It’s A Neuro Day

Your kid is neurodiverse but what about you, parent? Ever wonder if you might be on the Autism spectrum or have ADHD? We parents are so busy supporting our children that there’s no time to be curious about ourselves! This episode asks us to wonder. What are your sensory preferences? Realizing we ALL (neurodiverse and neurotypical) have sensory preferences can help us relate to our kids and their sensory needs. Nitaña shares a bit about her journey with ADHD and how it was tough for years and recently led to some positive shifts in her life. What will YOU uncover about your own uniqueness today?

How you think about your child, in particular, how you think about their diagnosis, influences how you treat your child. The predominant message out there is that being Autistic is sad or even tragic. Autism is listed in the DSM-5, a book of mental disorders, so why do Autistic Autism advocates say they would not want a cure? This episode invites us to shift our mindset as parents and reframe how we think about our child in all their neurodiverse awesomeness!

Listen upon waking in the morning or anytime you want to tap into a sense of gratitude. Step into this new day with excitement because you are magic! Yes, YOU reading this now. And today is the day you start to believe it.

What are the moments that make you feel like a human being and not a human doing? What did you love to do before you had kids? When YOU were a kid, what were the activities in which you joyfully lost track of time? Chances are you still love to do these things. Steal back some time and experience the zest for life that comes from tapping into your humanness. Keep it simple and you can make it happen! Don’t wait - Come ALIVE today.

Have you ever caught yourself comparing your child to other kids? (Spoiler alert: we’ve all done it!) Comparisons come at us from all angles (doctors, school, specialists, relatives) particularly regarding development, and it’s easy to get sucked into thinking our kid is behind and we need to catch them up and quick! But do we really need those comparisons to motivate us to support our kids? What are our kids picking up on when we hold onto comparisons?

Listen to this guided meditation when you need a moment of relaxation. Ever ask yourself, Am I doing enough? Am I a good parent? Yes, you are! And this meditation serves as a reminder; a time all your own to rest and recharge.

In this episode, a few tips on how to simplify our lives — figure out how we're spending our time and what needs to change. Some real talk about how simplifying our lives leads to setting boundaries. A few tips on how to say “no” (even when we don’t want to), especially if we’re used to saying “yes”.

What do we want? More support! When do we want it? Now! (Actually, yesterday). This episode covers some tips on where to start when seeking support. Topics include regional centers, respite, IHSS, therapy, and support groups. RESOURCES mentioned in this episode: Kristy Forbes Autistic Support Specialist https://www.kristyforbes.com.au and Start Here: A Guide for Parents of Autistic Kids https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/booklet-interior-4.1.pdf

When was the last time you had a really. good. rest? If you’re like most parents, you probably can’t remember! This episode is a call to action - or rather, non-action - to take a little time for yourself today. Disclaimer: includes a short rant on how hard it is to get and keep public services.

What the heck is this podcast about? Have a listen!