Special needs

When my boys were very young, we went through one particularly challenging period when they were all up at night… every night. There was bed-wetting, hall wandering, night terrors, and night feedings. And yes, when I showed up at the bus stop those next mornings, my neighbors could see it had been yet another weary night. Recent multiple peer-reviewed studies have found a very high rate of sleep disorders among autistic and ADHD children, significantly higher than the typical population. So what’s happening, and perhaps more importantly, what’s a parent to do?

As we enter this new year, here are recommendations and suggestions for parenting our neurodiverse children – both young and old(ish) – that come directly from my four sons, each of whom fits under that great big umbrella of neurodiversity: • “Nurture Your Kids’ Interests” • “Practice What You Preach” • “Neurodivergent Kids Need to Stim” • “Little Things Matter”

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

It’s December, which means every channel is airing ads depicting families reconnecting, friends embracing, and strangers sharing joyful interaction. But what happens if our own experiences don’t match the scenes being thrown at us? What if the noise of holiday celebration is distressing to our neurodivergent children? Or the idea of parties – even among our closest people – stir up anxiety rather than pleasure? If we approach the holiday season thoughtfully, with appreciation for our kids’ different needs, we can enjoy this time of year and help our family and friends do so, as well. Read on for tips to help prepare children of all ages, extended family, and yourselves for a season focused on patience, acceptance, and hopefully a little fun.

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.