Hi parents and caregivers,

We hope you're well this December! For many families, it’s full of noise, transitions, and expectations. We want to share some resources and kindness with you before the months is up.

Supporting newly diagnosed kids and their parents

Many parents we work with come to us after an autism or ADHD diagnosis feeling unsure about what actually helps. Our team has been talking about how to support parents and caregivers during this exploration period with understanding your child’s nervous system, their strengths, and the environments they’re moving through every day.

This is important for kids and teens who regulate best through movement, sensory input, relational connection, or connection to their interests.

A resource we love for parents: How to Explain a Diagnosis to kids

Our clinician Gabi recently shared a resource with our team that we immediately wanted parents to have too.

Explaining Brains is a clear, compassionate way to understand neurodivergent brains without pathologizing them. Many parents tell us it helps them explain things to grandparents, teachers, and even to themselves with more ease.

If you’re newly diagnosed or still making sense of things, this is a helpful place to start.
https://explainingbrains.com/

Why we keep coming back to nature

One thing we’ve been noticing more and more is the power of nature-based therapy. If your child struggles in traditional indoor spaces, this can matter more than you think.

December tends to bring its own kind of intensity for us. Fewer daylight hours and more time indoors and together can be a lot, and can highlight our personalities and sensory needs. Many kids need heavier input, fresh air, and whole-body movement right now. The outdoors can offer steady sensory information without overload such as space to move and explore without so many expectations.

For many families, that combination is very supportive. Our Occupational Therapists (Mary, Emilee, Diana, and Pierce) AND our Nature-Based Play Therapist Bonnie make sure to encourage families to tune in to their own regulation needs this time of year, and get moving even when the weather feels terrible.

Community Highlight! We also want to shine a light on our colleague Jenn at Little Sparrow Counseling in Hillsboro! Jenn and their dog Loshi place a special focus on working with neurodivergent, transgender, and other queer individuals (kids, teens, and adults)! Give them a follow! ​

See you next month!

Warmly,

Rebekah and The Real Work Collective

PS: Reply here if you have questions about any of the following openings:

Groups and offerings coming up

• Nature-Based Social Group​
  Ages 4–7
  Thursdays 3:30–5:00 at THPRD Nature Center in Beaverton
  Launching in January as soon as three kids are enrolled
• Special Interest Group​
  January 11
  Learn more and sign up here:
  https://realworkwellness.com/social-groups

Current therapy openings

We have a handful of openings across our team right now, including:

• Heather — Mondays at 2:30pm (adult therapy; family-of-origin stressors showing up in parenting)
• Kimia — Wednesdays & Fridays at 10:00am and 11:00am (ages 3–8)
• Bonnie — Wednesdays at 12:00pm & 2:30pm (kids ages 3–10)
• Gabi — 3 telehealth spots (adults, teens, parent coaching)
• Janelle — Wednesdays at 12:00pm (parent support for ADHD/autism) and 3:30pm (child therapy)
• Jenn — up to 4 session spots for hiking therapy for parents

If you’re curious whether one of these could be a fit, we’re happy to talk it through.