Empowering neurodivergent people through understanding and conversation
If you’re here, you possibly have a child who you feel isn’t thriving – whether they’re neurodivergent or you suspect they might be. Perhaps it’s ADHD, autism, a learning disability like dyslexia or dyscalculia, Tourette’s, a mood disorder, anxiety… Whatever you suspect, you’re probably feeling a lot right now – lost, frustrated, unheard, dismissed, angry, sad, and maybe even guilty.
Your child’s concerning behaviours might be subtle, like perfectionism or masking; more obvious, like crying, struggling to speak, selective eating, or academic difficulties; or even distressing behaviours like aggression or scary thoughts. And even if medical professionals will help, they often focus on medications or therapies to reduce or remove the behaviours.
But the behaviours don’t need fixing. They’re simply the indicator that your child is struggling. The underlying unmet need is what requires attention.
That’s where More Than Quirky comes in.
I empower neurodivergent young people by supporting the people who love them to understand them.
A diagnosis of neurodivergence – and even medication and therapy recommendations – frequently comes without explanation as to what it actually means for daily life. You’re not often told what else is statistically likely to be going on in their brains and bodies, how to make things easier for everyone, or even how to interpret the information provided in the medical results! And what you are told usually focuses on the negatives. Just wait til you hear about the perks!
More Than Quirky only engages in neuroaffirming methods and strategies, including the use of therapies and medications, with a focus on the child’s wellbeing now and in the future.
If you’re looking for understanding and support, rather than feeling dismissed, or being told to take a parenting course or that your child is “just quirky”… you’ve arrived. Welcome to the club. (Don’t tell anyone but, once you know the tricks, it’s the best place there is.)
We’ve got this, together.
Jen Goodwin, BA(Psych)DipEd
Founder of More Than Quirky | Multiply-neurodivergent | Parent of ND kiddos | 2e | Animal Crossing Enthusiast
About Me
Hello, my name is Jen. I’m a neurodivergent (AuDHD+) advocate, educator, and consultant, who promotes the wellbeing of young neurodivergent people by providing their parents with neuroaffirming holistic support and guidance.
I’m a storyteller, a fierce protector, a creative problem solver, and a safe space for children and grown-ups alike. I am also raising neurodivergent kids myself, so this place is one of solidarity and genuine empathy.
While I’m currently based in Dharug country at the northern edge of Sydney, I offer More Than Quirky’s services pretty much anywhere they’re needed.
I’m the person I needed when I was young.
About
With an academic background in psychology, I had always been drawn to professional roles related to helping others, usually with an added dash of creativity and connection.
I sought support for one of my daughters from the time she was 7 months old, for various presentations of distress, illness, and pain. From the time she was 2 I was specifically flagging autism. It took another 5 years of being passed around, dismissed, criticised, mocked, and ignored, before I stopped asking, and demanded instead. As a result, she was finally assessed, and… well, what do you know… she’s autistic.
So much for the “top paediatricians” who patronisingly called me Mum; suggested that my parenting, and perceived impatience and anxiety was the issue; and repeatedly said she’s “just quirky”.
It is largely due to privilege that we were able to reach that moment of validation. It is largely due to my own neurotype, interests, and studies, that she received the support she needs to thrive.
I created More Than Quirky to provide other families with a faster road to success, greater compassion and insight than the average GP provides, and neuroaffirming approaches that allow your child to be themselves and for your family to thrive. To empower young neurodivergent people to be proud, be happy, and be amazing.
So you don’t have to sacrifice the time, money, and wellbeing that I did to receive the support and result your family deserves.
Backing the Future
Throughout 2025-26, More Than Quirky is offering a select number of families in rural & regional New South Wales support thanks to Backing the Future.
Due to the generous support of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) and Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), this support will be pro bono, at zero cost to families or their community.
Take Time To
Exhale
Exhale provides a confidential, one-on-one space for parents to discuss challenges, receive professional feedback, and explore tailored strategies to support their child’s development and well-being.
Breathe
Do you feel like you’re always slightly holding your breath? Exhale offers a safe, open space for parents and teachers to express their feelings and experiences, and to be heard without the need for explanation or justification. Let it all out.
Immediate Support
No waiting for reports and links. Together we’ll discuss solutions, support options, potential avenues to explore, strategies to adopt, and whatever else you feel needs addressing.
Empathetic and Actionable
While emotionally supportive, Exhale brings practical insights into what can be done now to reduce the challenges you’re facing with your child, helping you feel more empowered and less overwhelmed.
Recharging
You’ll leave feeling lighter, with a better understanding of both your child’s needs and your own. Exhale helps you reconnect with your sense of purpose, equipped with new strategies and support. And no longer holding your breath.
Exhale is available exclusively online, conducted via a secure video call. This allows for flexible, accessible support, while ensuring a professional and confidential environment.
I am Australian, born and raised on Weilwan and Gamilaraay Country in the central-west and north-west of New South Wales. I have spent the majority of my adult life in Sydney and London. Purely by chance, my family and I found ourselves in this beautiful part of the world – on Dharug land, embedded in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park – about 8 years ago, and have no intention of budging any time soon. It is the longest I have lived in one place other than my childhood home.
While we aren’t in the heart of the city, I am very aware how fortunate we are to have easy access to Sydney, Newcastle, and the Central Coast when it comes to finding like-minded peers and neuroaffirming allied health practitioners.
More Than Quirky maintains a directory of such resources to ensure that people are accessing the best resources, that ideal regional support is not overlooked or unexplored, and that rural and regional people who travel have worthwhile journeys.
Join the resource list of neuroaffirming awesomeness:
Guidance Package
The Guidance Package is designed to provide tailored, practical support for parents of neurodivergent children. Through a combination of expert advice, personalised strategies, and emotional support, this package helps families navigate the complexities of neurodivergent life. It offers a comprehensive exploration into your child’s unique strengths, needs, and challenges, providing actionable insights to empower them to thrive.
This package is perfect for parents looking for clear, empathetic guidance on how to communicate effectively, set appropriate boundaries, and bolster their child’s well-being and development. Whether you’re seeking support with behavioural difficulties, school or health communications, or connection with your child, the Guidance Package empowers you to feel more confident in your journey.
Continue Your Journey with More Than Quirky Today
Whether you have a quick question, want a short chat to decide whether to chat neurodivergence with your GP, are after occasional or regular online sessions, need an in-depth support package, take your next step with More Than Quirky now:
TESTIMONIALS
From More Than Quirky Families…
“More than Quirky is a wonderful place to obtain excellent advice and information when you’re just starting out your journey into the ND world and beyond. Jen really is a wealth of knowledge and has the insight to help parents and children navigate the challenges that ND children face. She really understands!”
parent
of Autistic + ADHD son
“Jen has been an exceptional support for me, as a mother processing her daughter’s diagnoses. She has actually been quite pivotal in my own personal journey as well as supporting me through each step of this process.”
parent
of autistic daughter
“As a parent of [an autistic child] it is really hard to find the right support. The compassion and understanding Jen has about neurodiversity is outstanding. She has always took time out of her day to talk to me, offer advice and help me navigate many meetings giving me the tools to advocate for my child. It has empowered us as parents to create a supported nurturing environment for my child both at school, home and the community. We are grateful that she has our back and is always there to answer questions and provide advice.”
parent
of multiply neurodivergent sons
“From the day I met Jen, she has been incredibly supportive and warm and so knowledgeable. She provided me with knowledge, information, practical and emotional support, helpful strategies and tools as well as validation I so greatly needed.”
parent
of autistic daughter
Information & Advice
More Than Quirky publishes articles related to neurodivergence on a regular basis. These include:
tips and tricks for parenting – and ways to support – neurodivergent kids, explanation and translation of the neurodivergent experience, straightforward information describing neurodivergencies, current events, Q&As, opinion pieces… and more.
Articles are available via Content Membership, on a monthly or annual basis.
Book a Video Appointment
Receive the support and guidance you need, from wherever is most comfortable for you.
Downloadable Resources
Take one step closer to thriving today
Wherever you are in your experience with neurodivergence – seeking confirmation, recognised but struggling, wanting to know more, hoping to do better, looking for ideas regarding a specific hurdle, curious to know what physical health concerns could be related, or anywhere else on the map – More Than Quirky would love to be part of that journey with you.
You provide the vehicle, I’ll bring the snacks, and we can share the driving…
Write
PO Box 20
Dharug Country
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone or WhatsApp
+61 (0) 407 804 722
Online
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