I am often asked this question, or a variation of it. "What's the point of seeking a diagnosis now, if we already know that I/the child is ADHD/autistic, but we're functioning just fine?" Here is my take on it!

When I speak to parents of neurodivergent kiddos, and the challenges they are facing, the number one cause of disruption in home and at school is a lack of understanding of PDA. Without data to back this next statement up: I boldly proclaim it is my humble opinion that lack of PDA understanding and therefore mistreatment of PDA’ers is the number one cause of violence and suicide committed by Autistic folks. I humbly believe that approaching the parenting of my Autistic PDA’er, in an affirming PDA friendly manner, saved his life. Actually: fuck the humble part, it DID save his life.

I want to talk about P.D.A - in fact, ALL I want to talk about is P.D.A... and, if you have a P.D.A'er in your life, I am willing to bet it is all you want to talk about at times, as well. P.D.A'ers are at extremely high risk of suicide. So yeah... all I want to talk about is P.D.A.

Many N.D and especially Autistic folks can experience issues around their relationships with food, eating, and their bodies. It is really important to not shame them for their food and eating needs

Too often, autistic folks feel dismissed (if not gaslighted) when they share about the ways they think and feel. Life for an autistic kiddo is one big exercise in being challenged about the ways in which they experience things like pain, suffering, and enjoyment…The power of "I believe you" can be the difference between your child knowing self-love and acceptance, or not.

Let’s talk about grief, family secrets, mental illness, generational trauma, shame, and healing.

The other day, I asked my autistic teen kiddo to help me out with some laundry. I gave him some instructions, and off he went. If you have a very literal thinking child at home, you will probably spot my mistake!

We often share a laugh at my inability to tell things/places apart, or to remember enough distinguishing features of - well, anything. Here is the funny (and darker side) of prosopagnosia and the way my brain remembers things.

Parenting an autistic child as a later-diagnosed neurodivergent human: This unique experience allows for a profound understanding of both yourself and your child, opening doors to growth, acceptance, and newfound connection.