Mary Stanley

Neurodivergent Specialist | Autism & PTSD Advocate
Founder of Supportive Minds |Personalized natural support for neurodiverse families and veterans

[Mary Stanley @mary_stanley1]

Support the Dental Access for Every Ability petition for inclusive special-needs dental care. https://t.co/B411SrdYvh

[Mary Stanley @mary_stanley1]

This work is slow.
It requires you to regulate yourself when you want to scream.
But the result isn't just compliance.
It's a child who feels safe enough to learn.
Safe enough to trust you.
Follow for more on neuro-informed parenting.

[Mary Stanley @mary_stanley1]

Your child's 'misbehavior' is a hidden message.
When your autistic child bites, hits, or screams, standard parenting advice tells you to isolate them.
Time-outs.
Restraint.
Stern voices.
But what if I told you that approach is making things worse?

[Mary Stanley @mary_stanley1]

Warning: The "Messy Middle."
When you switch strategies, behaviors often spike.
The nervous system tests the new pattern.
"Am I really safe?"
It is exhausting.
It feels like failure.
It isn't.
It's the brain rewiring.

[Mary Stanley @mary_stanley1]

You aren't failing because the old methods didn't work.
You were just using the wrong map for your child's brain.
Shift the map.
Watch what changes.
If this resonated, like and comment below.
Let's change how we see these kids.

[Mary Stanley @mary_stanley1]

Is discipline harming your autistic child?
I see parents trying so hard.
You use time-outs. You use strict boundaries.
You do exactly what the books say.
But the behavior gets worse. The biting increases.
The meltdowns last longer.
Here is why.

[Mary Stanley @mary_stanley1]

Stop trying to "fix" the behavior.
Start listening to the signal.
Behavior is just information.
It’s telling you the nervous system is overwhelmed.
Address the overwhelm.
The behavior usually vanishes.