neurodiverging

Ep. 27/ Mindfulness for Neurodiverse Families with Dr. Rabia Subhani

by
mindfulness for neurodiverse families

My guest today is Dr. Rabia Subhani, neuropsychologist, certified mindfulness teacher (many times over!), and mother of an autistic child. Rabia is the creator of Mindful Village®, a secular eight to twelve week program geared towards the parents and caregivers of  neurodiverse children. On this episode of Neurodiverging, Dr. Rabia and I are discussing what … Read more

Ep. 25/ Executive Function Tips: Automation & the Activity Partner

by

As a life coach, I work with a lot of autistic and/or ADHD folks who have trouble with executive function skills, like prioritizing and organizing tasks, procrastination, difficulty getting started on a project, and other similar challenges.

If this sounds like you, then I'm here to tell you more about what executive function is and isn't, and to introduce you to two strategies to help strengthen your executive function skills: automation, and the activity partner. 

Plus, sign up here to receive a 7-page guide and workbook to help you choose an activity partner and get the most value out of your time together!

Or, join the Patreon to download this booklet, the Getting Unstuck Check-In, and many other resources today!

Read more

Get Things Done With An Activity Partner, Shadow, or Body Double

by

It’s very common for neurodivergent folks to have trouble staying attentive to a task that is not interesting to us. Even when we are trying to focus on the things we have to do, it can be hard to keep on-task.

Some of the most common concerns are issues like:

  • You didn’t plan how to approach the project, so now it’s hard to find a place to start.
  • You didn’t consider how much time the project will take, or have under- or overestimated how long it will take (sometimes drastically!).
  • You got started and then forgot what your goal was.
  • You got started and then got distracted with some other task.
  • You got started and then got frustrated, and weren’t able to talk yourself into persisting with the project.

Having an activity partner nearby can help with all of these situations.

Read more

Book Review: The Anxiety Book for Trans People: How to Conquer Your Dysphoria, Worry Less and Find Joy by Freiya Benson

by
The Anxiety Book for Trans People review

The Anxiety Book for Trans People: How to Conquer Your Dysphoria, Worry Less and Find Joy by Freiya Benson

Expected publication: May 21st 2021 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for offering an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Anxiety Book for Trans People is an accessible, easy-to-read guide on handling anxiety as a trans person. Author Freiya Benson disclaims early on that she's decided to use "trans" as an umbrella term for anyone not cis, and as a genderqueer/ agender person, I thought that worked out fine.

Benson approaches the intersectionality of being trans and having anxiety with a casual, personable style, and covers such topics as social anxiety, handling anxiety about medical services, coming out as trans/ not cis, and anxiety's effects on dysphoria.

Interspersed with these chapters are short Q&A interviews with other trans folks who deal with anxiety, which offer welcome additional perspectives to Benson's own experiences.

I think this book is sorely needed. It's targeted at the general audience with no assumptions made about a reader's academic knowledge about gender identity, transgender issues, or anxiety disorders. It offers good, basic practical advice and favors realistic tips over theoretical discussion.

That said, there were some places where I felt like a little more reference to theory would have been helpful, or would have grounded the advice somewhat. I also feel that if you have some background in gender studies, trans studies, etc., and/or if you've been dealing with anxiety and/or have been out as trans for a while, a lot of this information will not be new to you. The book still works well as an introduction, though, or a reminder. I enjoyed it very much.

Buy on Amazon.

Buy on Bookshop.

Ep 22/ Asked & Answered: Should I tell my child about their neurodiversity?

by
should i tell my child about their autism

Parenting can be a challenge for anyone, even in the most ideal conditions. But parenting a child who has a different neurotype than you can come with unique challenges. I want to discuss a question that I’ve gotten a few times: Should I tell my child about their autism? How do I portray being autistic … Read more

Sensory Processing Disorder + 3 Tips to Avoid Sensory Overwhelm

by
SENSORY overwhelm, sensory overload, spd

Have you ever heard of sensory processing disorder? Sensory overwhelm? Sensory integration disorder? Sensory overload?

Today, I want to discuss what all this stuff if, and give you some go-to tips that I use in my everyday life to avoid sensory overwhelm.

Read more

Interoception, Thirst, and Sensory Overwhelm

by
interoception, thirst, sensory overwhelm autism

I was talking about interoception last week on Instagram (Post 1, Post 2). Interoception is your eighth sense that lets you know what's happening inside your body. So, your sense of interoception includes things like hunger, thirst, bowel movements, emotions, pain etc.

Anyway, I really struggle with interoception, and one of the things I struggle with most is remembering to drink water.

Read more

4 Tips to Breastfeed When You’re Autistic

by
autistic woman breastfeeding

While I’m sitting down to write this, I’ve been running this little blog for about 6 months. In that time, I’ve been asked about breastfeeding with autism way more times than anyone would guess. Wondering why? A lot of autistic parents want to breastfeed their babies, but a lot of us also struggle with sensory … Read more

6 of the Best Parenting Podcasts for Neurodivergent Families

by
best parenting podcasts neurodivergent neurodiverse autistic adhd families

I’ve had a couple of emails asking me about the best parenting podcasts for families with autism, ADHD, and other neurodiversity. There are so many amazing parenting podcasts out there! I couldn’t possibly make an extensive list. These are just some parenting podcasts that I’ve listened to personally and liked. Podcasts from these parenting experts … Read more

Prime Day Deals for Neurodivergent Folks! (2020)

by

I don’t usually do this kind of post, but a lot of us are on tight budgets with everything going on in the world, so I put together this quick blog post with some Neurodiverging-specific Amazon deals I found for Prime Day. There are a lot of weighted blankets, ear defenders, sensory crafts, fidgets, and … Read more

s2Member®