Understanding the Journey
Parenting a neurodivergent child can be both deeply rewarding and uniquely challenging. Whether your child is newly diagnosed, awaiting assessment, or has been identified for some time, many parents find themselves seeking a deeper understanding of their child’s needs, practical strategies to support them, and connection with others on a similar journey.
Parents often tell us that receiving a diagnosis brings a mixture of relief, validation, hope, uncertainty, and sometimes grief. For some, it provides an explanation for years of unanswered questions. For others, it marks the beginning of a journey of learning about neurodiversity and what it means for their child and family.
As parents begin to understand autism, ADHD, giftedness, AuDHD, learning differences, and other forms of neurodivergence, they often realise that neurodivergence influences far more than behaviour alone. It can affect emotional regulation, sensory experiences, friendships, learning, communication, family relationships, eating, sleep, daily routines, and a child’s sense of self.
Many parents also find themselves navigating complex systems, including schools, health professionals, support services, and extended family members who may not fully understand their child’s needs. It can feel overwhelming to know where to begin, which advice to follow, and how best to support their child through challenges that may be unfamiliar to others.
Why Do Parents Need Support?
Research consistently shows that parents and carers of neurodivergent children experience higher levels of stress, caregiver burden, and social isolation than parents of neurotypical children. Many families find themselves coordinating appointments, advocating within education systems, navigating assessments, supporting emotional and behavioural challenges, and responding to needs that are not always well understood by others.
Parents often tell us that traditional parenting advice does not always fit their child’s needs. Strategies that work well for one child may be ineffective, or even counterproductive, for another. This can leave parents feeling uncertain, isolated, or questioning their own confidence and instincts.
Many parents also describe feeling disconnected from their parenting peers. Friends, family members, and even professionals may not fully appreciate the unique joys and challenges that come with raising a neurodivergent child.
At Minds & Hearts, we believe that parents deserve support too. Just as children benefit from understanding, connection, and guidance, parents benefit from having a space where they can ask questions, share experiences, learn practical strategies, and connect with others who genuinely understand the journey.
What is the Group About?
The Raising Neurodivergent Kids group provides a welcoming space for parents and carers to learn, connect, and share experiences. Combining evidence-informed psychoeducation, practical parenting strategies, and facilitated discussion, the group aims to support families in understanding and responding to the unique strengths, challenges, and support needs of neurodivergent children.
The group is suitable for parents and carers of children with autism, ADHD, giftedness, AuDHD, learning differences, and other forms of neurodivergence. Whether your child has received a formal diagnosis, is awaiting assessment, or you are simply seeking a deeper understanding of their needs, you are welcome to join.
Common Topics
Topics may include:
- Understanding neurodivergence through a developmental, attachment, and nervous system lens
- Parent wellbeing and preventing caregiver burnout
- Emotional regulation and interoception
- Sensory differences and sensory support
- Food, eating, and mealtime challenges
- Sleep initiation and maintenance for the whole family
- Friendships and social development
- Bullying and social exclusion
- School-related challenges, school refusal, educational adjustments, and schooling options
- Technology and screen use
- Independence and daily living skills
- Managing change, uncertainty, and transitions
- Puberty and adolescent development
- Family relationships and sibling dynamics
The group is designed to remain responsive to the interests and needs of participating families. Alongside psychoeducation and practical strategies, there will be opportunities for parents to share their own knowledge, wisdom, challenges, and successes in a supportive community of families raising neurodivergent children.
Our Approach
At Minds & Hearts, we believe that understanding comes before strategy.
Parents are often given advice about managing behaviours without first being helped to understand what may be driving those behaviours. Our approach encourages parents to view their child’s experiences through multiple lenses, including neurodevelopment, attachment, nervous system functioning, sensory processing, emotional regulation, learning profiles, family relationships, and life experiences.
We recognise that some challenges arise from a mismatch between a child’s needs and their environment rather than from deficits within the child themselves. As a result, we explore both accommodations that may help a child thrive and practical skills that can support development over time.
Our goal is not to change who a child is. Rather, it is to help families understand, support, and advocate for their child while fostering confidence, resilience, wellbeing, and authentic development.
Both neurodivergent and neurotypical parents and carers are warmly welcomed.
Why Minds & Hearts?
Since 2004, Minds & Hearts has been supporting neurodivergent individuals and families across the lifespan. Each year, our team completes over 100 neurodevelopmental assessments and delivers more than 8,000 therapy sessions, providing extensive experience supporting children, parents, and families navigating autism, ADHD, giftedness, learning differences, and related challenges.
Minds & Hearts was founded by Dr Michelle Garnett with the support of Professor Tony Attwood, pioneers of what is now recognised as a neurodiversity-affirming approach. Our current Directors were trained and mentored by Dr Garnett and Professor Attwood and continue to pass this knowledge, experience, and philosophy of care on to the next generation of Minds & Hearts clinicians.
This group combines the expertise of our clinicians with the shared wisdom of parents who are walking a similar path.
Meet Your Facilitator
Michelle Rae is a Psychologist and Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator with extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children, adolescents, and their families. Her work focuses on autism, ADHD, emotional regulation, behaviour, attachment, social development, and parenting support.
Alongside her professional experience, Michelle is also a parent of three children and understands firsthand both the rewards and challenges of family life. This combination of clinical expertise and lived parenting experience helps her bring a practical, compassionate, and down-to-earth perspective to the group.
Michelle is passionate about helping parents make sense of their child’s unique profile, strengthen relationships, and develop practical strategies that work in everyday family life. Her warm, collaborative approach combines evidence-based knowledge with an appreciation that parents themselves bring invaluable wisdom and expertise about their own children.
Group Format
The group will meet fortnightly during school terms in 2-hour sessions.
Parents can register their interest for either:
- Face-to-face sessions at our Stones Corner clinic
- Online sessions via telehealth
Groups will be offered based on demand and participant interest.
Cost: $200 per 2-hour session.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
Parenting a neurodivergent child can sometimes feel overwhelming, but you do not have to figure everything out on your own.
Join a community of parents who are learning, sharing, and growing together. Gain practical strategies, deepen your understanding of neurodivergence, and connect with families who understand the joys and challenges of the journey.
To express your interest in the Raising Neurodivergent Kids: Parent Support & Skills Group, contact Minds & Hearts on
(07) 3844 9466 or complete our online enquiry form.
We look forward to welcoming you.