Education

This past week I had the pleasure of joining a multitude of ADHD coaches, therapists, educators, and doctors, as well as individuals who have ADHD and/or care for people with ADHD, at the 2025 ADHD International Convention in Kansas City, MO. I left the three-day event with respect for those among us who process the world differently and a renewed commitment to supporting parents who are raising neurodivergent children. As I listened to speakers, participated in workshops, and met creative, empathic practitioners and parents, I was both validated by experiences from my own family journey and introduced to new perspectives and avenues to support this community.

When one of my sons was a preteen, we met with the director of a weekend program to see if he would match with the group. This meeting took place around the same time the world was debating whether vaccines caused autism, and my son surprised me by raising the topic. He told the program director he was offended by the conjecture that vaccines induce autism for two reasons. First, as a scientist, he was bothered that people confused causation and correlation. Second, as an autistic person, he was hurt that some parents would choose to risk their children contracting a potentially deadly disease like measles over ending up like him.

Parents, can you relate: It’s homework time. The clock is ticking, and your child is stuck. They don’t know how to complete an assignment (or study for a test or apply for a job). You want to help, so – with the best intentions – you offer suggestions, reminders, and little nuggets of wisdom, all meant to provide support for your struggling child. But rather than delivering relief and momentum, your efforts yield only anger, resentment, and obstinate refusals.