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10 Neurodivergent Calm Down Strategies
1. Deep breathing exercises: Taking slow, deep breaths can help regulate the nervous system and promote relaxation. 2. Grounding...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Mar 25, 20242 min read
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The ABCs of PDA: A Closer Look at Pathological Demand Avoidance
Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a behavioral pattern observed in children and adults who exhibit extreme resistance to everyday demands,...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Mar 14, 20248 min read
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12 Somatic Exercises to Release Trauma
Healing from trauma involves addressing both the emotional and physical aspects of the experience. Somatic exercises offer a powerful...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Mar 14, 20243 min read
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Respecting Autistic Voices: Why Non-Autistic People Need to Stop Defining the Autistic Experience
The diversity of human experiences enriches our world, and embracing this diversity is essential for creating an inclusive and...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Jul 28, 20233 min read
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Strategies to Enhance Executive Functioning Skills for ADHD / Neurodivergent People
1. Task Prioritization and Time Management: Create a daily or weekly to-do list, ranking tasks by urgency and importance. Use...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Jul 20, 20232 min read
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Embracing Diversity: The Empowering Benefits of Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy
Heartstone Guidance Center is a group of neurodivergent therapists providing neurodiversity-affirming therapy to other neurodivergent...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Jul 20, 20233 min read
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Sensory Diets for Autistic People of All Ages
A sensory diet is a carefully planned and individualized set of sensory activities designed to provide comfort, regulation, and support...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Jul 20, 20233 min read
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The Journey of Deconstructing and Reclaiming the Neurodivergent Self
Understanding False Self Constructs: False self constructs are external masks and personas that neurodivergent individuals adopt to fit...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Jul 19, 20233 min read
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Discovering the Power of Healing Breathwork: 8 Types of Breathing Exercises for Wellness
Breathwork is an ancient practice that harnesses the power of conscious and intentional breathing to promote physical, emotional, and...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Jul 12, 20233 min read
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Understanding Double Empathy: Building Bridges between Autistic and Non-Autistic Individuals
In recent years, a concept called "double empathy" has gained recognition as a framework for understanding and improving the interactions...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Jul 5, 20233 min read
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Embracing Neurodiversity: Dispelling the Myth of Autistic People and Theory of Mind
In our society, it is crucial to recognize and celebrate the diverse ways in which human minds function. Neurodiversity encompasses the...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Jul 5, 20232 min read
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Strength in Your Ancestors / Family Mediation
Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Feel the weight of the world slip away as you enter a state of calm and tranquility. As you begin...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Jun 19, 20232 min read
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Energy Conservation and Neurodivergency: Creating a Life that Respects Neurodivergent Flow
Neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism and ADHD, experience the world in unique ways. Their brains are wired...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Jun 1, 20233 min read
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Body Positivity Meditation
Close your eyes and take a deep breath, allowing yourself to settle into a comfortable position. In this moment, we will embark on a body...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
May 24, 20232 min read
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Understanding How Proprioception and Interoception Affect the Autistic Population
Proprioception and interoception are two lesser-known sensory systems that play crucial roles in our daily lives. While often...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
May 18, 20232 min read
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Neurodiversity-Affirming Meditation
Welcome, my fellow neurodivergent people, to this affirming meditation designed to honor your neurodivergency in a world that often fails...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
May 18, 20233 min read
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Meditation for Sitting with Grief
Sometimes in life, we need to sit with hard emotions. Not in a state of doing, but in a state of being. Begin by finding a quiet and...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
May 17, 20232 min read
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Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief: Understanding its Stages and the Journey of Healing
Grief is a universal human experience, an emotional response to loss that transcends cultures and backgrounds. It is a profound and...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
May 16, 20235 min read
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Motivation for Neurodivergent Individuals using INCUP: Overcoming Task Initiation Challenges
Neurodivergent individuals, such as those with autism or ADHD, often face challenges when it comes to motivation and task initiation....

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Apr 21, 20232 min read
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The Dark Origin Story of ABA "Therapy" Narrated by an Actually Autistic Therapist
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a treatment widely used to modify behaviors in autistic individuals. However, many people in...

Amy Duffy-Barnes
Apr 21, 20233 min read
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