How can parents navigate the many and varied challenges of raising neurodivergent children with ADHD and autism?
In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD podcast, Claire is joined by Devin, adoptive father of two neurodivergent children, both of whom are diagnosed with ADHD and autism, and former Head of Technology in the finance industry. Devin also has late-diagnosed ADHD himself and is now a full-time parent carer for his children, as well as supporting other families who are struggling to navigate life as new SEN or Adoptive Parents.
Devin shares honestly and openly about his parenting journey, including some of the early signs of neurodiversity in his children, which were harder for him to spot as they can sometimes be mistaken for attachment or trauma-related behaviours in adopted children. He describes their diagnosis process, sharing some of the differences between the two and providing examples of how traits can manifest differently in girls and boys. Devin also shares his feelings of grief and relief around accepting his children’s differences.
With a diagnosis in place, Devin discusses the impact of medication and how it has helped both of his children in terms of their mood and behaviour. Many parents will relate to the challenges he describes in terms of daily routines and school refusal, particularly as an ADHD parent himself! Devin also shares some of the challenges he faced advocating for his children and their needs, to ensure they found the right educational environment. Following a challenging period of overwhelm and stress around school avoidance, Devin made the decision to take his son out of school. This led to many challenges navigating the EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) process for his son, but he was eventually successful in ensuring his son had the right educational setup to thrive. Devin also shares some incredible examples of how he has taken the time to deeply understand his children and what works for them.
Finally, Claire and Devin discuss some of the emotional challenges of parenting and the need to constantly adapt parenting strategies for their children as they grow. They both stress the importance of seeking community support, encouraging parents listening to share their experiences and ultimately feel less alone.
The episode is an honest, relatable conversation about how to navigate neurodiversity as a parent, showcasing the power of resilience, acceptance, and unconditional love.
Find out more about Devin and his work at: www.thesensibleapproach.com
