Compassionate guidance for parents of neurodivergent children and teens navigating autistic burnout
Why Friendships Unravel When Your Neurodivergent Child is in Burnout I was recently reading a Substack post by The Autism Doctor about how many women are not diagnosed as autistic simply because they“have friends.” In the post, she explains that the outward presence of friendships does not necessarily mean those relationships foster genuine connection or […] Read more…
(And Why There Isn’t Anything Wrong With You) When my neurodivergent teen went into burnout, my world fell apart, and in its place, a smaller, more constricted reality emerged. It was like having a newborn in the family again, except this time, the stakes felt terrifyingly high. Her needs were loud, all-consuming, and urgent. I […] Read more…
How Self-Help Culture Can Harm Neurodivergent Parents and Cause Burnout There was a moment early in my career that fundamentally changed the direction of my life. At the time, I didn’t have language for it. I only knew that something had cracked open, and something else had quietly fractured. I was a centre manager in […] Read more…
The wayfinder’s guide for parents going off-grid from behaviourism, control, and inherited narratives I have always enjoyed creating. Art, crafts, poetry and gardening have always been the way that I have enjoyed expressing myself and experiencing joy in the world. The process is always the same, and if you’re an artist or a creative soul, […] Read more…
What the Pikler Approach Teaches Us About Connection, Sovereignty, and Burnout Recovery I began my career serving families as a teacher more than 25 years ago.Like many teachers of that time, I was trained in the behaviourist approach, a model inspired more by dog training than by human development. As a young teacher in my […] Read more…
A Collaboration Between Tanya Valentin and Laura Hellfeld Has your neurodivergent child ever said things like, “I hate you,” “I hate myself,” “I wish you would die,” or “I want to die” during a meltdown? Or perhaps they make unintelligible sounds, repeat the same words, cry, laugh, or say things that seem ‘inappropriate’ when they’re […] Read more…
For parents who don’t know where to begin You’re Exhausted, Unsure, and Wondering “Why isn’t my child recovering from burnout? What am I missing?” If you’re here, you’ve probably already tried to lower demands, read the advice, maybe even fought your way through countless professional appointments—yet your child still seems stuck in burnout. And underneath […] Read more…
For parents overwhelmed by everyday meltdowns, shutdowns, and reactivity Does this sound like you? If this is your reality, you are not failing.You simply don’t have the tools you need yet. Parent-to-Parent Reflection: “I used to feel so guilty every time my child melted down, like I was doing something wrong. Now I know it’s […] Read more…
For parents processing loss, identity shifts, and deep emotions The Grief No One Talks About in Parenting When your child is in burnout, it’s not just their world that changes; it’s yours too. You may find yourself grieving the life you thought you’d have, the parenting journey you imagined, or even the child you hoped […] Read more…
For parents navigating school reintegration after burnout You Know Your Child Isn’t Ready for “Business as Usual”… But the pressure is mounting. Teachers want to know when your child will be “back to normal.”Family members ask when they’ll return to school.You lie awake at night worrying: “What if they never recover?” The truth is—school reintegration […] Read more…