What if you could wave a magic wand — what would you change?

I grew up listening to and reading fairy stories where every story had a happy ending. I want that for you too. And here’s why…

I remember sitting in a school meeting with a mom who looked completely exhausted and deflated.

She wasn’t just tired — the kind of worn-out that comes from months (or years) of trying everything and still not getting anywhere. She had folders, reports, therapy notes, teacher emails. She was doing all the “right” things — and yet nothing seemed to be working.

Her son was anxious. Falling behind. Being labelled. And she felt like the system was quietly blaming her for it.

She looked at me and whispered: “I don’t know what else to do. I just want to help my child.”

And I knew exactly how she felt — because I’ve been in both chairs: the parent and the professional.

I’ve spent over 3 decades in education — as a mainstream Foundation Phase teacher, a “special needs” teacher and remedial therapist, school principal, and now as a consultant and neurodiversity affirming advocate. I’ve sat in hundreds of school meetings.

And over and over again, I saw the same painful pattern:

At some point, I stopped asking, “What’s wrong with this child?” and started asking, “What does this child need to feel safe, understood, and successful?”

That one question changed everything.

Because most of these children don’t need fixing. They need to be seen. And the adults who love and support them need tools, not blame.

So I stepped away from the traditional model and began working directly with families and schools. I began helping parents and teachers create calm, doable support plans that honour the child — and work in real life.

After one session, a mom told me: “I finally feel like someone sees my child the way I do. I’m not scared to speak up anymore.”

And a teacher once said: “I knew something wasn’t working… but I didn’t know what to change until now.”

Neither of them needed to “fix” the child. They just needed someone to help connect the dots — and bring clarity to the chaos.

That’s why I created the Support to Succeed framework — a calm, clear approach that helps