The Neurodiversity Docs

27/10/2025

When your environment keeps telling you that being authentic isn’t safe, you learn to hide parts of yourself.

20/10/2025

I see it all the time in my clients. When they finally realize they’re not broken and find people who truly relate, something shifts.

14/10/2025

Much of the “struggle” we associate with autism comes from the chronic stress caused by misunderstanding, not from autism itself.

13/10/2025

When people’s reactions feel unpredictable, you’re always on alert. It must be exhausting to feel this unsafe in the world.

10/10/2025

Calm is contagious — some days it feels impossible, and that’s okay.

Some days, being a parent feels like walking a tightrope without a net.

You know the right things to do, the breathing techniques, the words that soothe — but your body, your emotions, and your nerves don’t always cooperate.

Calm is contagious — it takes everything I’ve got, and it’s hard.

Frustration, exhaustion, and self-doubt creep in, and yet you keep showing up. Every deep breath, every pause, every intentional moment of calm is teaching your child something powerful — even when it feels messy and impossible.

You don’t need to be perfect; just showing up and trying counts more than you realize.

KEEP UP THE GOOD (AND HARD) WORK!

What’s one small win that reminds you you’re doing the right thing, even on the hardest days?

09/10/2025

Calm is Contagious

When your child’s emotions feel big, your calm becomes their anchor.
Because nervous systems talk to each other through tone, body language, breath, and presence.
When you steady your own body, your child’s system begins to sense safety too.
But here’s the truth:
Co-regulation isn’t easy. It’s not about having perfect patience — it’s about learning to stay with your child through the storm, even when your body wants to join the chaos.
Here are three small steps that make a big difference 👇

1. Be the Calm
Your nervous system sets the tone.
Before you respond, take one slow breath.
Drop your shoulders. Soften your face.
You don’t need the perfect words — your calm presence is the message: “We’re safe. I’ve got you.”

2. Validate Feelings
When your child feels seen, their body begins to settle.
Try simple reflections:
“I can see this feels really hard.”
“That made you so frustrated.”
Validation doesn’t mean agreement — it means connection before correction.

3. Offer Choices
Once your child feels understood, they’re ready to think again.
Offer simple, supportive choices that restore a sense of control such as:
“Do you want to take a break on the couch or outside?”
“Would you like a hug or some space?”
"Do you want to try Rainbow breathing or Dragon Fire breathing?"
Small choices rebuild safety, and safety rebuilds calm.

✨ Remember: Calm is not something you force — it’s something you share.
Each time you model steadiness, you show your child how to return to it too.
Your calm doesn’t just quiet the moment — it teaches emotional safety that lasts a lifetime.

For more information about Co-Regulation, comment CALM.

06/10/2025

02/10/2025

Kids need to feel heard and guided—here’s the 2-step way.

✨ 2-Step Strategy for Supporting Your Child’s Feelings and Staying Firm with Boundaries ✨

Parenting a neurodivergent child can feel like walking a tightrope as you are balancing empathy and boundaries. 💛
Step 1️⃣ Validate their emotions → “I see you’re upset, that makes sense.”
Step 2️⃣ Hold the boundary → “And we still need to…”

This approach helps kids feel heard, safe, and respected while also learning that limits and expectations remain consistent.

💡 It’s not about giving in or strictly enforcing your rules. It's about connection + boundaries = regulation + growth.

02/10/2025

A Simple Way to Stop the Power Struggles.
Instead of: “You have to hold my hand.” 🚫
Try: “Which hand do you want to hold?” ✅

Giving kids a choice invites cooperation, lowers resistance, and builds trust. Choices give children a feeling of control.

Small shifts in language can stop big power struggles before they start. 💕

30/09/2025

Autism is not defined by what you see on the outside. Much of the autistic experience involves the internal processes of sensory regulation, executive functioning, and social navigation that remain invisible. We need to look beyond surface behaviors and listen to lived experiences.

29/09/2025

What looks effortless can actually take incredible energy. This reflects the cognitive and sensory load many autistics experience in daily functioning.

26/09/2025

Big feelings can feel overwhelming for kids.
But when they learn to understand what’s happening inside, those feelings lose their power.
Instead of drowning in emotions, they discover calm, clarity, and choice.
That’s how strength is built—one feeling at a time.

The Color Monster: A Story about Emotions by Anna Llenas brings feelings to life in a way kids instantly understand. By linking emotions to colors, it transforms something overwhelming into something manageable. Children realize that their feelings can be named, explored, and organized. It’s a beautiful way to teach emotional intelligence in early childhood.