Season One Recap and Recalibration
It's hard to believe it, but here we are, the last episode of our first season of Reframing Neurodiversity podcast.
I've learned so much in this short time about myself as a neurodivergent person, and it’s been really fun to learn more about you too — I’m so grateful how this show has brought together so many other ADHD moms of neurodivergent children who are walking a path similar to mine.
I love hearing the feedback and stories you’ve all shared as you’ve followed along this season. And now, after a full season, I’m sitting back and taking inventory of how I want to show up moving forward.
I want to be intentional about our conversations as a community and where we continue our conversations on the podcast. So season 2 is going to be all about our lived experience as neurodivergent people and how it feels to move through this world from our unique perspective. I’ve felt the call to have these conversations and it’s the number one topic you’ve said you want to hear more about — the perfect match.
If you’ve missed an episode or you are joining the conversation for the first time, here’s a recap of what we talked about in season 1 (or keep scrolling to learn more about what’s in store for season 2, including a brand new ADHD moms support group):
Recalibrating for Season 2
One thing that is resonating with me right now looking ahead to Season 2 is the value of the lived experience of the neurodivergent individual.
While there is a time and space for the research, data, and new statistics, there's a depth of complexity and a source of connection available when those of us who have been through it share our unique perspectives.
Parenting as a Neurodivergent Person
I want to consciously lean into this experience of a neurodivergent individual. I want to share parts of my journey as a neurodivergent person growing up in the world and now my journey as a neurodivergent parent. The ups and downs in the real life of parenting make me want to talk to other people who are also walking this path too. I want to bring in support and tools that are truly applicable and work for those of us going through it.
“When we’re willing to be a bit vulnerable and willing to share more of the emotional terrain that we’ve been through it’s a wonderful opportunity for healing and growth. This space of vulnerability, connection, and support is the space I’m realizing I want to live in as a person in this field.”
As neurodivergent people, we're all unique, so valuing each person's experience is so important and valid because it's never one-size-fits-all. There's just so much potential for connection, feeling seen and heard, and feeling validated when we have these conversations.
If you’ve listened to any of my other episodes, it's probably no surprise that school wasn't my favorite thing. I struggled with the “show all your work” and “cite all your references” and put it in this format and the rigidity and the structure of it. It was hard for me even as a professional coming into the field.
The information that I've collected over the years is a curation of things I've picked up in my graduate work, things I've picked up in trainings, things I've picked up as a mother, things I've picked up intuitively in my own life, and things I’ve picked up working with other families. I think that is the beauty of what we all bring to the conversation.
And so for me, that's where I'm leaning as I move forward in growing this platform. I'm excited for Season 2 because I am very much stepping back to be intentional in how I show up. And it's really fun for me to get to know you guys better, and understand what you are looking for and how to support you on your neurodiversity journey too.
A Support Group for ADHD Moms of Neurodivergent Children
I'm realizing that my people out there are people who are walking a similar path to me in some way.
Not that we have to have the same neurowiring, our lives don't need to look the same, but just the emotional connection. The shared experience of getting what it feels like to move through the world in this way when the systems, the school environments, the work environments, the societal expectations bump up against who you are. What that brings up in us, how we move through it, and how we support ourselves and one another and our kids through it all.
Join the Neurodiversity Advocate Community in Substack
Having a community to connect and support each other is really what lights me up! What I’ll be talking all about in this interim between Season 1 and Season 2 will be on Substack.
In Substack, I’ll be conversing with you in a really honest, vulnerable way. We’ll have a space where we can share those “ahas” and recent moments, findings, and experiences - coming together as neurodivergent families to support one another and find a sense of community.
What is Substack?
For those of you who don't know Substack yet: it's an email newsletter meets blog with space to comment, connect, and chat with each other - something we miss out on with the podcasting apps.
It’s free to join the community and read updates and episodes like this one, plus see the archive of resources, support strategies, and current information in the field of neurodiversity.
The ADHD parent support group is open to all for a small charge ($11/month, cancel any time). This group is where we’ll have our chat and host our monthly meetups, plus I’ll coordinate exclusive workshops and events for us that will help us all feel so seen, connected, and validated in our experiences as neurodivergent parents.
I’m honestly so excited to get this up and running because I know so many of us have been craving for something like this for so long.
As parents of neurodivergent kids and oftentimes neurodivergent people ourselves, it can be lonely figuring out how we support our kids in the ways that they need while simultaneously trying to support ourselves and re-parent ourselves.
It's a lot.
So let's do this together in the community. Let's talk through how we're feeling, what we're struggling with, and where our strengths are. Let’s link arms and support each other because your voice and experiences matter. And I want to hear more from you!
I just really feel excited about creating this new space where we can come together. So click the link below to see what our Substack and neurodivergent parent community looks like. I truly can't wait to connect with you there.
Still curious about something I didn't mention today? I'd love to hear what's on your mind.
Whether you’re neurodivergent yourself, a mom to neurodivergent children, or both like I am — I’m so glad you’re here. It's really a dream come true to have a platform to discuss these issues that are so near and dear to my heart with you. And I'm just so grateful that you're here with me today and ready to support each other on our journeys.
