We are recognising neurodiversity earlier and in even more children than ever before, and that means we are also in a better position to care for and nurture our neurodivergent kids. That’s not to say that being a parent of a neurodiverse child is easy, as it can certainly be full of challenges. The good news is you can get some effective tips on how to be the best parent to a neurodiverse child below.
Work with your child’s special interest
Some neurodiverse children such as those with ASD will have a particular topic or two that they are very passionate about. At first, this can seem challenging because it can test the patience of neurotypical parents or anyone who does not share the same passion for the subject. However, it can be a very useful tool when parenting a neurodiverse child as it can provide a range of positive opportunities such as:
- A way to connect with your child
- A subject that can be used to teach other things like literacy and numeracy
- Motivation for your child (they can have special interest time when they complete specific tasks)
- A focus for a future career. Some neurodiverse people like Temple Grandin for example, maintain their special interest throughout their lives, providing them with an amazing opportunity for a rewarding and meaningful career.
Establish a routine
Routines can be very useful for some neurodivergent children, particularly because they can help them know what to expect next and remove an element of uncertainty that can cause stress.
Routines are also great for neurodiverse children because they can help them establish some independence and do things unassisted. For very young children, visually displaying their routine for each part of the day can make things much less stressful for both parent and child.
Ask for help
Whether you are neurodiverse or neurotypical, parenting a neurodiverse child can be challenging day to day. That is why it’s so important that parents seek and ask for help when they need it.
The good news is there are plenty of ways those parenting neurodiverse children can get help. One way is to ask trusted family members to help lighten your load by either taking care of your child for a while or helping with chores. In this way, you can get some much-needed rest, and charge up the energy and patience reserves needed to parent a child with neurodiversity.
Another option is to work with professionals like the ones you will find at https://www.acceltherapies.com/ who offer ABA therapy for those with ASD. This is because ABA therapy is specifically designed for those with ASD to help them achieve their developmental goals, increase their quality of life, and realize their potential.
Create a space for sensory regulation
Neurodiversity can often come with sensory issues that can make operating in the day-to-day world tricky. To help make things easier for your child, ensuring they have a quiet space where they can go and do experience-regulating activities can be vital. Often such spaces come complete with soft play, gentle lights, and pleasing textures to aid the overall effect.
14 comments
Thank you for bringing this to light. I need to share these tips with my sister in law as she is raising one.
Great tips and I agree with everything you said. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that children are all different and learn at different speed but it’s important to embrace each of their differences. Knowing what makes them tick is essential especially since it’s a great path to knowing how to help them.
Maureen
I agree with you that we should be afraid to ask for help. We understand that it’s very challenging and this is where a strong support system comes in.
Will check out Accel Therapies. Thank you for sharing.
This is such a great resource for any parent with a neurodiverse child. Kids like this require a different approach, and it’s always one that should be tailored to their specific needs.
I love your tip about asking for help. It’s NEVER a bad thing to ask for help when you need it or seek out the resources that will help you help your child.
I think every parent needs to read this. What I love about your site is all the great information you share about this subject. There are so many “problem” kids out there who just don’t have the right tools and aren’t given those tools.
This is excellent news that children are being diagnosed earlier with neurodiversity. The early one catches it the earlier parents can begin following the advice you present in this article.
Your post on parenting neurodiverse children is incredibly thoughtful and supportive. I love how you provide practical tips and encourage understanding and patience—thank you for sharing such valuable insights for parents!
Such useful advice. The ‘ask for help’ part is especially important. We often think that as parents we know everything and can do everything. But there’s literally no shame in asking for help.
This is an incredibly important article for parents of neurodiverse children. I completely agree with all your tips, but I think the most crucial one is to ask for help. It’s perfectly okay to reach out when you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to lean on. Parents face many challenges and it’s good to know there are resources and other parents you can speak with to help ease the stress. Great Post!!
Living with a neurodiverse individual is certainly challenging. Thanks for laying out some options that will be helpful.
Thanks for the review and guide about parenting neurodiverse children, Angela. There is a huge range of abilities in the autistic spectrum, and your ideas will spark interest for parents looking for new ways to help there littles. Thank you!
This is so true, it’s so easy to get caught up in the fact that they are different and miss the opportunities that are there to connect with them as well as miss opportunities to teach them to embrace and love themselves.
Yes yes to every tip you’ve listed here. To many parents, neurodiverse kids are not “normal” and let’s face it – so many people don’t want anything to do with something out of their normal range.