Am I neurotypical? I'm not sure.

When I was growing up, the idea of being diagnosed with a mental health condition or a disability had a certain negative stigma associated with it. To be honest, my choice to become a pediatric speech pathologist and eventually get a doctorate in special education didn’t initially have to do with my own personal struggles. I was too deep in to denial to think of that. There were certain sensory needs I had…and when I found ways to meet them through what I now realize was stimming, I’d find myself wondering, “Is this weird???” When I found myself triggered, agitated, or overwhelmed by certain situations…I’d think, “Come on Karen…suck it up. This is what all the normal people are doing.” That’s why in episode 014 of the Are They 18 Yet?™ Podcast, I talk about my own sensory and neurological profile and why I don’t identify as neurotypical. Specifically, I share: How my sensory needs presented when I was a child and how I’ve found ways to meet my sensory needs as an adult with different hobbies. What kind of stimming I still engage in, and how those have behaviors evolved from childhood to the present time. My productive and not-so-productive self-soothing behaviors, including the ones I’m still working through. Sensory triggers I had as a child and how I gradually increased my sensory tolerance (including why I went through a phase where spandex was the only thing I would wear). Triggering situations that made me feel dysregulated and distracted, and how I perceived them as a child. How I internalized my own attending difficulties (and how they impacted my physical health). I could go on with a million bullet points here…but to sum it all up…this is my story. I hope hearing it helps you if you’re working through some of these things yourself or with your child. If you want a SIMPLE tool that will help you get through daily routines (like homework) with ease, WITHOUT bribery, arguments, or constant hand-holding, then checkout the Time Tracking Journal. The Time Tracking Journal walks you through a strategy you can do in just 10-15 minutes a day that will help kids get tasks done effectively and efficiently, and critical thinking skills and self-confidence at the same time. You can learn how to get instant access here: https://drkarenspeech.lpages.co/time-tracking-journal-37-1/ The De Facto Leaders podcast was formerly the “Are they 18 yet?®” podcast. As of November 2022, the name of the show has changed, and we’ve shifted from a focus on parenting to a focus on supporting clinicians and educators to design effective services for kids (but parents are still welcome to listen). Episodes published before November 24, 2022 will still contain some of our old branding.