I am Elis, and my journey as a mother in Neurodiversity has revealed early on the complexity and beauty of my child's mind. My background and professional experience in England, with a Master's degree in mental health and emotional well-being, could never have prepared me for this extraordinary journey that is Neurodiversity in motherhood. My knowledge and expertise helped me identify signs of Neurodivergence very early in my child's life, but I had to fight for an accurate diagnosis.

Like every mother of a neurodiverse child, I have gone through an emotional rollercoaster, experiencing a range of emotions before the formal diagnosis and having to study extensively about various neurodevelopmental conditions to understand my child's unique needs better.

I had to allow myself time for a 'grieving' process regarding the expectations I had for him, and this process involved acknowledging and accepting the differences in my child, and it's something I'm sure we all go through. We all envisioned an ideal future for our child, even very early during pregnancy. I believe that this "grieving process" is not a sign of weakness but a necessary step in embracing our new reality of Neurodiversity in our motherhood. It's okay to feel sad, confused, or even angry, but it's important to remember that these feelings don't define us as mothers. It is just part of the journey of motherhood.

The initial diagnostic process for my child was challenging because he presented signs and symptoms of Giftedness, Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, and Speech Development Disorder (SDD). In England, when he was 3 years old, he underwent neurodevelopmental assessments and received reports from different professionals, none of which agreed on his diagnosis. We did not wait for a formal diagnosis to start interventions; we intervened at home and school in the areas of development where he had difficulties, and he always showed good progress. In 2023, we moved from England to Portugal. My son, who was already 8 years old, went through a highly complex adaptation process "where he had his first identity crisis," which led us to a new neurodevelopmental diagnostic process. Finally, at the age of 9, he was diagnosed with Twice-Exceptional (2E), being gifted and on the autism spectrum.

Today, with a precise diagnosis and a deep practical and theoretical understanding of how my child's brain works, I feel more prepared to offer him the school and the therapeutic team that supports him. Through this website, I would like to share experiences and knowledge focusing on mental and emotional well-being health in motherhood and showcase the work of professionals and organisations I respect and admire in human neurodevelopment. I want to build a community to support, educate, and unite mothers who are raising neurodiverse children, providing a space where we can share experiences, knowledge, and mutual support.

My Journey as a Mother in Neurodiversity