Embracing Neurodiversity: Four Insights from a Blended Family Managing Invisible Disabilities

Finding Strength in Shared Challenges

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My family is a bit different.

Our oddities aren’t just because we are a non-traditional, blended family. These differences are also in our minds — how we perceive the world around us.

Each of us has invisible disabilities that impact our day-to-day lives. For some, this impact is greater than others. Our disabilities depend on the limitations of the environment we find ourselves in and the triggers impacting us that day.

Our experiences include ADHD, PTSD and CPTSD, autism, anxiety, and depression. Although some of us share diagnoses, we each have unique experiences related to our invisible disabilities.

Despite the challenges we face, we are determined to work together, support one another, and live as a family together.

Here’s how we do it!

Communicate

Everyone says communication is important, and it is, but what is more important is healthy communication.

We do our best to communicate our needs effectively and appropriately but remind ourselves that we are human at the end of the day.