A: Sigh. I’m so sorry you’ve been by way of this ordeal. Your main query is, “The place are the assets for parenting particular wants teenagers?” however I’m going to deal with what I feel is a bigger want right here: your psychological well being.
The phrase “trauma” has been so bandied about in our tradition that the that means can develop into a bit amorphous, however trauma can each be an acute expertise (a bodily assault or an environmental catastrophe, for instance), and it may be an extended collection of much less acute however long-standing points that threaten an individual’s well-being, security or sense of actuality. (An instance of this sort of trauma will be present in individuals who expertise systemic racism. Their each day lives have inherent risks, threats and insults which can be usually invisible to everybody else, resulting in extra trauma and upset.) Out of your letter, I imagine you may have skilled this sort of trauma.
Watching your baby wrestle and the heartache related to that, attempting to get assist and assist, and being informed that not solely is your baby “typical,” nevertheless it’s your fault they’re struggling? Effectively that’s fairly terrible as only one incident, however repeat that over years and you will have some critical emotional repercussions. You will have the fitting to be offended, unhappy and annoyed on the time you’ve misplaced, the pointless guilt and disgrace you incurred, and the failures of “consultants” who had been meant that can assist you, however solely added extra ache. You’ll be able to outline this as trauma, deep wounds or simply ache; regardless of the language, it deserves its personal time to heal.
Sure, you could find some superb teams of fogeys (Fb and Instagram are nice assets, simply use the fitting search phrases and hashtags), however remember that your ache may have one thing extra particular (remedy or therapeutic motion, for instance). Once you discover these dad or mum teams of neurodivergent youngsters, you will notice swirls of anger, rage, ache and grief, and all these emotions are applicable. However what you additionally may even see is that some dad and mom are caught of their emotional loops, and these will not be the dad and mom that you just wish to flip to for assist, recommendation or a listening ear. So be part of these dad or mum teams with a healthy dose of empathy and consciousness. Should you really feel extra drained than uplifted, that’s an indication that the group could merely not be wholesome for you.
As for assets outdoors of on-line or in-person teams, the groups you assemble will level you towards books, articles, coaches and podcasts that can proceed your schooling in addition to hold your spirits up. Much like Fb teams, I strongly suggest discovering podcasts that talk to you. You’ll assuredly discover some that you just like, however getting particular together with your Google searches will provide help to discover the fitting ones extra rapidly. “Dyslexia and ADHD and teenagers podcast” yields pages and pages of podcasts, and you can also make it as particular as you want (LGTBQ+, race, ethnicity, religion, nation, language). As you comb by way of the outcomes, hold an open thoughts and hold a pencil and paper useful (or your notes app in your telephone). When one thing strikes you as essential or related to your parenting life, write it down. You by no means understand how the mind filters right down to what’s wanted!
As you’ve already said, you’re drained and annoyed and, whereas this recommendation could really feel counterintuitive, please take your time in shifting ahead with assets on your youngsters and yourselves. The time you may have “wasted” will convey a way of urgency (who wouldn’t really feel this fashion?), however we don’t make good choices after we act with urgency. Purely emotional urgency will trigger us to neglect essential particulars, depart logic within the mud and act in methods that will not profit our youngsters in the long term. You will have waited this lengthy, so please take your time in ensuring the fitting assets are in place.
You didn’t ask for this degree of wrestle. I don’t imagine that “all the things occurs for a purpose,” and in the event you attain a spot of equilibrium, you your self might develop into an advocate, in addition to a supply of data and assist for fogeys who’re in the identical predicament as you as soon as had been. Begin the Fb group for fogeys that you just didn’t discover, assemble names and assets in a single place on-line, begin a Substack on what you realized, assist faculty directors and lecturers together with your info.
You might be underneath no obligation to do any of these issues, however I’ve discovered that when dad and mom have been by way of one thing this tough, they usually have a particular approach of connecting with others who’re dealing with related points. Preserve an open thoughts. For now, take your time, discover some podcasts, discover a good coach and hold the religion. People are adaptable; your loved ones could make it by way of this! Good luck.
