Michelle Younghusband MSW

Over the last 27 years I have supported countless non-speaking children to ignite their communication. All non-speaking children deserve access to non-coercive support that increases their ability to connect through communication.

I've always loved to work with neurodivergent children (Autistic, ADHD, 2e, Dyslexic, etc). That's why I have continued to work with these wonderful kids for over 27 years. After having my own neurodivergent children, I realised that typical parenting advice doesn't work for complex children.

Completing my Social Work Masters (when my kids were toddlers); consolidated my knowledge that our children need radically different parenting and teaching approaches.

My work with children and parents is focused on current neuroscience of behaviour, and development. As I become more accepting of my neurodivergence; I have deepened my focus on strengths, compassion, radical acceptance, and connection over task or goal completion.

I'm originally from Australia and now live in sunny Demark with my two children and Danish husband. Ok... the sunny part is relative (after a long, dark winter, summer does seem warm and sunny).  I love spending time with my family and my tweens find me ... sooo embarrassing at times. Though they are still ok to be seen in public with me-so enjoying that while I still can.  

I have a knack for connecting with neurodivergent children & teens-often being the only counsellor they will agree to see. That's because I truly enjoy their company and understand on a personal level the strengths & challenges of being neurodivergent.

I particularly love it when non-speaking children start to communicate. I have had incredible experiences of non-speaking children speaking for the first time after playing with me for 30 minutes (even though speech is not my goal-connection through any form of communication is my goal). Those experiences inspired me to start the Ignite Communication Institute.

The families I work with move from a place of stress and worry about their child's future...to a deeper understanding of their child's unique wiring. Resulting in closer relationships, reduced conflict, and a belief that their child will THRIVE.

Join me on a journey to igniting your non-speaking child's communication.