Inclusion at Heart

16/08/2026

The gift that keeps giving 🎁

I’ve just received another NAB remediation payment following an investigation into being underpaid during my time as an employee.

For context, I was made redundant from NAB in December 2019, which, as it turned out, was pretty perfect timing. I had already decided on a new career path and was in the final stages of my Master of Rehabilitation Counselling, so it was the push I needed to move into something completely different.

Fast-forward to now, and it’s quite literally the gift that keeps giving.

I worked for NAB for close to 15 years, so I recognise that my length of service may mean I’m receiving remediation payments that many others won’t. I’ve now received three payments, some just under $1,000 and others well over $1,000. These are not payments I expected, and at a time when the cost of living is putting pressure on everyone, they’ve been a very welcome surprise and will help with some upcoming expenses we were wondering how we’d manage.

But it did make me wonder…

How many people miss out on money they are actually owed because they don't work for a large organisation with the resources to investigate historical payroll issues?

Employment law and payroll systems are incredibly complex. And, unfortunately, underpayment still happens - sometimes deliberately, but sometimes because employers genuinely don't understand the intricacies of awards, enterprise agreements, overtime, penalty rates, leave, superannuation and other entitlements.

Of course, employers have a responsibility to get this right. But I wonder how many employees, particularly those working for smaller organisations, would ever know they had been underpaid, let alone receive backpay years later.

This experience has also made me reflect on my time as an employee.

I’m genuinely grateful that NAB has invested in identifying and correcting these issues and has continued to make remediation payments to former employees. It’s something I probably took for granted at times while I was there.

And now that I’m running my own small business, I have a much greater appreciation for the benefits of being an employee!

Yes, I have considerably more flexibility now. I love what I do and wouldn’t change my career path. But as a small business owner, I’m also the:

📋 Administrator
💰 Bookkeeper
🧾 Tax and finance coordinator
📣 Marketing department
🤝 Networker
💻 IT support
📞 Receptionist
🧠 Practitioner
…and everything else in between.

There are a lot of unpaid hours that happen behind the scenes, followed by the hope that the business generates enough profit and cash flow to actually sustain a living.

I persist because I genuinely love what I do, but being on the other side of employment certainly gives you a different perspective.

So, thank you, NAB. ❤️

I’m forever grateful for the opportunities, experiences and benefits I had during nearly 15 years there, and now, apparently, the unexpected financial gifts that keep turning up nearly seven years after I left!

And it leaves me with one final question:

How many employees out there are still owed money they don't even know they're owed?

Maybe it's worth checking your old employment records, payslips and superannuation. You never know what might turn up, but remember who is doing the heavy lifting for reimbursement. I'm lucky; I've had to do very little to get my remediation payments (less than 30 minutes of my time each time). This distinction matters as your time needs to cost less than the possible payment.

15/08/2026

The Gold Coast planning decision has me wondering what this means for the Sunshine Coast.

The Queensland Court of Appeal has thrown into doubt the idea that simply increasing density or building more apartments can automatically be described as improving housing affordability. (The Australian⁠)

And I think that distinction matters here on the Sunshine Coast.

Our proposed new planning scheme is designed to accommodate significant growth — around 84,800 additional dwellings by 2046 — with roughly 60% expected through consolidation and infill development in existing urban areas. It also talks about housing diversity, smaller lots, dual occupancies, secondary dwellings and affordable/community housing. (Have Your Say⁠)

All of that sounds positive.

But my question is: will it actually result in more housing that ordinary Sunshine Coast households can afford?

Because more dwellings ≠ more affordable dwellings.

We can build thousands of apartments and houses, but if the majority are marketed at prices well beyond what local workers and families can afford, we haven’t really solved the housing problem. We’ve just increased the number of properties.

And I can’t help thinking about some of the enormous waterfront homes around the Coast that sit empty for substantial periods of the year. Some are so large that they could potentially accommodate several families if we had very different approaches to housing and land use.

So yes, let’s plan for growth.

Let’s increase housing supply.

Let’s allow greater housing diversity.

But let’s also ask the uncomfortable question:

Who is this new housing actually being built for?

Because if the answer is predominantly investors, retirees, holiday-home owners and higher-income buyers, then I’m not sure we should be calling it a solution to the housing affordability crisis.

The Sunshine Coast needs homes people can actually afford to live in — not just more dwellings on paper.

And perhaps that’s one of the lessons we should take from what’s happening on the Gold Coast.

A landmark court ruling casts doubt over Gold Coast high-rise approvals, finding luxury apartments cannot justify exceeding height limits on the basis of "housing choice and affordability".

13/08/2026

Resources available for perimenopause and menopause awareness
campaign

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released resources for the National Menopause and Perimenopause campaign.

Learning more about perimenopause and menopause, including symptoms, management and treatment options, can help you feel prepared.

12/08/2026

Super important reminder about health privacy and clinical records.

This ABC article is worth reading - particularly if you work in health, allied health, insurance or rehabilitation.

My interpretation of the key takeaway is: an insurer asking for information, or having broad wording in a contract, does not automatically mean a health professional can legally hand over whatever clinical information is requested.

There appears to be a very important distinction between information reasonably required to audit a particular claim/episode of care and being asked to provide a patient’s entire clinical history.

The article reports cases where insurers have sought extensive records, while providers have been concerned that releasing those records could breach their professional and legal obligations around confidentiality and privacy.

And this is the bit I think every health professional needs to remember:

Your obligation is to the client/patient and the law; not simply to comply because an insurer has asked for something.

A contract with an insurer cannot simply override legislation or professional obligations.

Before releasing clinical records, it is worth asking:
- What information is actually required?
- Is it relevant to the claim or episode of care?
- What authority/consent exists for its release?
- What are my privacy and professional obligations?
- Am I legally permitted, or actually required, to provide it?

This isn’t about refusing legitimate audits or protecting providers from appropriate scrutiny. It’s about proportionality, patient confidentiality and understanding exactly what you’re legally allowed to disclose.

As health professionals, we need to be very careful about assuming that “the insurer asked for it” = “I can provide it.”

The ABC article is a good reminder that these obligations can be more complicated than they first appear.

Hospitals and allied health providers are concerned that insurers are asking providers for their patients' full clinical history.

07/08/2026

💬 I’d love to hear the community’s thoughts on language: neuro-affirming vs neurodivergent-affirming.

I’ve noticed an increasing shift towards using the term neuro-affirming across education, health and disability spaces. I can understand why it appeals — it is shorter, easier to say, and (similar to terms like gender-affirming) it can describe a framework, approach or way of providing support rather than a specific population.

However, I’m genuinely curious about what happens when we remove the word divergent.

From a literal language perspective, neuro-affirming could be interpreted as affirming all neurotypes, including neurotypical ways of thinking and functioning. I understand that this is not the intended meaning for many people who use the term, but I wonder whether the broader wording risks losing some of the important context behind why these approaches developed.

The word neurodivergent carries meaning beyond simply “different”. It acknowledges that some neurotypes have historically been misunderstood, pathologised, excluded and disadvantaged by systems, environments and expectations built around dominant ways of thinking and functioning.

For me, the question is not whether neuro-affirming is a valid term. I can see the reasoning behind it. The question I’m trying to understand is whether removing divergent changes what is being centred and whether we risk losing some of the disability rights and social model foundations that underpin this work.

I’d genuinely love to hear from:
🧠 Autistic and ADHD community members
🌈 Neurodivergent advocates
📚 Linguistics professionals
👩‍🏫 Educators, clinicians and researchers

How do you understand the difference between these terms?

Is neuro-affirming a more accurate description of a framework that supports all neurological diversity?

Or does neurodivergent-affirming better maintain the focus on people whose neurotypes have been marginalised and continue to experience barriers because of historical systems?

This is a genuine request for understanding, not a criticism of language evolution. Language changes over time, but the words we choose also carry history, values and meaning.

I’d especially value hearing the reasoning behind these choices from people with lived experience. 💜

06/08/2026

A very early morning reminder about the importance of routines, supports and reducing cognitive load…

At 4:45am today, I realised I had taken my morning ADHD stimulant medication before bed instead of my night medication. 🤦‍♀️

The result? A very long, sleepless night. While I initially assumed my usual stomach issues were the reason I couldn’t sleep.

This was the first time it had happened to me, but it was a powerful reminder of something I see regularly with clients and families: when we are tired, stressed, overloaded or managing multiple demands, even familiar everyday tasks can become challenging.

Medication routines, appointments, paperwork, transitions and daily organisation all rely heavily on executive functioning skills. Skills that can fluctuate depending on fatigue, stress, health and environment.

Sometimes the solution isn’t “try harder” or “be more organised”. Sometimes it’s about creating the right supports:
✅ visual reminders
✅ consistent routines
✅ reducing unnecessary steps
✅ making environments work with the person, not against them

A small personal experience today reinforced why I’m so passionate about practical, individualised supports for neurodivergent people and their families.

(And yes… I’ll be double-checking which medication pill container section I pick up at bedtime from now on! Choose pm not am meds. 😅)

05/08/2026

I came across something recently that I genuinely didn’t know existed, so I thought I’d share it in case it helps another family.

Did you know Australia has an In Home Care (IHC) program?

This isn’t the same as hiring a nanny. It is an approved child care service under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) designed for families who have exceptional circumstances and can’t reasonably access other approved childcare options.

Depending on eligibility, an approved educator can provide care in your home, including:
• Before school care
• School drop-offs and pick-ups
• After school care
• School holiday care

Children can still attend school - the educator simply provides care around school hours.

From what I’ve read, families generally need to demonstrate that other approved childcare options (such as OSHC or long day care) aren’t suitable or available due to their circumstances. Having neurodivergent children alone doesn’t automatically qualify a family, but for some families with complex needs, this may be an option worth exploring.

As a Rehabilitation Counsellor working with neurodivergent individuals and families, I’m always surprised when I discover supports that aren’t widely known.

If you’re a family struggling to make traditional childcare work, it may be worth reading more about the program and discussing your circumstances with an approved In Home Care Support Agency.

Has anyone had experience with In Home Care, either as a family or as an educator? I’d love to hear your experiences.

In Home Care (IHC) is a flexible form of early childhood education and care where an educator provides care in the child's home. It is restricted to families who can't access other types of approved care.

04/08/2026

Unique volunteering opportunities available now

03/08/2026

Have you ever wondered why one ADHD medication works brilliantly for one person but does very little for another?

ADHD isn’t the same for everyone, and neither is the way our brains respond to medication. That’s why it’s encouraging to see research and new treatment options continuing to emerge.

A new medication called centanafadine (SIMTRIYO) has recently been approved in the United States for the treatment of ADHD in adults. Unlike existing medications, it works on three neurotransmitters involved in ADHD (dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin) making it the first medication of its kind.

While stimulants remain highly effective for many people, they aren’t suitable for everyone. Some people experience significant side effects, while others find their symptoms are only partially managed despite trying several medications.

What makes centanafadine particularly interesting is that its unique mechanism may offer another option for people who:
• don’t tolerate stimulants well
• have ongoing executive functioning difficulties
• experience emotional dysregulation alongside ADHD
• haven’t achieved adequate symptom control with current medications.

It’s important to remember that this medication is not currently available in Australia, and we don’t yet know if or when it will be approved by the TGA. Like all new medications, we’ll also need to see longer-term real-world evidence as more people use it.

As a Rehabilitation Counsellor, and someone with lived experience of neurodivergence, I’m always pleased to see more evidence-based options becoming available. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to ADHD, and expanding the range of treatment options gives clinicians and individuals more opportunities to find what works best for them.

For now, this is one to watch with interest.

This post is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always discuss medication options with your treating doctor or psychiatrist.

Centanafadine, a norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin reuptake inhibitor, gained FDA approval as a new ADHD medication called Simtriyo from Otsuka.

02/08/2026

Australian organisations ned to imprv productivity. Why don't we do so through things that make the job fun/motivating to the employer?

https://fb.watch/IK58X3bGbW/?