I am a (neurotypical) working mum, navigating the world of neurodiversity, learning and fighting to get the best support for my family and battling every service along the way, it would seem. I have a neurospicy husband, and 2 children. Chilli 1 with a number of needs (one being raving ADHD, according to GP- not the official term) and chilli 2, we are watching, learning and listening to our gut.
When we first started this journey, I did not know where to look or who to ask for help. Without having any prior experience with neurodiversity or having any other children the same age to compare to, I spent my nights googling traits and many times ended up crying myself to sleep, thinking I should have known and got help earlier. I should say I have learnt to stop blaming myself and feeling guilty for things I cannot control but that would be a lie.
While I have always had the support of wider family, at the beginning they would tell me she’s not bouncing off the walls, of course she doesn’t have ADHD. This would leave me confused, but I now realize they just didn’t know enough about neurodiversity.
What I am trying to say is, trust your gut. Try and get a professional opinion, if you’re not sure. Teachers ‘can’ be helpful because children spend so much time at school, however I know that is not always the case- let’s save masking for another day!!
The whole ordeal with school refer, no GP’s refer is another rant we will save. But this time it wasn’t that bad for us, I took a list of my concerns to the GP and he referred her straight away. Hallelujah!
We are a few years down the line now, and don’t get me wrong, I still I want to pull my hair out most days, think WTF is today going to bring and am on countdown till bedtime, hahaha as if that is a smooth ending to the day, *til they’re asleep; and you cross your fingers they’re staying asleep.
I have learnt a lot in this time and it has really helped my relationships with my spicy ones, I have learnt triggers, things that make them feel uncomfortable, without having wait til meltdown and many other things that I would have liked to know may years ago.
from our Spicy family to yours xx