Homebase Hope: All About Autism

We know diet impacts gut health, but what else influences the state of the gut? ….It’s so much more than we think! Today we chat with Kirsty Wirth – Gut Health Guru, Founder of Kultured Wellness and mother to a child on the autism spectrum. She talks us through all the things that can help or hinder gut health….and we look beyond the diet to explore the impacts of nature, movement and SO MUCH MORE!  She empowers us with so many practical tips including letting us know the type of non-toxic sunscreen she uses on her kids!

The post HBH 23: Healing The Gut – Beyond Dietary Intervention with Kirsty Wirth appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are viewing autism through the lens of a teen on the spectrum. Clay Lewis is 16, girl crazy, car mad, loathes school and lives for music. Just your typical teenager. He’s also on the autism spectrum and is just realising he’s a person his peers want to get to know. Clay has his own bin cleaning business with a loyal customer base. His ultimate dream is to race cars but he’s willing to settle for independent living – having his own unit on the Gold Coast, owning a car and financial independence!

We’ll be talking about growing up on the spectrum, school, friendships, sensory processing and employment….join us!

The post HBH 22: Teenage Life On The Spectrum appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Children on the spectrum are easy targets for school bullies. I feel it is SO necessary that we shed light on what can be such a dark topic and spend a whole episode equipping you with the tools to approach bullying. We show you how you can bully proof your child!

Susan Hyde is our beautiful guest who has been working in the field of education for nearly 30 years. Her background in classroom teaching lead to her interest in specialising in children’s behaviour, and boy, she has got some incredible gems to share with you today! Take a listen…..

The post HBH 21: How To Bully Proof Your Child appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are delving right into nutrition for kids and getting some really practical advice. Beck Warke, an incredibly knowledgable and passionate functional nutrition consultant walks us through the types of foods we should be packing into the lunchbox. We dive into the foods that sustain our kiddies energy and attention, how to navigate food labels, best shopping tips, how make the best choices if your on a plant based diet and SO MUCH MORE!

Beck is the founder of the Omaha Kids In School Nutrition Program and is dedicated to educating children on how real, whole food can enable a healthy and vibrant life. Beck wants to change the health of our kids by improving one lunch box at a time…

The post HBH 20: Changing Lives, One Lunchbox At A Time appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are diving into the world of Asperger’s with none other than Professor Tony Attwood. We delve into how our understanding of autism has changed over the years, what autism actually is, how you can celebrate Asperger’s, managing your child’s ‘challenging behaviour’, supporting your child through anxiety and depression ….and SO MUCH MORE! Tony has worked with thousands of individuals of all ages with Asperger’s syndrome or an Autism Spectrum Disorder and today he is sharing his wisdom and insight with us.

The post HBH 19: All About Asperger’s With Tony Attwood appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Do our kids actually need homework? Is it really doing them any favours? Today we are talking to a fabulous teacher who’s based down in Adelaide and she’s not afraid to speak up when it comes to ditching homework and replacing it with more time to relax, connect, move and play. Clare Crew is an early childhood and inclusive education teacher who specialises in the brain-body connection. She helps the children the system leaves behind – those with learning, attention​, ​developmental ​and behavioural challenges. Her message is simple; children need more movement and play in the early years of life. And when we’re able to deliver this, children begin to thrive.

The post HBH 18: Ditch Homework For More Play appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Music and movement combined has the power to re-map the brain! Autism Movement Therapy® is a program designed by Joanne Lara – a professional dancer turned classroom education specialist turned university professor! The program is based on interhemispheric sensory integration to help children reach their potential. Music and movement can literally rewire the brain to benefit a child’s communication, cognitive function, behaviour and motor skills. And she show’s us how this is possible!

Joanne is just as passionate about empowering people on the spectrum to find suitable employment. As the Executive Director for Autism Works Now! – she has lots of good tips on teaching pre-employment skills to teenagers and young adults.

The post HBH 17: Movement Therapy, Waking Up The Brain & Job Skills with Joanne Lara appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Impaired communication is a core challenge for children with autism. However, many kids on the spectrum learn effectively through the use of visual supports. Visuals can increase predictability, reduce anxiety, improve listening and independence and empower children to effectively communicate their message. Whether you are currently using visuals or you are curious to learn more, I encourage you to strap in for some really practical advice as I chat with the amazing Shae Rodgers from Small TALK Speech Therapy based in Newcastle.

The post HBH 16: Visual Supports For Children With Autism appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Children with autism often experience very high stress levels which can lead to problem behaviours and a decline in their physical and emotional health.

Dr Hamlin is the Associate Executive Director at The Centre for Discovery, a premier specialty centre for children and adults with complex developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorders. Today she discusses a revolutionary empowering approach which can be used on the most complex cases of autism, yet the approach itself is quite simple in nature. It focuses on a lifestyle approach. She walks us through her 4 step approach to reducing stress and implementing tools for self-regulation. This episode is FULL of gems you do not want to miss.

The post HBH 15: Autism And The Stress Effect appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Today we are talking all about inflammation. Many children on the spectrum experience chronic stress caused by everyday stressors such as transitions, social situations, a diet high in processed foods and poor quality sleep. And this constant stress day after day can cause inflammation in their little bodies. Eliminating inflammation from the body requires a really holistic approach and this is exactly what we are delving into today!

Today we are talking to the most enthusiastic, most passionate doctor I have ever met! You just can’t help get excited when you hear her speak. Her energy is seriously contagious! Today we are talking to Dr Madiha Saeed an integrative holistic family physician, but most importantly a mother of four boys under the age of nine.

The post HBH 14: Inflammation & Autism – A Holistic Approach with Dr Madiha Saeed appeared first on The Wellness Couch.