Why Outdated Autism Assessments Are Harming Sensitive Women and High-Masking Adults by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Discover why most autism assessments miss highly sensitive, high-masking women. Learn about lived-experience autism assessments and the Sensitive Autistic Neurotype.

AutismJulie BjellandOctober 11, 2025autism diagnosis, autism in women, high masking autism, sensitive autistic neurotype, adult autism diagnosis, autism assessment women, late discovered autism, highly sensitive autistic women, autism masking, autistic women traits, autism self discovery, autism neurotype not disorder, autism lived experience, autism practitioners training, autism support women Comment

Our Sensitivities Connect Us in Joyful Ways!

Travel back again to peaceful Sunflower Farm in this special blog post sharing how Niko, Juju, Buttercup and Blueberry celebrate the joy & connection of finding a new sensitive friend.

Guest PostOctober 7, 2025The Adventures of Niko the Highly Sensitive Dog, The Highly Sensitive Rabbit, Dr. Judith Orloff, Julie Bjelland LMFT, Highly Sensitive Children’s Books, Sensitive Kids Stories, Emotional Intelligence for Kids, Empathy and Friendship, Aurora the Highly Sensitive Rabbit, Sensitivity as a Superpower, Mindful Parenting, Teaching Empathy to Children, Gentle Stories for Sensitive Kids, Highly Sensitive Child Support, Sensitive and Neurodivergent Kids ResourcesComment

Survey Results: Perimenopause and Menopause in Sensitive and Neurodivergent Women by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Perimenopause and menopause bring intense challenges for sensitive and neurodivergent women, including late-discovered autistic women. This September 2025 survey reveals key symptoms, patterns, and lived experiences across physical, emotional, cognitive, and sensory domains. Explore validation, community voices, and practical recommendations for support.

“This Is What Authentic Joy Looks Like!”: A Celebration of Joy in Sensitive and Neurodivergent Children

Get to know the characters in the delightful book series “The Adventures of Niko the Highly Sensitive Dog” as Carol Roesler chats with them once again to share what brings each of them their own sense of personal joy.

Confessions of a Sensitive Soul by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Discover the hidden truths, challenges, and gifts of sensitive and neurodivergent people. This collective project shares anonymous confessions, wishes, and strengths to help us feel seen, validated, and less alone.

Julie BjellandSeptember 14, 2025sensitive soul, highly sensitive person, HSP, sensitive autistic neurotype, neurodivergent voices, inner world sensitivity, masking and authenticity, sensitivity as strength, confessions of sensitive people, late-discovered autistic, highly sensitive and autistic, empathy and neurodivergence, living as a sensitive person, sensitivity and belonging, gifts of neurodivergence Comment

New Book for Sensitive Children: Book Two in the Series: Bedtime Bliss

Announcing Bedtime Bliss, Book Two of The Adventures of Niko the Highly Sensitive Dog by Julie Bjelland, LMFT and Carol Roesler. A gentle children’s story created for sensitive and neurodivergent kids, offering comfort, bedtime routines, and the celebration of sensitivity.

AutismJulie BjellandSeptember 8, 2025Bedtime Bliss, Niko the Highly Sensitive Dog, Julie Bjelland LMFT, books for sensitive kids, children’s books for neurodivergent kids, bedtime routine for sensitive children, autism friendly children’s books, highly sensitive child stories, books about empathy and sensitivity, gentle bedtime stories for kidsComment

Systemic Conditioning: The Silent Weight Women Carry by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Many women in midlife feel like they are falling apart, but the truth is that systemic conditioning, hormonal shifts, and decades of unmet needs are at the root. This article explores why women feel overwhelmed and how to begin reclaiming needs with compassion.

Julie BjellandAugust 25, 2025overwhelm, systemic conditioning, women and overwhelm, midlife burnout, perimenopause and menopause, sensitive autistic neurotype, women’s health crisis, suicide risk in women, people-pleasing, reclaiming needs, nervous system signalsComment

What Is the Sensitive Autistic Neurotype? by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Discover what the Sensitive Autistic Neurotype means and how recognizing autism as a neurotype—not a disorder—can offer healing, clarity, and empowerment for sensitive, late-discovered adults.

AutismJulie BjellandAugust 10, 2025autism and silence, sensitive nervous system, burnout recovery, autistic burnout, emotional regulation, nervous system care, neurodivergent health, natural stress relief, silence and the brain, high masking autism Comments

Why the World Needs to Embrace Autistic Leadership by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Discover why the world needs autistic leadership and how neurodivergent strengths like empathy, clarity, and systems thinking are redefining what it means to lead.

AutismJulie BjellandAugust 2, 2025autistic leadership, neurodivergent leaders, sensitive autistic neurotype, adult autism discovery, inclusive leadership, autism strengths, leadership styles, autism and empathy, Julie Bjelland, SUCCESS Magazine autismComment

How Birdsong and Birdwatching Support Mental and Physical Wellness by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Discover how birdwatching can calm the nervous system and support mental wellness for sensitive and neurodivergent individuals.

Julie BjellandJuly 31, 2025birdwatching and mental health, bird sounds nervous system, nature therapy for autism, sensitive nervous system care, neurodivergent wellness tools, grounding with nature, sensory self-care, mental health birdwatching, sensitive and neurodivergent blog, Julie Bjelland Comments

Caring for Your Sensitive System in a World That Feels Heavy by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

How sensitive and neurodivergent individuals can care for their nervous systems and channel anger or overwhelm into meaningful action.

Julie BjellandJuly 20, 2025sensitive, autistic, neurodivergent, nervous system care, managing overwhelm, healthy action, burnout prevention, empowerment, Sensitive Empowerment Community, Julie Bjelland Comment

The Cost of Being “Nice”: How People-Pleasing Harms Sensitive and Neurodivergent Souls by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Explore how people-pleasing impacts sensitive and neurodivergent lives, and how reclaiming boundaries helps rebuild self-trust.

Julie BjellandJune 24, 2025people pleasing, boundaries, sensitive nervous system, autistic burnout, neurodivergent healing, late discovered autism, self-trust, masking autism, nervous system care, unmasking, sensitive autistic phenotype, adult autism discovery, autism self advocacyComment

Your Heart Is the Spark: How Caring Deeply Can Change the World By Julie Bjelland, LMFT

The story of how one idea sparked a national movement. A powerful reminder that your actions matter and collective change begins with just one spark.

Julie BjellandJune 16, 2025one person can make a difference, inspiring protest stories, 50501 movement, no kings day, grassroots activism, how movements start, collective action, hope and change, sensitive changemakers, neurodivergent action, Julie Bjelland Comment

Channeling Anger, Pain and Injustice Into Action: A Sensitive Person’s Guide By Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Learn how to transform heartbreak, anger, and overwhelm into meaningful action. Sensitive people are the key to creating lasting change.

Julie BjellandJune 13, 2025sensitive person activism, channeling pain into purpose, emotional overwhelm support, how to take action as a sensitive person, activism for empaths, burnout and sensitivity, grief and injustice, sensitive and neurodivergent support, nervous system care, healing through community, rising with sensitivity, compassionate action, activism without burnout, how sensitive people change the world, Julie BjellandComment

Rest on Purpose: Reclaiming Health for Sensitive and Neurodivergent Nervous Systems by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Discover restful rituals that support the mental and physical health of sensitive and neurodivergent people. Explore gentle ways to regulate your nervous system and reclaim rest as essential.

Julie BjellandJune 9, 2025rest, sensitive nervous system, neurodivergent wellness, autistic burnout, mental health, nervous system regulation, emotional self-care, restorative rituals, adult-discovered autism, sensory-friendly rest, highly sensitive person, sensitive Empowerment Community, autism and rest, self-regulation strategies Comments

Our Nervous Systems Never Consented to This by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Discover how to protect your nervous system, reclaim consent, and find balance in a world of constant input. For sensitive, autistic, and neurodivergent people.

The Hidden Cost of Overriding Our Needs: How Sensory Self-Care Protects Our Energy and Well-Being by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Learn why overriding sensory needs drains energy and leads to burnout, especially for sensitive and neurodivergent people—and how to honor your needs instead.

Julie BjellandMay 19, 2025sensory overload, autistic burnout, masking, energy management, sensory needs, neurodivergent self-care, sensitive nervous system, honoring needs, autistic adults, sensitive empowermentComment

How to Protect Your Energy When Others Are Angry, Sad, or Overwhelmed by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Learn how sensitive and neurodivergent individuals can protect their energy around negative moods with practical, compassionate tools.

Julie BjellandMay 14, 2025sensitive nervous system, neurodivergent support, emotional boundaries, protect your energy, absorbing emotions, energy shielding, grounding techniques, sensitive and neurodivergent, emotional regulation tools, late discovered neurodivergence, sensory overload, managing emotional overwhelm, self-compassion for sensitive people, empath energy protection, emotional release ritualsComment

Perimenopause, Menopause, and Autism: An Overlooked Crisis by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Explore how menopause and perimenopause impact autistic women and AFAB individuals, highlighting recent research, personal experience, and the urgent need for better support and awareness.

Menopause, AutismJulie BjellandMay 4, 2025Menopause and Autism, Autistic Women Health, Hormonal Fluctuations Autism, Menopause Symptoms Autism, Autism Spectrum Menopause, Menopause Challenges Autism, Support for Autistic Women, Understanding Autism and Menopause, Menopause Mental Health Autism, Menopause Awareness Autism, Menopause and Neurodiversity, Autistic Women Menopause Support, Menopause Depression Autism, Menopause Fatigue Autism, Menopause Pain Autism., autistic women, autism and menopause, perimenopause and autism, neurodivergent women health, autistic AFAB, menopause brain fog autism, sensory overload menopause, autistic fatigue menopause, adult-diagnosed autism, autism support community, Sensitive Empowerment Community, mental health crisis autism, late-discovered autism, autism awareness, neurodivergent health supportComment

25 Traits That Point to Autism, Not Just High Sensitivity by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Many sensitive adults are discovering they’re autistic after years of being misunderstood. Explore 25 traits that may reveal a deeper neurodivergent identity, especially if you’ve related to being “just sensitive.”

AutismJulie BjellandApril 18, 2025autism in adults, late discovered autism, sensitive autistic phenotype, highly sensitive person, autism traits, neurodivergent adults, autism quiz, autism and masking, adult autism traits, sensory processing, burnout and autism, autistic women, neurodiversity affirming Comments

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