Gabby Bond Psychology

09/05/2026

The NDIS changes are affecting our community deeply, and we couldn't stay quiet.

We've written about what these reforms mean specifically for autistic people and autism families, from the end of diagnosis-based access, to the very real problem with functional assessments that can't see masking or burnout, to the gap that will exist before Thriving Kids is even ready.

This one is for you.

We need to talk about what is happening to the NDIS.

01/04/2026

Today is Autism Awareness Day, but awareness alone isn’t enough. We need neurodiversity-affirming (ND-affirming), trauma-informed support systems that actually meet autistic people where they are.

Autistic people are not “broken” or in need of fixing. Autism is a valid neurotype. The goal should never be normalisation, it should be support, access, safety, and autonomy.

A critical piece that is often overlooked: autistic individuals are significantly more likely to experience trauma. This isn’t incidental, it’s structural.

Many autistic people have heightened nervous system sensitivity. That means environments that others tolerate; loud classrooms, unpredictable routines, social pressure, sensory overload, can be deeply distressing or even overwhelming. When this distress is repeatedly misunderstood, dismissed, or punished, it becomes trauma.

Trauma in autistic people doesn’t always look the way people expect. It can show up as:
- shutdowns or withdrawal (often mistaken for “non-compliance”)
- meltdowns (misread as behavioural issues rather than distress responses)
- masking (which is frequently praised, but comes at a high psychological cost)

Another critical issue: non-speaking autistic individuals are routinely underserved.

Too often, people assume that if someone cannot speak, they cannot understand, think, or communicate meaningfully. This is false and harmful.

Many non-speaking autistic people:
- understand far more than they are given credit for
- require access to AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) tools
- are excluded from decisions about their own lives
- experience increased frustration, isolation, and trauma due to lack of appropriate support

When communication access is denied, autonomy is denied.

And we cannot talk about support without talking about families.

Families of autistic individuals, especially those with high support needs often:
- navigate complex systems with little guidance
- experience burnout, financial strain, and isolation
- are expected to advocate constantly just to access basic services

Supporting autistic people means supporting their ecosystems, not placing the entire burden on families to “cope.”

Some important nuances that are often missed:
- Eye contact, speech, and “typical” social behaviour are not measures of wellbeing or intelligence
- Compliance is not the same as comfort
- “Independence” should not be prioritised over quality of life and support
- Sensory needs are not preferences, they are neurological realities
- Behaviour is communication, especially when communication tools are limited

ND-affirming, trauma-informed support means:
- prioritising safety over compliance
- listening to autistic voices (including non-speaking individuals)
- providing communication access as a fundamental right
- recognising and reducing environmental stressors
- understanding that regulation, not behaviour control, is the goal

Autistic people deserve to exist without being constantly pushed to adapt to environments that harm them.

Awareness is the starting point. However, acceptance, accommodation, and systemic change are the work.

28/03/2026

It is currently TBI Awareness Month and it is important we have a conversation on the co-occurrence of Post-Concussion Syndrome & Neurodivergence.

If you are part of the neurodivergent community or know someone who is, this is an important read.

Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) occurs when symptoms persist long after a head injury. Think brain fog, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, sensory sensitivity, emotional dysregulation, sleep issues, and memory problems. Sound familiar? That is because for many neurodivergent people, these symptoms can look a lot like their baseline.

The Overlap Is Real, And It Matters

Here is where it gets complicated. Many PCS symptoms mirror neurodivergent traits exactly:
• Brain fog & attention difficulties → looks like ADHD inattention
• Sensory sensitivity to light, sound, and crowds → looks like autistic sensory processing differences
• Emotional dysregulation & mood swings → common in both ADHD and PCS
• Sleep disruption & fatigue → present in autism, ADHD, and PCS
• Difficulty with memory and processing speed → seen in dyslexia, ADHD, and PCS
• Anxiety and social withdrawal → can appear in autism and PCS alike

Why Misdiagnosis Happens

For neurodivergent individuals, a concussion can fly completely under the radar or explained away. Here is why:
• Doctors may attribute new or worsening symptoms entirely to an existing neurodivergent diagnosis, missing that a concussion has changed the picture.
• Neurodivergent people sometimes struggle to articulate subtle changes in their own functioning, especially if interoception (awareness of internal body states) is already a challenge.
• Masking. Many neurodivergent people have spent years hiding their struggles. After a concussion, they may continue to mask even as symptoms worsen.
• The standard concussion screening tools were developed on neurotypical populations, meaning neurodivergent people may not present “textbook,” and may be not diagnosed.

A person might finally receive an ADHD or autism diagnosis after a concussion, when both things are happening simultaneously and need separate treatment.

What This Means For You or Someone You Love

If you are neurodivergent and have had a head injury, even a “minor” one, advocate for a thorough evaluation. Tell your provider about your baseline before the injury.

If symptoms have noticeably shifted or worsened, that matters. You know your brain best.

Seek out providers who have experience with both neurodivergence and acquired brain injury. These worlds overlap more than medicine currently acknowledges.

You are not “just being dramatic.” You are not “just your ADHD.” Both things can be true at once.

The neurodivergent brain is already working differently, and that can make recovering from a concussion a uniquely complex journey that deserves specialised attention, not assumptions.

Share this if you know someone who needs to hear it.

18/03/2026

We just wanted to let everyone know that [email protected] and [email protected]
Are both not currently working and we are trying to do a work around. In the meantime, please use [email protected]

14/12/2025

Our hearts are with the Jewish community and all affected by the Bondi tragedy.

We grieve for the lives lost and stand in solidarity with those impacted by this horrific act of violence. When hate takes root, it causes trauma that reaches far beyond those directly affected, it unsettles our shared foundations of safety, trust, and compassion.

As mental health professionals, we know that healing from such events takes time, care, and community. Grief, fear, and anger are natural responses, and no one should have to navigate them alone.

Now more than ever, compassion and connection are vital. Let us come together, across faiths, backgrounds, and beliefs, to support one another, reject hate in all its forms, and reaffirm our collective commitment to empathy, healing, and peace.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support. You are not alone.

Support Services (Australia):
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 — 24/7 crisis support and su***de prevention.
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 — mental health support for anxiety, stress, and depression.
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 — 24/7 support for young people aged 5–25.
• Su***de Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 — counselling for anyone affected by su***de.
• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 — support for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence.

22/09/2025

Notice for Our Wonderful Clients

Please note that our admin hours are reduced during the school holidays. If you’re trying to call and can’t get through, we kindly ask that you send us an email instead. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your understanding and patience 💛

18/05/2024

Gabby is currently attending the Queensland ADHD Conference watching some amazing talks about ADHD.

One of the important take aways is that an ADHD child hears 20,000 more negative comments by the age of 12. Therefore supporting an ADHD child and the systems around them is extremely important. Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria can have a big impact on emotion regulation for an ADHD person.