He was six when his Grade 1 teacher told me, “He’s just so arrogant.” She didn’t say it to be cruel — in fact, I think she meant well. It was said with a kind of frustrated affection, like she couldn’t quite figure him out. He corrected her
By Nicola Killops It doesn’t always start with a perfect report card. In fact, it rarely does. It starts with the child who feels everything. The one who couldn’t tolerate tags in their clothes as a toddler. Who noticed when you changed shampoo. Who melted down in noisy
For too long, intelligence has been boxed into rigid definitions—reading speed, written output, memory recall under pressure. But what if those measures don’t capture the true depth of a person’s mind? What if someone thinks faster than the tools designed to express it? I’ve spent years
Ever had a conversation with a teenager who blurts out whatever’s in their head—before their brain even has a chance to weigh in? Or watched them make a split-second decision that leaves you questioning whether they have any self-preservation instincts at all? If you’re parenting a teen
Choosing subjects at the end of Grade 9 can feel like standing at a crossroads with no clear signposts. Parents want to make the right decision, schools have their expectations, and students often feel caught in the middle. And when it comes to maths, the pressure can be overwhelming. But
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why your child with ADHD seems to experience emotions on a whole different level, you’re not alone. Emotional dysregulation is one of the most challenging—and misunderstood—aspects of ADHD. It’s not just about getting upset easily or being "too
So, here’s how this all came about: I started my day with a perfectly sensible intention (“I need to write something for the NeuroParenting News Hub”). Naturally, my brain had other plans. One moment, I was thinking about what to write, the next I was overanalysing my to-do list,
“Keep calm and carry on.” It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But for parents of neurodiverse children—especially those with high-functioning autism, ADHD, or other exceptionalities—stress often feels like an uninvited guest who refuses to leave. It’s not just the challenges we face; it’s how they
I joined Jo Judnick Wilson on the EduThink Podcast about a year ago to share our experiences raising neurodiverse sons. Revisiting that conversation recently, I was reminded how relevant it is for parents navigating similar journeys. Jo’s son, now 14, was diagnosed with autism at age 4. My son
When you think of names like Elon Musk, Nikola Tesla, Daryl Hannah, Anthony Hopkins, and Bill Gates, autism might not be the first thing that comes to mind. These individuals are synonymous with success, innovation, and creativity. Yet, they all have or identify as having high-functioning autism (HFA). The increase
Raising a neurodiverse child often feels like an uphill battle against misunderstanding and judgement. As the mother of an incredible, twice-exceptional son, I know this journey all too well. James, now 20, is still in school and continues to surprise me with his growth and resilience. With high-functioning autism and
Autism comes with a range of unique strengths that often get overlooked in conversations focused too much on the challenges. But the truth is, autistic individuals bring something really special to the table. Many have an incredible eye for detail—spotting things others completely miss. Their honesty and directness mean