Compassionate guidance for parents of neurodivergent children and teens navigating autistic burnout
What Nobody Tells You About Advocating for Your Neurodivergent Child During the Holidays There’s a reason saying “We won’t be coming to Christmas lunch this year” makes your entire body tense…Or why asking to leave early feels like you’ve done something wrong…Or why protecting your child’s capacity feels like you’re breaking a sacred family rule. […] Read more…
The wayfinder’s guide for parents going off-grid from behaviourism, control, and inherited narratives I have always enjoyed creating. Art, crafts, poetry and gardening have always been the way that I have enjoyed expressing myself and experiencing joy in the world. The process is always the same, and if you’re an artist or a creative soul, […] Read more…
What the Pikler Approach Teaches Us About Connection, Sovereignty, and Burnout Recovery I began my career serving families as a teacher more than 25 years ago.Like many teachers of that time, I was trained in the behaviourist approach, a model inspired more by dog training than by human development. As a young teacher in my […] Read more…
A Collaboration Between Tanya Valentin and Laura Hellfeld Has your neurodivergent child ever said things like, “I hate you,” “I hate myself,” “I wish you would die,” or “I want to die” during a meltdown? Or perhaps they make unintelligible sounds, repeat the same words, cry, laugh, or say things that seem ‘inappropriate’ when they’re […] Read more…
For parents who don’t know where to begin You’re Exhausted, Unsure, and Wondering “Why isn’t my child recovering from burnout? What am I missing?” If you’re here, you’ve probably already tried to lower demands, read the advice, maybe even fought your way through countless professional appointments—yet your child still seems stuck in burnout. And underneath […] Read more…
For parents overwhelmed by everyday meltdowns, shutdowns, and reactivity Does this sound like you? If this is your reality, you are not failing.You simply don’t have the tools you need yet. Parent-to-Parent Reflection: “I used to feel so guilty every time my child melted down, like I was doing something wrong. Now I know it’s […] Read more…
For parents processing loss, identity shifts, and deep emotions The Grief No One Talks About in Parenting When your child is in burnout, it’s not just their world that changes; it’s yours too. You may find yourself grieving the life you thought you’d have, the parenting journey you imagined, or even the child you hoped […] Read more…
Your “all-in” toolkit for parenting through burnout Parenting in Burnout Feels Like Survival Every day brings new challenges: meltdowns, shutdowns, school struggles, hidden grief, pressure from others, and your own exhaustion. You’ve tried piecing together advice from books, therapists, social media—but it’s overwhelming, contradictory, and rarely built with neurodivergent families in mind. What you really […] Read more…
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 […] Read more…
A gentle, practical mini-course for parents of neurodivergent kids navigating meltdowns, shutdowns, and emotional overwhelm. Read more…