Hi, I’m Charlotte. Naturopath, remedial massage therapist, breastfeeding counsellor, mum of 3, Francophile (obsessed with France and speaking French!), and lover of croissants.
I am someone who prides myself on being honest, but there is something I have not been upfront about. It’s bothered me for a long while.
I’m autistic.
Why am I sharing this, you’re possibly asking yourself. I was late diagnosed in 2020, and I’ve been unpacking this ever since. Now I feel it’s time for me to stand up and be authentically me.
For some time, I’ve felt too embarrassed to share this. A few years ago, I discussed wanting to ‘come out’ professionally with a trusted colleague and friend. They said something along the lines of ‘people might think less of you. I’d be worried it might harm your business.’ It took me a long time to bounce back from that.
Since then, I’ve been lurking. Commenting every now and then on posts with others looking for a clinician with lived experience. Joining Facebook groups for neurodivergent clinicians. Even setting one up for neurodivergent naturopaths and nutritionists.
You see, it hasn’t felt ‘safe’ to be open about this, particularly in the space in which I work.
I feel that I graduated university with a sense that we could cure or recover people from their autism. The idea was that if we just found that right biochemical pathway, we could fix ‘it’. I’ve attended a conference on functional medicine testing where a speaker said in response to a question ‘the last thing you’d want is for a baby to be born with autism’.
Really? Is that the worst thing!?
Autistic people, like any people, have different areas in their life that they might find tricky – be it sleep, gut health, anxiety or more. I’m here to help support people with whatever they need.
I want you to know this, because if you’re hoping I can cure/fix/recover autism, then I’m not going to be the right practitioner for you – and that’s ok. There are plenty of others out there who work in this way.
I have come to understand that being autistic is part of what makes me an awesome clinician. It’s why I’m a master at seeing patterns and connecting the dots. It’s why I know dozens of pathology reference ranges off by heart. It’s why I’m obsessed with constantly learning and am forever going down rabbit holes in the pursuit of solutions to your health puzzles.
Working with me
There is a box of cool fidgets in my clinic room. You’re welcome to use them if you like, or openly stim. I’m mindful of your sensory needs – I don’t expect eye contact from anyone, because I know you can still listen, even if you’re not looking at me. Lights can be on or off.
I’m conscious of practicing in a neurodiversity-affirming way, so I invite you to share any potentially embarrassing or less than positive aspects about your child with me prior to meeting, so that we can cultivate a positive experience during our consultation time.
In the naturopathic context I will always ask about your sensory, taste and texture preferences, so I can accommodate them.
Massage-wise, some folks like to talk the entire session because their brain is busy! And others want complete silence.
Whatever you need, I’ll meet you wherever you are, and welcome you – just as you are.
To the neurodivergent folk who have walked this path before me- thankyou for being open, vulnerable and authentic; and inspiring me to do the same.
