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
How Understanding Autistic Meltdowns and Shutdowns Can Help You To Support Your Child (And Yourself) 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 […] Read more…
Parenting a neurodivergent child can be hard on so many fronts, however as a mum, even though there are challenging moments, in most cases, it is not my children I find hard. Most of the challenges that I face as a neurodivergent parent of neurodivergent children are systemic. You see, the world, the medical system, […] Read more…
Neuro-Affirming Strategies for Parents of Neurodivergent Teens 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 […] Read more…
What are Autism and ADHD and Do They Affect Boys and Girls Differently? Autism and ADHD affect both boys and girls at roughly the same rate. However, boys are 4 times more likely to be identified as being Autistic or as having ADHD in early childhood compared to girls. Autism and ADHD are a form […] Read more…
Find Out Why So Many Autistics, ADHDers and AuDHDers Are Only Identified Later In Life. Did you know that if you are the parent or grandparent of a child who is Autistic or has ADHD, there is a high possibility that you could be Autistic or Have ADHD too? Much of what we currently know […] Read more…
Why It Is Important To Understand Your Teen’s Point of View Do you struggle with how to understand your teen or to see things from their point of view? If you do, you are not alone, this is something that many parents find challenging. We will not always see things through our children’s eyes or […] Read more…
Connection Capital Imagine that your relationship with your teen was like a bank account. Every time you do something they enjoy or communicate to them that you care for and understand them you put funds into the ‘connection bank’. Conversely when you ask them to do something (like chores or cleaning their room) or they […] Read more…
As an AuDHD person and the mother of neurodivergent teens, who are also part of the LGBTQ+ community I often sense that the perception of us is that we are somehow ‘broken’ or ‘defective’. A common sentiment I receive is sympathy or even pity for my ‘hard life’. Common things I hear from others when […] Read more…
Connection-Focused Parenting is a parenting style that focuses on establishing a mutually trusting, respectful and reciprocal relationship with your child. The upside of this approach is your child is more likely to let down their guard around you and see you as an ally. This is important for all child-parent relationships. However, even more so for […] Read more…
I am a parent of three neurodivergent teenagers and so I know that parenting teens can be tough. For many parents, the turbulent uncharted territory of the teenage years can feel like a minefield. Your amiable, loving kid who just yesterday, couldn’t bear to be apart from you pulls away from you and starts locking […] Read more…