Managing Expectations With Neurodivergent Children

We raise our children with certain expectations. We have hopes and dreams that we want them to achieve. We imagine their future career, spouse, and children.

But, most of the time, reality isn’t in line with the above, especially if your child is neurodivergent. They may not go to college and earn a Ph.D. They may not make you a grandparent. And all of this is OK.

Do you find yourself embarrassed when sharing information about your neurodivergent child? Are you insecure because they aren’t meeting the same goals as your friends’ children? If you answered yes, please know it’s OK to admit these feelings. However, what we do with these feelings is what matters. First, make peace with yourself and recognize that expectations are only beliefs.

At a certain point, we must make peace with who our children are and what they may accomplish in life, especially if they have an intellectual developmental........

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