When It Looks Like Autism Is “Getting Worse” – What’s Really Happening
He told me he wants to get married. My grandson is 11 years old. Pre-pubescent. Right on the edge of everything changing. And the conversation that followed made me rethink what “getting worse” actually means, and who gets to decide.
What Is Explicit Instruction? (And Why Your Child Might Not Be Getting It)
Picture two kids standing at the edge of a swimming pool. One gets step-by-step lessons. The other gets told to watch and figure it out. That is what is happening in classrooms every single day, and your child’s IEP should be the thing that stops it.
Finding My Voice: When a Harsh Comment Changed Everything
I still remember the exact moment my stomach dropped. August 2023, scrolling through comments on a blog post I’d titled “He Doesn’t Have Autism” – a piece I’d agonized over for weeks before hitting publish. There it was, in black and white: “The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it won’t […]
10 Adaptive Skills for Neurodiverse Children: A Parent’s Guide to IEP Advocacy
Fighting for your child in the special education system often feels like climbing a mountain. This is especially true for parents of neurodiverse children who need both recognition and inclusion. As parents, particularly in Black communities, we often have to speak up for more than just academic help. We also need to push for life […]
Seeing Needs, Not Problems: A Guide for Parents of Neurodivergent Kids
Seeing Needs, Not Problems: Parenting Neurodivergent Kids Raising a neurodivergent child brings unique joys and challenges. It often asks us to shift how we see things. Instead of seeing behaviors that need fixing, we can see children showing us their needs. Many times, these needs come from basic “flight or fight” feelings. Good parenting means […]