When a child is diagnosed as 𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 —autistic, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, dyslexic (or more likely a combination of those)—it doesn’t just impact that child. It 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 . In my work with families, I hear the same words repeated in different forms: 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱. 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗱. 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱. 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱. 𝗙𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱. And under

At Brightmont Academy , I’ve worked with brilliant students who were labeled as “difficult”, “lazy” or “unsuitable” when really, they just needed different ways to engage. Here are 4 simple ways to make any classroom more inclusive: Provide flexible seating & movement breaks – Some students focus better standing or fidgeting. Let them. Rather have the body moving and mind focused than the body still and mind all over. Choice in how they show what they know – Not everyone sh

The School Embraces Neurodiversity When choosing the right school the curriculum offered at the school must support students' needs. Some parents consider the use of adaptive digital platforms that support the needs of students who struggle with material management. Parents hope for Instruction from experts trained in adaptive curriculum and subjects so that they are prepared to adjust on the fly. Parents need to feel confident their child’s unique learning style will be s

We spend so much of our lives believing we have to fix ourselves. That we need to polish away the quirks, smooth over the rough edges, and finally “get it together” before we’re worthy. But here’s the truth I wish more of us heard sooner: You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be human. And being human means being gloriously, stubbornly, beautifully imperfect. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐨𝐟 “𝐄𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡” There was a time when I used to try to live up to what I thought Ideal wa

Masking is one of the most exhausting parts of living with ADHD (and other forms of neurodivergence). On the surface, it looks like we’re “functioning.” Underneath, it feels like running a marathon in a costume that doesn’t fit. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 Masking isn’t just one thing, it shifts depending on where we are: 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 — Altering your physical appearance or style to blend in. Clothes, hair, accessories… like putting on an o