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Cathartic Collaborations Blog
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Neuroaffirming Practice Blog | Reflections for Allied Health, Supervisors & System-Shifting Professionals
This blog is a living archive of insight at the intersection of clinical practice, neurodivergent identity, and systemic transformation. Written through the dual lens of lived experience and professional expertise, each piece invites slow reflection, ethical curiosity, and values-aligned practice.
Here, you'll find research-informed perspectives on topics such as Autistic and ADHD mental health, masking and burnout in practitioners, gifted trauma, Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA), and the quiet work of unlearning neuronorms.
Whether you're a therapist, supervisor, social worker, or neurodivergent professional seeking to work in integrity with your values and neurotype — this space is for you.
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Inside the Nervous System: Reframing PDA with IFS
Introduction I’ve come to understand PDA not as wilful defiance, but as a living negotiation inside the nervous system — a coalition of Parts working urgently, sometimes rigidly, to protect autonomy and safety whenever these feel under threat. Seen through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS), PDA shifts from a pathologised “profile” to a system of protection and care. This piece doesn’t aim to settle the debate over what PDA is . Instead, it’s an offering: a way of seei
Caitlin Hughes
7 min read
Multi-Exceptionality: Navigating the Intersections of Giftedness, Autism, and ADHD
Understanding Multi-Exceptionality In recent years, the concept of multi-exceptionality has gained greater visibility, particularly within neurodivergent communities and contemporary psychological discourse. Multi-exceptionality refers to individuals who are both gifted and disabled. These individuals are often described as twice- or multi-exceptional, meaning they possess significant cognitive strengths alongside developmental, learning, or mental health differences (Ronksle
Caitlin Hughes
7 min read
Addressing SV Against Autistic People Through a Neuroaffirming Lens
⚠️ Content Warning This article discusses sexual violence against autistic people. It includes references to abuse, trauma, and systemic harm. Please prioritise your wellbeing — feel free to pause, skip sections, or step away at any time. Introduction Sexual violence is a profound violation of autonomy and safety. Yet for autistic people — particularly autistic women, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals — the risk is not only higher but compounded by systemic failures
Caitlin Hughes
9 min read
Demystifying Therapy: A Neuroaffirming Guide for Those New to the Process
Introduction For many individuals—particularly those who identify as neurodivergent—the idea of starting therapy can be daunting. Whether you're considering it to navigate burnout, process past experiences, or gain support in understanding yourself more fully, therapy often comes with a host of unknowns. If you've never engaged in therapy before, you might wonder what to expect, worry whether your experiences will be understood, or fear being pathologised for the ways your br
Caitlin Hughes
8 min read
Breaking Barriers: Addressing the Inaccessibility of Mental Healthcare for Autistic Folks
Introduction Autistic individuals frequently encounter significant barriers when seeking mental health support. Research highlights that autistic people experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation compared to non-autistic individuals (Lai et al., 2019). However, they also face systemic challenges that hinder access to effective and affirming mental health services (Cage et al., 2018). The current healthcare system often fails to accommodate autistic
Caitlin Hughes
7 min read
ADHD, Hormones, and Menstruation: Understanding the Impact of PMDD
Introduction ADHD is often understood through a narrow childhood lens, focusing on hyperactivity, impulsivity, and executive function challenges. However, for those assigned female at birth (AFAB) and others who experience menstrual cycles, ADHD is dynamic, shifting in response to hormonal fluctuations across the lifespan. Growing research highlights how oestrogen and progesterone influence dopamine and serotonin regulation—two key neurotransmitters already working differentl
Caitlin Hughes
7 min read
Gender Bias in ADHD Diagnosis: The Intersection of Giftedness, Gender Identity and Late Diagnosis
Introduction The diagnosis of ADHD has historically been rife with bias, especially against women, nonbinary individuals, and transgender people. These biases stem from entrenched gender norms, cultural stereotypes, and a diagnostic paradigm originally calibrated to the “typical” hyperactive boy in mind. Over time, critical research and firsthand testimonies have illuminated how ADHD manifests differently across genders and intersecting identities. Understanding Gender Bias i
Caitlin Hughes
9 min read
Reimagining Parenting: A Neurodivergent-Affirming Guide to Supporting Autistic and ADHD Children
Introduction Parenting is often portrayed as a journey guided by well-established rules and milestones: expect your child to achieve certain developmental markers by a certain age, follow tried-and-true disciplinary methods, and measure “success” by how closely your child’s behaviour aligns with societal norms. For parents raising neurodivergent children—such as those who are autistic or ADHD—this conventional blueprint quickly proves inadequate. Standard parenting manuals fr
Caitlin Hughes
12 min read
Understanding Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD): Causes, Effects, and Coping Strategies
Introduction Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) is a profound emotional experience, particularly affecting neurodivergent individuals, including Autistic folks and ADHDers. People with RSD often experience rejection as a deep wound that impacts their sense of self and relationships with others. In this post, we’ll dive into the origins of RSD, its impact on daily life, and explore strategies for managing the intense emotional responses associated with it. By understanding
Caitlin Hughes
13 min read
Understanding and Supporting Autistic & ADHD Burnout: Strategies for Pacing, Setting Boundaries, and Self-Care
Introduction Burnout has become a frequent topic in conversations about mental health, but it’s particularly relevant when discussing the lives of neurodivergent individuals. Autistic folks and ADHDers face unique challenges that can lead to burnout, making it essential to understand how to prevent and manage it effectively. In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept of burnout in relation to Autistic folks and ADHDers, its causes, and signs. We’ll also share strategies for
Caitlin Hughes
8 min read
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