About
I regard having Autism and ADHD as a special gift, which gives me a deeper understanding of the Autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD experiences.
From a young age, I always felt like I was ‘different.’ I didn’t have the same reactions to things as other children my age, and I found their behaviors interesting but confusing. I remember studying and copying little girls in my class as early as grade one. I wanted to be like them.
Growing up, I managed to have friends but would switch often. I could never seem to find the right fit. It took great effort for me to have friendships because I needed to learn to act like the other children. I went through many experiences of being bullied and had to switch schools because of it in eighth grade. I passed my classes and could keep up academically. Still, I had many intense and traumatic experiences due to not understanding social cues, being impulsive, sensitive, and unable to defend myself. In high school, I attracted lots of good and bad attention, but I was lonely and found it hard to keep friends.
I lived independently, worked, and attended university in my twenties, achieving two degrees with a 4.0 grade point average. I tried different types of employment until I started working with neurodivergent children and their parents and discovered my passion and calling.
In my thirties, I brought my family into this world. I knew they wouldn’t be young forever and that I was building the foundation for our relationships for life, so I chose to parent them peacefully and respectfully. I also homeschooled them until they decided to attend school at ages ten and thirteen.
We’ve relocated to a new city approximately every two years throughout their lives, so I’ve had the opportunity to meet many people and refine my social skills. I’ve learned how to have many healthy, fulfilling friendships through trial and error. This has assisted my children by giving them a role model for healthy socializing; they have good interpersonal skills and have established healthy friendships.
My lifelong interest in spirituality led me to attend and help with numerous spiritual events, such as healing circles, ecstatic dances, drum circles, and healing retreats. I learned Reiki, Reflexology, Numerology, and Tarot. For many years, I gave intuitive readings to people privately, at parties, and at events. I enjoyed combining counseling skills with my intuitive abilities to help people more effectively.
When I was forty-one, my daughter and I were diagnosed with Autism. Soon after, my son was diagnosed with ADHD. Being a neurodivergent single mother raising two children on the spectrum has given me first-hand experience of the gifts and challenges of Autism and ADHD and guided me to the best strategies for living happier lives.
While observing my son’s ADHD traits, I noticed similar qualities in myself. I researched a new diagnosis describing people who have Autism and ADHD, and discovered that many Autistic individuals also have ADHD, with estimates ranging from 50 to 70% according to research (Hours et al., 2022,)1 though findings differ. This is referred to as ‘AuDHD.’
Having AuDHD and being a mother to a 15-year-old and a 12-year-old on the spectrum has taught me the most effective ways for neurodivergent individuals and their families to establish healthy relationships and experience more joyful lives.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Child and Family Studies and worked as a paraprofessional for the English Montreal School Board, supporting neurodivergent children and their families for over a decade. In 2007, I obtained a degree in Social Work (B.S.W.) and then worked in child welfare in the government sector with families experiencing crisis and trauma.
In 2021, I created Happy Soul Path to support and provide solutions for neurodivergent individuals and their families so they can experience better lives.
I am neurodivergent (Autistic & ADHD), have healed C-PTSD, and am a recovered codependent. I live with my two children and two Mexican rescue pets.
I’ve lived in twenty-four cities in three countries. My interests are psychology, spirituality, history, geography, nature, traveling, meeting new people, and exploring different cultures. I love doing anything in nature: hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, long walks, etc.
My educational background, personal history, and decades of working with people of all ages and abilities on the spectrum have made me knowledgeable and skilled at helping neurodivergent individuals and their families.
I focus on enhancing communication, assisting with necessary changes, increasing self-esteem and interpersonal skills, and helping people overcome their challenges so they can thrive. Nothing gives me greater joy than empowering other unique and sensitive individuals to live their best lives.
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