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Q+A: PDA + Toileting With Neurodivergent Nurse, Laura Hellfeld

Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Jun 29

youtu.be/8rAODz9HZ2k?...

YouTube video by PDA North America (pathological demand avoidance)

youtu.be

Finding the Balance: Supporting PDAers Without Overloading Our Young People

Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Jun 29

Supporting PDAers and that Balance with Information

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...
#PDA #autism #autistic #pathologicaldemandavoidance

Article Background

Demanding Respect from PDAers in the School Setting: Why Hierarchy Backfires & What Builds True Connection Instead

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Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Jun 22

New Blog & Free Download are Up!

"When it comes to supporting a PDAer, traditional ideas around respect and authority often backfire.

Because our traditional approach to ‘respect’ may be rooted in power and control, not connection."

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...

#education #SEN #PDA

With FREE downloadable quick-reference guide

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Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Jun 22

It was a dream to have Kerry share her story. Thanks for sharing it round

Hypermobility & Ehlers Danlos & How They Affect Food & Eating

Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Jun 16

Ehlers Danlos & Hypermobility and How They Affect Food and Eating

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...

#ehlersdanlos #ehlersdanlossyndrome #hypermobility #nurses #healthcare

What are Ehlers Danlos & Hypermobility Syndrome?

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Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Jun 8

Beyond 'Picky Eating'

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...

#feedingtherapy #healthcare #chronicillness #ehlersdanlos #hypermobility #nurses #education #earlyyears

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Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Jun 3

How Do I Get Them to Shower? Rethinking Hygiene Support in Care Roles

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...

#disability #careassistant #publichealth #nurses #nursing #disabled

An image to highlight that a new blog on hygiene is on my substack. The photo is of a silver coloured shower head and the shower is on. White text 'How do I get them to shower? Rethinking hygiene support in care roles'

Rethinking Praise: Practical Strategies for Toileting Support

Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Jun 2

It’s appalling. I had a residency in a men’s central jail back in the US and I physically couldn’t do it from how my body would shutdown and collapse when seeing the sheriffs torture unarmed people. It was done out of boredom. Done for fun.

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Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · May 27

Context is everything. That food, in that moment, surrounded by familiar sights, smells, people & routines, feels safe. Take away those surrounding elements & it’s like offering a completely different food.

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...

#OT #neurodivergent #autism #autismfamilies #adhd

Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · May 20

Toileting Article Out Now!

With FREE Communication Download

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...
#SEND #disability #publichealth #nurse #education #teachers

Practical Toolkit for Families and Professionals, Downloadable PDF

Believing Teens: What We Say Matters

Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · May 16

Believing Teens: What We Say Matters

A Blog Inspired by the May 2025 Autistic Brunout Conference

To have a read, you can follow the link
open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...
#burnout #autistic #autism #education #mentalhealth #healthcare

A blog inspired by the 2025 Autistic Burnout Conference

Understanding the Real Challenge

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Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · May 12

PDA and Compliance

New blog is up! You can have a read here.

#PDA #pdaautism #neurodiversity #education #parenting

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...

PDAers and Compliance

David Gray-Hammond and Tanya Adkin explore Autistic experiences of substance use and addiction in this live zoom webinar.

Reposted by Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting

Autistic Realms (Helen Edgar) @autisticrealms.bsky.social · May 11

Want to know why Autistic people might experience substance use differently? Come along to our Webinar on tomorrow evening 12th May 6pm GMT on Zoom!
With @emergentdivergence.com and @tanyaadkin.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autism-and...

Autism and Substance Use

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · May 8

A wonderful morning of connection and conversation as always :)

Reposted by Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting

Little Hiccups @littlehiccups1.bsky.social · May 7

🌟 Thank You, @laurahellfeld.bsky.social ! 🌟

A huge thank you to Laura for running an incredible workshop on interoception! 🧠✨ This knowledge is invaluable for both self-care and supporting our kiddos.

#Interoception #SelfCare #Workshop #ThankYouLaura

Picture of Laura presenting to the class. She is sat down and holding a cup of coffee. She is in front of a TV which has a screen on Coregulation on.

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Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · May 5

'Same Food' or 'Safe Food' and When Our Language Matters

New Blog on Substack!

When people use terms like same food or safe food, they’re often referring to someone’s favourite food, a food they have a strong emotional or sensory connection to...'

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...
#autism #adhd

'Same Food' or 'Safe Food'

and When Our Language Matters

Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · May 2

May Newsletter!

-List of May events, many free, low cost
-Linked blogs from April, including free downloads
-Link to catch up on the community education event about #PANS/PANDAS that touched on #OCD, tourettes, changes in behaviour

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...

#autism #adhd #neurodiversity

May Newsletter

Hello and hiya!

PANS PANDAS experts invited to speak at APPG meeting - PANS PANDAS UK

Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Apr 27

We need so much more awareness and support on these issues!

Panda Mama @pandamama2024.bsky.social · Apr 26

Please consider to share on your platform. 🙏Crucial #APPG on #Pans #Pandas in #Westminster 30th April with medical experts. We need change & guidelines for our children. @johncaudwell.bsky.social @benedictneuro.bsky.social @autisticrealms.bsky.social
panspandasuk.org/post/pans-pa...

Welcome to PANS PANDAS' news blog. This post is titled: PANS PANDAS experts invited to speak at APPG meeting

panspandasuk.org

Supporting PDAers with Hygiene:

Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Apr 27

Supporting PDAers with Hygiene

New blog post is up!

I'm supporting a few puberty and hygiene-based webinars over the next couple of weeks so created this article to support those events and share with others.

#PDA #autism #adhd #parenting

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...

A Compassionate Approach

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Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Apr 16

Situational Mutism: A Compassionate Approach

New blog is up!

Made with @autisticallyscott.bsky.social

"It’s not that they won’t speak, it's that they can't speak."

The blog explores why this might happen and importantly, what can help.

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...
#neurodiversity #audhd

Situational Mutism:

A Compassionate Approach

Autistic Burnout Network Conference | Autistic Advocate

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Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Apr 15

Link to secure your ticket below. All ticket holders will receive access to recorded webinars. There is a professional ticket and a donation ticket for individuals, carers and families.

www.autisticadvocate.co.uk/autistic-bur...

www.autisticadvocate.co.uk

Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Apr 15

Autistic Burnout Conference
Online, May 17th

I’m getting ready to help guide and present at the upcoming conference. I’ll be shining a light on our preteen & teen community members.

www.autisticadvocate.co.uk/autistic-bur...

#healthcare #mentalhealth #education #teachers #publichealth

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Laura Hellfeld of Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting @laurahellfeld.bsky.social · Apr 4

New Blog! The Power of a Tiny Nap

With free PDF download that outlines the benefits of different nap lengths. Maybe a helpful reminder posted around?

open.substack.com/pub/laurahel...

#sleep #sleepconsultant #healthcare #parenting #education

An image to showcase a new blog post on the power of naps. The photo is of someone's slippers showing our from under a white blanket as they sleep on a brown couch.