A webinar delivered by our Clinical Director Raelene Dundon for Belongside Families.
For parents and carers of Autistic children, it can feel like the world is always telling you that your child’s actions need to be “managed.” But every meltdown, shutdown, or moment of overwhelm is not misbehaviour, it’s communication. When we look deeper, we see our children aren’t trying to give us a hard time, they’re showing us what they need.
In this webinar, psychologist Raelene Dundon, will discuss how we can move away from compliance-driven approaches toward support that is affirming, respectful, and compassionate. Together, we’ll look at how to tune into the meaning behind our children’s responses, so we can meet them with empathy and connection.
We explore
• Why traditional ‘good behaviour’ models can cause harm and encourage masking
• How to recognise the messages within meltdowns, shutdowns, and ‘challenging’ moments
• Gentle, compassionate ways to support children in times of overwhelm
• How to reframe children’s actions as communication, regulation, and expression