Empowering neurodivergent people through understanding and conversation
Empowering neurodivergent people through understanding and conversation
There are two important things to remember when it comes to Christmas lunch and neurodivergent kids. Firstly, it is a social construct, not a necessity. Secondly, you and your neurodivergent child do not owe conformity to anyone. Not even the people you love most. In fact, especially not the people you love most. If your child finds eating Christmas lunch at a family gathering difficult, that is okay. If this situation remains difficult, that is[…]
Developing a sense of security can prevent or repair so much of what people feel is difficult about neurodivergence. There are a number of traits of neurodivergencies that are tough – for the neurodivergent person, and sometimes for the people around them too. But so many of the trickier aspects of many neurodivergences are not traits of the neurotype itself, but an expression of distress. We have talked about this so many times in articles[…]
For even the most neuroaffirming family unit, Christmas celebrations with extended family can be incredibly difficult for families with neurodivergent members. Some find this is down to the lack of accommodations. For others it is due to blatant judgement. Some children are dysregulated by particular family members. Parents can be frustrated by their usually-regulated child having a “bad day” in the presence of so many family members. Obviously these potential “bad days” are absolutely understandable,[…]
Q. My daughter is 12 and will be starting high school next year. She was diagnosed with autism when she was 6 but has got through primary school without any support other than her teachers helping her through some fights with friends and not sticking to one peer group. This term she seems to be losing skills. I have taken her to the doctor because I was worried there was something wrong with her body[…]
Some neurodivergent children can be very particular about routines, the position of items, which clothing items should be worn together, and other non-sensory specifics. (Sensory needs are a separate issue). These things can appear inconsequential to other people, and may be considered indicative of OCD. A number of young neurodivergent people are even diagnosed as having OCD. How many of these diagnoses are accurate is questionable. The DSM-5 specifically defines Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as not[…]
I’ve got a happy tailI’ve got a happy tailHappy tail, happy tailI’ve got a happy tail. – Tumpty, Tilly & Friends, CBeebies When it comes to neurodivergent children’s negative reflexive behaviours, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is frequently mentioned. It is the dysphoric emotional (and sometimes physiological) response to rejection, real or perceived. This can include perceived criticism, ostracism, teasing, insults, interruption, and almost any other slight. The response generally is understood to be out of[…]
Clinical anxiety is a disorder independent of neurotypes such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and apraxia of speech. However, anxiety is frequently experienced by neurodivergent people; approximately half of autistic people experience clinical levels of anxiety. This is not just a simple case of worrying about things. Clinical anxiety is persistent, intrusive, and frequently includes physiological responses well beyond standard nervousness or fear. It is highly difficult to determine if the coexistence of anxiety and a[…]
Parenting a neurodivergent child can be exhausting and upsetting. I feel it’s okay to say this, because I am both that parent, but also that child. There is no judgement, nor any guilt, loaded into that statement. Parenting any child can be exhausting and upsetting, but yes, realistically, there are probably likely to be more tough days than average if your child is neurodivergent. When you have a child prone to emotional dysregulation, RSD, PDA,[…]
Because neurodivergencies are generally based on a deficit model, the focus of many medical professionals is to “fix” what they think they can. What this means is that a diagnosis focuses on what a person can’t do – in comparison to an average neurotypical person – rather than on their strengths. It also rarely takes into account that many neurotypical people aren’t strong across all areas of their lives either, but aren’t forced into therapies[…]
In any healthy relationship, feeling heard is so significant. In a relationship with a neurodivergent person – particularly an autistic person – it is crucial. Autistic people frequently feel misunderstood, unheard, and as though masking or neurotypical behaviour is the only way for them to communicate adequately. If they want their needs met, they need to express them in a neurotypical way, or expect nothing. Outdated explanations of autism indicated that autistic people struggle with[…]
Empowering neurodivergent people through understanding and conversation
