Created by Stacy @ stacyfinch.com & Adrianne @ discoverautism.ca The winter holidays are a time of warmth, wonder—and, let’s be honest, a little chaos. For parents of neurodivergent children, the season often comes with unique challenges. The bright lights,...
Autism
Understanding Executive Functioning: A Guide to Building Essential Life Skills
Executive functioning refers to the set of mental skills that help individuals manage time, focus attention, plan and organize, and regulate behavior. These cognitive processes are essential for navigating daily life, academic success, and personal relationships....
Managing Child Custody with Autism and PDA: Navigating Challenges
Child custody for an autistic child with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile can present unique challenges, especially around routines, masking, and emotional regulation. The Impact of PDA on Routines and Transitions Children with PDA can appear to thrive on...
Understanding Executive Functioning: A Key to Success for Neurodivergent Individuals
Executive functioning (EF) is the mental skill set that helps us plan, organize, manage time, and achieve goals. It’s essential for success in everyday life, impacting everything from getting ready for the day to completing complex projects at work. When these skills...
Comparing and Contrasting Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) are often confused due to the overlap in behaviors such as refusal, defiance, and avoidance of demands. However, these two profiles stem from different underlying causes and present in unique...
Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Through a Neuroaffirming Lens: Navigating Challenges in Children and Adults
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is increasingly recognized as a distinct profile within the autism spectrum, though it remains a topic of debate and misunderstanding. It refers to a pattern of behavior where individuals exhibit extreme avoidance of everyday...
Understanding Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): With and Without Autism
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a behavioral condition characterized by a consistent pattern of defiance, disobedience, and hostility towards authority figures. Children and adolescents with ODD may frequently lose their temper, argue with adults, refuse to...
Embracing Summer Adventures: Tips for Neurodivergent Families
Summer has definitely made its appearance. Whether you're in various regions of the US experiencing record high temperatures or in the Vancouver, Canada area where I am located, enjoying temperatures in the mid-20s to 30 degrees Celsius, we are clearly in the midst of...
Embracing Neurodivergence and Healing from Trauma: A Journey to Self-Discovery
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. As a counselor and life coach specializing in neurodivergence and trauma, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges individuals face in navigating their unique paths to healing...
Navigating Burnout and Challenges: Finding Balance Amidst Life’s Obstacles
Imagine facing the challenges of adolescence with a condition that sets you apart from your peers. For my daughter, that challenge came in the form of a type 1 diabetes diagnosis at just 13 years old. Over the years, I've watched her navigate the complexities of...