When Your Environment Is Doing More Work Than You Realize
I have learned something about myself over the years. If I put something somewhere because I will definitely remember it? That item has entered another dimension. Apparently, my memory operates largely on the principle of: If I cannot see it, it has ceased to exist. This is why things end up by the front door. […]
Why Transitions Can Take More Energy Than the Things on Either Side
There are times when I genuinely don’t mind doing the thing I’m supposed to do. That’s what makes this so annoying. I don’t mind taking a shower. I don’t mind going to the grocery store. I don’t mind sitting down to work. I don’t even necessarily mind leaving the house. And yet, there are days […]
Why Knowing the Next Step Matters More Than Knowing the Whole Plan
I love a good plan. Color-coded calendar? Absolutely. Detailed list? Obviously. A beautifully organized system explaining exactly how I’m going to accomplish everything over the next three weeks? Look at me. Thriving. Now ask me what I’m supposed to do first. Suddenly we’re experiencing technical difficulties. There is something incredibly satisfying about knowing the whole […]
The Hidden Curriculum of School: The Rules Neurodivergent Students Are Expected to Know But Are Rarely Taught
There are two sets of lessons every child learns at school. The first is obvious. Math. Reading. Science. History. Teachers plan lessons. Students complete assignments. Tests measure what they’ve learned. The second set of lessons is much harder to see. No one writes them on the board. They’re rarely included in an IEP. You won’t […]
Stop Chasing Perfect: What Neurodivergent Students Really Need
Every school year seems to come with the same unspoken expectation. Show up. Work hard. Get good grades. Stay organized. Don’t fall behind. And if something isn’t working? Try harder. As a mom of a neurodivergent child, I’ve learned that those expectations aren’t necessarily bad. They’re just incomplete. Because somewhere along the way, we’ve convinced […]
Getting Started is the Hardest Part: A Real Talk on Task Initiation
Task initiation is the ability to start a task — not just knowing it needs to be done but actually beginning it. It’s a key part of executive functioning and involves overcoming the inertia between “I should” and “I’m doing it.”
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