friends of touched out:

kaiko fidgets

Kaiko Fidgets is based in Melbourne, Australia and is co-founded by Kai, who is both autistic & dyslexic. The Kaiko range of discreet and noiseless fidgets is for both adults & kids to assist with mental health, anxiety & focus. Kai started making fidgets for himself, at age 11, and soon realised there was very little available. Kai (now in his teens), with the help of his parents, have created designs to suit a wide range of needs.

There are many fidget stores out there but none that are completely & obsessively dedicated to providing sensory supports & hard-core fidget tools for Teens & Adults

We have made it our absolute mission to carve out a space that feels comfortable & delivers an extensive range JUST FOR YOU!

nell harris

Nell spent her years up until her 30s undiagnosed and unsure of what she truly needed in her professional life. Despite this uncertainty, there was always a common thread of art and helping others throughout her various careers. She found herself drawn to careers where she could use her quick inspiration, lateral thinking, and artistic strengths. Nell has been drawing for as long as she can remember, and art has always been her tether to the world—her way of interacting with, processing, and sharing with it. 

Nell identifies as AuDHD, and her diagnostic journey unfolded alongside her eldest daughter's. The process of diagnosis and determining the best supports to implement was a confusing and clunky experience for her. However, it wasn't all negative. Since her diagnosis, Nell has found validation, understanding, and acceptance in herself. She realized that she isn't broken or wrong, but simply different. This difference comes with amazing perks that she hadn't previously fully appreciated. When she provides herself with the right supports to optimize her environment, she truly flourishes.

This journey of self-discovery and learning has ignited a passion in Nell. She is incredibly passionate about neuroinclusivity and advocating for a neuroaffirming world—one where society AVAILs itself to neurodiversity by Appreciating, Validating, Accommodating, Including, and Learning.

Ben drysdale

Ben is an award-winning singer songwriter and Indie Folk artists from Canberra, Australia. He colours his raw and heartfelt lyrics with musical shades of indie folk, pop, soul, and blues tailoring the energy of a set to the audience: whether engaging a thoughtful listening crowd or filling a dance floor. His songs span from vulnerable and visceral ballads exploring the darkness of the human condition to upbeat foot stompers full of energy and hope. He has played shows in the US, Ireland and Canada and featured on bills with some of Australia’s greatest including Paul Kelly, The Waifs and Busby Marou as well as international stars such as Chris Isaak.

Purchase Ben's new Single ‘Listen Now’ on Bandcamp & 50% of proceeds from Bandcamp sales will be donated to suicide prevention. Listen Now | Ben Drysdale (bandcamp.com)

Rachel fung | coach practitioner

Rachel Fung is a Malaysian-born coach based in Melbourne (Naarm), Australia, who offers personalized coaching to clients locally and globally. Using frameworks like the GROW model and the Gestalt cycle of experience, Rachel supports people through complex life changes, drawing on her background in positive psychology and her experiences as a queer, neurodiverse woman.

Her practice is rooted in compassion, non-judgment, and psychological safety, with a focus on helping clients thrive authentically in alignment with their values. Rachel's coaching approach is informed by her postgraduate training in Gestalt Therapy and Applied Coaching, as well as her personal journey with ADHD.

As an introvert who values labels lightly, Rachel embraces a strengths-based and non-pathologizing perspective, creating a compassionate space for exploring neurodivergence. She believes in the phrase "Plus est en vous," meaning "More within," and strives to help clients uncover their potential and navigate life's complexities.

the shaka project

The Shaka Project was created in January 2019 with one goal in mind - To ignite the conversation surrounding Mental Health

The project started as a passion project that was inspired by Sean's Mental Health journey that started at the age of 15, and still is part of his life now- 15 years later.

"The statistics on Suicide can be summed up pretty quick, heart breaking. Our goal is create a more open & safe environments to discuss Mental Health, to seek support and to crush the stigma that is unfortunately killing our loved ones.
Help us change the stats, help us save our mates."

Hit the Link below to read more about Sean and The Shaka Project