A much-needed, empathetic guide for untangling the complex world of parenting a neurodivergent child

One diagnosis can change everything. That is what Nefertiti Austin discovered when she was told her daughter Cherish had ADHD and SPD. After much learning, on both their parts, Nefertiti and Cherish finally found the letters that worked for them, chief among them M-O-M.

In She’s Just Spirited: Parenting a Neurodivergent Child and the Diagnosis that Changes Everything, Nefertiti captures the failures and triumphs of raising a neurologically diverse child. Alongside relatable anecdotes from her own experiences, Nefertiti offers insight from experts and easy to digest strategies she wishes she had had from the start. She also shines a light on why many neurologically diverse children and teenagers are overlooked and undiagnosed—often due to hurtful stereotypes, gender bias, racism, and homophobia in the healthcare and education systems—and what parents can do to ensure their child is evaluated by the right people at the right time.

With tips for navigating the mental health and educational systems, deciphering psychological jargon, advocating for your child, and encouraging family and friends to get on board, She’s Just Spirited is an invaluable and relatable guide that empowers parents to fully love and support their neurologically diverse child in all aspects of life.

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This is a set of uncorrected page proofs. It is not a finished book and is not expected to look like one. Errors in spelling, page length, format and so forth will all be corrected by the time the book is published several months from now. Photos and diagrams, which may be included in the finished book, may not be included in this format. Uncorrected proofs are primarily useful so that you, the reader, might know months before actual publication what the author and publisher are offering. If you plan to quote the text in your review, you must check it with the publicist or against the final version. Thank you!