Have you ever found yourself struggling to get your point across? Or missed the punch line when the rest of your friends were laughing? Does it feel like a struggle to verbally connect with others, or “keep up” with conversation”? If so, know that you’re not alone and that your feelings may result from how you process language. 

Many neurodivergent adolescents, teens, and young adults, including those with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences, struggle with body cues that can be crucial to interpreting emotional or physical needs and navigating an ableist world. These inner sensations, like knowing when to use the bathroom or when to eat when hungry, are called interoception skills. 

When we demand something of our children, regardless of their age, we externalize our expectations. We want our kids to get good grades, participate in extracurriculars, and have a good group of friends. We want them to be healthy and happy and we have perceived expectations about how they should go about to achieve those things.

Herein lies the problem. Developmentally, teenagers have lower tolerance for managing frustration and other big emotions. Learn more about how Low Demand Parenting might be your answer to less stress for you and your teen.

If you’re a teen, you’re probably here because something about school isn’t working and you’re ready for a change. If you’re a parent, you’re here because you want the best for your child. Either way, welcome. I’m glad you’re here!

In this article, we'll investigate the different types of school options in Colorado and the pros and cons of each.

"I'm on the spectrum."

"My brother is autistic."

"She's on the autism spectrum."

Chances are you’ve encountered this kind of language at some point. Maybe you use this language, or your friends do, maybe you’ve seen it on social media, or maybe you’re new to it entirely. Maybe you have questions about what the spectrum is, or maybe you’re eager to dive a little deeper. Whatever the case, I'm glad you're here to learn more! Without further ado, let's dive into what exactly neurodiversity means and explore one of my favorite resources, the Neurodiversity Wheel.

Maybe this feels familiar. You're a teenager or young adult who used to be a straight-A student or–who somehow balanced extracurriculars, a social life, hobbies, and work. But for some reason, you're suddenly at a loss and don't seem to have the motivation to try any longer. Maybe you just find that what once came easily to you is now difficult and frankly, it now makes you feel burnt out.

Even if these specific circumstances don't mirror your own, there's a common thread here: skill regression.