The One Thing Your Neurodivergent Kid Needs More Than Anything

You’ve probably heard it before. Your neurodivergent child sighing:

"I’m just not good at anything."

Oof. That one hurts.

I know I’ve been there. It breaks my heart when my kids say this to me, especially in a school setting. 

If you’re raising a neurodivergent child, you know how easy it is for them to feel like they don’t measure up—especially in a world that still expects all kids to learn, behave, and succeed in the same cookie-cutter way. And while we can tell them a million times how smart, capable, and creative they are, sometimes, they need more than words.

They need proof.

Confidence Comes from Seeing What’s Possible

In episode 79 of Every Brain Is Different podcast episode, Laurena and I talked to Jamie Waller, a dyslexic entrepreneur who went from being told he’d “never amount to anything” to becoming a multimillionaire, philanthropist, and business owner. And what stood out the most?

He didn’t overcome his dyslexia. He embraced it.

But that only happened because he found people—mentors, fellow dyslexics, and other outside-the-box thinkers—who showed him that success wasn’t about squeezing into a mold. It was about playing to his strengths.

And that’s what our kids need, too.

Finding the Right Role Models for Your Child

Your neurodivergent kid doesn’t need to be inspired by someone “famous.” They need someone relatable. Someone who thinks like them, struggles like them, and still thrives.

That person might be:
✔️ A family member who has ADHD and runs their own business
✔️ A classmate who has learned to self-advocate for their learning needs
✔️ A teacher or mentor who understands neurodivergence and encourages different ways of thinking
✔️ A character in a book or show who reflects their experience in an empowering way

The goal? Help them see that they are not broken. They just think differently—just like so many brilliant, successful, and creative people before them.

You Can’t Confidence Your Kid Into Confidence

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation with Jamie was this: Simply telling a child that “dyslexia/ADHD/autism is a superpower” isn’t enough. It might even feel dismissive.

Because yes, neurodivergent minds have unique strengths—but that doesn’t erase the struggles. Instead of just hyping them up, we need to:

💡 Acknowledge the hard stuff – “Yeah, reading is tough for you, and that’s okay. Your brain just processes words differently.”
💡 Play to their strengths – “You have an incredible memory for stories—let’s find ways to use that in learning.”
💡 Give them real examples – “Did you know some of the most creative people in the world have brains like yours? Let’s find out how they made it work for them.”

Help Your Child Find Their People

If your child is feeling discouraged, uninspired, or like they just don’t fit, don’t panic. Instead, ask yourself:

👉 Who in their life can model what’s possible?
👉 What books, shows, or communities can help them feel seen?
👉 How can I support their confidence without dismissing their challenges?

We don’t need to convince our kids that they’re amazing. We just need to help them see it for themselves.

Have a success story about your neurodivergent child finding confidence? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear about it!

Check out our entire conversation with Jamie Waller on episode 79 of the Every Brain is Different Podcast.