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.
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 […]
Neurodiverse Isn’t a Vibe: Why Cultural Competence Matters in Special Education Advocacy
Neurodiverse Isn’t a Vibe: Why Cultural Competence Matters in Special Education Advocacy Y’all, I need to have a real conversation with you about something that’s been weighing heavy on my heart. I keep seeing “neurodivergent” and “neurodiverse” used like trendy hashtags, like aesthetic choices, like personality quirks that make you more interesting on social media. […]
Nurturing Growth: What Special Education Can Learn from Nature
Nurturing Growth: What Special Education Can Learn from Nature Happy Earth Day! Today, as we celebrate our beautiful planet, I’ve been reflecting on the powerful parallels between nurturing our environment and supporting our neurodiverse children. Seeds of Potential I remember sitting with a mom last week who was in tears after another difficult IEP meeting. […]
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 […]