The Unseen Journey: Understanding and Supporting Our Neurodivergent Children
- chloejasmineliving
- Jun 10, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 28, 2024
Hey Beautiful Souls,
Chloe here, and today I want to share a deeply personal and important topic close to my heart: understanding and supporting our neurodivergent children.
As a mom to an incredibly gifted and multi-faceted neurodivergent daughter, I know firsthand the joys and challenges that come with this journey.
For those who might not be familiar with the term, neurodivergent refers to individuals whose brain function differs from the typical or "neurotypical" patterns. This can include conditions like Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Sensory Processing Disorder, and more. But let me tell you, having a neurodivergent child is not about limitations; it’s about embracing a unique perspective on life, one that is rich, vibrant, and incredibly insightful... And having the right help with the journey is clutch when it comes to the enjoyment.
Embracing the Unique Journey
Every day with my daughter is an adventure. She sees the world through a lens that is uniquely her own, filled with creativity, intense focus, and boundless curiosity. She has taught me more about patience, resilience, and the beauty of thinking differently than I could have ever imagined.
But it’s not always easy. There are moments when the world feels too loud, too intense, too overwhelming for her. These are the times when my heart aches because I just want to shield her from the struggles. Yet, it’s in these moments that I’ve learned the most about the importance of understanding and support.
Understanding the Neurodivergent Experience
One of the biggest challenges for neurodivergent children is feeling understood and accepted. They often navigate a world that is not designed for their needs, which can lead to frustration and isolation for both the child and the parent. As parents, it’s our job to create an environment where they feel safe, loved, and supported.
Here are some ways we can better understand and support our neurodivergent children:
Listen and Observe: Pay close attention to their behaviors and try to understand their triggers. Sometimes, their actions are a way of communicating needs that they might not be able to express verbally.
Educate Yourself: Learn about their specific neurodivergence. Knowledge is power, and understanding the nuances can help you provide better support.
Advocate: Be their voice in settings where they might not be able to advocate for themselves. This includes schools, social settings, and even medical environments.
Celebrate Their Strengths: Focus on their strengths and talents. Encourage them to pursue their passions and celebrate their successes, no matter how small.
Create a Support Network: Connect with other parents of neurodivergent children. Sharing experiences and strategies can be incredibly helpful and reassuring.
Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers
Everyone knows the phrase, "parenting doesn't come with a playbook", however, I often find, parenting a neurodivergent child can sometimes seem like X-Games level parenting - and that's coming from the mouth of someone with severe dyslexia, myself. We often are left to our own devices and research to figure out what is going on with our child, then if given any help, it comes in the form of bread crumbs and we must be Pink-Panther-like detectives, following each crumb to get our child the assessments and therapies they need to live a peaceful and emotionally joyful life. As a parent, this process is insanely frustrating, raught with unknowns and grey areas, unbelievably time-consuming and expensive - to say 'stressful', would be the understatement of the year.
Yet, as moms, we have a special bond and an incredible power to create change. By supporting each other and our neurodivergent children, we can build a world that celebrates diversity in all its forms and creates accessibility for different thinkers in our typical world. This is the mission I am passionately committed to and exactly what this mom is doing! Realizing the gap and frustrations in our own journeys, Johanna Wojciechowski and I took it upon ourselves to leverage our professional and personal expertise and experience to bring
Playbooks 2 Pathways to life. We are your unwavering advocate and guiding light, empowering parents and children to navigate the neurodiversity journey with clarity, confidence, and a well-supported path forward. Through our services and mission, I’ve seen the incredible impact that a fully integrated planning approach to services and a supportive community can have on neurodivergent children and their families. Our comprehensive playbooks and services are thoughtfully designed with both the parent and child in mind, acknowledging the diverse paths we take and providing practical strategies to adapt and evolve alongside your child's ever-unfolding world.
Let’s Connect and Support Each Other
I’d love to hear your stories and experiences on this journey.
Let’s connect, share, and support each other as we create a world where clarity and understanding guide our days. Follow Chloe Jasmine Living and Playbooks 2 Pathways for more insight, support and community. I'll be sharing valuable knowledge, tools, and personal experiences here to offer guidance and help those who need it, fostering a greater understanding and connection.
Remember, every child is a gift, and every journey is unique. Together, we can make the unseen journey visible and celebrated.
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