It’s August. Let the Back-to-School Panic Begin.

It’s August, which means the back-to-school panic has officially begun. As an ADHD mom raising ADHD kids, transitions can be a lot. The transition into a whole new school year? A LOT a lot.

For us, it’s not just buying school supplies or waiting for teacher assignments. It’s restarting medications, preparing for IEP or 504 meetings, and getting back into routines.

These are the questions already running through my mind this week: Do I email now to request a beginning-of-the-year meeting with the new teacher and IEP team? Or is it too early? What should I share? What should I not share? Am I being "that mom"?

As a former special education teacher I have seen this advocacy play out from both sides. However I also know, as well meaning as many schools are, most have limited understanding of neurodivergent support needs.

At the same time, with increasing demands at school and decreasing resources, so many teachers are just trying to stay afloat. At the start of each year I say a special prayer for all teachers who are in it, and work so hard every day. They are the true angels.

My family is lucky. We live in what is considered a “good school district,” and our particular school has some amazing supports and even more amazing teachers. But even in the best circumstances, I still find myself needing to advocate.

Take, for instance, an incident involving my daughter, who has ADHD as well as sensory and social differences. She was struggling behaviorally, and during a meeting I explained that her behavior was connected to her support needs. The principal responded rather blithely with, “Well, we can’t do that. It’s not part of her exceptionality.”

I was shocked.

Another time, a well-meaning teacher (who I personally, actually, truly love) described my overwhelmed third grader hiding under her desk as “not expected behavior from an eight year old.” Ouch.

Each time I felt a pull in my heart. Neither comment was ill-intentioned, but both reflected a lack of neurodivergent understanding.

I once heard someone say that the school years are often the hardest years for neurodivergent people. Sometimes, our job as parents in the school-age stage is simply helping our children get through it.

And that? That breaks my heart.

But until schools and systems change, we have to keep working within what currently exists. So that's why NeuroInclusive Consulting is here. And the best part? When we advocate for our own kids, we help push for better understanding and support for ALL kids.

This August, I’m hoping for a school year where more teachers, programs, and organizations feel equipped to support neurodivergent learners, and where more parents and families feel supported along the way.

Interested in more support, training, or partnerships - email me for a look at how NeuroInclusive Consulting can help you.