Finding Neurodivergence

Xandi completed her first Neuro-phycological evaluation and the results were mind blowing. Suzy and Patti discuss the power that this reports gives you and what it can do for your emotional well being.

Sometimes the professionals can say the stupidest thing. They don't always know. Suzy vents about one her favorite podcasts having a guest that said the wrongness of wrongs.

We, I mean I talk with Michele about being an Occupational therapist. OT is important because it encompasses so much and Michelle tells us exactly what that is. Listen up and take notes.

Building resilience in our children is no easy thing yet they are the ones that need it the most. What to do. What to do.

Suzanne talks to Lexi about the struggles and blessings of having siblings that have higher needs than yours.  Lexi is definitely a person with few words. Despite the feeeling of Suzy having to pull teeth to get her to talk, Lexi had some good insight to share.

When you have 3 kids in the Neurodivergent world, you learn a few things. Sometimes it means you see things that your friends may not. But approaching your friends to tell them you think their child may be Neurodivergent is hard. Suzanne gives tips on approaching your friends. The closer you are the harder it is.

This is the second Half of Ralf’s side of the story.  We may like to talk but more importantly there is so much to say and learn from this story. 

Meds are amazing but the downside can be that it takes away your appetite. It takes away mine and I have a hard time finding things I want to eat besides chocolate. I can always eat chocolate. Suzy helps me figure things out.

We heard Margret’s side of the story about Jakob.  This is her husband’s side of the story, Ralf.   He shares the male perspective and shares wisdom of how men are dumb. His words, not mine.

Patti talks about the emotions she feels when dealing with IEPs. All the forms, assessments and punches to the gut. Advocating for your kids takes a toll on you and band width to make sure you are talking about the right one.

This is a conversation with an amazing Theater professional, that was told after theater school she was a teacher not a professional. She denied this until she found her first teaching job at Frostig - and she answered an ad from Craig’s List for that job!  @ thechristinaharris

Patti gives us a long overdue update on Jax’s Journey as well as an update on her breast.   I bet you know the outcome of the latter.

Marlowe and Xandi are our daughters but also friends.  They talk about dyslexia.  We wrote down questions and they answered them…mostly.   It isn’t edited really so you get the raw unfocused conversation. It was hard for me to hear the truth.   Disclaimer:  we asked them and they did agree to do it.   There was no forcing.

This is a Holiday Dump is from last year. We figured though it is outdated we should probably remind ourselves of last year so we can prep for this year.

Patti talks about her journey with Xandi from diagnosis to the struggle of today.  There were tears but there usually are. She wishes that the world, including Xandi, could see the greatness that Xandi is.

Getting old sucks and that is because your body does all these things and most of them are normal but all of them seem to have a “it could be cancer” vibe to it.   Check it out and listen to how everything, including your own body becomes about the kids.

After Suzy interviewed Chris, they talk about the thoughts that they had on the interview.  We get the real scoop on Suzy’s perspective on Chris.  It gets a little mushy too.

Suzy interviews Patti’s husband on their life and his perspective and struggles with it.  It is real and raw and definitely has another perspective.  “A man is only as good as the woman behind him is a bunch of crap”.  In reality, the family is only as good as everyone working on themselve

Suzanne talks about all the emotions that come with IEPS. There are more than you think and less rational than you have when you are in the actual meeting.

Patti and Suzy interview Mark Woodsmall from the Woodsmall Law Group.   He shares a little bit about his story and why he became a lawyer that fights for the Neurodivergent and what that fight entails.   Woodsmall is the sword.   It is a dragon lair of knowledge.  http://www.woodsmalllawgroup.com/

The breakdown. You are only strong has you can be. Everyone has a breaking to a certain point. Then you pull it together and keep going.

Another update on Jaxon’s Journey and very little progress once again.

Maureen is a successful artist and one of Suzy’s close friends.   She happens to also have ADHD.  She shares how ADHD became her super power by pushing her into her strengths of creativity.  Listen to her journey of a young girl to college girl to successful female powerhouse of raising kids, getting her masters and producing art. @_Maureen_Meyer_

Family is amazing when they are supportive and helpful but sometimes they are not. They mean well but don't always do well. The criticism from them seems like it hits harsher than most. Must be the love.

This is part 2 of A’ndrea’s interview.  We really get to how it is to be a brilliant mind that is given the job of teaching brilliant minds.  She is a gifted teacher and shares her knowledge and perspective on how the system is and should change.