Laura Laugier Special Needs Mom

I come from a culture where parenting used to include corporal punishment or the fear of… if we didn't do what our parents said.

Unlearning all of that so that I can build independence in my neurodivergent child has been hard, but it is rewarding.

Thank you, Karen Khedy, for sharing this. You articulated something I couldn't so elegantly.

Pushing kids through fear doesn’t teach resilience, it teaches survival. 💡What truly builds independence is trust, safety, and co-regulation. 🚨When neurodivergent children are consistently forced to ‘push through’ sensory overload, social anxiety, or executive functioning challenges without the support they need, they don’t become stronger they become dysregulated, anxious, and disconnected. ✔️Accommodations aren’t barriers to independence; they are the bridge to it. When we validate their needs and reduce the demands to match their capacity, we’re not coddling them we’re setting the stage for authentic confidence, emotional safety, and sustainable growth. Fear is not a teacher. Safety is.

Thank you NeuroWild for your beautiful graphics. Always!

My brain is low.

I really appreciate everyone who is helping make space for the new way.

Em

I really like the list of things to consider especially when in public.

Thank you for this.

Disciplining an autistic child isn’t about “being stricter” or “more consistent.” It’s about understanding what’s actually going on beneath the surface. Because when your child is nonverbal, highly dysregulated, or prone to meltdowns… No script, no timeout, and no consequence in the world will reach them. And being told to “stay calm” while they’re hitting, screaming, or running away? It just makes you feel like you’re doing everything wrong. But you’re not. You’re navigating behaviors that come from sensory overload, limited communication, and nervous system overwhelm. You’re not just parenting—you’re crisis-managing, regulating, and protecting 24/7. This post isn’t about picture-perfect gentle parenting. It’s about realistic tools that help you guide your child without shame, punishment, or fear. 📌 Save this for the hard days. 📌 Share with someone who’s tired of hearing advice that doesn’t work. 👇 And tell us in the comments—what’s your biggest challenge when it comes to discipline? #AutismParenting #AutisticChild #AutismMom #AutismDad #NonverbalAutism #DisciplineAndAutism #AutismStrategies #AutismSupport #ParentingNeurodivergent #MeltdownsAreNotTantrums #NeurodivergentParenting #AutismAwareness #SensoryOverload #AutismMeltdown #SpecialNeedsParenting #RealAutismTalk #GentleParentingAdapted #ParentingBurnout #DisabilityParenting #RespectfulParenting #AutisticChildren #RegulateBeforeYouEducate

Another gem from the moms of my support group!

The one where I first heard about the term neurodiversity.

And have been learning and unlearning how to support my son.

Worth checking their podcast.

✨ Being an ally means more than just support — it’s about action. An ally is someone who 👂 listens, 📚 learns (and unlearns harmful myths), 🗣️ advocates, and ❤️ celebrates differences without trying to “fix” anyone. Neurodivergent brains 💡 bring incredible creativity, resilience, and unique perspectives. When we shift from judgment to understanding, we create a 🌍 world where everyone can thrive. ➡️ Swipe through this carousel to learn how you can be a true ally — from challenging stereotypes to celebrating strengths. 💭 Question for you: What’s one myth about neurodivergence you’ve unlearned recently? #NeuroriversityMena.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #Neurodiversity #NeurodivergentVoices #Neuroaffirming #ADHDCommunity #AutismAcceptance #PDAProfile #TwiceExceptional #gifted #InclusionMatters #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #NeurodiversityUAE #NeurodiversityMENA #MentalHealthUAE #AutismUAE #InclusionMENA #ADHDUAE #DubaiPodcast #MiddleEastVoices #MentalHealthMENA #GCCVoices #NeurodiversityPodcast #PodcastMENA #UAEPodcast #VoicesThatMatter #PodcastersOfInstagram #PodcastLife #BreakingTheStigma #RepresentationMatters #SocialChange

I once visited my Aunty Jenny, who was a caregiver in Orange County, California, USA.

I was in my early 20s and never knew there was such an industry—jobs that are rigorous and require a strong body and mind to care for others.

At the time, I never would have dreamed that one day I too would become a caregiver, either.

To my son.

The numbers in the US are staggering! What about the countries where it's less documented?

Either way, if you have a loved one you care for or know anyone in care, this is just the tip of the iceberg and interesting to watch.

Did you watch this? #caregiving #caregivers #disability

For our Arabic-speaking community, I’m so proud to share Dr. Fida’s advocacy work!

Please share with any families of Rare Diseases who need to hear stories like hers. ❤️🔥🥰

أم روضة… عندما يصبح الألم رسالة أمل ليست مجرد قصة… بل شهادة على أن الحب قد يهزم العجز، وأن أمًا واحدة يمكنها أن تُنير عتمة مئات القلوب الخائفة. في لقاء خاص ومؤثر ضمن برنامج بلسم على إذاعة وتلفزيون نور دبي، استضفنا أم روضة، تلك السيدة التي لم تنكسر أمام تشخيص قاسٍ، بل وقفت… وقررت أن تُحوّل الصدمة إلى صحوة، والوجع إلى وعي. روضة، ابنتها، تم تشخيصها بمتلازمة أنجلمان، أحد الأمراض الجينية النادرة، والتي لا يعرف عنها الكثيرون. لكنها ليست وحدها… فبفضل والدتها، أصبح هناك صوت يعلو، وتجربة تُروى، ووعيٌ يُنشر بين الأمهات والعائلات. أم روضة لم تكتفِ بالصبر… بل تحولت إلى ناشطة في مجال دعم الأمهات وتوعية المجتمع حول الأمراض النادرة، تُشارك تجربتها بكل صدق ودفء، وتُخبرنا أن الأمل لا يولد من الراحة، بل من الألم العميق حين يُحتضن بالإرادة والإيمان. "من يحجز تذكرة في رحلة الأمل… يصل." 🔸 تابعوا قصة أم روضة في برنامج بلسم، وشاركوها لتصل إلى كل من يحتاج إلى هذا النور في دربه. بسام درويش https://youtu.be/cI0Sf9sO_Io?feature=shared

These ladies talk about society making our children less able.

Because they stimm or communicate differently from what “neuronormative” measures say they should be.

I love the concept of neurodiversity.

Making the world a better place for EVERYBODY, not just one neurotype.

🚫 Disability isn’t always about the body or brain. 🧱 Sometimes, it’s the stairs with no ramp. 🗣️ The classroom with no understanding. 💡 The world that wasn’t designed for everyone. In this episode, we unpack the social model of disability — and how it shifts the focus from “fixing” people to fixing systems. Because when the environment changes, so does access. Tune in. Learn. Unlearn #NeurodiversityMena. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #Neurodiversity #NeurodivergentVoices #Neuroaffirming #ADHDCommunity #AutismAcceptance #PDAProfile #TwiceExceptional #gifted #InclusionMatters #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #NeurodiversityUAE #NeurodiversityMENA #MentalHealthUAE #AutismUAE #InclusionMENA #ADHDUAE #DubaiPodcast #MiddleEastVoices #MentalHealthMENA #GCCVoices #NeurodiversityPodcast #PodcastMENA #UAEPodcast #VoicesThatMatter #PodcastersOfInstagram #PodcastLife #BreakingTheStigma #RepresentationMatters #SocialChange

I've been following Jessica for a while. Her insights have helped me parent my neurodivergent son.

Don't just be intrigued by the term neuro-inclusion or read the article written by Jessica Dark ND; think about how YOU are or are not being neuro-inclusive.

https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/insights-autistic-researcher

You might be surprised by how much more you could choose to do.

Thanks, Jessica, for this. I'm turning it over in my head and sharing it with my parent support community 😊