About Higher Needs
Our Mission
At Higher Needs, we are dedicated to providing exceptional consulting services to primary, secondary schools, kinder, childcare centres and homes. Our focus is on neurodivergent behaviour management, ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive.
Welcome
Welcome to Higher Needs, we offer customised services designed to address specific challenges in your workplace and homes. Our goal is to enhance the support provided to these children, helping them thrive.
We Provide various types of support, allowing you to choose what best meets your needs.
About Deidre Stewart – Higher Needs Training
I am a mother of three neurodiverse teenage children, and they are the reason I do this work. My lived experience navigating the education and disability systems from both a parent’s perspective and an educator’s perspective has shown me the gaps — and inspired me to help fill them.
With a background as an Early Childhood Educator and a Certified ASD Coach, I bring a unique dual‑lens approach. I understand the realities teachers face in classrooms, and I understand the challenges families experience at home. This allows me to support both sides of the system and help them collaborate more effectively so autistic and neurodivergent students can truly thrive.
I hold a Working with Children Check and Police Check, and I am committed to providing training that is practical, inclusive, and grounded in real‑world experience. My goal is to empower educators and parents with the knowledge, confidence, and shared language they need to work together in meaningful partnership.
Our services
Professional development sessions for teachers and staff
On-site evaluation and target assistance in specific areas.
On-site evaluation and target assistance in specific areas.
On-site evaluation and target assistance in specific areas.
On-site evaluation and target assistance in specific areas.
On-site evaluation and target assistance in specific areas.
Higher Needs offers a walk-through service enabling the school to focus on specific learning spaces and environments.
Guidance and support for Parents
At Higher Needs, we can also provide a parents information session providing more insight to their children's educational needs, for better parent teacher collaboration.
Personal consultations
Higher Needs offers online or in-person consultations for parents, educators, and anyone seeking greater insight, understanding, and practical support.
Personalised Yarning circles/ Group discussions
Higher Needs offer - Let’s have a yarn.
Sit down for a real conversation, share your experiences, and receive personalised strategies, guidance, and practical advice tailored to your needs.
Personalised strategies and resources
Higher Needs offer classroom posters, visual schedules, table checklists, and emotional regulation information.
OUR PRODUCTS
Lanyards
Supporting children and adults with additional needs just got easier 💙💚
This practical support lanyard includes:
• Communication cards
• Emotions cards
• Zones of Regulation visuals
• Breathing box prompt
• Grounding technique reminders
Perfect for teachers, aides, support workers, therapists, carers, and parents to use on the go.
Each lanyard also comes with:
✨ Retractable coil
✨ Pop-it fidget toy for sensory regulation
A simple but powerful tool to support communication, emotional regulation, and independence throughout the day.
Quick reference guide
Quick reference guide💙💚
Designed for those real-life moments of classroom chaos, overwhelm, or dysregulation — when you need quick prompts and practical support strategies fast.
Perfect for:
• Teachers
• Education support staff
• Therapists
• Support workers
• Parents & carers
Includes easy-to-follow prompts and reminders for:
✔ Emotional regulation
✔ Co-regulation strategies
✔ Communication supports
✔ Sensory strategies
✔ De-escalation techniques
✔ Grounding and calming prompts
✔ Classroom-friendly responses
Created as a quick-reference tool you can use in the moment — because sometimes our brains need prompts too.
Feelings Thermometer
Stop, Think, Do Poster
Feelings Thermometer 💙💚 (pegs included)
A simple but powerful visual tool to help quickly gauge how individuals — or even an entire room — are feeling at a glance.
Perfect for classrooms, therapy spaces, wellbeing rooms, and home environments to support:
🌡 Emotional awareness
🌡 Self-regulation
🌡 Check-ins and communication
🌡 Early identification of overwhelm
🌡 Group mood monitoring
Helps children and adults identify where they are emotionally, recognise escalation early, and communicate feelings in a safe and visual way.
An easy everyday support tool that encourages emotional literacy and proactive regulation strategies.
Stop, Think, Do Poster
Stop, Think, Do Poster
Stop, Think, Do Poster
“Stop, Think, Do” Poster 💙💚
A simple visual support designed for calm corners, regulation spaces, and classrooms to help children process their thoughts and actions during heightened moments.
This poster gently guides students through:
🛑 STOP — Pause and calm your body
💭 THINK — What am I feeling? What do I need?
✅ DO — Choose a safe and helpful strategy
Perfect for supporting:
• Emotional regulation
• Impulse control
• Problem-solving
• Self-awareness
• Independent calming strategies
Ideal for classrooms, wellbeing spaces, therapy rooms, and home environments. Simple visuals and clear steps help reduce overwhelm and support regulation when it’s needed most.
Orders
Stop, Think, Do Poster
Orders
If you have any questions or would like to order from Higher Needs, please contact us.
Please click here for form.