Felicity
Evans
Hyper and Happy
for children, teenagers, families, anyone
These past six years have been the opposite of dormant for me - full of exploration, research and insights,
as to why so many children and teenagers are anxious or depressed, bullied or bullying,​ falling into deeper chasms of distress, withdrawal or challenging behaviours.
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Our children are pioneering the information that can be a gift to us all.
A few years ago, a transformative encounter with a struggling teenager led me to the science of hypermobility, now recognised as being strongly linked with many aspects of neurodiversity – the new, creative, exciting and wise ways that many children’s brains function. My work now centres on sharing the research and tools that address the physical, neurological, and emotional impacts of hypermobility—paving the way for what I call “Hyper and Happy,” a hopeful and empowering theme for children, parents, adults and professionals alike.
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This research leads me to a deeper understanding of all the Hyper patterns and labels linked to Hypersensitivity and Neurodiversity: ADHD, Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia, ongoing anxiety, deep depression, dissociation ...
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Let’s take a moment to look at the difference between the words Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence. I find that the brains of children and young people today are meant to be working differently: Neurodiversity - new awareness, new gifts, new thoughts and goals. Neurodivergence implies that brains have diverged from how they should be working, therefore we should try and get these brains back to old norms. Is this working? Even appropriate?
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I am understanding the scientifically researched correlation between Hypermobility and Neurodiversity, which can suggest routes for children and the child within each of us to reach our true Hyper selves and Happiness.
To share ‘Hyper and Happy’ with you, I have created a free digital book which will be available here soon.
I have spent my whole career supporting the wellbeing of children, young people, their families —particularly anyone navigating challenges from stress, trauma or neurodiversity.
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My journey began in the 1970s as a teacher at High Wick, where an innovative approach brought education and health together to support eighteen deeply distressed, withdrawn, or challenging children. Throughout the 1980s, I continued to focus on children with physical, developmental, and behavioural needs, deepening my understanding of the links between health, development, emotions, behaviour patterns and learning.
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In the 1990s, as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), I developed inclusive school structures designed to help all children learn with confidence and joy. I wrote The Other Path, TOP, a literacy scheme covering from Reception class to Year 4, to help Dyslexic children enjoy learning to spell, read and write. TOP helps all children reach their potential.
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I am currently developing a way to put TOP in digital form for children and parents.
Looking at WHY so many children struggled led to the founding of NatureKids in 2000—an initiative for children unable to manage in mainstream education, due to ongoing distress, withdrawal or challenging behaviours. I learnt from each child and family I supported, until I discovered the root causes of anxiety, meltdowns, depression, bullying or being bullied, self-harm, eating disorders, ADHD, autism, academic problems like dyslexia, dyspraxia, struggles with social communication ...​
Meet Felicity Evans
I found the approaches, my 6 Steps, that enabled each child to discover their own potential and thrive in a nurturing, natural environment.
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These 6 Steps created my first book, published in 2017, for all parents and children
“After years of struggles and hospitalisation with anorexia, Emily is continuing to do really well: in fact she is thriving. We continue to be blown away by the changes in her. The whole family are benefitting from Felicity’s 6 Step approach.”
Jane and Rob, parents of three teenagers
Lovely Links
The Human Web – by Alicia Freedman
I hope this book is a hymn of love to your life. Love, Alicia
“A gift to the world. The Human Web gives me so much hope for our future.”
Trishna Shah, Service Space
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Human-Web-can-change-world/dp/B0DH8F44VL
Love is Not Arranged - by Sareena Shah
Ashi is a young, ambitious woman, living her dream, when suddenly, she is pulled into a world of tradition and marriage. Then, one day, she meets Akhil, a charming young man, and her whole world is turned upside down. Join Ashi as she figures out what her heart truly wants and makes some life-changing choices about her future in this whirlwind Bollywood romance. Full of passion, color, and drama, this story will sweep you off your feet and into a world where love takes the lead.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Not-Arranged-Sareena-Shah/dp/B0F7HY9FCR
Untangling - by Juliet Simmonds
A zine about an eating disorders and the journey to recovery.
Get in Touch!
I love chatting and supporting people – so I am pleased to have short individual chats for up to 20 minutes when I have time - to discuss how I might best support you. Please email me if you would like to do this.
I hold a face-to-face sessions for parents, without children, in Kings Langley – just one can be life-changing: see Services.
If travel is impossible, I can join you on a Zoom call.
I also offer small group discussions, or large group talks at conferences, about children’s or adult’s health and wellbeing, across the UK.