We are running some ND affirming workshops and support groups to support understanding and empowerment for neurodivergent families.
If you can not attend LIVE you can still register and receive the recording and you can send in any questions or topics you would like covered so we can bring you what would make a difference.
Feel free to share and spread the word to any families this could make a difference for. (note all times in PST)
Text on poster reads:
NeuroDivergents
their parents, family, care providers, teachers and/or community members,
THRIVE
This Season
Support Groups
Feb 17th 12pm | Mar 2nd 6pm | Mar 17th 12pm (1st thurs eve and 3rd fri lunch)
Workshops
Feb 18th 9:30am | Mar 4th 9:30am | Apr 22 9:30am | May 27th 9:30am
Q&As
Tools and Resources
Facilitation
To register visit:
https://thedivergencezone.com/offerings.html

NeuroDivergence Support Meeting

For parents, caregivers, educators, family and neurodivergents to come together and get related to the world of neurodivergence, what it is and what it isn't and get the support that they need. Ages 16+.
This group is about awareness, understanding and advocacy and is based in a non pathology model of acceptance and inclusivity.
There will be a loose based theme but mostly is a space for each person to share and get the supports that will make the difference for them. There will be a chance to socialize in a breakout room and make connections afterwards if you would like to join (which will not be facilitated).

Recommended Offering is $5/person
Pay it forward Offering is $10/person (pay for yourself plus a little for our scholarships)
Scholarship Offering is complimentary (and we ask you to contribute by sharing with a friend and/or giving a review)
​
Must register for date attending to receive links (once registered will receive an email to contribute an offering, any questions you have or would like to be brought up, or any specific needs and requests)

Feb. 2nd 6pm-7pm
online zoom meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckf-CprTMrHddzPInJ8ct2l6yFDJhjP_P3

Feb. 17th 12pm-1pm
online zoom meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEuduuqrzsiHtON1L7zFdgtQFxnuU4j-k47
​

Episode 3: What is possible when you meet a child where they are at?

In this episode Kat interviews Renee Poindexter.

Renee is the author of 'Living the Potential: Engaging the Wisdom of our Youth to Save the World'
and founder of 'Living the Potential Network'.  www.livingthepotential.com

Kat and Renee talk about the power of meeting children where they are at in a school and home setting.

Listen here: https://anchor.fm/thedivergencezone/episodes/What-is-possible-when-you-meet-a-child-where-they-are-at-e190spd​

Meet James

In the Life of: Kat interviews James.

​James is living the life Kat wants for every Neuro Divergent person out there.  He is confident and has no problem advocating for his needs.  Find out how James, his parents and his school navigated to support and gain that confidence.

Listen here: https://anchor.fm/thedivergencezone/episodes/Interview-with-Kat-e18poge​

Hello!

Do you have an autistic and/or neurodivergent child, or child in your care? Well then, this is the place for you!

Mark your calendars and register for our coming complimentary event for parents and caregivers of neurodivergent kiddos.

WHO: parents, care givers, or any adults that are responsible for the care and upbringing of a neurodivergent child.
WHAT: interactive workshop session for Raising an Empowered Neurodivergent.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 23rd, 10am to 1130am PST
WHERE: via zoom on your computer, phone or device. (Register here)
WHY: Unfortunately our Current World isn't designed generally with Neurodivergents in mind and can lead to exacerbated symptomology, heightened limitations, frustrations and mental health impacts. Our current model also generally looks at neurodivergence from a pathology model; something to be fixed or cured. Well that child in your life is Neurodivergent and that brain wiring is a BIG part of who they are. This workshop is to give you the mindset, tools and guidance to work WITH your child's wiring and be an advocate for EMPOWERED Neurodivergents.
HOW: We bring education, awareness, and understanding of your child's world so you can can be a partner with them, supporting them to learn their needs, articulate their needs (as works for them), and have their needs met and be a partner in creating environments for THRIVE for your child (their own personal THRIVE environments). You get to learn outside of the box ways to work WITH your child exactly how they are and support them in having the scaffolds for their goals and/or to support them in inventing outside of the ordinary.

The Details:
This session is designed for parents of Neurodivergent kiddos. It is designed to give you a solid foundation to be an empowered advocate for your child and family. It is also designed to meet you right where you are, so please bring YOU!

This workshop's objective is for you to leave connected to
-what neurodivergence is and isn't,
-a foundational platform to relate to your child's neurodivergence,
-new eyes to see from to have you be present to your environment and surrounding and
-how you can create thriving environments for your family that includes all needs being met,
-you will walk away with actionable tools you can implement immediately to bring heightened connection and thrive into your daily rhythm,
-AND you'll practice tools in communication to ongoingly develop and tend to your families needs and supports.

Lead by Kat (Service Provider trained across the modalities and parent coach) and Szara (neurodivergent herself and mumma of 5 neurodiverse kiddos, life coach and communication facilitator). This is perfect for right where you are and whether you are new to this neurodivergent world or been in for some time, you will find immense value for yourself and family. This is an adult only and a complimentary class.

The first episode of the Divergence Zone's podcast is released and here it is! In this episode of the Divergence Zone, you get the chance to get related to Kat.
What had Kat be a co-founder of the Divergence Zone?
What is she connected to that has her so darn committed and passionate about kids being seen, heard and empowered?
Find out in this episode of the Divergence Zone.

https://anchor.fm/thedivergencezone/episodes/Interview-with-Kat-e18poge

​What is the NeuroDiversity Movement?
Who, When, Why, Where, How?

Well before that,

We believe that with an understanding of what is happening comes authentic awareness and allyship.
So cue the learning and let's get up to date on Our Current Culture.


*DISCLAIMER* An OVERLY SIMPLISTIC view of Our Current Culture.
(It's a lot to fit into a to a few paragraphs!)

Our Current Culture; which includes yourself, ourselves and our Society as a whole; has its' collective views, goals, values and priorities. Those collective views, goals, values and priorities shape how Our Current Culture is designed. It is currently designed for the majority of the citizens with average and typical, 'to be expected' needs, with the same priorities, values, objectives and views. Outside of typical needs, Our Current Culture tends to pathologize any need gap/variances/difference (a gap in needs being met) with an expectation for the person with the unmet needs to fix, correct, cure, adapt and/or adjust so the need gap no longer exists or to minimize the burden of such needs on society. 
​
The thing that happens with this model is there are a lot of humans [kids, parents, community members, people] that have different views, objectives, values and priorities AND therefore atypical needs, leaving wide gaps in their personal, familial and community needs being met. Many people who deal with unmet needs simply have been born with variances from the typical person (remember Our Current Culture is built around the majority and average). Many atypical people do not inherently have a need gap. In fact they have the exact same category of needs to be met as every human does. Just to meet those needs in Our Current Culture BECOMES the problem and then forms said need gap. And, if you remember, Our Current Culture, also says if you have a need gap, you get to go fix that; adapt to it, adjust it. (Not much talk about what are the actual needs and access to having them met IN Our Current Culture)

So there is a person, with a need gap, and a society that doesn't want them to be a burden. Well, guess what happens? That person with a gap in having their needs met gets viewed as deficient; deficient because they can not get their needs  met. Again not an inherent deficiency, a perceived inherent deficiency. A loudly perceived deficiency across a very large group of people, and the predominant conversation and mindset of most citizens of our society. Daily, regularly, over their many years, those with need differences [atypical/divergent], are in a system where they are related to as deficient ongoingly on loud speaker across many mediums and in thousands of ways. This is where damage can happen to the intactness of the person with need differences not having the ability to have their needs met. A separation, an other, a different and no real access has a degradation happen.

And on top of this there is actual biological impact on any human when their needs are not met; an impact on their abilities, their function and the quality of life; physically, emotionally, mentally and/or fulfillment wise. When needs are not met our body is locked into a survival state with activated nervous systems, brain chemistry under or over stimulated, stress chemicals circulating the blood stream (which you can NOT always see from the outside in another human). 
​
Our Current Culture is not currently built and designed to make 'different' needs overly accessible, if at all. In fact, Our Current Culture is pretty loud with requesting people meet Our Current Cultures Needs and Standards and to adapt themselves accordingly. Those with different needs from the typical [atypical/divergent] tend to be out of luck for full/real inclusion and adaptations to have their full range of needs met and by virtue they lose access to live a FULL, RICH and MEANINGFUL life, empowered and intact as a human. 
​​
If that is not enough (and it does deserve the significance given the impact and span and desperate need for an interruption and something brand new!);  Our Current Culture's model, conversation and expectations are for all people to strive to have the same views meet the same goals, objectives, or again, at least not be a burden on others or the system. If you are lucky enough to be 'high functioning' (as Our Current Culture labels) you adopt an unhealthy mechanism; a drive; to adapt, to survive, to get by at a great cost to your physical, mental and emotional health and well being operating with exacerbated stressors bombarding your already overloaded system (Research suicide and addiction rates). If you have an even wider need variance (which Our Current Culture labels Low functioning) instead of an unhealthy drive you face a different lived experience of a life in therapies, procedures, and institutions; often dehumanized.
​
Biological impact to not having needs met, losing access to a full rich life, being related to as deficient, exacerbated stressors, and risk of dehumanization isn't at all just about Neuro variances, it is unfortunately across the board and a collective conversation regarding how Our Current Culture operates with NEED VARIANCES. 

Thank you for reading all of that AND investing in learning and understanding. You are now up to date.
That was a LOT at once. (might be time to move your body, stretch and sip some water to keep yourself hydrated!)

An article is coming soon on this HOT Topic. And until then;

• FIRSTLY be an ALLY for need differences being a common place conversation.
• Be curious of how other people experience the world and validate their experience as actual fact.
• YOU are NOT their professional and you do NOT KNOW better than them.
• Support Sensory Friendly Environments.
• Be Open for new and different ways for jobs to get accomplished.
• Support all people's strengths and allow environments that can be strength focused.
• Remember need gaps can look different for all and can also be fluctuating.
• Learn new communication skills to bridge various communication styles.
• Research about NeuroDivergence and Autistic Experiences.
• There are so many #ActuallyAutistic Voices you can like, follow and fill your news feeds.
• RED ALERT if you hear cure, fix, socialize, make typical (JUST NO!)
• PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be an ALLY to end Behaviorism as a therapy method for autism (please end it period! If you don't know why, RESEARCH from an autistic perspective)
• Be OPEN to NeuroDivergent Expression and APPLAUD (It reminds us we are welcome to come as we are, which is SUCH a relief!)
• Be a YES for accommodations and scaffolds that make a difference for people.
• Let people call themself what they want. Many prefer saying I am Autistic vs I have autism. It's empowering to own and claim all of yourself for all of who you are. DO NOT CORRECT OR SUGGEST OTHERWISE.
• Some people just know they struggle in Our Current Culture and have various need gaps and may not be diagnosed. Diagnosis can be expensive, exhausting, and too often missed. Just support them with their needs REGARDLESS of diagnosis status.
• Go and Research Autistic meltdowns and shutdowns so you can be an ally for your friends.
• YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A CHILD IS DEALING WITH. DO NOT APROACH A CHILD TO CORRECT OR ASSERT AUTHORITY. 

Next time links and more. Until then, GO Be the Ally you are committed to be.

Thanks for reading!
NeuroPride (aka Szara) from the Divergence Zone

​FOR YOUR DAILY DOSE of
Empowering NeuroDivergent Kids and Families
LIKE AND FOLLOW The Divergence Zone

[We may be just getting started and such good stuff is coming!]

facebook:https://www.facebook.com/TheDivergenceZone​
insta:https://www.instagram.com/the_divergence_zone/
youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNa6gxXYu2eQTPa0AmogMcg

This complimentary Event is Hosted by our very own Inspirational Futures (aka Kat)

FOR WHO: Parents (Service Providers, Educators, NeuroDivergent Adults are welcome too!)
WHAT: Self-Care PAUSE (An inquiry and discussion looking at filling our cups)
WHEN: 8pm PST  Tuesday Oct. 12th, 2021
WHERE: on zoom (register here:https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZUqdu...)
HOW: Complimentary no cost workshop. Join Live from phone or computer over the internet 
WHY: Because YOU are important and Pausing for self-care makes a HUGE difference to context and perspective. We have a wider access to our tools and commitments and we deserve to PAUSE.

From Kat:
This past year has been a tough one. I see so many parents struggling to keep their sanity, to keep their marriage together, to keep their homes and keep food on the table.

I know so many families going through a divorce because they did not have the resources to give their marriage, their families, themselves or their job the time and energy it needed because supports were taken out from under them.

Let's take some time to connect and have a discussion about what we can EMPOWER you moving forward in your situation to make this up coming year a thriving one, rather then just surviving another year kinda.

It all starts with first making sure you cup is full so you can support those around you.

You are not alone!

Facebook event page:
https://fb.me/e/40NLpzcin
OR
Direct register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZUqdu...

Each favorite thing is also a platform for everything!
Dive deep into favorites.
Surround yourself in favorites.
Learn about the world through favorites,
Learn about life through favorites.
Learn about yourself through favorites.
Connect with favorites.
Tend, Grow and Expand favorites.

Ways to play with Favorites
1. THINK about your child and write down THEIR favorite things. (and the point is to not know but INQUIRE in your thinking) THINK about yourself and write down YOUR favorite things.

2. MAKE a My Favorites Display making party and everyone in the family makes one and puts it on their door. Or MAKE a family collective display.

3. ASK your child about their favorite things. DO NOT BOMBARD with too many questions and WEAVE this into conversations.

4. NOTICE your child with their favorite things. Notice their bodies, their regulation.

5. JOIN in with favorite things.

6. HUNT for favorite things as you go through the day. Have your eyes and ears tuned to the same favorites as your child and you can contribute.

7. GIVE ROOM for LOTS of time with favorite things; talking about, playing with, diving into, reading, watching videos, building, making, drawing, writing.

8. FIND others that your child can share their favorites with.


What are some kinds of favorites
~favorite interests?
~favorite treasures?
~favorite comfort items?
~favorite topics?
~favorite places to visit?
~favorite foods?
~favorite ways to move?
~favorite things to play?
~favorite time of day?
~favorite songs?
~favorite clothing?
~favorite colors?
~favorite blankets?
~favorite people?

ALL of these can be access to connect, support, comfort, and have your child known, seen, included and loved.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER KINDS OF FAVORITES? Please add in and post in comments!

Thank you for reading,
​NeuroPride (aka Szara) from the Divergence Zone

[One of my favorite things is music and humming and randomly bursting out in my favorite song lyrics that seem to perfectly fit the mood which I find pretty entertaining and others have not always appreciated it as much as I. While writing this I couldn't help myself to be humming and singing Sound of Music A few of my Favorite Things, hence the attachment. https://youtu.be/33o32C0ogVM
enJoy!]

*What's behind that Favo(u)rite:
Well my preference is Favourite. I'm Canadian eh and my whole life writing was favourite. And favorite never looks quite right therefore. AND favorite also always gets underlined in red lettering which is startling. SO the way that hono(u)rs (bwhahah... another one of those buggers!) for any important word for me I do that once to acknowledge and then I move on.

3. Time to Pause for Connection
Pick your connection goal. Connection to yourself, connection to your environment, connection to your person, connection to your body, connection to your commitments, connection to now; you choose the connection.

4. BREATHE
A slow deep inhale, a releasing exhale, breathe into your body, through your body, a deep belly breath.

5. Pick your NOTICE
So many things you can notice, you say! Notice your breathing, in and out through your body, notice your body, your jaw, your shoulders, your muscles, notice the smell, the taste, the sounds, the textures on your skin, notice the room, the environment, the pulse, the people, your person, notice their eyes, their face, their greatness, their strengths, their commitments, their interests, their bodies, their state, allow yourself to be filled up to the brim with your love for your human.

6. BREATHE
Yes breathe again 'cause you can't get enough great present breaths, allow and release all that is right here.

7. Thank you
Thank you moment, thank you body, thank you mind, thank you senses, thank you breath, experience and acknowledge your thank yous.

8. Close with LOVE
Hug yourself, hold yourself, squeeze yourself. If appropriate and you have consent, hug or hold (or squeeze shoulder, arm or leg)

Repeat as often as can remember.

*REMINDER TO ENJOY!
This is a game to play to raise awareness, presence, connection and have you be in a practice of awareness and calm. Please be GREAT with yourself! It gets to look any way!

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO PLAY
-Call in a friend and play this game together
-How many pauses in a day? Track and count your PAUSEs.
-Play as a family and share what you are each noticing.
-After each Pause journal, write what your experience is or anything right there for you.
-Bring the Pause into meal times or transitions WITH your family and build them as part of your family rhythms.

Thank you for Playing with the Pause,
NeuroPride (aka Szara) from the Divergence Zone

YOUR TURN
On this #WhatsMyBodySaying Tuesday,
​
1. Pause and ask yourself what is your body saying?

2. Be present with your body. (Scan for tension or tightness, tiredness, heaviness, agitation, upset stomach, thirst, hunger, pain, restlessness, Scan the skin feel, hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling)

3. Do you notice anything? (you may not, it takes practice to build a rapport with our bodies as they are used to be pretty disregarded and not listened to. In fact we are given a lot of mixed messages usually about this growing up, making this a 'blurry' process in the beginning)

4. Is there any movement, reprieve, comfort your body is asking for? Any action to take right now to support your body in FEELING GREAT!

For your NeuroDivergent Kiddo
-Model this.
-Talk out loud and share with them what you notice with your body.
-Include them in this exercise with you and ask them to share what they notice for their body.
-Build games and practices to check in with our bodies throughout the day.
-Bring learning about the body and it's functions into your daily interactions.
​
Thank you for pausing to be with your body today,
NeuroPride (aka Szara) from the Divergence Zone
​
(for some seeing this in action, you can visit https://www.facebook.com/100815718785773/posts/206522974881713/?sfnsn=mo
where you will see me, a grown adult, up close and personal, utilizing the new tools I have, to work with the environment I am in, to support my body's needs; So I can be the mumma and human I love being)