Tag: neurodiversity
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When You Learn Your Needs Don’t Matter: The Emotional Toll of Being Undiagnosed
I’ve often been asked why I push so hard for my kids to get diagnosed. To some, they seem “normal,” and the effort to secure assessments feels unnecessary. “They’ll be fine,” I’ve heard countless times. The answer to this question is simple: me. I’m the reason. My lived experience as an undiagnosed autistic and ADHD…
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Surviving the School Run with Neurodivergent Kids: A Battle Won Before 9 AM
If you’ve got neurodivergent kids, you’ll likely know the scene all too well: mornings filled with wailing, flailing, and full-body refusals. Getting them dressed, fed, and out the door for school feels less like a daily routine and more like a grueling endurance challenge. By the time you’ve arrived at the school gates, you’re frazzled,…
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When Your Kid Refuses to Settle into Preschool: Could It Be Autism?
When my son E couldn’t settle into preschool, I thought it was separation anxiety. But the real issue was sensory overload — and it led to an autism referral. Here’s what I wish I’d known sooner.
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The Battle of the Brain: Living with Noise Sensitivity and Tinnitus (And Losing It at 4 A.M.)
It was 4 a.m. on a bitterly cold morning, and there I was, crying in the middle of the street, hunting for that noise. A sound that defied description—like a fridge buzzing through a wall, yet somehow managing to vibrate my very soul. It taunted me, no matter where I turned. I stomped around like…
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How My Parents Accidentally Created an Autism-Friendly Christmas Tradition
Christmas: a season of bright lights, endless carols, chaotic parties, and school events piled on top of each other. Not to mention the mountain of noisy toys gifted by well-meaning relatives. While festive for many, Christmas was never designed for those of us who find everyday life overwhelming enough as it is. For neurodivergent folk…
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Navigating Social Challenges with Autistic Kids: A Realistic Approach
Socialising with neurodivergent kids isn’t always about playdates and parties. My boys thrive in structured settings but need weekends to decompress. After years of trying to “do it right,” I’ve embraced their need for quiet time. Turns out, kids can be happy little hermits—and that’s perfectly okay.
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Finding Acceptance: My Social Journey with AuDHD
The author reflects on their challenging experiences with socialization as an AuDHD individual. They recount feeling tolerated rather than included, facing bullying, and navigating workplace social dynamics that led to mental health struggles. Ultimately, through connecting with accepting peers, they rediscover their identity, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections and self-acceptance.
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Tips for Meltdowns at the Dinner Table: What Works for Us
Mealtimes in our house are where meltdowns are most likely to erupt. And since meals happen three times a day, you can imagine the deep sighing that goes on around here. Both of my boys ate everything as babies. During weaning, nothing was off-limits—they happily devoured small, slightly mushy versions of our meals. I thought…
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When Transitions Get in the Way of Life: The Autistic Petrol Station Drama
If you’re anything like me, you’ll know this scene all too well. You’re driving home, and the fuel light has been flashing for the past two days. You’ve passed several petrol stations, mentally prepping yourself each time to pull in and fill up. But as the station looms closer, you just… drive past. Again. By…
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Helping Neurodivergent Kids Get Ready for School—My Personal Approach
If you have neurodivergent kids, you’ll likely know the joy of navigating the seemingly insurmountable task of getting them ready for the day. Simple things like getting dressed, brushing teeth, and putting on shoes can feel like scaling Everest while juggling flaming torches. In our house, mornings used to be a battleground. Large Child (5…
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