Specialized support for parents of neurodivergent children and teens in autistic burnout recovery
In The Connected Parent Blog, I share my parenting journey. I also share the Neuro-Affirming, Connection-Focused Parenting tools and strategies with you that have worked for me, my family and countless other families who I have had the pleasure to work with.
As self-discovery, reparenting ourselves and reconnecting with who we are as people first beyond the role of parent are all part of the journey, you will notice themes of this throughout my work. (This blog is written from my lived experience as a parent and a teacher, supported by the amazing research of professionals and advocates in this field. I am not a therapist or medical professional)
Please feel free to connect with me, share your perspectives and experiences and comment on blogs that you found useful. If you enjoy what you are reading and feel that it could help a friend or family member then please share these resources with others.
T x
This quote found me during a season of parenting when everything felt like it was falling apart. When the child I once knew seemed to vanish.When meltdowns, shutdowns, emergency room visits, hospital stays, and struggling to keep a teen alive who didn’t want to be here, and complete withdrawal became the norm. This was a […] Read more…
A tender look at grieving parenting expectations, change and the radical acceptance of who your neurodivergent child is becoming after burnout. There’s a question I hear often, though it’s rarely spoken aloud: “Will my child ever go back to how they were before burnout?” It’s such a tender, raw question. And underneath it is often […] Read more…
If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child, chances are you’ve been told at some point that “consistency is key.” Therapists, teachers, and even well-meaning friends and family may have advised you that setting firm, consistent expectations will help your child learn, behave, and adapt. But what if I told you that this advice is not only […] Read more…
Are you a parent of a neurodivergent child in burnout struggling to keep your head above water while you try to navigate the change and chaos in your life right now? You are not alone, parenting through burnout recovery can bring an overwhelming sense of change—changes in your child, your family routines, and even in […] Read more…
Kinkeeping—the unseen work of holding a family together—often falls on one person. It’s the planning, the remembering, and the emotional labour that keeps family connections alive. For many parents, especially mothers, kinkeeping becomes another full-time job. Now imagine juggling this load while caring for a neurodivergent child in burnout. It’s like trying to balance an […] Read more…
Parenting a neurodivergent child or teen in burnout is one of the hardest experiences any parent can go through. Every day is filled with challenges that many outsiders struggle to comprehend. From meltdowns and shutdowns to our children’s needs for constant emotional co-regulation, as parents we often find ourselves exhausted, overwhelmed, and misunderstood. Here are […] Read more…
Parenting a neurodivergent child or teen can be challenging, but when your child is in autistic burnout, the pressure can feel relentless. Burnout impacts the entire family, and the sheer weight of managing it all can leave parents feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Understanding these pressures and addressing them is crucial for your child’s recovery […] Read more…
Strategies For Protecting Your Autistic Child from Burnout. As a parent of an Autistic child or teen, understanding the unique ways their brain processes information can be incredibly helpful in giving them the support they need and protecting them from Autistic Burnout. One such concept is Monotropism—a term that refers to a person’s ability to […] Read more…
You are waiting in your car for your child at the end of the school day. You see them coming down the pathway towards the school gate. Your child is chatting with a friend, everything seems fine. As they approach the car you can see their body language and facial expression shift. They open the […] Read more…
Cultivating Self-Compassion for Parents in the Face of Challenges Let’s face it, parenting is hard for all parents. For many of us, family is one of our most high-held values. We all want to do well for our children and it is important to us (to varying degrees depending on the person) that others see […] Read more…