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Reflections

Essays from Kristy Forbes exploring PDA, autistic experience, parenting, identity, care, systems and the ordinary moments that shape family life.

Preferred VS Non Preferred tasks

Mar 28, 2023

The terms "preferred and non preferred" would do well to be set aside when it comes to our children.

These terms are used in conjunction with autistic children often in therapeutic settings in particular, and are relate...

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Relational Safety: The most important workplace accommodation of all, for Neurodivergent teams

Mar 02, 2023

Every time I bring someone new onto our team at inTune Pathways or into my own home as a support to our neurodivergent family, I notice a few things that are reflective of the way we've been conditioned to live within th...

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This week is a sorrowful one for me - By Dannielle, our Social Media Manager

Jan 26, 2023

This week is a sorrowful one for me - as a proud Gamilaraay yinarr (woman) I am painfully
reminded that sovereignty was never ceded on these stolen lands; from the moment
Captain Cook “discovered” Botany Bay and was met wi...

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What are your qualifications?

Jan 07, 2023
 

Yesterday, someone trolled me on social media.
That in itself isn’t the thing. That happens to autistic folks who joyfully resist the disorder narrative all the time.
It’s threatening to some, to read my writings or hear m...

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You deserve to be liberated; an end of year reflection.

Dec 24, 2022

TW: Nightmares, trauma and neurodivergence.

 

 

Something I haven't touched on in regard to PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance, Persistent Drive for Autonomy) are the nightmares.

Many of our children will speak to us...

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Receiving Gifts - An Autistic Experience

Dec 07, 2022

A guest post by our inTune Pathways Team member, Deirdre

 

In the 3 years since we found out my youngest, and subsequently, my husband, myself and my eldest child are all autistic, I have had well-meaning therapists an...

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We can reframe our experience of parenting autistic children

Oct 16, 2022

Trigger warning: functioning labels, mention of suicidality, marriage separation
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I am a parent of four and a full time carer.

I know within the autistic community, there are those who oppose the term “carer”, and I’m ...

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Discovering me

Sep 26, 2022

A guest post by Alana Reeves

Most people don’t get to discover who they are at 40 years of age. It sounds like it could be an overwhelming experience, doesn’t it? To discover that you’re a completely different person th...

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School trauma is real

Aug 26, 2022

I was so excited for my son to start big school. He loved kindergarten, although he was slow to
start in the mornings. We often dropped him off late, but the kinder teachers did not mind. He
found his groove after a few mo...

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The Facade of 'Hope".

Jul 21, 2022
Kristy Forbes
The Facade of 'Hope".
6:58
 

TW: Suicidality, depression, anxiety, eating disorders
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Many families are encouraged to cling to the narrative that there is “hope” for their autistic child.

Normally it’s related to the success, or everyday fun...

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