Disclaimer: As a future Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) currently pursuing my master’s degree, I am passionate about sharing insights and information related to parenting, autism and homeschooling based on my personal experiences and research. However, the content shared on this blog is not intended to substitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Parenting is a deeply personal journey, and while I strive to provide valuable insights, every family and situation is unique. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for personalized guidance tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
Introduction
Welcome to our little corner of the internet, where we live life with a whole lot of crazy, an intense schedule and so much love and understanding, on a journey of parenthood, homeschooling, chronic illness, and neurodiversity. I’m so happy you’re here and joining us. Let me introduce our family and share some of what you can expect from your time here.
Our Family
To start with, I’m Meghan, single mom, grad student working toward my LCSW, virtual assistant for an awesome virtual assistant (yes, assistant to the assistant lol), all while managing my own journey through multiple chronic illnesses and my own neurodivergence. There is never a dull moment in our home as I balance all the responsibilities of life, but I am also so grateful for the opportunities I have been given.
My daughter is Bug (no, that’s not her real name lol). You won’t ever see pictures of her here, as I am trying (and sometimes failing) to respect her privacy while balancing sharing our story on the internet. She is a fiery red-head with a personality to match, and is autistic. She uses identity first language (something we’ll for sure talk about!) for now, so that’s what we’re going with. She was diagnosed at 8, though I knew in my heart she was autistic nearly from the time she was born.
Our Journey
Our journey, like many on this path, is filled with unexpected twists and turns. From the time Bug was born, I could tell something was different, but I was a young mom (I had Bug when I was 18), so I thought I was just uneducated. As she grew up, I had questions, but I was told by more than 1 professional that she wasn’t autistic because she was verbal.
We got our first diagnosis when she was 4, Sensory Processing Disorder, which allowed us to get her into OT, an incredible help in those early years. It wasn’t until she was 8 and I sought out a professional neuropsych eval that we received her diagnosis, Level 2 autism with ADHD.
It has been a process of accepting her and her unique brain, exacerbated by the fact that, through this process, I was diagnosed with ADHD of my own, something that rocked my world. We have learned to embrace neurodiversity not as a challenge to overcome but as beautiful diversity in the human experience. Not as something to “fix” but as a different way of being. Through homeschooling, we have discovered the power of individualized learning, tailored to Bug’s unique strengths and needs, fostering a nurturing environment where growth and exploration flourish.
Understanding Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is all about recognizing that each of us has our own way of thinking, processing info, and seeing the world. Whether you’re super creative, a whiz at math, or struggle with reading, neurodiversity says, “Hey, that’s just how your brain rolls, and that’s okay!” Instead of seeing things like autism, ADHD, or dyslexia as problems to fix, it’s more about embracing the awesome range of brains out there.
Think about it this way: neurodiversity flips the script on what we think of as “normal.” It’s like saying, “Hey, there’s no one-size-fits-all brain!” Instead of putting labels on people and saying they’re not “normal,” neurodiversity encourages us to make room for all kinds of brains. It’s about creating spaces where everyone feels accepted and understood, no matter how their brain works.
Family Rules
We have a list of family rules that Bug and I created a few years ago that have helped guide me through nearly every decision I’ve made for our little family. I think they do a good job of conveying what I want this space to be as well. These will be OUR family rules, the Not Harder, Just Different family. If you want to know what to expect here, from this space, this is a great place to start 🙂
- Embrace your differences. Everyone is unique and valued.
- Listen actively. Everyone’s voice matters, no matter how old you are.
- Show kindness, to others and yourself. Your words AND actions matter.
- Explore your passions and be creative everyday.
- Practice patience, with others and yourself. We all learn and grow at our pace.
- Respect boundaries. Personal space is honored and expected.
- Celebrate successes. Big or small, they matter.
- Communicate openly. Honesty builds trust.
- Cultivate empathy. Understanding each other is key.
- Accept mistakes. They are opportunities to learn.
- Embrace our diversity. Differences make us stronger.
- Encourage curiosity. Ask questions and explore.
- Honor your feelings. Emotions are valid and respected.
- Express gratitude. Appreciate the little things.
- Love unconditionally. Family is our foundation.
As you spend time here with me, I would love to hear your stories, experiences, and insights in the comments and would love to get to know you better on social media. Let’s set off on this journey together, and welcome to our journey.