Harmony in
Neurodiversity
THE BLOG
Welcome to Harmony in Neurodiversity, a blog dedicated to exploring the profound impact of music and positive parenting strategies on the lives of neurodivergent individuals. Join Samantha, a board-certified Neurologic Music Therapy fellow and a passionate Positive Discipline Parent Educator, as she shares her expertise in leveraging the power of music and effective parenting approaches to support and empower neurodiverse communities.
In her blog posts, Samantha delves into the intricate connections between music and the brain. She explores how specific musical elements and interventions can enhance cognitive functions, regulate emotions, improve communication, and promote social interaction among neurodivergent individuals. Through insightful articles and case studies, she demonstrates how rhythm, melody, and lyrics can serve as powerful tools for therapeutic interventions, fostering growth and self-expression.
Positive Discipline Parenting Strategies:
Drawing from her expertise as a Positive Discipline Parent Educator, Samantha sheds light on nurturing positive relationships between parents and neurodivergent children. Her blog offers practical advice, evidence-based strategies, and real-life anecdotes that empower parents and caregivers to cultivate respectful, encouraging, and effective parenting techniques. From setting clear boundaries to fostering a supportive environment, Samantha guides readers in navigating the challenges and joys of parenting neurodiverse children.
Exploring Intersectionality:
Samantha doesn't limit her discussions to singular approaches. Instead, she delves into the intersectionality of Neurologic Music Therapy and Positive Discipline Parenting, illustrating how these methodologies complement each other. Through her insightful content, she showcases how the harmonious integration of music-based interventions and positive parenting strategies can create holistic support systems for neurodivergent individuals, promoting their well-being and personal growth.
Community Engagement and Resources:
Additionally, Samantha fosters a vibrant online community where readers can engage, share experiences, and seek advice. She curates a wealth of resources, including recommended readings, workshops, and practical tools, empowering her audience to implement valuable insights into their lives effectively.
Curiosity Over Shame: What Neurodivergent Kids Really Need to Thrive
The key to helping our neurodivergent kids learn and thrive wasn’t more pressure, but more curiosity.
In Episode 104 of the Every Brain is Different podcast, we spoke with David Chalk, a successful entrepreneur who didn’t learn he was neurodivergent until age 42. David’s story is filled with insight, but one message stood out: shame shuts down learning, and curiosity brings it back to life.
David shared how he grew up struggling with reading due to dyslexia, ADHD, and a rare condition called prosopagnosia (difficulty recognizing faces). He lived much of his life in fight-or-flight mode, constantly overwhelmed, constantly trying to cope. He couldn’t read fluently.
He wants every parent to know: kids don’t shut down because they don’t care. They shut down because they’re scared, ashamed, or overwhelmed.
One thing we can do to help our children is protect their curiosity.
Protect their curiosity.
Curiosity is a natural instinct in young children. It drives them to explore, touch, taste, ask, and wonder. But shame, especially in school, can shut that instinct down. When kids hear “no,” “wrong,” or “why can’t you just get this?” over and over, they start to believe they’re broken. When they stop believing they can learn, they stop wanting to try.
David explained: “If you’re afraid, you’re not curious.”
That’s why we need to create environments at home and in school where our kids feel safe to try, safe to fail, and safe to ask questions. Not knowing something shouldn’t be shameful. Struggling shouldn’t mean you’re lazy or defiant. Learning differently doesn’t mean you’re less.
What does that look like?
Get curious instead of furious. When your child melts down over homework or refuses to read, don’t jump to discipline. Ask: What’s getting in the way? What might this behavior be telling me?
Celebrate questions. Even repeated ones. It means your child still believes they’re allowed to wonder.
Model curiosity. Say things like: “That’s a good question. Let’s figure it out together,” or “I wonder why that didn’t work. What should we try next?”
Avoid shame-based language. Instead of “Why can’t you do this?” try “Let’s look at what’s tricky and work through it together.”
Praise the process, not the product. Focus on effort, creativity, and perseverance rather than only the outcome.
David credited his mom for doing this, even when she didn’t have a diagnosis or a toolkit. She didn’t get mad when he couldn’t read. She never made him feel like he was the problem. She filled his world with art, cooking, laughter, and play, reminding him every day that he was more than his school struggles. She protected his curiosity. Because of that, he grew up to explore, innovate, and succeed on his own terms.
“Unconditional love kept me going. Curiosity brought me back to life.”
If your child is struggling, remember: shame won’t teach them to read, regulate, or connect. But curiosity can light the way.
Listen to episode 104 of the Every Brain is Different podcast to hear more strategies from David Chalk.
