You’re Not Behind: Why Less is More in Autism Support
We don’t grow kids by fast-tracking them.
We grow them by meeting them where they are—and giving them the time, space, and nervous system safety to actually absorb what they’re learning.
When I first got my daughter’s diagnostic report, I read it like a desperate parent studying for an exam I never wanted to take.
I printed it. Highlighted it. Annotated the margins. And then another report arrived.
The SLP report.
Then the OT assessment.
Years later, the psych-ed report.
Each came with its own laundry list of recommendations.
Each one seemed to whisper (in dense, clinical language):
“You’re behind. You’re missing something. Hurry up.”
I remember lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling—body frozen, mind spiraling.
How am I supposed to do all of this and still parent my actual child?
Here’s what I wish someone had told me:
You’re allowed to slow down. In fact—your child needs you to.
Children with neurodevelopmental differences don’t thrive under 8 simultaneous interventions.
They thrive under connection.
Under safety.
Under the time and space to process what they’re already trying to integrate.
Yes, therapy can help. Yes, support matters.
But layering on speech therapy, OT, vision therapy, auditory processing work, neurofeedback, tutoring, social groups—on top of school or (heaven help us) 20+ hours of behavioral therapy?
That’s not a support plan.
That’s a fast track to burnout.
For them. For you. For your whole family system.
More Isn’t More. It’s Just… More.
More is the shrinking feeling in your chest when your child’s capacity is buried under a never-ending to-do list.
More is wondering why nothing seems to “work”—when there’s simply no time for your child’s brain and body to rest and absorb what they’re learning.
What I now tell the families I work with (and myself, often):
Choose one thing. One therapy, one focus.
Build in downtime like it’s oxygen.
Therapy should enhance life, not dominate it.
Rest is not a lack of progress. It’s part of the process.
The brain is plastic. It develops based on experiences—not on the number of appointments we manage to cram into a week.
When it’s constantly overwhelmed, it doesn’t become more flexible.
It becomes more rigid—because rigidity is how the nervous system protects itself.
It’s not going to be too late if you slow down.
But it is going to feel too hard if you don’t.
What matters most?
You.
Your mindful, attuned presence.
The way you adapt, co-regulate, connect, and advocate.
Your parenting isn’t an afterthought.
It’s the foundation that allows any other therapy or support to work.
We don’t grow kids by fast-tracking them.
We grow them by meeting them where they are—and giving them the time, space, and nervous system safety to actually absorb what they’re learning.
You are not behind.
You are living in a world that measures worth in checklists and productivity instead of connection and presence.
Let’s unlearn that together.
P.S. Overwhelm and anxiety often go hand in hand.
If anxiety is part of your daily parenting experience (for you or your child), I’ll be opening a live online parent course this fall based on the SPACE model — a supportive framework for helping your child navigate anxiety without over-accommodation or power struggles..
➡️ Join the waitlist here to be notified when it opens.