Fiona Goodall - Making Connections Toowoomba

On International Day of Loneliness a few things to remember....
Loneliness isn’t weakness. It’s a signal that connection is missing.

1. Belonging is a human right and it even regulates the nervous system
Human brains are wired for safe connection.

2. Even one safe person matters
Friendship quality over quantity.

3. Shared interests reduce social effort
Connection is easier when built around common interests.

4. Repeated time consolidates relationships
Familiarity reduces social anxiety.

5. Small interactions count
Brief positive exchanges still build belonging.

Social energy isn’t unlimited — and learning to manage it is a life skill.

Here are some simple ways to support your young person:
1. Normalise it
Talk about social batteries as something everyone has — just in different sizes. This reduces shame and builds self-awareness.

2. Plan for recovery time
If there’s a party, group, or big school day ahead or lots of therapy, schedule quiet time afterwards. Try to not make recover an afterthought.

3. Use a simple check-in scale
Before and after social events, ask:
“Where’s your battery at — full, half, low?”
Over time, this builds self and social awareness.

4. Watch for subtle signs of depletion
Irritability, withdrawal, silliness, shutdown, or increased rigidity can all signal a low battery — not attitude.

5. Teach pacing, not pushing
Leaving early, taking short breaks, stepping outside, learning to say no or 'not this time' or alternating high-energy and low-energy activities are smart strategies — not failures.

The goal isn’t to increase battery sizes. It’s to help our young people understand it, honour it, and manage it with confidence.

Limited places!

Full registration and details here: www.makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au/supporting-your-young-person-with-adhd

Last year I had the privilege of hearing Professor Francesca Happé speak at the APAC conference.

Professor Happé is well known for her excellent research in areas of autism that have often been under-researched, particularly autistic girls and women, and older autistic people.

I learned so much from her presentation, so I was really pleased to see this documentary available on SBS On Demand.

Women and girls have too often been missed, misunderstood or diagnosed later in life. The more we listen to and learn from their experiences, the better we can understand autism across the lifespan and support people in ways that are respectful, informed and meaningful.

You can watch it here:
www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/the-secret-world-of-autistic-women-and-girls

Watch The Secret World of Autistic Women and Girls Watch The Secret World of Autistic Women and Girls for free with SBS On Demand, your ultimate destination for diverse entertainment. Stream now!

Not everyone recharges the same way — and that’s okay.

1. Social energy is real
For many neurodivergent people, social interaction uses significant energy — even when it’s enjoyable.

2. Enjoyment doesn’t cancel exhaustion
A child or teen might love the group, the party, the playdate or the hangout — and still feel completely drained afterwards.

3. Masking or camouflaging uses extra power
Monitoring facial expressions, tone, body language, and conversation rules can quietly deplete a social battery much faster.

4. Recovery time is not avoidance
Needing quiet time, solitude, or low-demand activities after socialising is often regulation — not rudeness.

5. Capacity fluctuates
The same person might manage a full day one week and struggle the next. Stress, sleep, sensory load, and life demands all impact the battery.

Social confidence isn’t about pushing through exhaustion. It’s about learning how to notice the battery level — and recharge before it hits empty.

Full details and registration here: www.makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au/supporting-your-young-person-with-adhd

Thank you, RTM, for supporting diversity in the workplace!

Today, MCT’s Work Ready Program had the wonderful opportunity to visit RTM for a work exposure visit.

A huge thank you to the RTM team for making our young people feel welcome and included from the moment we walked through the door. The warmth, patience and respect shown by the team made a real difference and helped create a positive and meaningful learning experience.

The visit gave our participants valuable insight into what happens in a real workplace, including hidden and learned rules, workplace expectations, roles and responsibilities, teamwork, initiative, behind the scenes and customer service.

The RTM team were incredibly generous with their time, answering our questions and sharing practical examples of what it looks like to work well as part of a team. Their passion for customer service was clear, and it helped our young people better understand the quality, care and responsibility involved in the work they do.

We are very grateful to RTM for supporting MCT’s Work Ready Program and for helping create a more inclusive community.