E52 Embracing Neurodiversity: Navigating Diversity and Building Inclusive Communities

Gina Abbondante is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and the owner of Change of Mind Counseling Services, located in NJ. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety spectrum disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, particular in the perinatal community. Gina speaks on these topics regularly, and was one of the first early adopters of Inference-based CBT for OCD in the United States. In addition, based on her own lived experience and having two neurodiverse children, Gina also works closely with the neurodivergent community, providing neurodiversity affirming assessments for adolescents and adults. For more information about Gina, and where to reach her, check out ⁠⁠changeofmindcounseling.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠ocdtrainingschool.com⁠⁠ Gina and I talk about all forms of neurodiversity, including OCD, how to identify it in our children and in ourselves and what we can do to help. There is a lot of work to be done to create a inclusive society that honors and celebrates the neurodiverse population, but with growing numbers of people being diagnosed, awareness rising and moms on a mission to help their kids, I believe the future is bright. If you are, or have a child who is neurodiverse (or both...let's face it, this runs in families!), Gina says there is nothing more important than community. This road is often difficult and uncertain. Community gives us the support we need to stay strong for our kids, and it also gives you the opportunity to be support to someone else. Service of any kind lifts our spirits and reminds us of our strength and power. Community also brings people with all different skills, talents, experiences and perspectives together. What a recipe for creative solutions and positive change! If you are local, you can find the parenting support we spoke about here. https://balancedplanetyoga.com/class-schedule/ https://share.icloud.com/photos/0fej0Ud8rkIJZdz5FT2Zi3yeg If not, I encourage you to look for something in your area or online. Social media has its downsides, but it can also be a great place for connection. Come to the FREE Discover Your Dharma Workshop Thursday June 6th! Sign up at: momontheverge.org/dharmaworkshop If you want to contact me, download my free guide to mindfulness or recieve my newsletter go to my website https://momontheverge.org