The Neuroverse Foundation

09/08/2026

Good morning!

How has your start to term three been? Ours, you ask? ROUGH!

Nevertheless we persist…

I’d like to make a book recommendation. This book was actually recommended to me by my own dietitian. She’s phenomenal! We’ve been working out how to talk to our child about ARFID.

ARFID isn’t very well known, but it is becoming increasingly identified as we come to better understand the human experience with food.

It’s called Brave Every Day by Erin Allen. I haven’t read it yet because ADHD 😂 but that is how much faith I have in my dietitian. The other book I saw and just grabbed it. I also have not read it 😂

Side quest…We have been lucky enough to have been given another grant but we are just working through the guidelines and other details.

So watch this space…carer events are coming!

26/07/2026

You are welcome and loved here ❤️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🌈🧠✨

Happy Disability Pride Month! 🌈

This annual observance was created to celebrate the signing of the Americans with Disability Act in 1990 (on this day of 26 July) and has become a worldwide movement.

I see this as a month to celebrate pride in who I am as an Autistic person, the important contribution people with disability can make to society and the way we work together to build a more inclusive society. I’m proud of all I’ve achieved throughout my lifetime and celebrate the work that’s been done to create a more inclusive society.

Disability Pride does not seek to minimise the challenges we go through, such as the barriers we face, nor does it celebrate the challenges people with disability face as we go through society. There are things I wish I didn’t have to go through such as the extra effort required to adapt to a world built for neurotypical people, people misunderstanding me because I present differently to the typical population or the sensory overload I experience. However, I am proud of our advocacy to create a more inclusive society.

May we continue to advocate for a more inclusive society for people with disability - removing barriers, developing a greater understanding of the uniqueness of each person with disability and ultimately, celebrating who we are.

I’ve included the Disability Pride flag in the image. This flag represents the mourning and anger for victims of ableist violence, negligence, and abuse. The diagonal band represents cutting through and overcoming the barriers faced by people with disability, while the colours of the pride flag are red for physical disability, yellow for neurodiversity and developmental disability, white for sensory disability, blue for mental health and psychosocial disability and green for invisible and undiagnosed disability.

Happy disability pride!

- Daniel

[Image description: Pride flag cropped into a circle. The words say ‘Happy Disability Pride’. The background is a rainbow gradient with a coloured pencil texture]

24/07/2026

This is happening - to everyone! Even those with physical disabilities, such as wheelchair users. We are in a terrifying situation when wheelchair users are losing access to funding to purchase adequate and necessary equipment for their mobility needs!!

Share this with everyone who needs to know this! No one’s NDIS plan is ‘safe.’

15/07/2026

With all of the viruses going around at the moment, you are no doubt struggling as much as you usually do, but now you’re rocking a fever, runny nose and cough. Please reach out for help!

I know you don’t want ANOTHER appointment, but contact Different Journeys. They are amazing and make referrals FOR YOU.

I took the leap after Daryl ( ) from Speaking Insights asked me to accept the help available. I’d dodged it for 12 months. I will admit when I am wrong. I WAS VERY WRONG. One session with Different Journeys I had 4-5 referrals completed FOR me. This can be for practical support, NDIS support, support for children experiencing School Can’t, checking you’re accessing all of the financial assistance you’re eligible for from Centrelink, the list goes on!!!

Two of the referrals provided me as a carer (but for the family) vouchers for prepared meals from places like Dinner Ladies & We Feed You and a fuel voucher! I did have the option of an Endota Spa voucher, but at the moment I need other support.

That’s an example, it is case by case because each carer and family are unique. Your support needs will vary from ours and the next person.

It’s completely free and you do not even have to call them. You can do the self referral form on their website here https://www.differentjourneysautism.com/carer-self-referral/

If you can do ONE thing for yourself, then let it be filling in the form for Different Journeys. You deserve it!!

11/07/2026

Forgive the amateur image compilation, but it’s more about the information right 😅

This has been taken from the National Guidelines you can download your own copy here: https://www.autismcrc.com.au/best-practice/assessment-and-diagnosis

PDA is recognised in Australia and has been since 2023. “…a behavioural profile within autism.”

No, it isn’t recognised as a standalone diagnosis.

No, it isn’t in the DSM-V.

No, it isn’t in the ICD-11.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t impact your life.

It’s real and it is HARD!

29/06/2026

carersvictoria are inviting all carers of people with a disability to contribute to The State Disability Plan.

Carers Victoria is hosting carer consultations to support and amplify the voice of unpaid carers in the development of the new State Disability Plan (2027-2031).

This is an opportunity for carers of people with disability to share their perspective of the current service system and priorities for the future.

https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/state-disability-plan-carer-consultations/

21/06/2026

We were thrilled to be invited as exhibitors at Speaking Insights event at Marra School.

I won’t say I enjoy seeing people detest the sensory overload experience, but for approx 20 seconds people have a small glimpse into the autistic experience. Sayings like “just ignore it” are put into perspective when you want to rip your skin off 😂

A big thank you to Daryl & Daniel! It was also lovely meeting Richard and Bec from cantfaceschool. We would 10/10 recommend their services!

15/06/2026

🌟 LIVED EXPERIENCE AUTISM SEMINAR IN KALKALLO
THIS WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE 2026, 9:30AM 🌟

We are excited to announce our ‘From Diagnosis to OAM - Plus a Sibling’s Perspective’ seminar in Kalkallo on Wednesday 17 June.

We will be sharing about our Autism journey from the Autistic, parent and sibling perspective. Featuring Daniel Giles OAM, Daryl Giles and Alicia Purcell.

Suitable for families, educators & other professionals! A sensory overload activity is included.

This seminar provides valuable professional development including PD certificate upon completion of PD. Educators and other professionals can claim 3 hours CPD. Australian Professional Standard for Teachers at the level of Proficient Teacher 6.4.2.

We will also have a variety of exhibitors joining us, including The Learning Brain, Can’t Face School and The Neuroverse Foundation

🗓️ Date: Wednesday 17 June 2026

⏰ Time: 9:30am until 12:30pm. Doors open at 9am

📍 Venue: Marra School - 51 Lockerbie St, Kalkallo VIC
(seminar is open to the public)

⭐️ Exhibitors: The Learning Brain, Can’t Face School & The Neuroverse Foundation

🎟️ Tickets: events.humanitix.com/doamka26

A big thanks to Marra School for hosting us!

[Image Description: Text as mentioned in body of post. Background image is a canola field]

15/06/2026

SNEAK PEAK OF SENSORY OVERLOAD ACTIVITY
AUTISM SEMINAR IN KALKALLO
THIS WED 17 JUN, 9:30AM
Details & tickets: events.humanitix.com/doamka26

14/06/2026

And that’s a wrap!! (For this financial year at least)

We are very grateful to the Victorian Government for supporting our nonprofit this year. We couldn’t have provided the events and services we have without the grant we received.

Thank you to:
naomileederartist!!! You are a wondrous human and we have been incredibly lucky to have had your skills, dedication and commitment to this space 🫶

Anne & Michaella from Greater Beveridge Community Centre for providing us with a space and enduring support.

Adele from Mitchell Shire Council for all of your support, sharing ideas, links to the grant we eventually received and so so much more.

Shardae from Kids First Australia Wallan for a wonderful collaboration.

Our families, colleagues and workplaces for being so understanding and supportive of what we’ve been doing.

And to you…our followers, supporters and participants. Your smiles, comments about finding your people and gratitude is exactly why we do this! We are you!

We will take a short break and will hopefully resume our peer support groups after the school holidays.