31/01/2026
To my neurodivergent families
I just want to speak to the recent and local tragedy that has been in the news.
Yesterday’s discovery of the double murder su***de is highly shocking. The knowledge that the two adolescent children were both autistic can make it even more shocking for us as neurodivergent parents.
While we don’t know the circumstances of what happened for that family, it’s part of our mental process to try to fill the gaps. We do this using our personal experiences in our families. We overlay our life with theirs.
This information and our process in trying to reconcile what we know and what we imagine can be very distressing. It can trigger our own fears. We can mentally play out our own worst case scenarios.
If you are having trouble processing this event, please be gentle with yourself. Give yourself time and space to move through shock. Try some journaling to externalise some of your thoughts and feelings. Reach out to friends. Spend time in nature. Move your body. All of these things will help the feelings move from in the body to being released.
Above all, remember that that family is not your family. Manage the self talk - don’t let the negativity run rampant in your head. Tell it to stop!
Your family is unique - with unique challenges and strengths and resources. The days are hard but you are doing it and supporting yourself.
Please reach out if you need further support. I will always do my best to be available.
Jo x
