Onwards and Upwards Psychology

26/08/2026

Conversations around diversity and emotional regulation isn't a set-and-forget. They're continuous, dynamic conversations that crop up in the everyday, in small, little ways.

It's why I started the series, with each book building on the other, because you deserve conversations that grow with you.

Bonus points for the end goal being a rainbow spine set, and perhaps then, I will rest.

(Did you notice this idea building?!?)

You'll see in every book an idea that sparked the next one. This one was born from an idea in creating My Body's Power Pack, yet somewhat tangential.

Here is the series so far, explained according to their concepts 👇🏾

Brainforest: Neurodiversity and inclusion
Rainbow Brain: Embracing neurodivergent identity
My Body's Power Pack: Energy accounting and fight-flight in meltdown

Now the fun part - Make some guesses down below!

The guessing is honestly half the fun in finding the little threads that pull them all together 👇🏾

I'll be announcing pre-orders open shortly ❤️

20/08/2026

I often find myself speechless at times like this, when considering the horrifying, widespread impacts of this bill. I think many are in a similar state of freeze, or perhaps in flop, or fight.

Grateful for Senator Jordon Steele-John's piece here for showing a little bit of the light during these times.

18/08/2026

You remember your first time?

When you get to share the affirming paradigm for the *first* time to someone.

The first time they realised they don't need to subscribe to a deficit-based lens.

The first time they realised they were even wearing that lens, because they'd inherited it.

The first time you get to see what *is*, rather than what isn't.

It's pretty special. In many of the PDs I do, over half of the educators haven't really heard of affirming practice before and I get to be the first to share a different perspective.

Some families have still continued to uphold these lenses, because they're pushed towards it by friends and family and professionals.

I still remember *my* first time that I heard an affirming perspective in a Facebook group of international therapists.

I remember it cause I felt quite ill for having practised that way for so long and missing it along the way. I've sat with that feeling for a long time.... the guilt of when we didn't know better.

So I'm wondering if you remember your first time you heard of the affirming paradigm - Who was it and where were you?

16/08/2026

Happening tonight!

If you're a parent or teacher to an Autistic child, this one is a helpful workshop to think about how Autistics develop friendships and how we can support nurturing this.

Friendships can look different for Autistic children.

Some children connect through shared interests.
Quiet time together.
Gaming.
Online spaces.
Or being near someone they trust.

They may not look the way adults expect, but they are still real, important and meaningful.

Belongside Families is proud to partner with Sandhya Menon from Onwards and Upwards Psychology for a free webinar about understanding and supporting Autistic friendships.

📅 Mon, 17 Aug, 8pm (NSW Time)
💻 Register to attend live or receive the recording
🔗 https://events.humanitix.com/awebinar1708?c=collab

Together, we'll explore:
🔸 Why friendship may look different for Autistic children
🔸 Why there is no one right way to socialise
🔸 How friendships can become more complicated as children get older
🔸 Ways to support friendships without pressure

We hope you can join us

12/08/2026

How can we hold ideas about neurodiversity together?

1 - Neurodiversity is a natural and valuable for of human diversity*

2 - Normal is culturally constructed fiction*

3 - Disability can form part of the neurodiversity umbrella.

There are some people that conflate neurodiversity affirming practice with strengths-based practice. This is just one area of it.

Overall, it is really a human-centred approach that views disability through a value neutral lens.

I forgot my keys to my house today.

I sat on the porch for 30 minutes in the middle of winter, shivering, waiting for my in-laws to arrive with a spare.

I also delivered an engaging presentation to teachers on understanding Autism and ADHD.

It's not a "But".

The "But" tells a story where I need to justify productivity to have value.

Can we move towards an "And"?

Our strengths co-exist with our challenges, not in spite of it.

* - Dr Nick Walker's Neurodiversity paradigm definition

11/08/2026

Let's bring back Social Stories for good, shall we?

Done well, it provides a map for how to navigate different experiences and makes space for all the feelings that might come up.

Done badly however? They turn into tools for compliance, and fail to actually help the Autistic person.

Worse still, it becomes about the Autistic person's failure to follow the story rather than about the Author's failure to ground themselves in curiosity and write a narrative that makes space for them.

Those differences matter greatly.

The task ahead is

👉🏽think about fidelity with tools, and go straight to the source. Carol Gray has a structure to her stories, and the website contains excellent information on when it is NOT a Social Story too.

👉🏽 question our own inherent assumptions and expectations that we've had with tools and how they work

👉🏽 ALWAYS, working out the kind of information the Autistic person needs, rather than assuming.

Carol Gray also has a lovely podcast if you'd like to immerse yourself in the philosophy behind this. (Many thanks to those on the earlier post who pointed this out to me).

Explore the website here: https://carolgraysocialstories.com/

Let's get back to stories that support. 🙏🏽

10/08/2026

Book Week hits differently here.

Not only is it ABSOLUTELY-THE-COOLEST-THING-EVER when people dress up as your books, but it becomes a powerful visual reminder of the change that is happening and the different world our kids are growing up in.

One of acceptance, smashing stigma, better conversations and connectedness.

I will admit to tearing when I watch Book Week parades.

Not even when they're wearing my books, but simply of the pride each kid walks around with, whether it's marching or choosing not to.

I love the elaborate costumes, when kids aren't afraid to wear big passion on their sleeve.

I also the love the amount of kids who feel comfortable enough to go without a costume, making a stand, saying "This is me". 🥹

That's what Book Week really is - a chance to celebrate what they're into and share a bit of themselves.

So if my book happens to be one of those things, here are some ideas to translate idea to action a bit more easily.

It never stops being one of the best parts of this job. 🫶🏽

Comment PowerPrint if you'd like the direct link sent over!

05/08/2026

Question!

Has anyone found a really good Social Stories site? One that is neuroaffirming and has a variety of templates.

Context: I'm analysing social stories over on Instagram (I don't know why I can't share them, the accounts aren't linked or it shares without sound, so if you'd like to look at it, you're welcome).

I had a question about where to find neuroaffirming Social Stories on everyday routines and scenarios for someone who has low capacity to otherwise make them herself.

Alternative Question: What are the Social Stories you like to see? I'm thinking of starting up a library of templates if there aren't any.

So..... here's me using the brains trust. Do drop any recommendations below please. 🙏

03/08/2026

Gotta love the increase in neurodiversity affirming children's literature around these parts and in our community.

One conversation, one book, can open the door.

Multiple books and conversations across time creates a layered, complexity and a solidified message around acceptance and being yourself.

I love that the children of today get to grow up in this era.

Hugest congratulations to NeuroWild and Yellow Ladybugs for their books out this month!

If you haven't already, check out Being Eve and I am a Yellow Ladybug. 🥰

31/07/2026

Super grateful for support from the community to help get this book out there, and reach new people.

Do keep sharing this book so somewhere out there, it might reach Spanish speaking families who can access neuroaffirming conversations in their own language. 🫶🏽