What Parents with Neurodivergent Children Should Know

For parents, raising a neurodivergent child can be a unique experience with its fair share of challenges from time to time, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. As neurodiversity is broad and can result in a variation of unique needs or considerations, it’s always important for parents of neurodivergent children to know what to expect.

In this article, we cover the core facets of neurodiversity in children, from what neurodiversity is and how it differs from child to child to how to best support your child in their journey. Read on to learn more.

Understanding Neurodiversity

The best place to start is in understanding what neurodiversity is and how much it can differ from child to child.

What “neurodivergent” really means

At its core, “neurodivergent” is used to describe people whose brains process information, communicate, or interact with the world in ways that differ from previously established neurological or societal “norms”. The term itself comes from the neurodiversity movement, which views these neurological differences as natural variations in how the human brain works.

As previously established neurological and societal “norms” are the result of attitudes and positions of older cultural interpretations of what makes someone “neurotypical” vs “neuroatypical”, the term “neurodivergence” exists to exemplify that having a brain that processes things differently is not atypical, but simply a variation. 

As neurodivergent is an identity and community-based term, parents should be mindful of how their child prefers to identify themselves and their neurodivergence as they grow older.

Common neurodevelopmental conditions (ASD, ADHD, SPD, etc.)

There is a wide range of neurodevelopmental conditions that fall under the neurodivergent umbrella, and the most common are listed below for your reference:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - a neurodevelopmental condition often characterised by differences in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted or repetitive behaviours and interests. Sensory sensitivities are also common among autistic children.
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - often characterised as involving inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity.
• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) - a condition often characterised through the brain experiencing difficulties with processing and responding to different sensory stimuli. 
• Dyslexia - characterised by difficulties with reading and spelling.
• Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder) - characterised by difficulties with coordination of movement and motor planning.
• Dyscalculia - characterised by difficulties with numbers and mathematics.
• Dysgraphia - characterised by difficulties that affect writing.
• Tourette Syndrome - a neurological condition characterised by motor and vocal tics.

It’s important to note that this list only covers the main conditions that tend to fall under the umbrella of neurodivergence. Neurodivergent children may have one or multiple of these conditions as they coexist or overlap. For example, children with autism and ADHD is a common occurrence, and this can be referred to as AuDHD in neurodiverse communities.

It should also be noted that, within neurodivergent communities, the use of the term disorder is an oft-debated topic. This is because a key part of the neurodivergent movement is to discuss these conditions as variations in the brain rather than stated disorders.

Why every neurodivergent child’s needs are unique

Regardless of how anyone’s brain works, they all exist on a spectrum. For neurodivergent children, this means their needs will always be unique. With autistic children, for example, the experiences of two children with a diagnosis can be drastically different. That’s why one autistic child could have high support needs and another could have low support needs.

Two children with the same diagnosis may have completely different communication styles, sensory needs, interests, and support requirements. Other influencing factors, from their environment and personality to co-occurring conditions and lived experiences will shape how a child learns and participates. 

That’s why individualised support for neurodiverse children is important, respecting the child’s preferences, autonomy, and strengths rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Supporting Your Child’s Development and Wellbeing

Supporting a neurodivergent child’s development and overall wellbeing should always come from a place of compassion, understanding, and collaboration. It shouldn’t be about focusing on differences, but rather embracing their strengths and unique ways of processing the world. When coupled with professional help, you can empower your child in meaningful ways.

Building strong communication and trust

You want to develop effective means of communicating with your child and building trust with them. Some fundamental ways of doing so include the following strategies:

• If your child has a very specific communication style, it’s best for you to learn it and speak with them in a way that resonates with how they process things. This can include matching their cadence in speech, learning different gestures they use, understanding behavioural cues, and making use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools and devices if your child has limited speech. Doing so helps them feel understood and respected.
• Allow your child to make choices, express their needs in a safe environment, and don’t impose on their autonomy if it presents no risk to their wellbeing.
• Focus on calm, predictable interactions, especially if your child is susceptible to anxiety or emotional dysregulation.

Collaborating with therapists, teachers, and healthcare providers

Collaborating with qualified therapists, psychologists, healthcare providers, and your child’s teachers can all be effective ways of ensuring your child receives consistent support throughout the day - and this can be particularly important if your child has high support needs.

It’s important for parents to share insights with professionals and other caretakers about their child’s strengths, their preferences (low lighting, quiet spaces, etc.), and what situations may trigger them (e.g. loud settings, too much sensory stimulation, etc.).

When working with therapists or other health professionals, you’ll need to be in regular communication with them so that they can appropriately adjust developmental goals for your child as they grow and their needs change.

Where to Find Help and Resources

NDIS and early intervention options in South Australia

If your child meets eligibility criteria (this will often require an official diagnosis of a neurodivergent condition), the NDIS may provide funding towards supports such as therapy or equipment.

Early intervention can be particularly helpful for young children, as it can lead to efforts that build their development skills, communication, and social participation from an early age. It can help them learn how to work with their minds to their benefit rather than feeling as though they have to mask or hide their true selves.

We also highly recommend looking into local support services, community programs, and any potential state-based resources or services that can complement NDIS-funded options.

How Conscious Healthcare SA supports neurodiverse families

At Conscious Healthcare SA, we offer a range of therapies and related services to support neurodivergent children and their families. These include multidisciplinary supports such as psychology, neurodevelopmental assessments, and behaviour supports that are tailored to each child’s individual goals and needs.

At every step, we take the child’s needs into consideration, including their preferred means of communication, their sensory needs or sensitivities, and the strengths they possess. We couple this with regular collaboration with their parents (and family), educators, and other professionals who directly engage with the child to ensure they receive the best support across all social settings.

If you have a neurodiverse child who you believe could benefit from the services and therapy offered at Conscious Healthcare SA, get in touch today.