If you are parenting a disabled or neurodivergent child and sometimes feel like the world was not built with your family in mind, this episode will land.

In this episode of Autism, ADHD and Us Three, Jenny sits down with Dana Garrett to talk about parenting, advocacy, communication, community, and the very real emotional load of caring for a child with additional needs.

Dana shares her experience as the mother of a mostly non-verbal daughter, and opens up about everything from diagnosis and communication differences to sibling dynamics, self-care, and the power of creating stories that help children feel seen.

Together, they explore how behaviour is often communication, why caregivers need support too, and how inclusive books and communities can make life feel less isolating for families navigating disability and neurodivergence.

Inside this episode:

• Communication beyond words, including AAC, sign language, gestures, and behaviour
• Why behaviour is often communication, not defiance
• The reality of parenting a non-verbal child
• Supporting siblings of neurodivergent and disabled children
• Why caregiver self-care is essential, not selfish
• The importance of community, shared understanding, and safe spaces
• How inclusive children’s books can build empathy, acceptance, and confidence

This is a warm, honest conversation about advocacy, resilience, and the need for families like ours to feel held, understood, and less alone.

🎧 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dana Garrett
01:40 Early Development and Diagnosis of Elena
05:26 Communication Beyond Words
09:42 Understanding Behavior as Communication
12:12 Advocacy and Navigating Social Situations
13:34 The Journey of Self-Publishing Children's Books
17:44 Supporting Siblings of Neurodivergent Children
20:46 Creating Inclusive Stories
24:03 The Importance of Community
27:29 Self-Care Strategies for Caregivers
33:21 Upcoming Retreats and Workshops for Caregivers

💛 Connect with Dana Garrett

Author website:
https://danagarrett.com

Rare Blooms Foundation:
https://rarebloomsfoundation.org

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/danagarrett/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/danagarrett/

💫 Resources Mentioned

Elena and Wyatt's Adventures on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Elena+and+Wyatt%27s+Adventures

Self-love journals for caregivers on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=self-love+journals+for+caregivers

Breathe: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VJX4V4X

Coherent Breathing Technique:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6362514/

💛 Work With Me & Next Steps

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https://welcome.audhdistically.me/start-here

Sign up for The Positivity Pause newsletter:
https://www.audhdistically.me

Connect with me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/audhdistically.me