#Parenting
Quick reminder: Neurodivergent children do not hit developmental milestones at the same time as their neurotypical peers. We’re on our own timeline. Give us a few years.
~ Jessica McCabe (on Twitter)
Sometimes we’ll be very early. Sometimes we’ll be quite late. Let us function on our own timeline 🙏🙏🙏
Let me give you examples:
An autistic child is a lot more likely to walk very early (7-9 months), read very early (say, before the age of 2)
…but not talk clearly until they are almost 2. Same child
They can keep stumbling when they walk until they’re almost 3, but run comfortably (on tiptoes). Some of them walk on tiptoes well into adulthood and trip up of they consciously try to walk heel-to-toe
An autistic child might grasp mathematical concepts faster than their peers, but not hit puberty until their late teens
A dyslexic child might not read independently until they are 10, but their ability to spot patterns, draw strong mental connections, tell stories and work through problems may already be on par with that of your typical twenty-year old
ADHD children may not quickly learn how to quietly fidget or channel their overabundance of attention, but they will excel at arts and subjects that lean on storytelling, or drawing connections
Let them be, and let them grow. Eventually, it all evens out
…if you don’t traumatise them in the process. Model, support, correct in love
❤️&💡