Several appointments later, our introduction to neurodiversity began. Intensive counselling led to a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder-Predominantly Inattentive (ADHD-PI), combined with clinical depression. My boy was presented with the option of trialing medication, which he decided to pursue. The first time he took it, his comment was “Wow - is this what it’s like to feel normal?” We were both relieved - he, because it was confirmation that he was not a ‘bad’ kid, and me, because I had spent years at parent/teacher interviews questioning whether it was possible he had a learning disorder. Their response? “No, it’s definitely a bad attitude and laziness.” My newly confident son went on to complete his education, including a sound engineering course. As a young adult, he was able to build a career based on his passion, music. Around this time, I had my own neurodiversity awakening. Now in my 40’s, I was plagued by medical symptoms and multiple surgeries. After a swathe of tests, scans, and appointments, it emerged that I had a connective tissue disorder. Symptoms included hypermobile joints, migraines, and chronic joint and muscle pain. However, I also began experiencing brain fog and extreme exhaustion that left me immobile on the couch for days. More investigations and … hello, fibromyalgia! Attending a medical appointment after a hectic day of teaching, the doctor observed me stumbling down the hallway with impaired balance. We hadn’t even reached his office when he declared “Hypermobility, migraines, and fibromyalgia. I think you have ADHD, and your daughter may, too.” This instant off-the-cuff diagnosis was not really met with surprise - we had frequently joked as a family that my son got his ADHD from me and his autistic traits from his dad. Both my girls, inheriting my up-beat, quirky sense of humour and impulsivity, have likely also inherited my neurodiversity! I pursued a diagnosis for ADHD, not because I felt my life was negatively impacted by my symptoms - I had spent a lifetime masking these and turning many of them into positive traits - but because there was emerging research that suggested ADHD medication may have a positive effect on the brain fog and chronic fatigue of fibromyalgia. These two symptoms were so life-altering that it had led to suicidal thoughts - anything that might help alleviate these two distressing symptoms was worth investigating. Meanwhile, our experience with the education system capitalised on my empathetic approach, placing ‘special’ little people in my class year after year. The observations made during my first five years of teaching also led to a Ph. D. study on student behaviour, aggressive misconduct, and an increase in school suspensions as a result of these behaviours. Discussions with other teachers saw a hypothesis emerge: could excessive use of screened devices, focusing on interactive media use, be contributing to these undesirable behaviours? The results of this study can be found at https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/66956/ (scientific paper published by the International Journal of Early Childhood Learning) and https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/75659/ (doctoral thesis). This long, convoluted journey from shy schoolgirl to passionate, neurodiverse mother and special education teacher revealed my true calling: working with individuals and small groups to embrace what has long been termed a ‘disability’ as their own unique gifts, talents, and traits. Some call it educating. Some call it coaching. I call it unfurling their wings.