The Neurodiversity Navigator

Hello everyone! Welcome to our brand new page! We are the Neurodiversity Navigators! Here is a little bit about us and what we can offer you The Neurodiversity Navigator is a consultant service consisting of two social services professionals who collectively have over 50 years of experience supporting children, youth and families. We offer people who live with the label of a disability, their families and caregivers support to effectively connect with supports and services t...o create a life full of belonging, mental well being and success. We walk alongside you in a person directed manner, providing supportive guidance to ensure that you and your loved one never gets left behind or slips between the cracks. Our supports are always culturally sensitive. We believe that everyone has the right to be included in all aspects of community life and know that for those who have a label of a disability it can be challenging to navigate these opportunities successfully. Everyone deserves full participation, friendships and successful family lives. We are here to help create the stepping stones for a life where you and your loved one truly belongs and thrives. We believe in the power of self- advocacy and community. We practice and promote supports that are free from oppressive strategies. We believe that personal success comes from people being able to have their own power and voice through learning how to make positive decisions and choices. Our supports are here to provide consultation, advice, support to help connect you with what you need to be successful which can include connecting you with various funding streams, community organizations, employment services and more. We work with children, youth, adults and families. We can help with planning and facilitation. This page is currently in the development stage. For more information please check out our website at www.theneurodiversitynavigator.com Also, Michelle provides counselling supports in person, on the phone and virtually through Parry Sound Counselling www.parrysoundcounselling.ca pop onto the website to book with her or another member of the Parry Sound Counselling Team.

We know how hard it can be to navigate the world of friendships and relationships. Being autistic means that sometimes it can be hard to understand when someone is upset with you. Even if you express your needs in a friendship and even if the other person says they will tell you when there’s an issue oftentimes that doesn’t happen, resulting in loss of friendships leaving an autistic person confused, hurt and feeling abandoned. We at the Neurodiversity Navigator totally get ...it! Remember, when this happens it is not a reflection of you! You cannot change how other people act/ react and you cannot change what happened- what you can change is how YOU view the situation. Remember, it’s not on you if this happens, keep remembering how amazing you are and remind yourself of the cool, awesome, kind-hearted soul you are! Radically accept that you can’t change what happened if someone chooses to ghost you or end a friendship, it doesn’t mean you have to like it, it just means you fully accept it without judgement and especially without judging yourself. You CAN live in the moment, enjoying the happiness that life has to offer! We are here to help you work through these things! Contact us today if you want to book time to talk Michelle works as a counsellor and personal life development coach with the Parry Sound Counselling Team. Visit Parry Sound Counselling at www.parrysoundcounselling.ca to book with her or another member of the team. Contact Parry Sound Counselling if you have any questions about the various counselling supports Michelle or other members of the team can provide.

A disability consulting business designed to help you navigate the world in an easy, stress free way. Support to help you access funding, supports/ services and advocate for you to ensure that your voice is heard. Counselling supports provided as well. Run by autistic professionals who have worked in the social services field for over 23 years, strong self- advocates who believe the best people to know about how to best support others is to have lived personal and professional experiences themselves.

Attending the symposium "Children's Mental Health" and they are talking about how children often play with themes about what is going on in their world and the world around them. Right now many children are playing and the theme is death for many- please know that this is normal because this is the world we live in right now with COVID and people are dying. It doesn't mean that there is something wrong with them, it means that this type of play is their way of working through their feelings associated with it. Give them space to do this, do not stop them and do not overwhelm them by trying to "talk about it" too much- the play side of the brain is different than the logic side so instead play together and help them through play.

www.theneurodiversitynavigator.com

Facebook cover photo is a black banner with the text "The Neurodiversity Navigator- Disability Consulting Service in Parry Sound and Muskoka" There is the logo in the top right hand corner of an image of a person with their brain, with rays coming out of their head with two overlapping N's underneath. Page and business created in March 2021.... Check us out at www.theneurodiversitynavigator.com