Dr Christina Clarke

03/10/2026

13/09/2026

09/09/2026

05/09/2026

So much of parenting is hard.
Taking care of our own neurodivergent selves is often hard enough.
Taking care of other neurodivergent humans as well? Damn. With what battery?

We do the best we can.
Our best is imperfect.

What other tips would you add?

Em

25/08/2026

Setting a limit is often just the beginning.

We say, “It’s time to turn the screen off,” “We’re leaving now,” or “You can be angry, but I won’t let you hit” — and hope the limit will simply be accepted.

But children often need to move through the limit.

There might be pushback. Big feelings. Negotiating. Questions. Frustration.

Our job isn’t necessarily to make those feelings disappear. We can validate how hard it feels, stay curious about what’s going on, and hold the boundary at the same time.

Sometimes there’s room to problem-solve together. Sometimes there isn’t.

The goal isn’t instant compliance.

It’s helping children learn that limits and difficult feelings can be managed safely — with connection still intact.

Setting a limit is a process, not a moment.

More practical strategies for navigating boundaries, emotions and behaviour are in my book Guidance from The Therapist Parent. Link in bio.

22/08/2026

I say this ALL the time to adults.

Because so many adults still see difference and automatically assume that it's something that needs to be corrected.

It often isn't.

I can't think of any examples to give you right now. My brain is exhausted.

Em 🌈

14/08/2026

🌿 PUSH, PAUSE, PIVOT — A RESOURCE BUILT BY PARENTS, FOR PARENTS

We know families are dealing with a lot of uncertainty at the moment.
Changes across disability, education and support systems can leave parents and carers feeling like they need to stay constantly alert — reading updates, responding to decisions, following up services, attending meetings and trying to work out what each change might mean for their child.

So we wanted to reshare one of our most valued resources: Push, Pause, Pivot — Preventing Advocacy Burnout.
This resource was built by parents, for parents, drawing on PODC’s experience working alongside families and hearing, again and again, what it can feel like to carry the responsibility of advocating for your child across complex systems.

Because families cannot be expected to fight every battle, every day.

Sometimes we need to PUSH 🔊
When something is urgent and your child’s access, safety, wellbeing, participation or rights are at risk, it may be time to act, speak up or escalate.

Sometimes we need to PAUSE 💚
Not everything needs to be dealt with today. Pausing can help protect your energy, recognise the toll advocacy is taking and give you space to decide what really needs your attention.

And sometimes we need to PIVOT 🧭
When you have asked, explained and pushed but nothing is changing, it may be time to try another direction — change the person you are speaking to, shift the strategy, bring in support or take a different pathway.

The workbook includes practical tools to help families think about what is urgent, what can wait, what matters most, when to rest, and when a different approach might create more movement.

It is not about asking parents to do more.

It is about helping families protect their energy while continuing to focus on what matters most for their child.

📘 Access the free Push, Pause, Pivot workbook here:
🔗 https://www.podc.org.au/resources/Documents/Push,Pause,Pivot-Preventing%20Advocacy%20Burnout.pdf

Push when it matters.
Pause when you need to.
Pivot when there may be a better way forward.

29/07/2026

25/07/2026