Category: Story
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A Space So Full of Light
Several years ago, I heard Brené Brown share a story about her son, who was struggling with friendship lessons. She encouraged him to surround himself with people who would celebrate him when he was shining brightly—not those who would blow out his candle to make theirs appear brighter. While I wouldn’t call myself a Brené…
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Misunderstood: How Communication Differences Lead to Social Seclusion in Higher Education
At one point during my college experience, I was called into a meeting with several of my professors. They informed me that some of my classmates had told them they were scared of me. I was stunned. I couldn’t understand how I had come across as frightening.
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Change is Needed in Higher Education to Support Neurodivergent Students
My college experience was shaped by the challenges of navigating an environment that often did not fully understand or accommodate my needs as an autistic student. As someone who had been non-verbal until age 5, I still faced difficulties in social interactions, communication, and adapting to the expectations placed on students. Although I had made…
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“I’m Stupid; My Brain is Wrong”: How Broken Systems Harm Children and Families
“I’m stupid; my brain is wrong, and the only way to fix it is to die.” How many parents have heard these words from a neurodivergent child? How does one respond? “I wish I could die and come back with a new brain.” How many parents have ever felt this way about themselves because of…
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Like A Dog: From Child Abuse to Involuntary Hospitalization
When I push deeper, however, as to why I would have had this positive association with restraint and institutional abuse, I realize it’s because I was abused as a child. I’m reminded of my favorite Franz Kafka quotation from The Trial: “‘Like a dog!’ he said, it was as if the shame of it should…
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Singing with Stingrays: Reflecting on Disability Pride Month
As July draws to a close, I am reflecting on Disability Pride Month. Yesterday, I was drawn into a discussion about trauma-informed practices in education at a social gathering. As usual, I found myself passionately defending the rights of disabled students in the United States and despaired over the lack of resources to support them…
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My Journey from a Parent to a Family and Child Advocate
I am honored that Guy has asked me to share my story; his work is an inspiration. I am not a therapist or clinical worker, but I am a parent who shares the experience of raising kids with challenges who are misunderstood and struggle in our current systems. I am passionate about making my community…
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A Walk to the Park: A Story about Authority and Autonomy
I have since learned so much about supporting my now-diagnosed neurodivergent sons. I share this day to reflect on how far we have come and how far we still need to go and to remind myself that everyone is in different stages of their educational journey. I wish I could say that the practices responsible…
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A Parent’s Story: You Don’t Get What You Don’t Fight For
This is a systemic issue. I can’t count the number of parents I have heard of with similar stories or the number of homeschooling parents who have said that school was “not a good fit” for their child (or children). Had I not been a strong advocate for my son, he would have continued to…
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A Journey of Hope and Healing Through Neuroscience
I have been a fan of Dr. Lori Desautels on Social Media for some time. I even had a chance to interact with her as part of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint’s Book Study for her book, “Intentional Neuroplasticity: Moving Our Nervous Systems and Educational System Toward Post-Traumatic Growth.” I had also read her…