THE BOOK THAT STARTED IT ALL!
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REFRAME YOUR THINKING
AROUND AUTISM
How the Polyvagal Theory and Brain Plasticity Help Us Make Sense of Autism
2ND EDITION (2022) LicenseToThink
Complex Science, Simplified
 Fight/Flight/FreezeÂ
The Polyvagal Theory suggests that many of the symptoms of autism are a learned response of the nervous system, and the result of our body being in a prolonged state of stress.
This book explains Polyvagal Theory in simple terms to help you see how these learned patterns of our autonomic nervous system affect our digestive, immune, social and executive functions - and what we can do to help.
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Illuminating the Path to Change
This book incorporates recent developments in brain plasticity research (the capacity of the brain to change throughout life) with The Polyvagal Theory to give autistics, parents of children on the spectrum, and professionals, a simple way to connect with - and understand - states of inertia, and shut-down in autistics; and pathways towards enhanced autonomy and well-being.
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"The Polyvagal Theory is a massive paradigm shift in understanding behaviour because it stresses the importance of the physiological state – the body – in understanding the mind."Â
Holly Bridges
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Holly Bridges is an Australian therapist, author, and international educator reimagining what’s possible for the autistic and neurodivergent community. With a background in psychology and lived experience of autism, Holly created the Anxiety Reframe Technique (A.R.T.), a revolutionary somatic framework grounded in Polyvagal Theory, brain plasticity, and deep respect for the body’s intelligence.
Her work offers a compassionate, body-first approach to supporting shutdown, inertia, trauma, and profound neurodivergence - respected by professionals, loved by families, and experienced as life-changing by those who’ve felt unseen.
A new optimistic approach to conceptualize autism
“Holly has a gifted presentation style that enables her to communicate the optimistic and important principles of the Polyvagal Theory."
Professor Stephen Porges
Creator of the Polyvagal Theory
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It made all the difference
“It made all the difference, and after reading it, the specific patterns of nervous system activation of my clients with autism was easy for me to notice, anticipate and support smoothly.”
S. de Vries
Therapist
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Uses plain language
“This book shows us that there is much more autism than we think. Holly’s book uses plain language, providing easy to understand knowledge of how our nervous system can impact on our wellbeing. ”
Barb Cook
Autistic author, Editor and Educator
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