Understanding Neurodiversity - A Guide for Parents

My Story:

Hi, I'm Lizzie, and this is the story of my family's journey with neurodiversity. My partner Teagan and I are the proud parents of two beautiful and adventurous boys, Oliver and Huxley. Oliver, born in 2016, was happy, healthy, and full of life, hitting all his milestones with ease. However, when we decided to add to our family and welcomed Huxley in early 2020, our lives took an unexpected turn.

With the pandemic looming on the horizon, maternity leave for Teagan took a different toll, and my workload skyrocketed. When Huxley was about 6 months old, we began noticing behaviours that seemed a little different compared to Oliver's development. Huxley exhibited head banging, unusual crawling patterns, and moments where he seemed to freeze in place as if he'd seen a ghost, only to snap back to reality moments later.

As he grew older, we observed more distinct behaviours, such as flapping, prolonged meltdowns, aversions to daily tasks like getting changed, and a restricted diet consisting mainly of peanut butter, nuggets, and pears. Huxley also displayed violent tendencies towards us, and at one point, the police were called due to concerns for his safety (because he screamed for 1hr30mins)

Around the age of 3.5, we began working with the Benevolent Society, our child health nurse, and Huxley's kindergarten to access NDIS Early Intervention services. Since January, we've been seeing an occupational therapist, behavior therapist, and speech therapist, forming our village of support.

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is the concept that neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other conditions, are natural variations of the human brain. Just as biodiversity is essential for the health of ecosystems, neurodiversity is essential for the richness and diversity of human society.

Why is Neurodiversity Important?

Neurodiversity is not a deficit to be cured or a disorder to be fixed; it is a natural and valuable aspect of human diversity. People with neurodivergent traits contribute unique perspectives, skills, and talents to society. By embracing neurodiversity, we can foster inclusivity, promote acceptance, and create a more compassionate world for everyone.

Recognising Neurodivergent Traits

Neurodivergent individuals may exhibit a wide range of traits and behaviours, including sensory sensitivities, communication differences, social challenges, and repetitive behaviours. It's essential to recognise and understand these traits to provide appropriate support and accommodations for neurodivergent individuals.

How Can Parents Support Neurodiverse Children?

• Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn about different neurodivergent conditions and how they may impact your child.

• Advocate for Acceptance: Advocate for acceptance and inclusion in your community, schools, and society at large.

• Promote Self-Esteem: Help your child build confidence and self-esteem by emphasising their worth and value as an individual.

• Seek Support: Connect with other parents of neurodivergent children for support, advice, and resources.
  

Closing Thoughts -

Neurodiversity is a beautiful and essential aspect of the human experience. By understanding and embracing neurodiversity, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate world where all children have the opportunity to thrive. Our journey with Huxley has been challenging, but the support of our village has been invaluable. We've had to unlearn many parenting techniques that worked for Oliver and adapt to Huxley's unique needs. But oh my gosh, the progress we've seen already is remarkable. Our hope is that by sharing our story, along with raising awareness about neurodiversity, we can provide support and encouragement to other parents on a similar journey.

Thanks for Reading and if you ever want to have a chat or reach out please don't hesitate to message us

Lizzie