• What We Gave Up to Feel Safe: Grieving the Loss of Family Tradition

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    What We Gave Up to Feel Safe: Grieving the Loss of Family Traditions While Raising A Neurodivergent Child. To the right is an image of C, my autistic teen, walking over a wooden bridge in the woods. He is wearing a bright blue sweat outfit and is treading across the wooden planks very carefully.

    Every year, as the holiday season kicks off, I find myself grieving the loss of family and friends – not because they’ve passed away – but because our relationship did.

    It’s a particular kind of grief – the kind that doesn’t come with casseroles and sympathy cards.

    It’s the ache of relationships changed, not by death, but by the boundaries we had to draw to protect our child.

    And it’s especially loud this time of year.

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  • How to Talk About Sex With Your Neurodivergent Child

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    Puberty, hormones, and curiosity happen for every child... regardless of neurotype. To the right is a group of middle school aged children of different ethnicities and race, standing in front of lockers. It looks as if they are joking with one another between classes.

    Wondering how to talk to your autistic or neurodivergent child about sex, consent, and puberty – without making it weird? This honest guide shares real-life scripts, inclusive tools, and a replay of our expert-led conversation inside the Experiential Life App.

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  • Simple Tips That Will Help Your Neurodivergent Child Enjoy Family Events

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    On the left side, the Experiential Life logo—a round icon with coral, teal, and navy waves—appears above black text that reads: “CRACKING THE CODE TO FAMILY EVENTS. 16 years in – and yes, hosting parties can be enjoyable again. 5 simple tips to help your autistic child feel safe, seen, and prepared.” At the bottom is the website URL: www.Experiential-Life.com. On the right side of the image is a photo of A, my oldest son, in the middle is C, my autistic son, smiling with his arms outstretched, and on the right is O, my middle son. Behind them is a colorful birthday banner with streamers and balloons hanging from it.

    It’s hard to feel disconnected from family and friends – and know that big, loud, crowded events can be a sensory nightmare for our neurodivergent kids.

    It’s also hard to explain to family and friends why we parent the way we do – it is a low-demand and much softer approach to parenting.

    But meltdowns and tears – plus missing our family and friends – led us to this approach.

    If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

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  • From Sit-Ins to Spotlights: Protecting Disability Rights

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    On the left is an image of Judy Heumann - disability advocate - holding a sign that says, "No more negotiation - Sign 504." To the right is the caption, "They fought for our rights. Now it’s on us to protect them. What happens next could limit your neurodivergent child’s rights."

    No one left the theater without shedding a tear.

    That moment exists because in April, 47 years ago, disabled advocates occupied a federal building for 26 days. Their protest led to Section 504 – the first major disability civil rights law in the U.S.

    Because of their advocacy, my son has a place to belong. But this legacy is being tested again.

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  • How to Keep Your Neurodivergent Child Calm in the ER

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    C, Christy's neurodivergent son, sits in the ER with his orange iPad in his lap, a bright green wrap around the IV in his arm, and his eyes are bright red and almost swollen shut. The caption reads, "How to Keep Your Child Safe in the ER, and 3 Proven Strategies That Will Help."

    When the doctor came in with a grim look on her face, I felt all the relief turn into panic.

    It’s hard to remain calm in an emergency… But we need to, for our children’s sake.

    Next time you find yourself in the ER, remember these 3 proven strategies to help keep your neurodivergent child calm.

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  • How to Successfully Advocate for Your Neurodivergent Child

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    "C", Christy's autistic son, stands with his arms spread out wide, wearing a cowboy hat. He is in an empty waiting room. The caption reads, "How to Successfully Advocate for Your Neurodivergent Child."

    We believe the medical professionals when they tell us what is right for our child.

    But there is a huge gap between what we know about our kids and what they know about our kids.

    13 years later, and I still get calls weekly from people trying to figure it out. They want to honor their and their child’s limitations while not limiting their child’s potential.

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