I have begun the homeschooling journey because my child has a unique set of characteristics that make his way of moving through the world orthogonal to expected practices in traditional school settings. He is, as they say, "twice exceptional": his social skills and restrictive repetitive behavior place him in the bottom 2% of children his age, which is labeled “Autism”; his IQ places him in the top 2%, which is labeled “Gifted.”
So my parenting is shaped by information from the world of Giftedness, the world of Autism and the all-encompassing world of NeuroDiversity. That is why I'm dropping links here related to some aspect of NeuroDiversity.
Boulder Valley Gifted and Talented (BVGT) is a group of parents and educators who advocate for the academic and affective needs of gifted and talented individuals.
Imagine! provides support services to people with developmental and cognitive disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.
Since 1979, the Gifted Development Center (GDC) has served as a global leader in the assessment and development of gifted individuals of all ages. We support giftedness throughout the lifespan. Through our work, we have changed the lives of over 6,000 children and their families worldwide. We also build awareness and understanding of giftedness, through research, advocacy and development of national policy.
Our philosophy is child-centered: we put your child first. We focus on understanding your child’s inner world (overexcitabilities, emotions, perceptions, relationships, personality, etc.), rather than on his or her potential for success. We see giftedness as a pervasive way of being in the world, not as being "gifted in...."
We provide assessment, advocacy, counseling, books, articles, Advanced Development Journal, and a Speakers Bureau to educate the public about the needs of gifted children and adults.
Redefining the way we think about Autism, Asperger's, & other neurological differences...a somatic-oriented approach to neurodiversity
The Infinite U believes that every individual comes to earth with inherent gifts and natural abilities to help make the world a better place. For neurodivergent kids and teens, factors such as sensory overwhelm, social and communication differences, anxiety, difficulty with transitions and changes, social isolation, bullying, and more can leave them feeling disconnected from these gifts. The Infinite U supports kids and teens to with tools to soothe their nervous system and feel calm in their body (in the face of frequent discomfort and agitation), to choose self-worth enhancing thoughts (and focus less on self-doubt), to understand their emotions and how to respond effectively (so that they and their environment can feel good about their reactions AND still get their needs met), and to connect with peers in a safe and supported way where social mistakes are OK (and not catastrophes or sources of humiliation).