Sensory Supports Are Not Rewards. They Are a Right.
This is a hill I will die on.
Fidgets, movement breaks, noise-cancelling headphones, wobble cushions, chewing tools—these are not rewards.
They are not privileges to be earned with good behaviour. They are necessary supports that help many children function, regulate, learn, and connect.
And yet, every week, I walk into schools and see sensory supports treated like prizes for compliance. As if access to basic regulation should be dangled like a carrot, only available to those who can perform the expected behaviour first.
You hear it everywhere:
“If he can’t follow instructions, he doesn’t get the wobble cushion.”
“If she keeps interrupting, she loses access to the sensory room.”
“If they want the fidget, they need to finish their work first.”
“If he finishes his maths, he can go in the calm down corner.”
Let’s be absolutely clear:
We don’t take away a child’s glasses because they’re not focusing enough.
We don’t remove a wheelchair ramp because a student is being “defiant.”
We don’t confiscate inhalers or mobility aids because a child was "disruptive."
Sensory supports are the same.
They are not a bonus.
They are not a luxury.
They are not something to be earned.
They are access tools.
They are regulation tools.
They are human rights in a learning environment.
In my work as a child psychologist, I see again and again how unmet sensory needs show up as "behavioural issues." The child who can't sit still. The child who melts down after too long in a noisy room. The child who shouts answers before being called upon, simply trying to stay connected to the task at hand.
And I also see how dramatically those "behaviours" can ease when children are given what they need without shame, delay, or conditions.
The question we should be asking is not,
"How do we make this child earn their sensory support?"
It’s,
"What would shift if we simply gave them what they needed in the first place?"
Because the truth is: when children are regulated, when their sensory systems are supported, when they feel safe—everything changes. Connection, communication, and learning become possible again.
It’s not about making things “easier” for them. It’s about making things possible. It's about equity. It's about dignity.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this—especially from educators, allied health professionals, parents, and carers navigating these realities in real time. How do you advocate for sensory supports in your settings? What has helped shift the mindset from rewards to rights?
Let’s keep this conversation going.
Because every child deserves access—not after they behave, not once they’ve earned it—but always.
How to Build Trust with Readers (Even If You’re Not an Expert)
If readers don’t trust you, they’ll leave.
Plain and simple.
So how do you earn their trust?
Conventional wisdom says you need to be an expert.
That credibility equals knowledge plus experience.
And sure, it’s true—you shouldn’t write confidently about things you know nothing about. But being "an expert" isn’t the only way (or even the best way) to engage readers with authenticity.
In fact, many writers limit themselves by thinking they need decades of experience or a stack of credentials before they're "allowed" to share anything. Meanwhile, their unique perspective—the one readers actually want—is missing from the conversation.
Today, I want to show you three powerful ways to build trust with readers without pretending to be a guru.
These strategies will help you:
Keep readers coming back
Write authentically (no faking it required)
Become more relatable
Free yourself from the pressure of being the "top expert"
Because here's the truth:
In the digital age, "expertise" is fluid—and readers are hungry for something real.
3 Ways to Build Trust with Readers (Without Being an Expert)
1. Be a Reporter
You don't have to know everything—you just have to know how to listen.
Rather than positioning yourself as the voice of ultimate authority, act as a curator. Gather insights, wisdom, and lived experiences from others, then synthesize and share them with care.
This saves your readers time, gives them a rich range of voices, and lets you offer something substantial without posturing.
Example:
Jordan Raynor, in Called to Create, doesn't claim to have all the answers. Instead, he interviews dozens of entrepreneurs, weaving their stories into something new and helpful. He frames himself as a seeker, not a sage—and readers trust him for it.
“Rather than answering all of these questions myself, I have spent almost two years posing them to dozens of entrepreneurs through first-person interviews and research.”
How to implement:
Quote others. Interview people. Gather case studies. Build a mosaic of wisdom rather than claiming to be a one-person authority.
2. Be a Learner
Instead of writing as if you’ve "arrived," invite readers to walk with you on the journey.
People don't want a pedestal—they want a path.
When you position yourself as a fellow learner, you:
Diffuse any pretense
Build solidarity
Become relatable
Relieve yourself from the impossible pressure to "know it all"
Example:
Justin Whitmel Early, in Habits of the Household, doesn’t lecture from a place of mastery. He writes from the trenches:
“If you want to picture a parent who has it all together and can tell you how to do it right, let me as politely as possible show you to the door. I am not that person... I’m qualified to write about this stuff because I need it so badly.”
How to implement:
Write from your questions, your struggles, your wonder. Let readers see you figuring it out—not just handing down conclusions.
3. Be an Anti-Hero
Let's be honest: no one trusts a know-it-all.
Readers connect much more with someone who’s honest about their missteps than someone pretending to have all the answers.
When you share your failures, regrets, and wrong turns, you invite readers to exhale and say, me too.
Example:
John Mark Comer, in The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, openly shares his experience of burnout:
“But the thing is, I feel like a ghost. Half alive, half dead. More numb than anything else… Emotionally I live with an undercurrent of a nonstop anxiety that rarely goes away.”
By letting readers see his emptiness, he earns their trust—and their attention.
How to implement:
Own your mistakes. Share your struggles. Offer wisdom that grew from your bruises, not just your triumphs.
In Summary:
Be a Reporter: Curate and synthesize wise voices.
Be a Learner: Write from curiosity and humility.
Be an Anti-Hero: Share your struggles, not just your successes.
Expert or not, if you approach your writing through one (or all) of these frames, your readers will trust you more—and they’ll stick around for the long haul.
Trust isn’t built on flawless credentials.
It’s built on honesty, humility, and human connection.
You don’t have to be "the expert."
You just have to be real.
I'm rooting for you. Always.
— Tess
ADHD and Paper Marbling: Swirling Art for Restless Minds
Paper Marbling for the Neuro-squiggly
If you live with ADHD, you probably know the feeling: a restless mind that craves stimulation and calm at the same time. The urge to create something beautiful—but without rigid instructions or endless patience. Enter: paper marbling, a mesmerising, fluid art form that's perfect for restless brains and busy hands.
Paper marbling feels like a small kind of magic. Colours float, swirl, collide. There's no "wrong" way to do it—only movement, reaction, instinct. For people with ADHD, it offers the kind of sensory satisfaction and low-pressure creativity that can make a chaotic day feel just a little softer around the edges.
Why Paper Marbling Captivates ADHD Minds
Instant Feedback: You don’t have to wait hours or days to see the results. As soon as your ink hits the water (or marbling medium), it blooms and transforms.
Fluid Thinking: Marbling rewards spontaneity. There's no strict outcome to aim for—just playful experimentation.
Tactile & Visual Stimulation: Watching the colours move, dragging combs or sticks through the surface, feeling the paper catch the swirling designs—it’s a full sensory experience.
Low Stakes, High Satisfaction: Every marbled paper is unique. Mistakes don’t ruin the work; they make the work.
For ADHD brains that can get overwhelmed by perfectionism or long projects, marbling feels liberating, almost meditative.
DIY Paper Marbling Tutorial (Simple & ADHD-Friendly)
You don't need fancy equipment to start marbling at home. Here's a basic, low-stress version:
You'll need:
A shallow tray (think baking dish)
Water
Shaving cream (for a quick version) or proper marbling medium (like carrageenan)
Acrylic paints, marbling inks, or food colouring
Toothpicks, combs, or skewers
Blank paper (watercolour paper works beautifully)
A squeegee, ruler, or old gift card to scrape
Steps:
Prepare the surface:
For the easy version, spread a thick layer of shaving cream in your tray.
For traditional marbling, mix your medium (following the instructions) and pour it into the tray.
Add your colour:
Drip or flick your paints onto the surface. ADHD tip: Don't overthink your colour choices. Start, then adjust if you want!
Create your pattern:
Use a toothpick, skewer, or comb to swirl the colours. Move fast or slow—it’s all about instinct.
Print your paper:
Gently lay your paper onto the surface. Press lightly, then lift it off.
Scrape off the excess:
If you used shaving cream, scrape off the foam to reveal the pattern.
Let dry:
Your masterpiece is ready!
Bonus tip: Set up a little production line if hyperfocus hits—you can marble a whole stack of papers in one session and use them for journal covers, collage art, gift wrap, or just to admire.
Where to Find Marbling Supplies in Sydney
Feeling ready to dive in? Here are some great local spots:
Eckersley’s Art & Craft (various locations): Great for marbling kits, acrylics, and watercolour paper.
The Art Scene (West Ryde): Carries specialist supplies, including traditional marbling mediums.
Bunnings (for shaving cream marbling): Budget-friendly DIY option!
Reverse Garbage (Marrickville): Eco-friendly finds if you want unique paper or reuse materials creatively.
Kmart or Officeworks (anywhere): For basic trays, combs, and quick-start supplies.
Final Thought:
Paper marbling isn’t just an art technique—it’s an experience. A way to meet your mind where it’s at: vibrant, shifting, beautiful in its unpredictability. For ADHD creators, it's a permission slip to be as messy, colourful, and nonlinear as you need to be.
Next time you're craving a creative outlet that welcomes (not fights) your brain’s energy, swirl some ink and let it move you.