Dr. Mark Bowers

Dr. Mark Bowers • Licensed Pediatric Psychologist (Ph.D.
(5)

Licensed Psychologist I Neurodiversity Affirming
Owner
Support for parents of neurodivergent kids who are tired of guessing
https://linktr.ee/dr.markbowers Clinical Child Psychology) (26 years in the field)

• Owner/Clinical Director Brighton Center

• Worked in Hospitals, Community Mental Health, Schools, Residential Treatment, and Private Practice

• Author of Two Books and Published Papers

• Developer of Mobile App for Teens with Autism

• Specialist in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Married to a psychologist and we have 4 children

• I moonlight as a rock star

🛑 You can’t bribe a nervous system into regulation. 🛑Ever feel like the "proven" parenting advice just... doesn't work f...
01/09/2026

🛑 You can’t bribe a nervous system into regulation. 🛑

Ever feel like the "proven" parenting advice just... doesn't work for your house? ✋

The sticker charts end up in shreds, and time-outs only lead to bigger meltdowns. If you feel like you’re failing, I want you to hear this: You aren’t failing. You’re likely using a toolkit designed for a nervous system your child doesn't have.

When we shift from "Why won't they?" to "What is making this hard for them?", everything changes. We move from being at odds with our kids to being on the same team. 🤝

In the Neurodivergent Parenting Collective, we ditch the power struggles and focus on what actually works: Regulation and Connection.

Ready to stop the cycle and find a supportive community that truly gets it?

💬 Comment CONNECTION below and I’ll send you a DM with the link to join us!

01/09/2026

How Grief Looks Different in Neurodivergent and Autistic Kids

Grief doesn’t follow a script—especially for neurodivergent kids.

Some don’t cry.
Some cry constantly.
Some seem okay… until they aren’t.

That doesn’t mean they didn’t care.
It means their brain is processing loss in its own way.

For many autistic and ND children, grief shows up through behavior, bodies, questions, routines, or delayed emotional waves. Not everyone feels sadness first, and not everyone has words for it at all.

When adults expect grief to look a certain way, kids can feel confused or pressured to perform feelings instead of actually processing them.

Clear language, flexible timelines, and multiple ways to express grief help kids feel safer.
And safety is what allows grief to move through—at its own pace.

Different doesn’t mean absent.
It just means different.





Decision-making shouldn't feel like an impossible mountain to climb. 🏔️ If you find yourself stuck in a loop of pros and...
01/09/2026

Decision-making shouldn't feel like an impossible mountain to climb. 🏔️ If you find yourself stuck in a loop of pros and cons or frozen by too many options, know that you aren't alone. Which of these resonates most with you? Let's talk in the comments. 👇

01/08/2026

Why Parenting Advice Fails When You’re Overwhelmed (Especially With Neurodivergent Kids)

Ever notice how the right advice still feels useless when you’re drowning?

That’s because overwhelm isn’t an information problem.
It’s a nervous system problem.

When you’re parenting a neurodivergent child, moments are loud, urgent, and emotionally charged. The brain isn’t ready to plan or problem-solve. It’s just trying to get through the next minute.

So even well-meant tips can feel irritating or impossible to use.

Real support meets parents inside the hard moment, not after it’s over.
It offers fewer steps, clearer direction, and a place to land before asking for change.

Regulate first. Decide second.
That order matters more than the advice itself.





🕵️‍♂️ Become a Body Detective! 🕵️‍♂️Ever wonder why meltdowns happen so suddenly? Sometimes, the "clues" inside the body...
01/07/2026

🕵️‍♂️ Become a Body Detective! 🕵️‍♂️

Ever wonder why meltdowns happen so suddenly? Sometimes, the "clues" inside the body are being missed! Interoception helps kids connect physical feelings (like butterflies in the stomach) to emotions (like being nervous). Swipe to see 5 simple, playful games you can use daily to help your child master their internal "8th sense." 👣❤️

01/07/2026

Why Asking “What’s Your Favorite?” Can Stress Out Neurodivergent Kids

Ever notice how a simple question like “What’s your favorite?” can suddenly shut a child down?

For many autistic and neurodivergent kids, that word doesn’t sound playful.
It sounds permanent.

Favorites feel final. Binding. High-stakes.
Like an answer that can’t change without being wrong.

So instead of curiosity, their brain feels pressure.
And pressure turns small questions into big stress.

When we soften language, add flexibility, and leave room for change, kids stay regulated and engaged.
Curiosity works best when it feels safe, not decisive.

Sometimes the fix isn’t a new strategy.
It’s a gentler question.





Diversity isn’t just about our differences; it’s about the unique value every individual brings to the table. When we le...
01/07/2026

Diversity isn’t just about our differences; it’s about the unique value every individual brings to the table. When we lead with respect and acceptance, we create a world where everyone has the space to thrive. 🌟

01/06/2026

Why Parenting Neurodivergent Kids Feels So Much Harder (And It’s Not Your Fault)

If parenting feels heavier, lonelier, and more exhausting than you expected, there’s a reason.

Most neurodivergent parenting struggles aren’t about effort.
They’re about using tools that were never designed for your child’s brain.

When strategies rely on pressure, quick compliance, or “just be consistent,” they fall apart under stress.
And parents are left wondering what they’re doing wrong.

Add isolation, judgment, and limited support, and it’s no wonder so many families feel burned out.

This isn’t a personal failure.
It’s a system that expects parents to adapt without guidance.

Support that fits the brain changes everything.
And no one should have to figure this out alone.





Raise your hand if you’ve needed to hear this lately! 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️Parenting doesn't come with a manual, and the "right" way ...
01/06/2026

Raise your hand if you’ve needed to hear this lately! 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️

Parenting doesn't come with a manual, and the "right" way often feels like a moving target. Just remember that your effort and your care are what matter most. Take a deep breath. You’ve got this. ✨

What is one "win" you had as a parent this week, no matter how small? Let’s celebrate them in the comments! 👇

01/05/2026

The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything When Parenting Neurodivergent Kids

What if your child isn’t “being difficult”…
What if their nervous system is overwhelmed?

For parents of autistic and neurodivergent kids, the story we tell ourselves in hard moments shapes everything that follows.

When we assume defiance, we reach for consequences.
When we assume distress, we reach for support.

Behavior is often a signal, not a strategy.
Skills don’t disappear out of spite.
And connection isn’t something you earn after compliance. It’s what makes growth possible in the first place.

Shifting the lens doesn’t mean lowering expectations.
It means responding in a way the brain can actually use.

Change the mindset.
The relationship shifts.
And progress finally feels possible.





Autistic burnout is more than just feeling "tired." It is a state of physical and mental exhaustion, often caused by the...
01/05/2026

Autistic burnout is more than just feeling "tired." It is a state of physical and mental exhaustion, often caused by the long-term stress of "masking" and navigating a world not designed for neurodivergent needs. 🧠✨

Burnout can manifest as:

Skill Regression: Finding it harder to do things that used to be easy.

Sensory Overload: A much lower tolerance for noise, light, or demands.

Brain Fog: Feeling disconnected or struggling to process information.

If you’re experiencing this, know that you aren’t "failing"—your system is simply overloaded. Recovery starts with rest, self-compassion, and reducing demands where possible.

01/04/2026

Why Most Parenting Advice Doesn’t Work for Neurodivergent Kids

If parenting advice keeps telling you to “stay firm” and your child keeps melting down, this isn’t a willpower problem.

It’s a brain-fit problem.

Most parenting books are written for kids with calm nervous systems, flexible transitions, and stress responses that shut off quickly.
Many autistic and neurodivergent kids don’t have that wiring.

When stress hits, learning goes offline.
Charts don’t regulate. Consequences don’t calm.
Pressure usually makes things louder, not better.

Real progress starts when parenting supports the nervous system first:
less push, more predictability
less urgency, more time
less behavior control, more regulation

Different brains need different strategies.
When support fits the brain, change finally sticks.





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2250 Genoa Business Park Drive Suite 100
Brighton, MI
48114

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