To celebrate Infant Mental Health Week 2026, Growing Gently Psychology is sharing this free resource exploring attunement through a neurodiversity-affirming lens.
Infant Mental Health Week is an annual initiative that highlights the importance of infant social, emotional, and relational wellbeing, and the role that early relationships play in healthy development. The 2026 theme, "Attunement," focuses on how parents and caregivers notice, understand, and respond to their infant's cues and experiences.
Traditional understandings of attunement have largely been shaped by neurotypical assumptions about communication, connection, and development. This one-page resource offers introductory insights into neurodiversity-affirming attunement, exploring how neurodivergent parent-child dyads may communicate, connect, and regulate in ways that differ from dominant expectations. It invites parents, practitioners, and educators to broaden their understanding of communication, reconsider common assumptions, and reflect on how attunement can be understood through a neurodiversity-affirming lens.
Please note that this resource is intended as a brief introduction and does not cover all aspects of attunement or neurodivergence.
Format: One-page PDF
I’m so glad you’re using this resource. Please support my work by sharing the link rather than the PDF. You’re very welcome to print and use copies, just not distribute the digital file directly.
Tuning into Neurodivergence: Introductory Insights
© 2026 Growing Gently Psychology. All rights reserved.
This resource is intended to support reflection and learning about neurodivergent-inclusive communication and practice. It does not replace professional judgement. Experiences of neurodivergence are diverse, and application of this information should be responsive to individuals. Reproduction or distribution without permission is not permitted.
If you would like to learn more about this topic, Rebecca is available to present to organisations, workplaces, schools, early childhood services, and professional groups.
Rebecca first presented her one-hour introductory presentation, Tuning into Neurodivergence: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach to Attunement, at Ngala's Infant Mental Health Week celebration in 2026, where it was attended by more than 80 professionals. This presentation can be adapted for a range of audiences and professional learning needs.
Email Rebecca at rebecca@growinggentlypsychology.com.au
