For decades, the standard approach to disability support often felt like a renovation project. The goal was to “fix” behaviours or make a person appear more “neurotypical.” But trying to change the fundamental way a brain works is exhausting. It requires individuals to mask who they are just to make others comfortable. Worst of all, it rarely leads to long-term happiness or genuine independence. Neuroaffirming practice takes a different path. It starts with a simple premise:

For decades, a dominant idea shaped how we understood autism and communication: autistic people struggle to understand others. They lack empathy. They need to learn “social skills.” But what if that story is only half true? In 2012, autistic researcher Dr Damian Milton proposed a different way of thinking about these communication difficulties. He called it the “double empathy problem.” His argument was simple but important: when communication breaks down between autistic and

Written by Julian Vilsten, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner . Last updated: April 2026 In support settings, phrases like “needs prompting” are used daily. It sounds efficient. It ticks a box. But in practice, this shorthand often lacks the clarity needed to deliver consistent, person-centred support. Does “prompting” mean a gentle reminder? Does it mean guiding their hand? Does it mean asking them what comes next? Without clarity, three

Written by Julian Vilsten, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner . Last updated: April 2026 Imagine a support worker walks into a home. They see a pile of laundry. They want to be helpful, so they wash, dry, and fold it while the participant watches TV. That looks like good care. The house is clean. The job is done. But in reality, that worker just stole a learning opportunity. This is the core problem Person-Centred Active Support (PCAS) so

Written by Julian Vilsten, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner . Last updated: April 2026 The request seems simple enough. Put on your shoes. Reply to that email. Brush your teeth. Eat breakfast. But for some autistic individuals, these everyday expectations trigger something that feels closer to panic than inconvenience. The nervous system registers "put on your shoes" the same way it might register genuine danger. What follows is not a c

Written by Julian Vilsten, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner . Last updated: April 2026 Restrictive practices are a deeply sensitive and highly regulated area of disability support. They involve interventions that intentionally limit the rights or freedom of movement of a person. Their use is a serious matter under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). While restrictive practices may sometimes be necessary to prevent immediate