In this episode, Sarah Kernion, a dedicated advocate for neurodiversity and mother of two non-speaking autistic children, shares how she embraces her children's unique ways of interacting with the world. She discusses her 'inchstones versus milestones' mentality, which celebrates the potential of neurodiverse individuals. Sarah offers personal anecdotes, emphasizes the importance of sitting with grief and adversity to move past it, and expresses her hopes that her advocacy will lead to greater understanding and inclusion for neurodivergent individuals in the workplace and beyond.

Episode Highlights:

01:52 Understanding Suffering and Acceptance

04:29 Parenting Neurodivergent Children

07:36 Challenges and Realities of Special Needs Parenting

12:07 Harnessing Neurodivergent Strengths

14:55 Adapting Parenting Styles

17:41 The Gift of Diversity

27:31 The Importance of Resilience and Vulnerability

28:52 Understanding Brain Plasticity and Empathy

30:13 Embracing Discomfort and Growth

31:15 Personal Journey Through Postpartum Psychosis

33:14 Living in the Present and Preparing for the Future

Sarah Kernion is a keynote speaker, neurodiversity educator, and advocate for the autism community. As a mother of two non-speaking autistic children, she is driven by her personal experiences to empower companies to understand and appreciate the complexities and strengths of neurodivergent employees. Sarah encourages adopting an inchstones vs milestones mentality in life’s development. Her journey through diagnoses, IEPs, and medical evaluations has taught her resilience. Beyond parenting, she leads workshops in workplaces and healthcare settings to foster inclusive environments. Sarah is committed to breaking down barriers and promoting acceptance and possibilities for every child with special needs.

You can connect with Sarah at: https://www.instagram.com/saturdaysstory/

Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.