Autistic meltdowns and shutdowns are an unavoidable part of the autistic experience. They are an autistic person’s body’s way of supporting them when their nervous system is overwhelmed. Meltdowns and shutdowns are a necessary release to help the autistic person’s nervous system return to homeostasis (regulation).
However, these essential survival mechanisms of having an autistic brain are still largely misunderstood and misinterpreted by society at large.
So what are autistic meltdowns and shutdowns and how can we support our children (and ourselves) when they occur? Read more…
When it comes to parenting your neurodivergent child/children radical acceptance means choosing to let go of what you have been taught to believe parenting or your child ‘should’ look like and choosing to parent in a way that works for you and your family.
Divergent in its very definition means to be different or to walk a different path. So it makes sense that doing things differently is going to be the best thing for us and our children.
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When bringing together and considering the perspectives and needs of everyone in our neurodivergent families there are bound to be conflicts. It is inevitable.
Let’s face it, conflict is part of life especially when we are parenting teens and parenting neurodivergent teenagers can add complexity to this.
It is a parent’s job to set boundaries that we feel will keep our children healthy and safe. It is our teenager’s job to push up against those boundaries and to strive for independence. It’s how we were made! It’s biological! Read more…
Our culture would have us believe that this time of the year can be the ‘happiest time of the year’. However, for many Autistic and ADHD parents, children and teens this […] Read more…
This time of the year can be an extremely stressful time of the year for our teens and tweens. Academically they may have assessments due or be writing exams. They […] Read more…
Executive dysfunction is a common co-occurring condition that affects many Autistics and ADHDers. Executive dysfunction can impact your child or teen’s ability to make decisions, plan, start and stay on task as […] Read more…
Autistic Burnout is a serious condition that can affect all Autistic individuals. It is caused by the demands of social and sensory stresses outweighing the individual’s capacity or resources to manage. […] Read more…
RSD or Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria is a common co-occurring condition that affects Autistics and ADHDers. RSD is more than just a fear of rejection. RSD describes the sudden and intense feelings in response […] Read more…
For Parents of Autistic tweens and teens, it can be hard to know what to do when their child is having a meltdown or a shutdown. It can be particularly […] Read more…
For Parents of Autistic children, it can be hard to know what to do when your child is having a meltdown or a shutdown. It can be particularly challenging if […] Read more…