Neurodiversity Resources & Digital Library

Jump To: “For Families of Children Recently Recognized as Autistic” or “Greatest Hits” for Professionals: Getting Started with Shifting Your Lens to the Neurodiversity Paradigm

NEURODIVERSITY

VIDEOS

BLOGS & SELECTED BLOG POSTS

PODCASTS

AUTISM** (see Special Feature at bottom of page for families of children recently diagnosed as autistic)

VIDEOS

“What is autism?“

Introduction to Autism for Kids (Note: I recommend previewing first to evaluate the “fit” for a particular child)

BOOKS

BOOKS FOR KIDS

PODCASTS – see Neurodiversity Section

AUTISTIC VOICES

AUTISTIC AUTHORED BLOGS, BLOG POSTS & ARTICLES ON SELECT SUB-TOPICS

Self-Regulation

Anxiety
Autistic Cognition & Monotropism

PDA (which I’d suggest thinking of as Neuroception-related demand avoidance)

Autistic Masking & Burnout

Autistic Inertia

AUTISTIC-LED SPACES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Autistic Vloggers & Video Support Resources

OTHER RESOURCES FROM AUTISTIC VOICES

RESEARCH

ADHD & EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING DIFFERENCES

VIDEOS – Appropriate for (some) kids — I suggest previewing to evaluate goodness of fit

Youtube stations & Specific Videos

BOOKS

WEBSITES & ARTICLES

REGULATION, SENSORY PROCESSING & “BEHAVIOR”

VIDEOS

Regulation – Appropriate for Kids
Sensory Processing

BOOKS

WEBSITES, SELECTED ARTICLES & BLOG POSTS

COMMUNICATION DIFFERENCES

Resources for non-speaking communication

Understanding Neurodivergent Communication patterns

Resources for Language & Communication Skills

LEARNING DIFFERENCES

General Resources on Learning Disability Supports

Dyslexia

Dyscalculia

Dysgraphia

Dyspraxia – not a learning disability, but can impact efficiency/approach to learning and knowing its presence (1 in 10 people!) lets us know to adapt learning to these brain’s strengths (i.e., noticing everything!!!)

SPECIAL TOPIC: INCLUSION & INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Inclusion & Recognizing Ableism (General):

Inclusive Education:

Strategies to support kids who learn differently:

Neurodiversity Education Graphics: Link to a collection of my favorites

“Greatest Hits” for Professionals – Recognizing that not everyone has sufficient time, bandwidth, or hyperfocus to read everything on this page, here is my “short list” (not very short) of recommended resources

**SPECIAL TOPIC: FAMILIES OF CHILDREN RECENTLY IDENTIFIED AS AUTISTIC

Note: Congratulations on identifying a meaningful lens to understand, respect, connect and communicate with your child. You may have a steep learning curve – but if you are committed to learning from autistic voices, learning the specifics of what it truly means to let go of previous expectations and inhabit the experience of a brain that may be very different from your own, and transform your emotional energy into powerful advocacy, you are already well on your way. Maybe you already know about neurodiversity and this new diagnosis is just another day in your life. But if you’re having some big feelings and/or don’t know what to “do” next, here are some ideas.

Step 1: Shift your lens from the medical model of deficits-based pathology to that of truly embracing neurodiversity. Having a neurodivergent child is AWESOME. Get yourself to a place where you believe that in the core of your being. Start by watching the videos of the Neurodiversity & Autism sections above. Read the autistic-authored blog posts in the Autism section. Read “Uniquely Human.” Keep reading until you get it, and you feel it. Your relationship with your child depends on you really feeling it. If you’re still getting triggered by something, explore and invest in developing an understanding of the many levels of why (and consider seeking the assistance of a professional to help you do this exploration). Also, learn about identity-first language.

Step 2: Become an expert in sensory processing, as this will give you a truly helpful lens to connect with, understand, and support your child. Go through the whole Sensory Processing section above.

Step 3: Spend some time observing and learning from autistic people. Spend time learning from some of the autistic spaces on social media. Read autistic-authored blogs and books. Watch autistic-created videos and webinars. Check out links above for suggested resources. It’ll be the most helpful thing you ever do.

Step 4: Remember that you don’t need to “fix” or “intervene.” You want to support and connect, with the top priority being to EXPLICITLY let your child know that you love and accept them for who they are. EVERYTHING you do should be through this lens. If there is a developmental skills deficit that is bothering your child, find relationship-oriented therapist resources to help support your child.

Step 5: What does your child enjoy doing? Do that until your child doesn’t want to play it anymore. Go back to the basic sensorimotor social games that fills your child’s “sensory cups.” Feel that joy and connection. Remember that all brains play differently. Only your child knows what brings them joy. Make sure you’re not sending messages that what brings them joy is “not ok.”

Step 6: Then begin your journey of getting to know your child’s brain. You need to learn every single thing about the way your child sees the world. Collect observations, compare to the feedback from autistic voices, then test out your hypothesis. Slowly but surely, you’ll fall in love with your child’s brain AND you’ll be well on your way to transform into the greatest role you will ever play: coaching this beautiful little person to become the best version of him- or herself AND advocating fiercely to minimize the disability caused by a world that will never work as hard as you to reach clarity and understanding.

Step 7: Then, of course, start talking about neurodiversity all day, every day, to everyone who will listen. Teach your child. Teach his or her friends. Show them some videos. Read them some books. Make it be a “no big deal” default for everyone in your child’s life to understand that there’s no right way for a brain to do anything — that all our brains are different, and that all brains are awesome.