As a neurodivergent person with three children who have diagnoses ranging from Autism to ADHD, SPD, PDA, Apraxia, and Anxiety, I know firsthand that this journey can be as difficult as it is rewarding. While there may not be any handbook on how to parent a neurodivergent child, there are parents like myself who know the path and can guide you along the way. Whether your child was formally diagnosed or you just have your suspicions, I am here to help!
About Me
My name is Aja Lessard. I have my M.A. in Clinical Psychology, B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Human Services. Prior to becoming a stay at home mom, I provided therapeutic services to neurodiverse children, teens and adults along with their caregivers for nearly a decade. In that time I worked in schools, the community and at a clinic to help meet the needs of families. Now I homeschool my three neurodivergent children, advocate for more inclusive schools and help other families on their journeys.
I know that parenting a neurodivergent child quickly becomes a full time job. On top of the actual parenting pieces there are countless school meetings and specialist appointments, in addition to the never-ending phone calls, emails and forms. Going through this process three times I have found ways to make the process less stressful and enjoy sharing those tips with other families.
My goal is to help you get the support and resources you need to help your child thrive.
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Individual Parent Coaching services are also available.
What is Parent Coaching
Parent coaching is a way of getting support from someone who has walked in your shoes. Topics can range from:
- Practical help: filling out paperwork, finding a specialist in your area, understanding state and federal programs
- Parent training: behavioral issues, therapeutic techniques and communication
- Brainstorming: collaborating on difficult problems for your child or family
- Visual supports: making visual supports for you or teaching you how to create them yourself
- School guidance: tips for navigating the public school system with a neurodivergent child
- Homeschool consulting: ideas for curricula, teaching methods and accommodations that best suit your learner
- Emotional support: talking about the difficult days with someone who has been there
- Long-term planning: developing a roadmap for your family
What to Expect
Email-Only Support Model
One of the biggest barriers for parents of neurodivergent children is getting support in a way that doesn’t add more stress to their lives. I provide an email-only support model to best meet the needs of families with chaotic schedules, limited respite time, odd work hours, social anxiety, and those who learn best through reading/writing.
Payment opens up a month long email correspondence regarding any issues your family is encountering. I typically respond to emails within 48 hours with a narrative, links to resources, digital materials, along with any solutions-focused action steps that would be helpful for your situation.
All services are tailored to the individual family’s needs, resources and timeframe. Some clients will email daily for a few weeks while teaching their child how to use a new AAC device and then part ways. Other clients email a few times and then work on their action list and resume emails a year later when they have gotten some things into motion. Still others prefer a weekly emotional check in to vent about their hardships that week.
For families that need more structured in-person meetings, zoom calls or hands on training, I am happy to provide referrals to more traditional providers.
Pricing
- Unlimited email correspondence for the entire calendar month: $100 (1st – 31st)
- Unlimited email correspondence for half of the month: $50 (1st – 15th or 15th – 31st)
There is a sliding scale available and no family will be turned away due to their financial situation. Please email me directly for more information on our sliding scale fees: Info@ParentingtheNeurodiverse.com
Examples
Short term client: a family writes to me about an issue with their 6 year old child fearing the dentist
I reply with a narrative of why many neurodivergent children experience this fear, an overview of how sensory issues impact neurodivergent children, a list of sensory friendly dentists in your area, a social story on dentist visits and an action list like the one below:
1. Validate the sensory issues your child has at the dentist
2. Think of accommodations that would make the dentist a smoother experience
3. Ask your current dentist if they would be able to use a sensory friendly approach with your child (or find a new dentist)
4. Regularly review the dentist social story
5. Let your child practice “being the dentist” with a stuffed animal
6. Practice gently touching your child’s teeth to “count them” to help desensitize the sensation
Long term client: a family writes to me wondering what their 14 year olds child’s life will be like as an adult. They relay fears about independence and finding their footing in the adult world
I reply with a narrative on the shared worries many families experience regarding the transition to adulthood and validate the need to plan years ahead for a smooth transition. We’ll converse on strengths and weaknesses that may impact adulthood, identify some potential paths to look into including links to day programs or supportive housing situations and an action list like the one below:
1. Talk to your child about their aspirations, goals and what lifestyle they are drawn to
2. Make a strengths and weaknesses list keeping in mind the previous conversations on adulthood and how independent they will likely be
3. Make a list of potential resources needed to accomplish goals (i.e. employment mentor, financial assistance, semi-independent housing program, learning to use public transportation)
4. Email me back your list and I will get working on finding local resources for each need