Families are the backbone of our social service system. About 80% of people with developmental disabilities live with their families. Even if a family has significant resources, their child is at risk of being harmed by an ableist and racist society that only values people who can contribute to capitalism. Families are sold “cures” and “interventions” with the hope that their child will escape the stigma, fear, isolation, shame, and ostracizing that society visits upon families. Even “progressive” states allow schools to isolate and segregate children, and most states allow some form of physical restraints and “special resource rooms” reserved only for children with developmental disabilities.

Families endure a lifetime of social ills because we as a society still do not understand that disability is a natural human experience, and we do not value the non-capitalistic contributions of disabled people. The messages families receive from the moment they believe something is wrong with their child is that their only hope is for their child to be “fixed.”

Resources curated below are offered to support families on their journey to fully love, embrace, and support their child exactly as they exist today, while also offering resources to support their children in anti-ableist, anti-racist, and trauma informed ways.

For further understanding, read and connect:

Encountering Neurodiversity Perspectives of Neurodivergent Experiences: A Collaborative Exploration with Caregivers, Dissertation by Jessica Rismiller

Allies and Obstacles: Disability Activism and Parents of Children with Disabilities

I will die on this hill (is a must read book for anyone new to the sociopolitical landscape of parents of autistic children and autistic children)

Parenting at the Intersections Instagram and Parenting at the Intersections: Raising Neurodivergent Children of Color Book

Recovery to Normalcy: the Politics of Hope

Your Child’s Point of View

Beyond Behaviors and Brain Body Parenting

Explosive Child Book and Neurodiverse affirming trainings for any parent, teacher, social worker or caregiver

Low Demand Parenting (affirmatively supporting children in any setting) A shorter summary article lives here!

Alliance Against Restraint and Seclusion

Understanding the importance of HOW you change a child’s behavior

Questions you can ask your child’s therapist to help ensure the therapeutic experience is not ableist

Autism, Neurodiversity, and Autism Acceptance: Information that everyone should know slide deck with hyperlinks

In Washington State, connect with:

Neurodiverse Connections

Emma’s Exceptional Equipment Exchange

Sensory Toolhouse in Olympia Washington

Kindred Joy Coaching for Parents and Caregivers of Children with Complex Medical Needs

Nuestras Raíces