I was only diagnosed on 2020 over 8 years after my first child was diagnosed (three Autistic children altogether) and whilst I have been predominantly using a Nurturing parenting style, it never fully translated to myself, therefore I was frequently in a state of shutdown and burnout and unable to tend to my own needs. Impossible really when I wasn’t aware there were any, let alone understand them to be able to advocate for them to be met. I made the mistake of believing I knew everything about autism, until I was diagnosed myself. I now understand and fully support that there simply are NO experts. Not one single expert on Autistic experience or other neurodivergence, because no one person can simply know and understand every single person on the planet. Our experiences are individual and unique and absolutely beautiful and learning about neurodivergence is one of the most inspiring, fulfilling things I have ever done in my life. I want to learn more, every single day. Because not only does it help me understand myself and my family, it has also helped me to become a much better person, less afraid, less misunderstood about difference and absolutely more accepting. It is a powerful thing, knowledge. And knowledge is absolutely the power we need to be able to thrive in a world with outdated beliefs of our “disordered selves”.  We can use our knowledge in the most inspiring of ways, to create change, to reframe thinking and understanding and to nurture people to make that step from thinking we need to be modified, to KNOWING that we are 100% exactly as we were meant to be. And becoming that stepping stone, building that bridge and facilitating the movement from “US” to “THEM” is exciting.

We do NOT need to be modified, we do not need to change. What we need is a more inclusive, understanding and accepting society that we are appreciated in as an equal contributor.