Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child: Everyday Tips for Parents

Whether your child has ADHD, a 504 plan, or simply learns differently, the traditional school system can sometimes fall short. At Mid Cape Montessori, we see neurodivergence as a strength, not a barrier.

Here are three everyday tips to help your child feel understood and supported at home:

• Offer choices. Giving your child agency over simple decisions builds confidence. This is a core Montessori value and easily replicated at home: let them choose their breakfast or reading nook.

• Create calm routines. Predictability can help reduce anxiety. A consistent bedtime, after-school snack, or weekly family walk can build structure without rigidity.

• Celebrate the “small” wins. For a child with executive function challenges, completing a simple task like getting ready for school without reminders is huge. Let them feel proud of their progress.

Our classrooms are intentionally designed for neurodivergent learners, but you don’t need a Montessori classroom to start using Montessori principles at home.

We also encourage you to notice and name your child’s strengths. Are they a creative problem-solver? A deep thinker? Highly empathetic? Naming these traits not only helps your child build self-esteem, but reminds you that their challenges are only part of their story.

Building a strengths-first mindset helps shift the focus from what’s “missing” to what’s possible.

Visit Mid Cape Montessori

The best way to understand Montessori is to see it. We welcome prospective families for tours and conversations about fit, tuition, and availability. Contact Cate Van Gelder at 774‑994‑8768 or email cate@midcapemontessori.org to schedule your visit!