Dr. Mark Bowers

Dr. Mark Bowers • Licensed Pediatric Psychologist (Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist I Neurodiversity Affirming
Owner
Specialist in Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Helping Neurodivergent Individuals & Families Thrive
Practical Tips & Support
FREE Resources Linked👇
www.drmarkbowers.org Clinical Child Psychology) (26 years in the field)

• Owner/Clinical Director Brighton Center

• Worked in Hospitals, Community Mental Health, Schools, Residential Treatment, and Private Practice

• Author of Two Books and Published Papers

• Developer of Mobile App for Teens with Autism

• Specialist in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Married to a psychologist and we have 4 children

• I moonlight as a rock star

11/04/2025

W-Sitting in Neurodivergent Kids: What It Means and What to Do

Ever caught your kid on the floor in full human pretzel mode—legs twisted into that W-shape?

Before you panic, here’s what you need to know:
W-sitting feels stable, especially for neurodivergent kids with low core strength or sensory challenges.
But long term? It can impact coordination, posture, and motor development.

👣 Don’t force a change.
✅ Offer options like criss-cross, kneeling, or side-sitting.
💪 Strengthen the core with fun movement-based play.
🍎 And sometimes, the best solution is motivation—like putting their snack just out of reach.

The goal isn’t perfect posture—it’s flexible, functional movement.



11/03/2025

Why Some Neurodivergent Kids Don’t Want Hugs (And Why That’s Okay)

“Go give Grandpa a hug!” 😬
We’ve all heard it—and for some kids, it’s a full-blown panic trigger.

Here’s the truth:
Forced affection doesn’t teach manners.
It teaches kids to ignore their boundaries.

For neurodivergent kids, touch can feel intense, unpredictable, or even painful.
That’s not rudeness. That’s sensory reality.

✅ Prep the family.
✅ Offer greeting options.
✅ Respect their “no.”

Because honoring consent isn’t just for adults—
It starts on the playground, at the dinner table, and yes... even at Grandma’s house.



11/02/2025

Is It Just Nail Biting—or a Sensory Regulation Strategy?

If your kid’s fingers look like they’ve been at war with their teeth—this one’s for you.

Nail biting isn’t always a “bad habit.”
For many neurodivergent kids, it’s how their brain calms chaos, dials in focus, or regulates tension.

Before you say “Stop that!”—ask:
🧠 What’s their nervous system trying to solve?

Instead of punishment, think replacement.
✔️ Chew tools
✔️ Fidget options
✔️ Sensory strategies that make sense to their brain

Because sometimes, nail biting is the loudest quiet signal they can send. 👀🖐



11/01/2025

How Grandparents Can Support Neurodivergent Kids: 4 Simple, Powerful Ways

They don’t need a PhD in child psychology—
Just a little curiosity, calm, and care.

Grandparents can be game-changers for neurodivergent kids. 🧠💙
From creating quiet corners to honoring routines, their support can turn overstimulation into safety—and build bonds that last for life.

It’s not about perfection.
It’s about presence.

10/31/2025

Why Neurodivergent Kids Don’t Ask for Help (And What You Can Do About It)

What looks like defiance is often distress.
Neurodivergent kids aren’t being “difficult” when they shut down — they may not know how to say, “I need help.”

🧠 If we want them to speak up, we have to teach them how.
👋 Model it.
🎯 Make it visual.
🎉 And celebrate every ask.

Because asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s emotional intelligence in action.



Your Child's Brain is Unique. Your Parenting Strategy Should Be Too.Tired of expensive therapy visits and months-long wa...
10/30/2025

Your Child's Brain is Unique. Your Parenting Strategy Should Be Too.

Tired of expensive therapy visits and months-long waitlists? I created the Neurodivergent Parenting Collective to help address this.

With the Collective, you gain direct, ongoing access to me, Licensed Psychologist Dr. Mark Bowers, and empirically validated, neuro-affirming strategies.

This isn't just theory—it's weekly live support and a growing library of resources designed to help you tackle challenges effectively.

Ready to get the expertise you need and the guidance you deserve, without the waitlist?

Click the link to enroll now! https://www.drmarkbowers.org/neurodivergent-parenting-collective


10/29/2025

Why “Line Up” Can Trigger Meltdowns in Neurodivergent Kids — Understanding Transition Stress

You say, “Time to line up.”
They freeze. Or meltdown. Or bolt.

It’s not attitude—it’s transition overload.

For neurodivergent kids, lining up isn’t a simple routine.
It’s noise, proximity, unclear expectations, and zero predictability.

The result? Dysregulation city.

Want to make transitions smoother (and actually work)?
Use visual cues, prep ahead, build in small choices—
and give them a role that makes sense to their brain.

Because the problem isn’t the lineup—it’s the chaos around it.

10/29/2025

Understanding Equalizing Behavior — Why Neurodivergent Kids Always “Have to Get the Last Word”

Why Autistic & ADHD Kids Seem to “Talk Back” After Being Corrected

Ever correct your child—only to have them throw your mistake right back at you?

That’s not defiance.
That’s equalizing behavior—a brain’s fast-track attempt to restore fairness, especially in autistic and ADHD kids.

To them, correction can feel like a power imbalance. And their reaction?
Mimicking, pointing fingers, or “one-upping” isn’t spite—it’s survival.

Instead of clashing over control, teach them tools to express feeling hurt or embarrassed without flipping the script.

They’re not trying to win—they’re trying to level the emotional playing field.

10/28/2025

Why Autistic Kids Often Reject Friendly Nicknames

“Don’t call me that!”

If your neurodivergent child snaps when you say “buddy,” “pal,” or “dude,” it’s not just attitude—it’s about language, control, and sensory sensitivity.

To autistic kids especially, names are literal. Predictable. Personal.
When you throw in a nickname, it can feel confusing, annoying, or even disrespectful.

This isn’t being “too sensitive.” It’s about honoring how their brain processes language.
So ask. Use their name. And remember: words matter—especially when the world already feels unpredictable.



10/27/2025

Why Autistic Kids Struggle with Crying Babies: Sensory Overload Explained

Think your autistic or sensory-sensitive child is overreacting to a crying baby?

It’s not drama—it’s survival mode.

That high-pitched wail hits the nervous system like a siren, and for some neurodivergent kids, it’s pure pain. Add unpredictability and zero control? Cue the meltdown.

It’s not rudeness. It’s not jealousy. It’s a sensory explosion.

Here’s how to validate, protect, and prepare your child before it spirals.
Because understanding the “why” is the first step to helping them feel safe in a loud world.



10/26/2025

What Is Pain Stimming? The Self-Injury Behavior Parents Often Misunderstand

Why would a child hurt themselves on purpose?
The answer isn’t what most people think.

When a neurodivergent child bangs their head or bites their hand, it’s not for attention—it’s their brain’s way of coping with too much.

It’s called pain stimming—and it’s a nervous system screaming for regulation, not punishment.

Instead of reacting with fear or frustration, we need to decode the behavior, create safety, and offer better tools.
Because behind every self-injuring stim is a child trying to survive sensory chaos.

10/25/2025

Not Just Tantrums: Understanding DMDD in Neurodivergent Kids

When every little thing feels like a spark—and your child goes straight to full-blown meltdown mode—
it might not be just “overreacting.”
It could be Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD).

This isn’t about discipline. It’s about emotional overload.
Daily mood explosions, chronic irritability, and outbursts that seem way too big for the moment?
That’s not drama. That’s dysregulation.

DMDD is more common in kids with ADHD or autism—and often mistaken for “bad behavior.”
But punishment won’t fix it. Emotional tools will.

Here’s how to stop reacting to the storm and start helping them through it.



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Brighton, MI
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