Together Growing Strong

20/10/2026

It's so important that we recognise all the people living with invisible disabilities!🙌

It’s Invisible Disabilities Week (19–25 October)! 🌻💛

It’s estimated that around 80% of disabilities are non-visible. These can include neurological, cognitive, sensory, mental health and chronic conditions that aren’t always immediately apparent.

Not all disabilities are visible, but a little understanding and kindness can go a long way in helping everyone feel seen, understood and supported.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower helps people with non-visible disabilities discreetly indicate that they may need additional support, understanding or patience. 🌻

Learn more about the Sunflower 👉 https://shorturl.at/9uyZQ

20/10/2026

19/10/2026

"I really don't want another diagnosis." Or maybe: "I really don't need another report."

If you've ever said or thought this, what was that moment really meaning for you?

Often, wanting to avoid another diagnosis comes from a place of deep exhaustion—being tired of constant appointments, repeating your story, and explaining your child's needs over and over. Maybe you worry people will judge the label before they see the wonderful child underneath, or you wonder if the assessment will actually change anything or just become another document sitting in a drawer.

These concerns deserve a proper conversation. Before deciding on an assessment, ask:
What questions will this actually answer?
Will it explain a difficulty that current support is missing?
Will it lead to doing things differently?

Your child—or you—is the same person with their own unique strengths, interests, and needs, with or without a formal assessment. You deserve support that makes sense and respects your journey.

What do you wish someone had explained before you went through an assessment for yourself or your child? Share what you feel comfortable sharing in the comments so we can grow strong together.

www.togethergrowingstrong.com.au

19/10/2026

Are you ready to swap end-of-year holiday stress for calm, practical support?

Join Tammy Scott for Calming the Chaos—a live, neuroaffirming webinar filled with actionable strategies to help guide children and young people through the transition into school holidays.

Whether you're looking for ways to regulate routines or simply need reassuring tools that work, this session is designed with your family in mind.

🎁 Bonus Included:
Every registration comes with the complete 29-page End-of-Year Survival & Celebration Guide (valued at $17) AND access to the full webinar recording to watch at your own pace!

🎉 Save on your ticket: Use discount code CALM10 to get 10% OFF when you book!

📅 Upcoming Sessions (6:30 PM ACDT):
• Wednesday, 21 October
• Thursday, 19 November

Ready to make this holiday transition smooth and calm? Click the link below to claim your spot and apply your discount!

👉 Book Here: https://events.humanitix.com/calming-the-chaos-a-neuroaffirming-webinar/tickets

🌐 Learn More: togethergrowingstrong.com.au

18/10/2026

"Their sibling could do that at this age." Other children manage—why can't they just join in?

If you've ever found yourself worrying about your child's progress, it is so easy to fall into the comparison trap. But watching another child read aloud, make friends, or walk into a busy classroom tells us very little about what makes those things difficult for your child. We might completely miss the sensory noise they are dealing with, the instructions they're trying to process, or the sheer effort it took just to get through the door.

Let’s try changing the question. Instead of focusing on why they aren't keeping pace with others, let's ask: What's making it difficult for this child, and what would help?

Perhaps they need to see the steps clearly, practice in a quieter space, or start with someone they trust. Progress might simply be asking for help or trying just one part of an activity. Those moments deserve our attention, too.

Share your thoughts or what works for your family in the comments below because your idea might help another parent find a starting point. Let's grow strong together!

www.togethergrowingstrong.com.au

17/10/2026

Sometimes the thing that changes your week is someone saying, “Okay, let us do this differently.”

Perhaps they helped make a difficult task more manageable. Took a need seriously without asking you to justify it again. Apologised, then followed through. Or gave you space to rest without making you feel guilty.

Being understood can show up in small, practical ways. Someone listens, something changes, and there is a little more room to breathe.

For our Sunday check-in, what helped you, or someone you support, this week?

It might have been an adjustment, a conversation or a moment of kindness. Share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. We would love to hear.

[togethergrowingstrong.com.au](https://togethergrowingstrong.com.au/)

16/10/2026

You left the supermarket with half the shopping unfinished. Could that still be progress?

Perhaps you noticed the noise becoming too much. Your child asked to leave, and you listened. Or you recognised your own limit before trying to squeeze in “just one more thing”.

It is easy to measure success by what got finished. But noticing a need and responding to it matters too.

Asking for a quieter space. Taking a break. Saying, “I need more time.” These moments deserve recognition, even when they change the plan.

If you support someone, your response matters. When they ask for help or tell you something is too much, listen and explore what could work better together.

And if overwhelm arrived before anyone could recognise it, there is room for understanding then too. Nobody has to spot every warning sign to deserve support.

What is one moment like this you have noticed in yourself or someone you support? Share it in the comments.

Save this as a reminder for the days when progress looks different from what you expected.

Find out more about Together Growing Strong:
https://togethergrowingstrong.com.au/

15/10/2026

Progress isn't always a huge leap—sometimes it’s a moment of pure focus, independence, and pride.

Meet Layla. During our life skills session, she took complete charge in the kitchen: cooking her own pancakes, carefully setting the table, pouring her syrup, and finishing up with the washing dishes. Practicing practical life skills isn't just about making food. It builds confidence, fine motor control, sequencing, and personal ownership in a safe, encouraging environment.

Seeing Layla’s concentration and pride in her accomplishments is a beautiful reminder of why giving children space to lead matters so much

What is a small moment of independence or progress you’ve noticed in your child recently? We’d love to hear your story in the comments below!

👇Visit our website to learn more about our programs and community:🌐 www.togethergrowingstrong.com.au

15/10/2026

“It is just a thought” can feel very different when that thought keeps coming back and frightens you.

OCD is often reduced to jokes about tidy cupboards or perfectly organised desks. Those stereotypes overlook the distress that people may be carrying.

Someone might experience unwanted thoughts about harming a person they love. Someone else might spend hours mentally questioning their relationship. Another person might repeatedly wash or avoid touching things because they fear making their family sick.

The thoughts can be deeply at odds with what matters to them. The compulsions may be visible, or they may happen entirely in their mind.

We do not need to understand every detail to respond with compassion.

“Thank you for trusting me.”
“I can see this is really difficult.”
“I am here to listen.”

We do not have to solve someone’s uncertainty to acknowledge their distress. Listening calmly and without judgement can make a difficult conversation feel less lonely.

This OCD Awareness Week, share this carousel to help replace stereotypes with understanding. You never know who might feel a little more understood when they see it.

[togethergrowingstrong.com.au]

14/10/2026

“Alright, time to grab a shower!” — Why those 6 words trigger an instant battle. 🚿

The other night around 6:30 PM, I called out what I thought was a totally normal instruction. My child froze, gave me that look, and blurted out: “I DON’T WANT TO!” 😅

My initial reaction used to be frustration. Why does a daily routine have to turn into a fight? But taking a deep breath, I wondered… what if this isn't about being stubborn? What if getting in the shower is just genuinely hard for their nervous system right now?

Showering isn't just one simple task. For kids, teens, or adults managing executive dysfunction, it’s a list of hidden hurdles hitting all at once:

👉 Switching gears: Transitioning away from a high-dopamine activity takes huge mental effort.
👉 Sensory overload: Going from warm clothes to cold air, the sting of the spray, the loud bathroom echo, or wet hair sticking to skin can feel overwhelming.
👉 Executive function overload: Un******ng, checking water temperature, washing, rinsing, drying, and dressing is an exhausting checklist to execute.

✨ The shift that changed everything for us:

Instead of asking "Why won't you just do it?", I started asking "What's making this hard right now?"

A few simple tweaks made a world of difference:

🎵 Bring in audio: Playing a favorite playlist, podcast, or audiobook helps bridge the transition. (My teen brings music, and I bring my audiobook!)
🌡️ Adjust the environment: Warming up the bathroom or setting a gentler spray tones down sensory distress.
⏳ "Quick" vs. "Long" days: On low-capacity days, allow a quick "get in, wash essential spots, get out" routine—saving hair washing for high-energy days.
📅 Rethink frequency: Normalizing that showering every couple of days is fine (especially in winter) removes unnecessary pressure.

My biggest takeaway?
Resistance is almost never bad behavior—it’s a signal that something is getting in the way. When we look for the hurdle instead of fighting, routines become calmer. ❤️

Have you experienced this? What’s one trick that helps make shower time easier at your house? Let’s share below! 👇