a positive Autistic identity• Reducing masking and camouflaging• Living a good Autistic life• What we wish we had known• What we wish others to know
Autism Essentials is a free, self-paced online course created by Autistic people and informed by research. It offers a respectful, neuro-affirming introduction to Autism celebrating Autistic strengths while explaining common challenges. The course covers five key topics: language, what Autism is, brain differences, communication and socialising, and thinking and processing styles. It’s designed for everyone,…
The Lived Experience Telephone Support Service, or LETSS, is a South Australian resource offering free afterhours phone and web chat support, available every day from 5 PM to 11:30 PM, including holidays. Whether you’re seeking information, guidance on navigating mental health services, or just someone to talk to, our team is here for you. At…
This piece has been written from a lived experience perspective and explores different models of health, specifically the biomedical model and the biopsychosocial model. These are distinct from the models of disability – the charity, medical, social, and human rights models.
When I think about my many years of mental health treatment – the various therapists, medications, and approaches – the one thing I have always hoped for is peace. I had never truly felt at peace. I’m the eldest in a big family and my mother, my siblings, and I are victim-survivors of domestic violence….