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Counselling for Neurodiverse Individuals and Families

Honouring Strengths, Supporting Authenticity

Neurodiversity is not something to be “fixed”—it is something to be understood, accepted, and supported. Whether you’re navigating life as a neurodivergent child, youth, or adult, or you’re a family member of someone who is, counselling can provide a powerful space for growth, connection, and self-understanding. At Warman Physiotherapy & Wellness, our therapist Shireen Abedi offers counselling for neurodiverse individuals and their families in both our Warman and Evergreen (Saskatoon) clinic locations.

What Is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how brains work. It includes conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others. Each neurodivergent individual has unique strengths, needs, and ways of experiencing the world. Counselling for neurodiverse individuals is not about changing who they are—it’s about honouring their individuality and supporting them in leading fulfilling lives that reflect their values, preferences, and potential.

How Counselling Supports Neurodiverse Individuals

When working with a counsellor who understands neurodiversity, therapy becomes a space of empowerment and acceptance. Counselling can help neurodiverse children, teens, and adults in the following ways:

1. Emotional Support

Navigating a world that often misunderstands or underestimates neurodivergent individuals can be challenging. Therapy offers a safe space to explore emotions, manage stress, and work through anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem.

2. Improved Self-Understanding

By learning how their brain works and how neurodivergent traits shape their experiences, individuals can better understand themselves, build confidence, and develop a stronger sense of identity.

3. Coping Tools for Daily Life

Counselling provides practical strategies to help with:

  • Emotional regulation

  • Sensory sensitivities

  • Executive functioning (like organization and time management)

  • Adjusting to change and routine

 

4. Support with Social Skills and Communication

If desired, therapy can help individuals navigate social situations in ways that feel safe and authentic. This could mean building self-advocacy skills, developing clearer communication, or simply finding ways to feel more confident in relationships.

5. Promoting Self-Acceptance

Perhaps most importantly, counselling fosters a sense of self-compassion. It supports individuals in challenging internalized stigma, building a narrative of empowerment rather than limitation.

How Counselling Helps Families of Neurodivergent Individuals

Raising or living with a neurodivergent loved one can be both deeply rewarding and at times, complex. Counselling for neurodiverse individuals also includes support for families, helping parents, siblings, and caregivers better understand and navigate the unique needs of their family member.

Here’s how counselling can help families thrive:

1. Education and Perspective

Understanding the brain-based differences behind behaviours can transform frustration into empathy. Therapy helps families learn what neurodiversity really means and how to adapt support in ways that make a difference.

2. Enhanced Communication

Families often benefit from tools to improve everyday interactions. Counselling can help identify communication strategies that honour each member’s style and needs—reducing conflict and building connection.

3. Emotional Support for Parents and Caregivers

Caring for a neurodivergent family member can be emotionally taxing. Counselling provides a non-judgmental space for family members to process their own emotions, reduce burnout, and gain support.

4. Problem-Solving for Everyday Challenges

From school advocacy to supporting meltdowns, therapy offers practical coping strategies that help reduce overwhelm and promote a more peaceful home life.

5. Encouraging Independence and Advocacy

With support, families can learn to empower their loved one to express needs, make decisions, and build independence—all while feeling heard and supported.

Why Choose Warman Physio for Counselling?

At Warman Physiotherapy & Wellness, we understand that no two individuals—or families—are alike. That’s why we’re proud to offer neurodiversity-affirming counselling services with Shireen Abedi, a Registered Counselling Psychologist who works with children, youth, and adults at both our Warman and Evergreen (Saskatoon) locations. Shireen’s approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and the belief that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and supported in their own unique journey.

Book an Appointment Today

If you or a loved one could benefit from counselling for neurodiverse individuals, we invite you to connect with us. Whether you’re seeking individual therapy or family counselling, we’re here to help you explore your strengths, navigate challenges, and move forward with confidence.

Appointments are available in both Warman and Saskatoon (Evergreen). Reach out to Warman Physiotherapy & Wellness today to learn more!

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Easing into the New Year

It is another New Year. A time of change and reflection. Last year we wrote our New Year blog with the knowledge that the year was going to be VERY different. Forced changes were happening even as the holidays were gearing up. What we didn’t know is how much of a collective experience having control snatched away would be!

This year it feels that instead of jumping into new resolutions and generalizations of what the year has in store, we are all keeping a close eye on 2021. The new puppy that you aren’t sure won’t wreck those shoes or pee on the carpet. Whatever 2021 had had in store for you, we truly wish that 2021 brings the growth and expansion of happiness and health to all our clients and communities.

Eloquence and gushing are not something that many people find comfortable, including us, however this reflection begs some serious accolades. This past year has shown us that our team is rock solid. We have phenomenal staff. Not only were they able to pick up the slack for Haylie stepping back for her own treatment, but they were able to do this AND navigate a pandemic! Our team had nothing but the health and well-being of our clients and community at the forefront throughout the entire process.

It is for these reasons that we are grateful to 2020. It showed us:
  • We can do hard things (very VERY hard things)
  • Everyone has each others back
  • Continuing as a team and supporting our clients remained a top priority
  • Striking a work/life balance made a big difference in our ability to show up for our clients
  • The adaptability and mental flexibility to move from in-person to virtual services was phenomenal
  • Our values and mission has held strong and true through this whole endeavor

Changes are inevitable. Such massive changes as a collective society is less common. Beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are proud of our clients and community to make this pivot in our social and professional interactions. We have also discovered that some massive changes will not waiver the core values.

Warman Physio will continue to provide:
  1. Exceptional comprehensive and compassionate care
  2. A family friendly and welcoming environment where you are heard
  3. Services across a wide span of providers to best suit your needs

So even though we are all watching our backs waiting to see what 2021 has in store for us, we still plan on going out and exploring the ways we will grow this year.

 

P.S. Did you know we have some new services? Check them out and see how to book:

Virtual Services: Physiotherapy, Dietitian, Counselling

In-person: Fitness, Physiotherapy, Massage, Occupational Therapy, Dietitian, Counselling

Return of Haylie to Practice: Virtual exclusive

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Are We Ever Ready?

Thank YOU!

In a blink we are nearly into June 2020. Halfway through the year. Nearly half of that time spent in a pandemic. Feels weird to some days be “ok” while others feeling like you can barely hold it together long enough to get through that next task.

It has felt like from the moment we announced the clinic closure to in-person care March 18 we have been consistently adjusting, moving, re-planning. Through it all we have been forever grateful to the community and our clients for your understanding and grace you have given us during this time. I don’t think we can ever over-state how deeply we appreciate your support during these many transitions!

In-Person Care

Although things are still seeming to be ever changing, we have settled on some specifics for those that are appropriate for our in-person appointments we are providing for Physiotherapy & Massage services at this time.

  1. Ensure you have completed your online COVID screening questionnaire and re-book if you are feeling at all unwell
  2. When you arrive please stay in your vehicle! Our team will call you when they have your personal waiting room ready
  3. We are required to have everyone who enters the building to wear a mask (please bring one with you to your appointment)
  4. There will be hand sanitizer available for you to use once you enter the building
  5. The bathrooms at this time are closed to public use
  6. Contact-less payment is preferred whenever possible

*Please note that depending on the type of appointment you are scheduled for, your therapist may have differing levels of PPE on

 

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

At the clinic the therapists and staff have access to approved PPE for all levels of available services. This means various levels of equipment will be used for different treatment types, in addition to personal protective measures that each therapist feels necessary to take for their own/family safety.

You will always see your therapists and staff in a mask if they are unable to remain physically distanced (this includes Laura until our fancy new sneeze guard comes!) – which of course will be the case for any in-person/hands on appointments. You may also see: protective eye wear, a gown/specific lab jacket (we have special ordered some), and/or gloves.

It must be noted that at this time we are not completing any assessment or treatment intraorally. This means that until further notice appointments for TMJ will not be able to evaluate the muscles within the mouth. We can however, still provide assessment and treatment of any additional factors that would be related to the neck and external to the mouth!

 

Why are we so diligent?

We are so fortunate to have such understanding clientele at the clinic, and haven’t had any issues with our new protocols and procedures. It is important that we ensure that our clients understand why it is important that we follow the guidelines, are honest in our COVID screening questionnaires for a couple main reasons.

1) There are hefty fines for not following the proper protocols

Businesses that do not comply with the government or association guidelines are at risk of fines up to $250,000. We have been so grateful to persevere through this pandemic to date. Fines during this time not only for our business, but any business, could prove catastrophic for any business.

2) We need to protect those that are at risk that are coming in to provide care

There are some individuals at the clinic that are at-risk themselves or have family members that are at greater risk for COVID.

Although I am a generally private person, I have felt that now is the time to let our clients and community know that I have been diagnosed and started treatment for cancer. COVID has thrown a real wrench in the entire process and brings a new element to have to navigate during an already challenging time. As many people know, my dad has leukemia and has for years so I am very familiar with the increased protective measures required for a compromised immune system during a typical flu season. I am confident in our team’s ability to navigate these uncertain times and continue to provide the high level of care that we have become accustomed to.

~Haylie Lashta

Our top priority is the health and safety of our staff, the clients, and the community. We appreciate that we are all working together through these processes.

Thank you for choosing us to help you, help yourself!

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My Broken Pelvis: Part 2 – Pubic Symphysis

Lightning Crotch. Ouch! Our pubic symphysis is the point where the two halves of our pelvis meet in front – the bone at the top and front of the groin. For those that have had pubic symphysis dysfunction (PSD) or “lightning crotch” you well know that this can go from slightly irritating pain to WHAT IS GOING ON HERE! B(#%P! pretty quickly.

Commonly associated with pregnancy, we well know that individuals suffering with PSD can get to a point of despair and resignation that this pain will become a new normal; often because that is what we are being told about pain during pregnancy! “This is just part of becoming a woman” is a term I have heard yet again this past week from a client. I urge us to think of pain in pregnancy (any pain, but in this instance PSD), as something that although is common is not normal.

We wouldn’t tell someone who has just started running that has developed knee pain that “this is just part of becoming a runner – it will go away when you stop

 

There is research now that shows that pain in pregnancy can often be addressed with physiotherapy (1,2) – from PSD to back pain, and that staying active during pregnancy (3) has many benefits (which is hard to do when you are painful!). When there is pain, there is usually something we can do about it!

 

Case Study

An active mother of 28 comes into the clinic complaining of groin pain – it’s sharp, shooting, sometimes take your breath away pain that is getting progressively worse as her pregnancy continues on. She is only 26 weeks gestation and has been struggling with pain since about 16 weeks and finally decided to come to an appointment after talking with a friend about it. She is having difficulty rolling in bed (she tries squeezing her knees together because that is what she read on a few blogs on google) which has helped a little but not much, standing on one leg, and she sometimes notices popping and clicking with movement that really hurts as well. She tried kicking an empty laundry basket out to the side the other day and found that extremely painful as well.

Although there are many reasons for PSD, we will go through some of the things that may be found during a physiotherapy assessment of this type of pain

Assessment

Upon evaluation the client was clearly limping while they were walking, more on the right than the left leg, they had pain with standing on the right leg more than the left leg, and had difficulty bringing their knee toward their chest on both sides in standing. Generally speaking these individuals will have some restriction of movement on one side (same side as pain or the opposite – everyone is different!), significant muscle tightness of the inner thigh, and poor coordination of the gluteals. We also often see a change in posture – the individual may be hinging backwards (rib cage back over the pelvis), but there is a huge variation in the changes seen here depending on the underlying cause.

What can I do NOW?

In many instances our protective mechanisms related to pain may end up being one of the additional driving factors of our pain – your groin hurts, and when you hurt you tend to ‘protect’ the area (curling in) and the muscles around the area will tighten. Increased tension often doesn’t help serve us to feel better or less painful, but may drive a continued pain cycle! Squeezing the knees together to roll like in this instance, may help initially, but overall results in increased tension and often stops being helpful over a short period of time. Relaxing the muscles – particularly the inner thigh – and activating the gluts can go a long way to improving PSD pain. As always, an individual assessment is best, but when you are rolling over, try pushing yourself over with a bent knee (leg straight to the side you want to roll to), and spending some time in a ‘butterfly’ position.

At Warman Physio we have experienced physiotherapists that will use a variety of hands-on treatment while you are in-clinic, as well as home programming and exercises so that you can continue to help yourself to feel better between appointments!

PSD can be a draining, exhausting, and very painful experience for some people, and merely annoying, irritating, and minorly problematic for others. Let us help you, help yourself!

 

Haylie has been practicing pelvic health and focused in prenatal and post-partum care since graduating from the U of S MPT program in 2011. She officially added to her practice pediatric pelvic floor therapy in 2017. Haylie has been advocating for treatment for women, ensuring appropriate and effective care throughout pregnancy and post-partum, and helping all expecting and post-partum moms ultimately brought her to open her family-friendly clinic since opening in 2014. She now adds to this education and treatment provision her knowledge and experience in pediatric pelvic health providing workshops and presentations in addition to assessment and treatment. At Warman Physio clients are encouraged to bring their infants and children to treatment. Haylie was recognized as YWCA Women of Distinction for Health & Wellness in 2017, the ABEX Young Entrepreneur Award Recipient in 2018, and has been nominated for the 2019 SABEX and WMBEXA Awards.

 References:

  1. E Vermani et al (2009). Pelvic Girdle Pain and Low Back Pain in Pregnancy: A Review. World Institute of Pain. Volume 10, Issue 1 (60-71)
  2. E Richards, G van Kessel, R Virgara, & P Harris (2012). Does antenatal physical therapy for pregnant women with low back pain or pelvic pain improve functional outcomes? A systematic review. Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology. (ahead of print)
  3. MF Mottola et al (2019). 2019 Canadian guideline for physical activity throughout pregnancy. British Journal of Sports Medicine. Volume 52, Issue 21
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Carpal Tunnel – or a pinched hose?

Physiotherapy Case Study

Carpal Tunnel

A 28 year old individual came into the clinic with right sided dull forearm pain, tingling with pins and needles into the hand. The pain started without any cause and has just gotten worse over the last two months. It also seems that the hand is worse at night and in the morning.

They have started having difficulty holding heavy pots and pans, and opening tight jars – which they don’t recall having difficulty with before.

 

Although there are many reasons why someone may have pain in the forearm, wrist, and hand, let’s go through some of the possible reasons WHY this happens, what we can do about it, and how you can start your road to recovery TODAY! 

 

What causes carpal tunnel?
To have a true Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, the issue is specifically coming from the wrist – the tunnel in which one of the nerves (the median nerve – see above) of the arm goes through and into the hand. More often than not, there will be other contributing factors to wrist and hand pain!

The median nerve is the culprit in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and although there can be issues in only one spot causing problems, the nerve is kind of like a garden hose… the hose starts at the tap (the neck), and then runs to the end (the hand). You can lose pressure at the end of the hose by pinching it right at the end (hand symptoms), but you can also lose pressure by pinching it just a little bit on other points through the hose, ending up with the same reduced pressure (hand symptoms!)

So how can we determine what the contributing factors are? Some people will find that if they are looking one direction that their hand symptoms will get better or worse. Others will find that the chair that they are sitting in will seem to impact their symptoms.

If you have hand and forearm symptoms like pain, tingling, or numbness, a physical therapy assessment could benefit you!
What you may expect from this assessment is a postural assessment to look at your alignment, flexibility of the upper body muscles, mobility of the spine and neck, shoulders, elbows, and wrist, with an evaluation of how you move.

In many instances by the end of the assessment there is a clear driving factor to the pain and symptoms that can begin being addressed by home programming. This will put you in charge of feeling better, and not relying solely on having to come to the clinic to improve. Your therapist may provide you with a variety of homework items including stretching of muscles that are providing too much tension, strengthening of muscles that aren’t providing enough support, give exercises that will help the nerves slide and glide, and to help the joints move with more symmetry to restore balance.

A common question we are asked is how long until I’m better?

The recovery period will vary from client to client, depending on the severity and frequency of signs and symptoms, the duration of symptoms, the activity level the client is needing to maintain, and the commitment to their program. Typically, with a straightforward case we tend to see client’s 1x every 1 to 2 weeks for a total of 4 to 6 sessions. These sessions include manual therapy to help restore joint, neural, and muscle mobility as well as progressing exercises for your home program to help you help yourself.

 

Treatment Results for our Case Study

This individual having experienced pain for a relatively short period of ended up having stiffness in the neck and the position of the head changed their symptoms quite a bit. Getting started with some stretches and movements to help the neck, shoulder, and forearm move better, was the first step along with some manual therapy in clinic. The client at the next appointment the following week had a significant improvement in symptoms and found the stretches very helpful with managing their pain. Treatment continued to progress and included range of motion, stretching, and strengthening. When the client came in for their last appointment (a short 5 weeks later!) they were pain free, and able to manage their symptoms quickly themselves if things started to get sore.

Don’t delay! Schedule your assessment today to get started your journey to recovery!

Haylie has been practicing pelvic health and focused in prenatal and post-partum care since graduating from the U of S MPT program in 2011. Officially adding to her practice pediatric pelvic floor therapy in 2017. She has been advocating for treatment for women, ensuring appropriate and effective care throughout pregnancy and post-partum, and helping all expecting and post-partum moms ultimately brought her to open her family-friendly clinic. At Warman Physio clients are encouraged to bring their infants and children to treatment. Warman Physio has been nominated as a finalist for the 2018, 2017, & 2016 WMBEXA, is a WMBEXA award recipient of 2017 New Business Award, and a finalist in the ABEX 2018, 2017 & 2016, and Haylie was recognized as YWCA Women of Distinction for Health & Wellness in 2017, and has been nominated for the 2019 SABEX and WMBEXA Awards.
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