A Mindful Retreat for Neurodivergent Children
Supporting emotional wellbeing, creativity, and connection through breath, nature, and play.
A gentle day of stillness, expression, and self-connection, held in nature.
The Listening Tree Retreat is a nurturing, sensory-friendly retreat day designed especially for neurodivergent children under 16, including those with autism, ADHD, and other unique ways of being in the world.
Our opening retreat Saturday 11 October will be for children aged 8-12 years.
Held on the sacred grounds of Rise Temple in Upper Burringbar, this intimate offering creates a safe space for children to explore breath, mindfulness, and creativity at their own pace, free from pressure, and fully supported.
Every element of the day is lovingly designed to invite children into calm, grounding rhythms while reconnecting with their inner world through breath, nature, and gentle play.
Only 10 spots available.
The Listening Tree
WHAT THE DAY INCLUDES
THE MORNING
10:00am – Breathwork, Meditation & Mindfulness
After children have settled, we will have a a 40-minute slow and nurturing breath session in The Calm Space studio. With soft light, soothing soundscapes, and spacious guidance, children are invited to settle into their bodies and breath. This session supports emotional regulation, nervous system balance, and creates a calm foundation for the day ahead.11:15am – Light outdoor play & sensory grounding
Children will have the opportunity to gently move and explore the land before lunch—barefoot walking, nature touch, and quiet freedom held with care.11:45am – Nourishing lunch & snacks
THE AFTERNOON
12:30pm-3pm – Nature Walk & Sculpture Making
With quiet mindfulness, children are guided through the gardens and land to collect fallen twigs, leaves, seed pods, and other natural treasures. Returning to the studio, they’ll create a mobile sculpture using wooden branches, hand-painted pinecones, and personal affirmations, either written by them or chosen from a set.Each sculpture becomes a keepsake, a tangible reminder of the calm, joy, and creativity they experienced, a gentle anchor they can take home.
Optional Infrared Sauna - (5–15 minutes per child)
For children who wish to participate, a calming infrared sauna session will be offered during the creative workshop. This experience is always optional and fully guided by trained staff in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Infrared saunas may offer potential benefits for neurodivergent children—including those with Autism and ADHD—such as promoting detoxification, supporting a calm nervous system, reducing inflammation, and encouraging better sleep. The gentle heat may also help soothe muscles, increase circulation, and promote emotional balance.
Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures, making them more suitable for children when used safely. All sessions:
Are strictly supervised
Are limited to 5–15 minutes per child, depending on comfort
Prioritise hydration before and after
Are adjusted for individual needs and sensitivities
While most children in this age range tolerate short infrared sessions well, parents and carers may wish to consult a healthcare provider if their child has a medical condition, heightened sensory sensitivities, or has not previously experienced sauna use.
The sauna experience is always approached with care, choice, and the child’s comfort in mind—offering an additional layer of calm and nourishment within the retreat day.
Post-Retreat Support
To help extend the calm and connection your child experiences on the day, you’ll also receive access to a guided breathwork meditation recording after the retreat. This gentle practice is aligned with the energy and rhythm of The Listening Tree Retreat, and is designed to support your child in returning to their breath and inner stillness at home.
Meet Your Listening Tree Retreat Team
Amanda Jane — Breathwork & Emotional Regulation
Amanda Jane is a Certified Breath & Mindfulness Coach and the founder of Rise Temple. With deep experience supporting children, teens, and adults through nervous system regulation, Amanda brings a unique ability to create emotionally safe spaces where stillness becomes a pathway to empowerment.
At The Listening Tree Retreat, Amanda gently leads the morning breathwork and mindfulness session — a 40-minute journey where children are invited into calm using slow, rhythmic breathing and presence techniques designed specifically for sensory-sensitive minds. Held in The Calm Space studio, this opening session sets the tone for the day, helping children feel safe, grounded, and connected to their inner world.
Amanda’s approach is heart-led and trauma-aware. She understands the subtle needs of neurodivergent children and honours each child’s unique rhythm, holding space without pressure or expectation. Her breathwork weaves together science and spirit, creating moments of deep calm that ripple into every part of the day.
Deon Demouche — Nature Therapy
Led by Deon—a qualified counsellor, nature-based therapist, and trauma-informed practitioner—the nature therapy sessions at The Listening Tree Retreat are designed especially for neurodivergent children aged 8–12.
Following the morning’s slow breathwork session—which helps calm the body, settle the mind, and prepare the nervous system—children will be guided into the nurturing embrace of nature. This gentle transition allows them to carry the sense of calm and focus gained from breathwork straight into their outdoor experience, deepening the benefits and helping them remain grounded throughout the day.
Through gentle, tailored therapeutic approaches, Deon creates safe and nurturing spaces where each child can explore their strengths, regulate emotions, boost mood and resilience, and reduce stress and cortisol levels. At this retreat, participants will engage in sensory-friendly, nature-based activities designed to calm the nervous system, foster self-awareness, and encourage personal growth.
As part of their exploration, children will gather leaves, twigs, and other natural treasures, using them to create a beautiful hanging mobile to take home—a gentle reminder of their time in nature and the calm.
Tanina Millis — Nature Guide & Gentle Companion
Tanina joins the Listening Tree team as a grounding and nurturing presence throughout the retreat. With years of experience in bush regeneration and deep connection to the rhythms of nature, Tanina brings intuitive, earth-based wisdom to the children’s outdoor experience.
While not formally trained in counselling or therapeutic disciplines, Tanina’s strength lies in her calm, supportive presence. She gently assists during the sculpture-making, nature walk, and unstructured outdoor time—offering quiet reassurance, help with gathering materials, and sensory-friendly support as needed.
RETREAT DETAILS
DATE: Saturday 11 October 2025
TIME: 10:00am – 3:00pm
LOCATION: Rise Temple Retreat, Upper Burringbar (full address provided upon booking)
GROUP SIZE: Maximum 10 children
FOR: Children aged 8-12yrs – NDIS support available find out more
FACILITATORS: Amanda Jane – Certified Breath & Mindfulness Coach, Nature Creative Facilitator. Deon Demouche - Qualified Counsellor & Nature Therapist. Tanina Millis - Nature Guide
INVESTMENT: $222 full cost - $188 early bird if booked before 19th September
AFTERPAY AVAILABLE
WHY ‘THE LISTENING TREE’?
The Listening Tree is the strong, steady centre of a tree—quietly alive and full of purpose.
This retreat was created in honour of that centre within every child: a place of calm strength, beauty, and wholeness that can be felt when they’re free to just be.
The Listening Tree Retreat is more than a day of activities. It’s a heartfelt invitation for neurodivergent children to feel safe, seen, and supported—to come home to their breath, to nature, and to themselves.
Do you require further information?