All Posts

Scents can soothe, alert, or overwhelm — and for many neurodivergent individuals, smell plays a bigger role than we realise. In this week’s Making Sense of Sensory post, we’re diving into the world of smell sensitivities, from scent avoiders to sensory seekers, and how we can create more comfortable environments for everyone.

When a young person avoids school, it’s easy to jump to conclusions. But behind every refusal is a story. Let’s explore what school avoidance really means, especially for those who are neurodivergent.

Why do some people love bold flavours while others stick to plain pasta? In this week’s Making Sense of Sensory blog, we explore the sense of taste — and how sensory differences can shape eating habits, mealtime stress, and how we support neurodivergent individuals with confidence and compassion.

Change isn’t always easy — especially for neurodivergent individuals.Our Coping With Change workshop offers practical tools, emotional support, and simple strategies to help make transitions feel safer and more manageable. Watch anytime, for free, at www.nest.scot/videos.

For some people, light is painful. For others, the world feels dim or visually confusing. This week, we’re looking at how the sense of sight can be over- or under-stimulating for neurodivergent individuals — and how we can support visual needs with kindness and clarity.

Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s how we survive, recharge, and stay grounded. In this blog, we share simple, neurodivergent-friendly ideas to help you build your own self-care toolkit. From sensory soothers to emotional support and structure, this post is packed with ideas that actually work.

Self-injurious behaviour can be distressing to witness, but it's often a sign of unmet needs, not "bad behaviour." In this blog, we unpack what SIB really means, why it happens, and five compassionate ways to support someone in the moment.

For many neurodivergent people, the world can feel like all-or-nothing — a good day or a disaster, a success or a total failure. This post explores why black-and-white thinking happens, how it can affect daily life, and what gentle support can look like.

Sound can be a source of joy—or overwhelm—for neurodivergent individuals. This week, we explore how the sense of hearing impacts daily life and how we can offer support when it’s too much (or not enough).

Many neurodivergent individuals mask their true selves to fit in but at what cost? In this blog, we explore what masking is, why people do it, and how to build a world where it’s safe to be your authentic self.

How much does it cost to access NEST? Absolutely nothing. As an NHS Ayrshire & Arran service, all our workshops, advice, and support are completely free.