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- 17-31 Mar: Celebrating Neurodiversity Awareness Week (#9)
17-31 Mar: Celebrating Neurodiversity Awareness Week (#9)
Alex Siega
March 17, 2025 • Read time: 5 minutes
Happy Neurodiversity Celebration Week, everyone! Alexandra here. This week, we’re joining people around the globe to honor all the wild and wonderful ways brains work. 🧠
It’s currently estimated that 1 in 5 people is neurodivergent, which means that their (our 👋) minds process information a little bit differently. You’ll usually hear the term in relation to conditions like autism, ADHD or dyslexia, but the neurodiversity umbrella can encompass so much more – even mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
On the topic of mental health, we also some very exciting news to share – we’re launching the Burnout Support Program, a peer-to-peer initiative to help people navigate parental burnout at work and at home. Find out more here.
👩⚕️ Dear Dr. Mom: My friend has a kid with special needs. I know her parenting experience must be different from mine, but I still want to be there for her. How can I support her?
When your friend is raising a high-needs child, it can be hard to know what’s helpful or what’s overstepping. From practical support to just knowing how to listen, Claudia Carter gives us advice on how to show up and gain a little understanding.
Many parents of special needs kids isolate themselves because they don’t feel listened to. You need the courage to say to your friend, “I’m here. Tell me how I can support you.”
These five tips are easy ways to remind your friend that they have a village around them – even if their circumstances aren’t quite what they expected them to be. As a bonus, you’ll see that they’re pretty universal for anyone who’s navigating a tough situation.
If you have a special needs child, there are two support groups run by Claudia’s group, Ludica Workshops, happening soon:
Special Needs Children Support Group
Wed 19 Mar @ 19:30-21:00 — Online
Sat 5 Apr @ 10:00-12:30 — In-person (Amsterdam Jordaan)
Have a question you want to ask us? Submit it here. All questions will be anonymized and edited for clarity.
Yoga for you and your toddler at the Omnia Studio
🗓️ What’s happening around town
Looking for something fun to do with your little one? Here's a selection of upcoming activities and events for babies, toddlers, and their parents.
APP events coming soon 👀
Co-Work with Kids, with childcare by Hola Nanny
Tue 8 Apr @ 12:30-14:30 — Rivierenbuurt
Let our onsite nannies watch your kids while you actually get work done and network with other work-from-home parents 💻️
➡️ Signups open later this week. Want first dibs on registration or a different day or time? Fill out our interest form to be personally notified.
Center
Sat 22 Mar @ 11:00-15:00 — Jordaan
Free activities like face painting, art projects, live music, and snacks for children of all ages and abilities. Hosted by A Different Story to celebrate Neurodiversity Awareness Week.
West
Tue 18 Mar, Thu 20 Mar (Every Tue/Thu) @ 10:00-12:00 — De Baarsjes
If you’ve ever wanted to go to one of the free Dutch playgroups, but are intimidated by the language/cultural barrier: Oftentimes members of our community go to this spelinloop, so you’ll likely meet a friendly (English-speaking) face there 💕 For babies and toddlers up to 2.5 years old.
South
Sun 23 Mar @ 10:15-11:00 — Zuidas
A fun, interactive yoga class where parents and their toddlers (1.5-2.5 years old) can bond, stretch, and play together.
Online
Mommy Brain: Balancing it all
Tue 25 Mar @ 20:30-22:30 — Online
A hands-on workshop designed to equip you with practical strategies to regain clarity, boost focus, and optimize your mental well-being.
Want to share an event with our community? Email [email protected] to get in touch.
Until next time,
Alexandra from the Amsterdam Parent Project (APP)