Neurodiverse parents Gold Coast school holidays support guide.

School Holidays can be a mix of fun and frustration for a lot of parents.

If you’re heading into school holidays feeling anxious, exhausted, or already overwhelmed… you’re not alone. When routines disappear and every day becomes unpredictable, life can quickly feel like a full sensory and emotional workout — for children and parents. For Neurodiverse parents, Gold Coast school holidays support is so important to helping everyone get through this time while protecting their wellbeing.

Many neurodivergent caregivers and parents of neurodivergent kids tell us that holidays can bring:

• pressure to fill every moment with activities

• increased meltdowns, shutdowns, boredom or big emotions

• sensory overload inside and outside the home

• more household labour and less personal space

• worries about burnout creeping in… again

There is nothing wrong with you if this feels like too much. It makes sense.

And you deserve support that honours your needs too — not just your children’s.

Here are our few ideas for a Neurodiverse parents Gold Coast school holidays support guide.

A Neuro-Affirming Reality Check

You do not need a perfectly planned calendar. You do not need to perform “holiday fun.” You do not need to mask your needs to keep everyone else happy.

You and your child are allowed to have:

• quiet days

• predictable rhythms

• downtime without guilt

It’s okay if your version of “holiday success” looks like peace and safety over busyness.

Your School Holiday Support Plan:

Here is a simple structure many families on the Gold Coast find helpful. (You can save this and adapt it each week.)

Anchor the Day

Choose 2–3 things that stay the same daily:

• Morning Energy Burn Activity

• Afternoon Rest and Relax

• Predictable Meal Times

Anchors reduce anxiety because everyone knows what to expect.

“What’s the one thing today that will help us feel steady?”

Build in Breaks — For Everyone including yourself

Neurodivergent families thrive on energy recovery, not just energy output.

Try one quiet pocket in the morning + one in the afternoon:

• screens as a regulation tool (yes, that’s okay)

• sensory play

• solo time

• noise-free time with headphones or calming music

• 
  

Rest is not a reward. It’s a need.

Choose “Just Enough” Activities

Here are some suggestions:

Day	Focus
Mon	Morning Energy Burn & Home-based calm day
Tue	Outing - full or half day from your Activities List
Wed	Calm mid-week reset
Thu	Social or special activity (Parent Swap or Babysitter Day or Visit a friend)
Fri	Morning Energy Burn & Afternoon Rest
Weekend	Family Led Saturday, Low-Demand Sundays.

Neurodivergent kids thrive when choices are predictable, not endless. Visual schedules can help reduce uncertainty.

Plan for Sensory Needs Before They Escalate

Create a holiday sensory kit:

• noise-reducing headphones

• fidgets

• snacks

• sunglasses

• weighted or comforting item

And identify quiet places nearby — shaded parks, beaches at off-peak times, libraries, the backyard. Sensory safety prevents shutdowns, rather than reacting after overload hits.

Make Space for You, Too

You matter in this story.

Ask yourself:

• What is your sensory need today?

• Where can you set up your own Restful Space in the House?

• Make a "Clocked Off" Sign for your bedroom door & incentives for kids to give you the space.

• Who can take one shift a week so you breathe?

• Where could support come from — friends, respite, NDIS-funded support workers?

Small changes protect your long-term wellbeing.

If You’re Struggling — You’re Not Failing

The holidays can stretch every coping strategy thin.

If you feel irritable, overstimulated, or depleted — that’s a normal nervous system response, not a reflection of your parenting.

And if your child becomes unsettled during breaks, nothing is “wrong.”

Their brain is working hard to adjust to change.

You deserve compassion too. You got this!

---

At The Neurodiverse Network, we’re a neuro-affirming psychology clinic based in Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, offering ADHD and Autism assessments, therapy, and NDIS supports for children, teens, and adults.

Our team of psychologists provide neurodiversity-affirming care, recognising and celebrating the strengths of every individual.

We provide a range of services including:

• ADHD assessments and therapy for adults and children

• Autism assessments and support across the lifespan

• Individual counselling and emotional regulation support

• NDIS psychology and functional capacity assessments

• Neurodiverse support groups and online workshops

  
  

Our psychologists draw on lived experience and evidence-based approaches to create a space where neurodivergent people feel safe, understood, and empowered.

Whether you’re seeking a Clinical Psychologist on the Gold Coast, a neuro-affirming therapist near Burleigh Heads, or NDIS support, our team is here to help you navigate your journey with compassion and clarity.

Located in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast — close to Miami, Palm Beach, Robina, and Varsity Lakes.

Learn more about our neuro-affirming care or book an ADHD or Autism assessment here.