Thing number #347 your preteen or teenager with a diagnosis wants you to know: I want hope. I want to know that there’s hope for me. I know I’m not the same as many of my peers, and I’ve known it for a long time. But there’s a place for me in this world, isn’t there? I won’t always feel behind or like I’m trouble, will I? Is there a good plan for me? Your preteen or teen will probably never say those words, but as a teenager who struggled badly, I’ll tell you hope is what I d

Number 1: I'm not being lazy. I get BURNED OUT. I can be lazy like anyone else, but sometimes I just need time to reset my nervous system. Hoodie up, face in a game or book or show, doing nothing helps me relax. I know I can't do it forever and might need help setting limits. Feel free to make sure I don't bed rot. But I need time to be calm. All of this growing is actually exhausting, too. I promise to go on a walk with you later. Tell me what time. Not in five minutes, plea

He kinda looked like this child, but with darker hair and older. But something in the posture is the same. I’ve loved autistic children since I was 7 years old. I was around 7 when I was playing with a little boy at a Girl Scouts family outing. He didn’t speak and moved in a way that other kids didn’t, but his eyes sparkled and he loved to play. And he wanted to play with me. That wasn't something that happened every day. I could be a bit weird and whiny at times. I can stil

Some kids need help making and managing friendships. What comes so naturally to others, may not come naturally to them!

Meltdowns. If you know, you know. Some people think a meltdown is a tantrum. They can look the same, and saying they are not can seem like a cop-out of just CONTROLLING YOURSELF BETTER, but they're not.

One thing I'm passionate about is that Jesus heals

I tried chicken nuggets in three countries.

If you’ve ever heard “You’re doing too much!” this is for you. Also for kids and grown ups who still feel like kids who: - Talk a little too loudly or too quietly - Gets SUPER excited about stuff because lots of stuff is super exciting! - Secretly wonder if people are getting tired of them and tries to tone it down BUT CAN’T - Invites everyone to their parties but don’t get invited often… (Was it something we said?) - LOVES LEARNING but finds sitting in a classroom for hours

Book mail! I have a new series of books coming out called David’s Diary about an elementary school kid who has a ton of heart and maybe an IEP. David’s the type to forget his backpack at home but go to war for a friend. He’s the kind of kid who forgot the history diorama was due (or existed) but can name 45 fun facts about black holes. That has to count for something. He and his best bud Nate (who hates ichy tags, foods touching, and small talk) learn together about friendshi