Neurodiversity-Affirming Services
Specialized Support For ADHD, Autistic Individuals, & Other Neurodivergent Experiences
At Everyday Parenting, we provide specialized support for neurodivergent children and their families with a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based approach.
We recognize neurodivergent minds experience and interact with the world in unique ways. Our services help children embrace their authentic selves while developing practical strategies for navigating a world that isn't always designed for their neurotype. We partner with families to create environments where neurodivergent children can thrive.
Our Services
Neurodevelopmental Assessments
Our comprehensive assessments help identify a child's unique neurological profile, including strengths, challenges, learning styles, and sensory needs. These evaluations provide valuable insights that inform personalized support strategies for home, school, and other environments. We focus not just on diagnostic labels but on understanding the whole child and their individual experience.
Individual Therapy for Neurodivergent Children
We offer specialized therapy that honors the neurodivergent experience while addressing challenges that may cause distress. Our approach is tailored to each child's communication style, sensory profile, and interests. Therapy may address anxiety, emotional regulation, self-advocacy, identity development, and coping strategies for navigating neurotypical expectations.
Executive Functioning Support
Many neurodivergent individuals experience challenges with executive functions like organization, time management, planning, and task initiation. We offer targeted strategies to develop these skills in ways that work with, rather than against, the neurodivergent brain, helping children navigate academic and daily life demands more successfully.
Parent Coaching for Neurodivergent-Specific Challenges
We provide parents with education, strategies, and support for understanding and responding to their neurodivergent child's needs. Our coaching helps parents adapt their parenting approach to better align with their child's neurological differences, reducing family stress and facilitating more positive interactions.
Social Skills Development
We take a nuanced approach to social development that respects neurodivergent social styles rather than forcing neurotypical social norms. Our support focuses on authentic social connection, understanding social dynamics, developing self-advocacy skills, and navigating social situations in ways that honor the individual's natural social style.
Our Approach
Strengths-Based, Neurodiversity-Affirming Framework
We view neurodevelopmental differences as natural variations in human diversity rather than deficits to be fixed. Our approach emphasizes:
Identifying and building upon each child's unique strengths and interests
Understanding challenges in the context of neurological differences, not character flaws
Helping children develop positive neurodivergent identity and self-understanding
Advocating for accommodations that allow neurodivergent children to thrive
Sensory-Informed Environments & Techniques
Sensory differences are central to many neurodivergent experiences. Our work incorporates:
Sensory-friendly therapy spaces with adjustable lighting and minimal distractions
Understanding of how sensory needs impact behavior, learning, and emotional regulation
Practical strategies for creating sensory-supportive environments at home and school
Techniques to help children understand and communicate their sensory needs
Individualized Strategies Based on Each Child's Unique Profile
We recognize that neurodivergence presents differently in each child. Our recommendations are tailored to:
Your child's specific cognitive and sensory processing style
Their unique communication preferences and strengths
Individual areas of interest that can serve as motivation and learning vehicles
The family's values, resources, and goals
Collaboration with Parents, Schools, & Other Providers
We believe in coordinated support across all environments. Our collaborative approach includes:
Regular parent consultation and education
School consultations and advocacy when needed
Coordination with other healthcare providers and therapists
Development of consistent strategies across settings
Why Choose Everyday Parenting?
Specialized Training: Our specialists have advanced training in neurodevelopmental differences, including autism, ADHD, learning differences, and twice-exceptionality
Experience with Diverse Presentations: We understand that neurodivergence presents differently across genders, ages, and individuals
Focus on the Whole Child: We see beyond behaviors to understand the underlying neurological, sensory, and emotional factors at play
Partnership with Families: We value parents' expertise about their children and work collaboratively to develop strategies that fit your family
Lifespan Perspective: We consider developmental transitions and help prepare children for future stages while addressing current needs
Meet Our Specialists
Jeanette Sawyer Cohen | PhD, MPhil, MS, PMH-C, IMH-E®
Dr. Sawyer Cohen is a Columbia University-trained psychologist with extensive experience working with neurodivergent children and their parents for over 20 years. She is particularly experienced with highly sensitive, gifted, and twice-exceptional ("2e") profiles. Dr. Sawyer Cohen partners with parents to understand their child's unique profile and develop a plan that addresses both underlying issues and concerning behaviors. Her approach focuses on understanding each child's neurological differences while supporting their emotional development and family relationships.
Layne Raskin | PsyD, MA, PMH-C, IMH-E®
Dr. Raskin is a licensed clinical psychologist who uses a developmental, relational, and trauma-informed lens to support neurodivergent children and their families. With over 15 years of experience working in hospitals, agencies, and schools, she has helped many neurodivergent children develop improved emotional and behavioral regulation while honoring their unique neurological profiles. Dr. Raskin integrates body-based therapeutic interventions to create an approach that respects sensory differences and helps children develop self-understanding and self-advocacy skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everyday Parenting provides compassionate mental health care for families and individuals at every stage of life, specializing in maternal mental health, child development, family therapy, and individual care.
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Yes, we offer comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments that can result in formal diagnoses when appropriate. However, we also recognize that not all families are seeking a diagnosis, and some are primarily looking for understanding and support strategies. We tailor our approach to each family's goals, whether that includes formal diagnosis or simply better understanding your child's unique profile.
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Neurodevelopmental differences often co-occur with other challenges like anxiety, depression, or trauma responses, and these can sometimes look similar. Our comprehensive assessment process considers multiple factors, including developmental history, patterns across different environments, sensory profiles, and the quality of various challenges. We recognize that many neurodivergent individuals experience anxiety or trauma related to navigating a world that isn't designed for their neurotype, and our treatment approaches address these interconnected issues.
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Absolutely. We understand that neurodevelopmental differences present differently across individuals, particularly across genders, ages, and personality types. Many neurodivergent children—especially girls, highly verbal children, and those with strong masking abilities—don't fit stereotypical profiles despite experiencing significant internal challenges. Our specialists are experienced in recognizing less obvious presentations and providing appropriate support.
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We believe acceptance and support go hand in hand. We start by understanding behaviors as communication or as adaptive responses based on how your child's brain works. Rather than trying to eliminate behaviors that aren't harmful, we focus on understanding their function and developing more effective alternatives when needed. We work with families to distinguish between differences that should be accepted and celebrated versus challenges that cause distress and require support.
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With your permission, we can consult with schools to help implement effective accommodations and support strategies. This may include attending IEP or 504 meetings, providing written recommendations, or consulting directly with teachers. We focus on practical, feasible strategies that help schools better understand and support your child's neurological differences.
Contact Us
We are here to help! Fill out the form to schedule an initial consultation. Please note that we currently have a waitlist for many of our offerings.
New York City