I Know What it’s Like to be in Your Shoes
Receiving an autism diagnosis for your child, advocating for the support you and they need, living with someone who is neurodiverse, getting on the same page with your parenting…
You’re Dealing With a LOT
Here’s what I know about you…
You are a much better parent than you think.
All you want is for your child to be happy and fulfilled.
You often doubt yourself about whether you’re doing the right thing where your child is concerned
You often feel isolated on this journey of parenting a child who is different.
You feel like you are always advocating, explaining, and fighting for your child’s rights
I’ve Been Where You Are
As a parent of a neurodivergent child and a professional in neurodiversity support, I bring both heart and expertise to every family I work with.
I know the fear, the overwhelm and the boundless joy, that can be part of learning about and parenting a child who is differently wired. I have faced professionals, others parents and family members who thought they knew better about what my child needed, and I have had to advocate, fight, and sometimes plead for my child to have what she deserves - adaptations, acceptance, understanding and respect.
I live this life, day in and day out. I know what it is like.
And I wouldn't want it any other way.
I love working in the world of the neurodiverse.
When I started working with Autistic people and their families, I experienced unprecedented joy and a sense of purpose in my work, that I didn't have before. Connecting with my clients, growing and learning alongside them, and having a role in bringing more understanding, contentment, peace and connection, truly is the best 'job' in the world.
If you’d like to learn more about working together, schedule your introductory meeting:
"My personal experience with Tanya has been nothing short of amazing. She is thorough, reliable and extremely warm and easy to work with. I cannot recommend her highly enough. Our family has profited greatly since we’ve been practicing the world of RDI with Tanya as our guide."
LR – Realtor and mother of a child with ASD
10 Fun Facts About Me:
1. I grapple with my own neuro-spicy-ness, as well as imposter syndrome. I am a work in progress and it often isn’t easy.
2. I am a recovering ‘yeller’. I adore my parents, but their go-to was threats, yelling and punishment. I work very hard to break those generational patterns.
3. My family worried about me becoming a mother. They didn’t think I would be able to ‘commit’ to the role. Nothing matches the joy that being a mother brings me, so I guess I proved them wrong.
4. Conversely, I love the time I get to spend away from my daughter; be it in solitude or adult socialisation, I come alive when I have my own time.
5. I do not start watching a TV series with more than one or two seasons, because I can’t stop. It consumes me! I will miss work, meals, and sleep. (I haven’t watched Game of Thrones, but my world came to a temporary halt when I watched Breaking Bad and Prison Break.)
6. I have ‘middle child issues’. I also count my two brothers as my closest friends and most favourite people in the world (after my daughter of course).
7. I love to travel. In my 30’s I travelled full time, alone, for 18 months. I lived out of a backpack, taught yoga, meditated, and immersed myself in different cultures. I found pieces of myself in every culture, and this reminds me that in our differences we find our greatest strength.
8. I have multiple citizenships and have called a few countries home… South Africa, The UK, Kenya, Canada, and Costa Rica. My daughter is my travel buddy and a budding globe trotter, all while being neurodivergent with sensory challenges, Anxiety, ADHD and more. She’s an inspiration.
9. I am a homeschool mama. As hard as it is, it is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Until it becomes the most frustrating; rinse and repeat!
10. I care deeply about autistic people and the work we all have to do to move towards a world where autistic people can be seen, accepted, supported and accommodated.
When You’re Ready
Here Are Four Ways I Can Help You:
Parent Consulting
An environment of safety, unconditional love and acceptance at home is the foundation for how our children experience themselves in the world. Learn More
Couples Counseling
Your relationship with one-another, and your consistency in parenting, matters a great deal for your child to thrive. Plus, you deserve fun and happiness too! Learn More
School Consulting
Your school can book me for Professional Development Day workshops to help staff better understand and support neurodiversity. Learn More
Courses & Resources
Learn all the basics and important information you need to best support your child at home and at school. Sign up today to receive instant access. Learn More
My Guiding Principles
My work is grounded in these Core Philosophies:
Honour neurodiversity first.
Neurodiversity enriches human kind. We all have unique contributions to make regardless of how we read, learn, process, think, feel or socialise. I adopt a strengths-based approach in which individual processing differences are seen, valued and accounted for.
Neurodivergent individuals may have significant challenges in a world that is 'built' primarily to accommodate neurotypical people. In light of this, we all have a responsibility to understand neurodivergent individuals' unique experience and seek to learn from, respect, support and accommodate differences.
A parent is their child's best guide.
Parents are the most impactful and influential people in their children's lives. We are raising children to live in a world that we may not recognise a few decades from now. We need to raise thinkers and problem-solvers, children who know who they are, feel safe in that knowing and feel free to share the unique gifts they bring to the world.
The behaviour we see is merely the tip of the iceberg.
All behaviour is communication. Challenging behaviours always is our first indication that a child is struggling. Underneath there may be pain, confusion, anxiety, or fear. I approach all behaviours from a place of curiosity so they can become an avenue to connection, understanding, and true support where it is needed.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’d like to schedule a no-cost introductory meeting or book your first session, I am looking forward to meeting with you.