The Stares we Face: Part 1 - Silent Admiration


“You’re amazing. I don’t know how you do it.”

If you’re a parent of a neurodiverse child, you’ve probably heard this before. It’s often said with the best of intentions—sometimes with admiration, sometimes with sympathy. But what it also does, unintentionally, is place a distance between us.

Because the truth is, we do what any parent does. We love, nurture, advocate, and make mistakes like everyone else. The difference is, our challenges are often invisible to those who haven’t lived them. They don’t see the sleepless nights after a meltdown, the constant advocating in schools, or the countless times we’ve explained why our child doesn’t fit neatly into societal expectations.

So instead of standing in awe from a distance, let’s start a conversation. If you admire a neurodiverse parent, ask how you can support them. If your child is neurotypical, teach them to be a friend, not just a bystander.

Admiration is nice. Allyship is better.

Have you ever found yourself unsure of how to support a parent of a neurodiverse child? What would help you bridge that gap?

#WorldAutismAwarenessDay #Neurodiversity #AutismAwareness #InclusiveParenting

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