Well Connected
Health & Development
Supporting Health through Learning
We are all driven to meet the same basic human needs, yet how we learn and meet these needs will differ. Life is all about continual learning and self-development, with or without diagnoses! And everyone learns best when we are fully supported and understand the relevancy of our learning.
Neurodiversity is not a ‘movement’ but rather a fact of life. Like physical diversity, each of us has a different neurological, personality and learning profile. We may have similarities and differences, but no brain is the ‘same’. Therefore, the term ‘neurotypical’ does not reflect a ‘normal’ brain, but rather a majority of people who share similar neurological characteristics. However, the characteristics we (society) choose to measure can be changed!
We are ALL more motivated to learn when we:
Feel fully supported by those involved.
We have choice and control throughout the entire process.
Enjoy the learning experience.
Clearly understand why and how the learning outcome benefits us.
However, some individuals require more support to engage in learning for a range of reasons such as severe anxiety, poor self-efficacy or self-confidence, or perhaps perceive and/or process information differently to the majority population. However, everyone is able to learn and develop their knowledge and skills, providing they are supported in the right way for them. This does not mean they will be able to do anything and everything, but rather that everyone has the capacity to reach their full potential with the right supports in place. With person-centered learning support, comes increased self-efficacy (competency), independence (autonomy) and increased self and social confidence to engage with others (belonging). In other words, when we enjoy our learning, we develop a healthier sense of self which profoundly promotes our health and wellbeing.
Services
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Consultations
1:1 strengths-based consultations to identify your current goals, strengths, needs and interests. We then collaboratively create a clear plan focused on removing actual (and sometimes perceived) barriers that negatively affect your personal health, development and overall wellbeing.
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Conference / workshop Presentations
Bespoke live or virtual presentations for larger scale events including conferences or organisational training events designed to promote holistic health, development, social-emotional learning, self-determination and authentic inclusion.
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Environmental audits.
We conduct detailed environmental assessments of education, workplace or community settings to identify, reduce and remove barriers that negatively impact learning, productivity or wellbeing.
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Group workshops / education
Smaller group workshops designed to empower education and/or health professionals with evidence-based, neuro-affirming practices. In addition, we focus on dispelling common myths related to various neurotypes as well as simple, effective strategies to promote authentic inclusion.
About Us
Elena Currie - Founder
Developmental Educator | Registered Nurse | Developing Human
Since I can remember I have been driven by my intrinsic passion for health education, advocacy and equity. I began my career as a Registered Nurse working across a variety of settings which included hospitals, private practice, commercial/corporate roles as well as co-founding a healthcare advocacy business dedicated to promoting patient outcomes following adverse events.
However, becoming a mum made me realise how little I knew, not just about parenting but more about myself. I realised that parenting (and life in general) was more about our own learning and development than our children’s. The more I learned about my own needs and neuro-developmental profile, the more equipped I was to understand and meet my children’s needs.
This realisation in conjunction with our collective neurodivergence diagnoses, sparked a newfound passion for authentic inclusive learning. I completed a Masters of Autism at the University of Wollongong and became a registered Developmental Educator.
I have a particular interest in neurodiversity affirming behaviour and non-verbal communication support. I primarily focus on perceptions, presumptions and beliefs which can negatively influence our ability to assess and respond to non-verbal communication cues (actions / behaviours). My approach embeds elements of social-emotional learning and evidence-based psychological theories to promote more effective communication and prevent, minimise or de-escalate unsafe behaviours. Communication is always bi-directional, so approaches always focus on assessment and supporting the needs of all communication partners.
I am passionate about promoting self-advocacy and self-efficacy skills as these organically promote our self-confidence, self-perception and intrinsic drive to continue learning.
And most importantly I am passionate about sharing my mistakes. Mistakes are incredibly important for health and development. Therefore, mistakes can be reframed into a positive experience. And the more strengths and positives we perceive, the happier and healthier we become.