Empowering neurodivergent people through understanding and conversation
Empowering neurodivergent people through understanding and conversation
WARNING: This article contains references to suicide, suicidal ideation, and the expression of suicidal thoughts. Please do not continue if this is likely to cause you intolerable distress, or negatively impact your own mental health or wellbeing. If you do read this article and need support, there are phone numbers and links at the bottom[…]
In order for a person to be confirmed as autistic (by a medical professional, opposed to self-identifying alone) they need to meet certain criteria as outlined in the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses). While some paediatricians might offer a “diagnosis” of autism without using formal tests, they will usually still be using[…]
It is Speech Pathology Week 2024. This year’s theme is “Communicate Your Way”. Speech Language Pathologists / Speech Language Therapists, really don’t get the recognition they deserve for how much they contribute to the wellbeing of our society, particularly when it comes to neurodivergent children. Despite the name, they do so much more than help[…]
The term “neurodivergent” covers many, many neurological differences. It is not a synonym for autistic, nor for ADHD. However, it does cover these neurotypes and therefore saying “Joe is neurodivergent” if Joe is autistic is accurate. That doesn’t mean, however, that you are being clear and specifying that Joe is autistic. You could equally be[…]
I recently experienced something really special. A parent of an autistic child in mid-primary school, who expresses concern around behaviours and academic results, showing genuine delight that their teacher had said they had nothing to report except improvement. There was no reference by this parent as to whether this meant the child was now exceeding[…]
Today, July 25th, is World Drowning Prevention Day. When parents are told their child is autistic, it would make sense if the consulting professional provided very useful information. Feedback beyond what they feel the child will or won’t achieve in terms of developmental milestones, academics, and independence. It is rare that, “As an autistic child,[…]
