You want to do everything you can to support your neurodiverse child. That is why you’re here reading this blog, educating yourself, and seeking the skills to be a great parent for your child. I’ve worked with many parents and families of autistic children, teens, and adults. And I’ve been able to see so many people put in the work to learn more and become a better parent for their child.…
Holding Space for Yourself and Others Through LGBTQ+ Violence
Recent events have highlighted a larger pattern of violence against the LGBTQ+ community. This pattern affects everyone in the community, including neurodiverse individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. Whether or not you have been “directly” impacted by violence or discrimination, the threat of violence undoubtedly impacts the way that LGBTQ+ people walk through the world.…
What is Neurodiverse-Affirming Therapy?
People who identify as being autistic, neurodiverse, or having neurodiverse traits are well aware of the pressures to fit into neurotypical standards.
Whether at school, work, with family, or with friends, there is often an expectation that neurodiverse individuals should mask their neurodiverse traits to fit in. And unfortunately, this expectation has historically been prevalent within the world of mental health and therapy as well.…
My Teen Won’t Go to Therapy: How Can I Help Them
All parents want what’s best for their children.
As a parent, you want your child to live a joyful and fulfilling life. And, you want to provide the support they need to do that. You want to protect your child from being hurt, misunderstood, or rejected. This is true of all parents, and for parents of neurodiverse children and teens, the need to protect your child can feel especially strong.…
An Open Letter to Parents of Twice-Exceptional Students: The Power of Listening to Yourself
If you are a parent of a twice-exceptional child, I see you. I know you are tired. I know you feel undervalued and overworked. I know you sometimes feel like you’re doing everything wrong. But I also want you to know that you are amazing. You are managing so much every day, and often under very difficult circumstances.…
Pacing With Your Neurodiverse Child: How to Slow Down and Take Things One Step at a Time
Many neurodiverse children need more time than neurotypical children to shift into the next activity.
This can be frustrating for parents who don’t always understand why their child is taking so long to do something that “should” only take a short amount of time. But, as parents, it’s important that we learn how to slow down and take things one step at a time.…
Identifying Your Strengths as a Neurodivergent Individual
“I’m flawed, broken, defective.”
These are common sentiments voiced by individuals with autism. It’s very common for neurodivergent individuals to downplay the strengths they possess. This is very understandable after years of invalidation and feelings of shame. But, as an autism therapist, I am in an incredibly unique position to witness the profound strengths my neurodivergent clients have. …
Autism and the Trouble with Comparison
Have you ever heard the quote “comparison is the thief of joy?” This popular quote from C.S. Lewis rings true, especially in the context of my work as an autism therapist. It’s very common for neurodivergent individuals to negatively compare themselves to neurotypicals. Even when they excel at something or possess a very important character trait, they downplay it because they don’t view it as being important.…
How Autism Masking Drains Your Social Battery and Affects Relationships
“I mask from the time I get up to the time I go to bed all day, every day.”
As an individual on the autism spectrum, you’ve likely experienced relationship challenges. Frequently, the challenges come from misunderstandings and disagreements surrounding getting your needs and priorities met. After frequent issues continue to occur, you may have lost confidence in your ability to have a successful relationship.…
Autism and Anxiety: Re-Entry Into the Classroom This Fall
You’re getting ready to go back to in-person school after more than a year of non-traditional learning. Whether it was online learning, hybrid learning, or navigating complicated COVID protocol, it was a difficult year. You just got used to your COVID lifestyle and now you have to pivot and change course again because life is slowly returning to “normal.”…