The recovering Type A parent’s guide to happily raising teens who feel different.
What do we mean by kids who feel diffferent?
The source of common differences can include neurodiversity – such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other learning differences, mental health conditions/behaviors like anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar, schizophrenia, suicidality or self-harm – as well as other seen or unseen disability, or other ways you may feel you or your teen/adult child stand out from others.
Instead of breaking up perceived differences into our various “tribes” and advocacy groups – a platform for this, a platform for that – there is great power in all coming together to directly and inclusively address the myth of normal that perpetuates exclusion in all forms and limits us as parents, our children, and society.
Here’s the crux: If you know other parents who are raising kids who feel different, let them know that we’re here, starting this community so we can band together and fight the narrow interpretation of success that only glorifies one type of person. #bettertogether
Who are we?
We are Dr. Kelli Harding and Sara Blanchard - both recovering Type A parents of teenagers who feel different. But we only discovered that about each other when we connected again in a dark paneled room at the World Happiness Summit Policy Forum in 2024, and opted for honesty, sharing just how much we’d been grappling with redefining success in our lives and that of our families.
Want to know more?
Check out videos on both WHY we created the NeuroParent Alliance - and a great interview we had with education expert Jennifer Greve!
[The] NeuroParent Alliance group is exactly the kind of support network parents of neurodivergent teens and young adults need: a welcoming community, applicable tools, a wealth of resources, time for self-reflection, plus articulate written takeaways. As mothers themselves, Kelli and Sara use experience, science, and humor to remind us just how empowered we (and our children) really are!
—Sarah T.
Our principles…
We’re in it together
Slang, swears, and laughter included
No judging
just understanding
Kindness always
Have questions? Let’s connect!
Or, email us at
NeuroParentAlliance at gmail.com
at any time!