Mary Sheedy Kurcinka’s Raising Your Spirited Child remains a seminal guide for parents grappling with the challenges and rewards of raising children who are more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, and energetic.

The third edition of this influential book not only revisits these characteristics with updated research but also delves into how these traits intersect with neurodiversity and the concept of the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) as a diagnostic framework.

By integrating these elements, Kurcinka offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and nurturing spirited children.

Picture this: You pull into a crowded parking lot, and against all odds, you spot it—a prime parking spot, right up front, just waiting for you. You glide in with precision, step out of your car, and for a brief moment, you feel like the CEO of parking.

Congratulations, my friend, you’ve just made an “Everyday Boss Move.”

But what exactly are these everyday boss moves, and why do they make us feel so darn powerful?

Let’s dive into the psychology behind these small yet mighty victories, explore how mindfulness plays a role, and see how celebrating these moments can turn a regular day into a winning streak.

Imagine this: You’re in the middle of a Netflix binge, and suddenly, the dreaded uncertainty hits—have you misplaced the remote?

For most, this would spark a frantic search, but not for you.

With the calm precision of a seasoned detective, you reach under the couch cushion and voilà—there it is.

You’ve just exercised one of your "petty superpowers," and while it may seem trivial, the truth is, these small abilities are more significant than you might think.

In this post, we’re diving into the quirky world of petty superpowers, exploring how they’re linked to the power of attention and mindfulness.

Yes, even the ability to peel off a sticker without leaving residue can teach us something profound about mental awareness and discipline. So, let’s unpack the science behind these seemingly insignificant skills and why they matter more than you might imagine.

We all have them—those tiny quirks that make us fixate on the most minute details, transforming them into what psychologists might call "micro-obsessions."

Whether it's the way a friend slightly mispronounces a word or the compulsive need to rearrange your desk until everything is "just right," these micro-obsessions can seem trivial on the surface.

But what if I told you that these tiny fixations might be emblematic of something much larger? And, what if they could even be a clever way to gauge the attention span of those around us?

Let’s dive into the fascinating psychology behind micro-obsessions, why they form, and what Van Halen’s famous brown M&Ms demand has to do with all of this.

In today’s rapidly evolving work environment, the concepts of diversity and inclusion are more critical than ever.

As organizations strive to create spaces where all employees can thrive, Ludmila N. Praslova’s book, The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work, emerges as an interesting voice.

This book not only challenges us to rethink inclusion but also offers practical strategies to transform our workplaces into spaces of true belonging.

As a couples therapist specializing in neurodiverse families , I know how important it is to recognize and understand the signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) early on.

Whether you're a concerned parent, a supportive partner, or someone looking to expand your understanding, this guide provides an approachable overview of the signs of autism across different stages of life.

Early intervention is key to helping those on the spectrum reach their full potential.

As a marriage and family therapist dedicated to enhancing the well-being of American families, I find the recent findings from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences both enlightening and directly relevant to our work in couples and family therapy.

The study uncovers significant sex-related differences in the brain's subcortical gray matter—areas like the hippocampus, thalamus, and amygdala, which are pivotal for memory, emotion regulation, and sensory processing. Let's jump in!

Imagine trying to dance with someone when the music playing in your head doesn't match theirs.

This is a bit like what happens in social interactions involving neurodivergent individuals, especially those on the autism spectrum.

The latest research, published in Social Neuroscience, uncovers fascinating insights into how high-functioning autistic folks engage in social imitation tasks.

As the upcoming election gets closer, you might notice a new dynamic emerging in your family gatherings—Generational Political Gaps.

It’s a situation many of us can relate to: younger and older family members clashing over political beliefs, turning what should be a warm, connecting time into something more tense and uncomfortable.

This divide can be particularly tricky when you throw in the mix of neurodiverse family members, whose perspectives and experiences might differ even more.

Aging is a journey we all embark on, and while it's a shared experience, the way we navigate it can be different for everyone. For folks who are neurodiverse—those with conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, or dyslexia—the aging process can bring unique challenges, especially when it comes to cognitive health.

However, understanding these challenges and the research behind them can help us support healthy aging in the neurodiverse community.

In a recent case study published in the Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, we’re introduced to an unusual character: a man who experiences his orgasms in vivid, technicolor bursts and his chest pain as a bizarre sensation of pure whiteness.

This case offers a truly unique look into the weird and wonderful world of synesthesia—a neurological condition where the boundaries between the senses get so delightfully mixed up, you’d think your brain was hosting a sensory cocktail party.

For those unfamiliar, synesthesia is a rare and fascinating phenomenon where one sense accidentally crashes into another’s territory.

Imagine hearing a song and suddenly seeing colors or reading a book and tasting strawberries.

The concept of "love languages" has gained widespread popularity as a tool for understanding how folks express and receive love in relationships.

Originally developed by Dr. Gary Chapman, the idea centers on five primary love languages: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch.

While this framework has proven useful for many couples, it often overlooks the specific nuances of how neurodivergent partners—such as those with ADHD, autism, or other forms of neurodiversity—express and interpret love.