This information may help guide our decisions around referrals and interventions, especially for students whose early learning was disrupted by COVID. While some may not have been formally identified yet, they could now be showing academic or social-emotional difficulties as school demands increase.

Many neurodivergent and highly sensitive people have been shamed for their emotional intensity—learning to suppress, mask, or mistrust their feelings. Instead of silencing emotion, we build the capacity to sit with it—without shame. Because you were never too much. You were just never given enough space.

The inner critic often forms in childhood—especially for neurodivergent individuals who learned to hide their needs to stay safe. Let’s explore that voice through a compassionate, parts-based lens. Rather than shutting it down, we uncover what it’s trying to protect, and gently build self-trust through somatic and relational healing.

Unmasking Begins with Safety.

As a neurodivergent professional, I understand the survival strategy of masking—hiding traits, shrinking needs, and performing for acceptance. You don’t need to abandon who you were to become who you are.

Being “woke” in neurodivergent advocacy means fostering awareness, equity, and systemic change, while dismissive terms like “wokism” undermine progress and perpetuate stigma.

Neurodivergent individuals often over-apologize due to masking and fear of rejection, which can damage their self-worth, but embracing a strength-based approach helps them assert their needs and celebrate their unique qualities.

Reframing behavior through a neuro-affirming lens means understanding actions as communication of unmet needs or challenges, fostering empathy, and creating supportive environments for neurodivergent teens and employees.

Embrace your child’s unique learning style, understand the support systems like MTSS, and advocate for early identification to ensure they thrive in school.

Group homes, co-housing, and community living spaces offer a supportive and inclusive environment where neurodivergent teens and adults with high needs can thrive, fostering belonging, independence, and meaningful connections.

Grandparents raising neurodivergent grandchildren navigate a journey marked by love, empathy, and resilience, creating a nurturing environment where their unique abilities are celebrated, and fostering a future where diversity is embraced and valued.

Supporting autistic youth who face challenges with school attendance requires a holistic approach that recognizes their internal struggles, acknowledges the impact on their families and education, and provides tailored strategies alongside access to State and local resources.

Celebrate Neurodiversity by highlighting the strengths of Neurodivergent Individuals, promoting inclusivity, and challenging stereotypes.

Parents empower neurodivergent children by fostering an understanding of their unique traits and legal protections, nurturing resilience and societal inclusion from childhood to adulthood.

Navigating burnout requires recognizing the nuanced differences between autistic and neurotypical experiences, emphasizing tailored coping strategies and support systems for each group.

Understanding and addressing restraint collapse is pivotal for creating environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive authentically and without barriers.

Synaesthesia in Autistic individuals offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex interplay of sensory perception, providing a unique perspective on the world through combined sensory experiences.

Investigating the neurological connection between autism and aphantasia reveals intriguing insights into neurodiversity.

For students with unique needs to thrive, schools and parents must forge a collaborative partnership, overcoming challenges through clear communication, defined roles, and a shared commitment to fostering a supportive educational environment.