Compassionate guidance for parents of neurodivergent children and teens navigating autistic burnout
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…
It’s been a bittersweet week for me. My daughter, the one who started our family’s burnout journey, just finished her first year of university. And you know what the very first thought was that crossed my mind?“I’d better not tell anyone… what if it all goes wrong?” Something tells me you might understand this if […] 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…
Breaking Generational Cycles of Shame, Grief, and Emotional Illiteracy in Parenting When I was a young parent, I came across a Facebook meme that said: I remember reading it late at night, peering down at my sleeping baby and toddler. I made a quiet promise to them right then: This will be our family’s story. […] Read more…