Parenting When You’re Neurodivergent — and Parenting Neurodivergent Children
Parenting is already an all-consuming experience — the emotional load, the sensory input, the constant mental to-do list. For neurodivergent parents (ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, or otherwise), that load can feel amplified. Add in raising a neurodivergent child, and you may find yourself balancing two very different nervous systems while trying to stay grounded in your own.
You are not failing — your brain is simply wired differently.
Understanding that difference is key. Neurodivergent parents often bring deep empathy, creativity, and out-of-the-box problem-solving into parenting. But they may also face challenges with emotional regulation, executive function, overstimulation, or sensory overload — especially when their child’s needs mirror their own.
What therapy can help with:
Learning co-regulation strategies that support both parent and child
Identifying burnout and creating sustainable routines
Managing executive function challenges (organization, time, transitions)
Healing from “cycle breaking” exhaustion when reparenting yourself
Reducing shame and guilt from societal pressures or masking behaviors
Sarah Fleming, Social Worker and Psychotherapist, offers a neuro-affirming approach that supports your individual nervous system, your parenting experience, and your capacity for self-compassion. Therapy can help you understand your triggers, find tools for grounding, and shift from surviving to thriving — for both you and your child.
Remember: you are the expert on your own experience. Sometimes, the most powerful parenting step is offering yourself the same compassion you give your child.
To book a session with Sarah, visit Women’s Health Physiotherapy Centre or call 905-430-2112.
