Beyond The Label

Behavior is never random. It is the visible output of an internal process, a signal sent from a complex nervous system to the outside world. When supporting, guiding, or parenting a neurodivergent individual, the visible behavior is often the least important piece of data available. The critical information—the logic, the sensation, the emotion, and the intent—lies entirely beneath the surface. To truly support neurodivergent individuals, we must shift our focus from what  is

If you are the parent of a neurodivergent child, you know exhaustion. And I don’t mean the "didn't get enough sleep" kind of tired. I mean the deep, soul-level fatigue that comes from living in a constant state of defense and advocacy for the one person you love most. Parenting is hard for everyone. But there is a specific, agonizing isolation in raising a child whose needs are non-visible. Parenting a neurodivergent child in a neurotypical world is a specific kind of maratho

We have all been there. You sit in a workshop, captivated by a charismatic speaker. The content is enlightening, the stories are moving, and the energy in the room is palpable. You leave feeling transformed, armed with a notebook full of scribbles and a heart full of good intentions. Then, Monday morning arrives. The routine kicks in. The emails pile up. And that transformative knowledge? It sits in the notebook, closed on your desk. There is a harsh reality in the world of e

In the mosaic of human experience, cultural competency stands as a vital framework. It ensures that organizations and service providers interact with dignity and respect across diverse backgrounds. Much of the essential focus rightly centers on protecting individuals from discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, and national origin. This work is critical to staff well-being, performance, and ethical practice. However, as we deepen our commitment to truly inclusive care, w

For decades, the conversation around neurodivergence—specifically Autism and ADHD—has been dominated by a linear metric: the functioning label. You are either "high functioning"  (meaning you can hold a job and make eye contact) or "low functioning" (meaning you require visible, substantial support). This binary is not just scientifically outdated; it is actively dangerous . It relies on the false assumption that human capacity is a smooth, flat line. It assumes that if you

Years ago, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie gave a transformative TED Talk titled The Danger of a Single Story. She cautioned that reducing people, places, or cultures to one singular narrative leads to critical misunderstandings.   Her profound insight was this: “The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.”   This warning is critically urgent when we interact with neurodivergent individuals. Too o