A Parent Who Truly Understands

About Susanna – A Parent Who Truly Understands

My name is Susanna, and I am the mother of four children, all diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or other neuropsychiatric conditions. My journey began over 25 years ago — long before NPF (neuropsychiatric disorders) was widely understood or supported.

I have fought for my children in school meetings, navigated healthcare systems, learned about low-arousal parenting, and discovered strategies that actually work in real family life. I have made mistakes, learned from them, and kept going.

In 2019, I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. At the same time, I was a single mother raising four children with autism and other neuropsychiatric conditions. I faced the challenges of hospitals, schools, and daily life without any support that truly fit my situation.

It wasn't just the days that were difficult — often, the evenings were the hardest. After putting my children to bed, I would sit alone, worried, feeling misunderstood, and unsure if I was doing the right thing. These moments of worry, loneliness, and uncertainty became the driving force behind my desire to help other parents.

I survived, learned strategies that genuinely work in everyday life, and built my company, It's Okay to Be Different, on these experiences. My mission is to give parents the help and support I wished I had — practical tools, clear strategies, and guidance from someone who has been there.

I understand the exhaustion, the fear, the isolation, and the small victories — and I am here to walk alongside you, share what works, and help you find calm and confidence in parenting your neurodivergent child.