About Swings and Roundabouts

Hi, I’m Carolyn — a very proud (and perpetually exhausted) solo mum to two incredible, very busy, and very loved neurodivergent boys. 

This is our amazing multi-generational family above. In our house, autism, ADHD and PDA are part of the soundtrack. Some days it's a dance party. Other days it's more like juggling knives while blindfolded (eeeek!).  But underneath it all, there’s love — so much love — and a fierce determination to figure it out, even when it feels like too much.

I started Swings and Roundabouts not because I had it all worked out — but because I didn’t. Despite years of working in government, mental health, family therapy, and community services, nothing prepared me for what it meant to be on the other side — the parent side. Suddenly, all the knowledge in the world wasn’t enough.

I didn’t need more referrals or a laminated flowchart. I needed someone to say, “Yep, this is hard. Here’s what might help next.” Someone to sit beside me, gently explain the path ahead, and actually see my family for who we are.

As you may have guessed, I'm not here to tell you what to do. I'm here to walk with you while you figure it out — one step, one deep breath, one meltdown at a time. 

My approach is about building a team, trusting your gut, and making space for you, not just your child.   You are the expert on your child and your child is unique, there is no one quick ready made solution, we all work together to figure it out often over and over again, as they grow.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need a place where you can land. You’re welcome here — as you are. 

 Welcome to Swings and Roundabouts. 💛 

At Swings and Roundabouts, we offer real-world support that speaks to the day-to-day reality of parenting neurodivergent children — not just the theory.

You’ll find:

🧭 Help navigating the system — NDIS, schools, referrals, funding pathways, and that awful “where do I even start?” moment.
 

🗣️ Support in meetings — Advocacy, emotional backup, and someone in your corner when the room gets overwhelming.
 

🧍‍♀️ One-on-one support — A chance to be heard, held, and helped. No judgment. Just someone who gets it.
 

👥 Peer support groups — Because being in a room (or Zoom) with others who actually understand can change everything.
 

📝 Needs assessments — Especially for families stuck on waitlists, or just trying to figure out what’s actually going on.
 

🧰 Workshops and resources — Practical, neuroaffirming, empowering, and built for real life parenting.
 

🎨 Customised tools — Social stories, visual schedules, therapy folders, sensory kits — all designed with flexibility and your child in mind.
 

Many of our products and services come directly from what has helped my own family. But I also know that no two kids are the same. What works for one child might flop for another — and that’s okay. If there’s something you need that you don’t see here, just reach out. I’m always open to co-creating something that actually works for you.

Because I still believe in the vision I had when I started all this:

 A one-stop shop that meets you wherever you're at.