Still Ground Therapy

16/03/2026

This study from NUH is important — but I want to add some clinical context before it gets misread.

What’s being described here is what some researchers informally call “virtual autism” — autism-like symptoms that emerge in young children following prolonged, excessive screen exposure. Think delayed speech, reduced eye contact, social withdrawal, repetitive behaviours. These are real, they are concerning, and they warrant attention.

But they are not the same as a clinical autism diagnosis. Here’s the distinction that matters:

Virtual autism is environmentally induced. It is not formally recognised in the DSM-5 or ICD-11. And critically — the research suggests it is largely reversible when screen time is reduced and replaced with meaningful human interaction and play. The brain, especially in early childhood, is remarkably adaptive.

Clinical Autism Spectrum Disorder is an inborn, lifelong neurodevelopmental condition with genetic and neurological underpinnings. It does not resolve with screen reduction. It is not caused by parenting choices or screen habits. And it is not something a child grows out of.

What does make a difference for clinically diagnosed autism is early, structured intervention — speech therapy, occupational therapy, developmental support — the earlier the better. The research on this is clear and consistent.

So if you’re a parent reading this article with worry: please don’t use it to self-diagnose your child, in either direction. If you have concerns, seek a formal developmental assessment with a qualified clinician.

And if your child has received a clinical ASD diagnosis — this article is not about them. Their neurology is valid. Their needs are real.

A new study links prolonged screen time in toddlers to increased autism symptoms, highlighting concerns about exceeding screen time guidelines. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

16/03/2026

You weren’t too sensitive. You weren’t too much. You weren’t difficult.

You were a different plant — placed in soil that wasn’t made for you.

Research tells us that children are not blank slates. We are born with distinct temperament profiles — our own rhythms, sensitivities, and thresholds. And according to psychiatrists Thomas & Chess, what shapes our psychological wellbeing isn’t temperament alone.

It’s the fit between who we are and the environment we’re placed in.

A rose and a cactus can both be breathtaking. But they cannot thrive in the same conditions. And being an expert in growing one does not make you an expert in growing the other.

If you grew up feeling like you were the problem — too emotional, too quiet, too intense, too sensitive — it may be worth asking a different question:

Was I difficult? Or was I simply never given the right conditions to grow?

That question alone can begin to change everything.
Swipe to explore the science behind this. 🌿

07/03/2026

Some days, we all need a gentle reminder that we’re doing better than we think. 🤍

Swipe through these 10 affirmations slowly. Let the ones that land, land.

If one of them spoke to you — save this post and come back to it on the hard days. And if you know someone who needs to hear this right now, share it with them.

Which one hit closest to home? Drop it in the comments💕

MindfulLiving SelfCompassion TherapistOfInstagram

27/02/2026

“I just want to get back to my usual self.”

For a lot of people, “usual self” means more focused, more productive, more sociable, more “on it”. So when you feel flatter, slower, or less motivated, it can quickly turn into:

→“What’s wrong with me?”
→“I used to handle so much more.”

The low capacity is already one weight. The pressure to perform as your “old self” becomes another weight on top.

Often, this isn’t you failing at being you.

It can be a sign that long-term stress, quiet grief, or constant responsibility has finally caught up — and your system is trying to conserve energy, not misbehave.

A gentler question might be:
“Given everything I’ve been carrying… is it actually surprising that I don’t feel like my usual self right now?”