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AUTISM
The nervous system
Why regulation comes first.
Before learning, before behaviour, before cooperation — comes the nervous system. Autistic nervous systems often run closer to overwhelm, and stress builds faster. Understanding safety, stress and regulation is the foundation everything else rests on.
Curiosity changes everything.
Safety is the foundation
A nervous system that feels safe can think, connect and learn. One that feels threatened can only protect itself.
Fight, flight, freeze
Overwhelm isn't misbehaviour — it's protection.
Lower threshold
Stress can build faster and take longer to settle.
Co-regulation
Calm is contagious — we regulate together first.
Recovery time
Downtime after overwhelm isn't optional.
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Where this shows up across autism.
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