How AT keeps family life flowing

During the mentoring process last year, our AT Chat Peer Mentor Nerine recommended that Cleo try using an acrylic wall planner and noise‑cancelling headphones, and with further funding purchase the Bella Linda electronic planner to streamline communication between devices and the household schedule.

Neurodivergent people can experience overwhelm, and during periods of transition this can become even more disruptive. The noise-cancelling headphones that Cleo uses now allow her to more easily focus on school work and attend school and other activities in a way that is more comfortable to her.

If you’d like more information about sensory sensitivity, check out our Sensory Inclusion series: Opens in new window with Sam Rowe from last year.

Predictability, structure and clear visual information are essential for Cleo. The acrylic wall planner helps Jaymie map out routines, appointments and school activities in ways Cleo, and her siblings, can anticipate while also helping Jaymie stay on top of organising a busy, blended family household. However, maintaining the physical planner is challenging — especially with a toddler who wants to “help” by drawing on the adjacent wall — and often requires duplicating information between the planner and her phone.

Jaymie described the Bella Linda device as a solution that would allow both parents and children to see the same up‑to‑date information without double-handling.

Advance notice, clear expectations and structured support all make a significant difference in whether Cleo feels able to engage. To provide that advance notice, the work behind the scenes with sensory-safe meal-prep, setting realistic expectations for school assessments, knowing who’ll be around at home and how everyone can be connected is demanding.

Funding for AT and other supports can make a huge difference to Cleo, Jaymie and their family, as well as support from their community.

In our conversation Jaymie highlighted how valuable it has been to work with an AT mentor with lived experience. While traditional therapists often bring clinical skills, the insight and practical problem‑solving offered by someone who has personally navigated disability creates a different level of understanding and relevance.

Overall, Jaymie’s experiences demonstrate how the right combination of assistive technology, flexible planning tools and values‑aligned supports can reduce stress and increase independence — not only for the child, but for the entire household.