Hygiene can feel simple to some, but for many neurodivergent children and teens, especially those in burnout, it can be one of the hardest daily tasks.
In this episode of From Burnout to Balance, Tanya is joined again by Laura Hellfeld, a neurodivergent nurse and parent educator, to explore the layered challenges of hygiene and how parents can support their children with compassion, creativity, and flexibility.
Together, we discuss:
- Why hygiene often becomes inaccessible during burnout.
- The role of interoception and sensory processing in everyday self-care.
- How trial-and-error, choice, and autonomy can make hygiene less overwhelming.
- Gentle, practical alternatives to showers and baths (like wipes, shower caps, and simple sensory tweaks).
- Navigating parental worries about social expectations and rejection.
- Why honouring autonomy and co-creating routines is key to building lifelong skills.
This conversation is full of validation, real-life stories, and practical ideas to make hygiene less of a battle and more of a supportive, safe experience for your child.
📌 Resources & Links:
- Follow Laura’s work and writing via Substack and her books
- ND Nurse Consulting Webpage
- Laura’s Newsletter & Articles on Substack
- Gabby’s Glimmers: An Affirming Story of an Autistic Child and their Favourite Food
- Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People, book
- LinkedIn
- Facebook
- Instagram
- BlueSky
- Explore more support inside From Burnout to Balance, Tanya’s parent membership community.
- FREE Burnout 101 mini-course – tanyavalentin.co/101
- Explore the healthcare products mentioned in this show: Simply Nootropics – https://glnk.io/ovx5q/tanyavalentinnz
- TANYAVALENTINNZ15 to get an additional $15 off your first order
