Yellow Ladybugs Pop Up Podcast Series: Episode 1 Recognising and responding to sexual violence for families and carers of autistic girls, teens, and gender diverse youth Welcome to the Yellow Ladybugs Pop Up Podcast Series, where we bring you two key topics our community have been asking us for. We are proud to present this first episode in this series—a peer led discussion for families and carers of autistic girls, teens, and gender diverse youth on recognising and responding to sexual violence. This episode has been made possible through funding from the Information Linkages and Capacity Building Grant. In this important discussion, which draws on real lived experiences, you will hear from three expert panelists: First is Stephanie Robertson, an autistic occupational therapist who explains why building body awareness and interoceptive understanding is foundational to safety and empowerment for our autistic young people. Second is Detective Leading Senior Constable Teresa O’Sullivan - a specialist in sexual offences and parent to an autistic child - she shares practical strategies on identifying grooming behaviours, supporting disclosures, and navigating both in person and online risks. And finally, Emma Jacques, a neurodivergent parent of autistic teens. She shares her no nonsense, real life advice on enthusiastic consent, boundary setting, cyber safety, and building a supportive network. The panel is hosted by Katie Koullas, CEO of Yellow Ladybugs, autistic/ADHD woman and parent to neurodivergent teen girls – who has a strong advocacy track record and deep passion around this topic. So what does this episode cover? - We provide clear insights into why autistic young people are statistically at greater risk of sexual abuse and violence, and discussion about how we can change these statistics - We share practical tools: how to teach body safety, name private body parts precisely, reinforce that “no is valid”, and role play boundaries around consent. - We give advice on how to support autistic young people in identifying their internal sensations (their interoceptive awareness) so they trust their own cues rather than rely on external validation. - We look at techniques for handling online risks—from inappropriate requests through to doxing—and for establishing trusted, safe people and networks. - We explore a gentle yet powerful script for responding to disclosures: “I believe you. You are not at fault. We will get through this together.” - We also cover support strategies for carers including grounding exercises, self regulation methods, and discussion around how our reactions can shape outcomes more than the event itself. Please note that this episode directly addresses sensitive and potentially triggering topics including sexual abuse and grooming. If you need to pause or step away at any point, that is perfectly okay. You can review the attached resource which includes helplines and more information. https://yellowladybugs.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/YellowLadybugs/EQSmEwHrrSZAjVQQlUPuih8BqB8NaKL0q__mu0pcCInvnA?e=QzlhYk

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series sharing key topics and insights about supporting autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse people. In this episode, we're focusing on Challenging School Systems: Scripts and Strategies for Families with Kelsie Olds. This is for those of us who have sat in a school meeting with a knot in our stomach, knowing our child is struggling but being told they are ‘fine’. For those who feel they have to prove distress that others cannot see, and who carry their own trauma while trying to protect their children from theirs. Let’s talk about practical scripts, strategies, and mindset shifts to help families advocate effectively while caring for themselves in the process. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series sharing key topics and insights about supporting autistic girls, women and gender-diverse people. In this episode, we’ll explore Family Dynamics: Complex Relationships and Competing Needs with Dr Alberto Veloso from Relational Minds. Today’s discussion is a real and honest look at the emotional pressure cooker that family life can become when neurodivergent needs collide. We’ll talk about why stress builds up, why even small things can trigger conflict, and how to recognise the signs of burnout in yourself and your family. We’ll also share practical strategies to navigate competing needs, rebuild trust after conflict, and move from survival mode back towards connection. Whether you’re a parent, carer, educator or professional, we hope this episode offers understanding, validation and ideas you can use right away. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series sharing key topics and insights about supporting autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse people. In this episode, we're focusing on Caring for Yourself While Caring for Others: Managing Parental Stress and Avoiding Burnout with Sarah Hayden, Mel Spencer and Cassandra Allen. Today’s conversation is an honest, compassionate look at recognising the emotional load carers carry, why typical “self-care” advice can fall short, and how we can shift the focus toward genuine, practical, and shared support. Whether you're a parent, carer, educator, or professional, we hope this episode helps you feel seen, supported, and just a little bit lighter. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series sharing key topics and insights about supporting autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse people. In this episode, we’re focusing on Friendships & Safe Relationships: Recognising Red Flags and Green Flags with Frances Brennan, Annelil Desille and Caitlin Hughes. Today’s conversation explores how to spot healthy, affirming connections and understand when a friendship might feel unsafe or disrespectful. We’ll share practical examples of red flags, green flags and everything in between, all through a neuro-affirming, lived-experience lens. Whether you’re a parent, carer, educator or professional, we hope this episode leaves you with clear ideas and the confidence to help young people build safe, meaningful friendships. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series exploring key topics that help us better support autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse people. This episode we will focus on Energy Regulation: Leveling Up Our Support for Our Ladybugs with Amy Laurent and Jac Fede. Today you’ll hear a practical, honest discussion about why supporting our ladybugs through the lens of energy regulation is a shift in thinking that matters so much. We’ll talk about moving away from one-size-fits-all approaches about emotions, and towards neuro-affirming support that meets young people where they are. Whether you’re a parent, carer, teacher, professional or autistic yourself, we hope this conversation offers you fresh ideas and practical ways to support the young people in your life - and yourself too. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series sharing key topics and insights about supporting autistic girls, women and gender-diverse people. In this episode, we’ll explore Window of Tolerance: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know with Megan Anna Neff. This episode is a deep dive into what the Window of Tolerance actually means, how our autistic young people can have a smaller or thinner window, and why that matters for behaviour, regulation and safety. We’ll talk about hyperarousal, hypoarousal, masking, shutdowns, fawning and the risks that come with being outside our window of tolerance. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, allied health professional or just someone wanting to better support our ladybugs, this conversation is for you. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series exploring key topics that help us better support autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse people. This episode we will focus on Creating Safe Spaces for Anxious Autistic Brains: Understanding Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn Responses with Chelsea Luker and Chenai Mupotsa-Russell. Today’s conversation takes an honest, compassionate look at understanding what these survival responses really mean, how they can show up in both obvious and hidden ways, and why safety must come before regulation. Whether you're a parent, carer, educator, or professional, we hope this episode offers you practical insights, new ways of thinking, and a reminder that our ladybugs deserve understanding, patience, and true relational safety. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

Welcome to our eight-part podcast series exploring key topics that help us better support autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse people. This episode we will focus on Back to Basics: Learn How Classrooms Can be Inclusive and Affirming for Our Ladybugs with Em Hammond, Adina Levy and Ebony Birch-Hanger. We know many autistic students spend years believing they are broken, when really the system was not built for them. Safety in the classroom means not having to pretend. It means being able to stim, leave, speak up, and not get in trouble for being yourself. Today we will talk about what genuine inclusion looks like, exploring the essential building blocks for a neuro-affirming classroom environment. We will also be uncovering the hidden, and often unmet needs of our ladybugs, finding ways to support students who work so hard to appear just fine. With thanks to the Victorian Department of Education.

Supporting parents and children to advocate for themselves. Having difficulty advocating for your rights, or even knowing what your rights are? We chat with three experts who will share their incredible insights on supporting both parents and autistic students in advocating for what they need and deserve! This is a must listen episode for all parents and carers

Regulations, Ruptures and Repairs: How to Support our Ladybugs when Things Get Tough Compassionate advice and practical strategies to empower parents and teachers to co-regulate when relationships rupture and how and when to reflect and repair. A special look into complex mental health challenges, and how to cope when things get tough.

Understanding school can’t and school trauma “Can’t. Not Won’t”. This important panel from our Supporting Autistic Girls and Gender Diverse students at school and Beyond Conference will explore the very hot topic of school “refusal,” and reframe this as school can’t. School can’t and school trauma are real issues for so many in our community and we explain why they cannot be solved with a tough love approach.