Summer can be a welcome break from the academic rigors of the school year, but for many parents of neurodivergent children, it’s also a time when routines unravel, attention spans shift, and boredom sets in quickly. While some children might revel in the freedom of long summer days, others—especially those with ADHD, autism, or other neurodevelopmental differences—may struggle with the lack of structure and stimulation.

Summer reading programs can help motivate students of all ages to continue to read over the summer months, while also fostering a lifelong love of books. In Minnesota, where Monarch is based, many libraries and organizations offer enticing rewards—free books, entries in prize drawings, and more! Even though there are only two more months of summer, there is still time to participate in multiple options.

Summer is a time for sunshine, camps, splashy playdates, and making memories. But for some kids—especially those with ADHD or executive functioning differences—social situations can be more stressful than fun. If your child is struggling to connect with others during camp or playdates, you might be wondering: Is this normal? Or is it time to seek more help?

As the school year wraps up, many parents eagerly await their child’s report card, hoping it will offer a clear picture of how their child is doing. Especially for parents of neurodivergent children—those with ADHD, learning differences, autism, anxiety, or other developmental differences—a report card can miss critical areas of growth, struggle, and need. Academic performance is just one piece of the puzzle.

A psychoeducational evaluation is one term to describe an assessment that looks at different areas of your child’s functioning. It can also be called a psychological evaluation, a psychological assessment, and sometimes a neuropsychological evaluation or assessment.

For many families, summer break brings a welcome shift—less homework, no early morning school rush, and more time to relax and reconnect. But for children with neurodivergent needs, such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disorders, or executive functioning differences, the lack of structure that comes with summer can be confusing, overwhelming, and even dysregulating. Creating a neurodiverse-friendly summer routine can help provide predictability.

Summer tutoring and other academic interventions are vital tools in supporting students with learning disabilities, helping them maintain and even enhance their academic skills during the summer months. This can prevent skill loss over the summer and ease the transition back to school in the fall.

Raising emotionally healthy children is no small task, and in today's world, where anxiety, stress, and big emotions show up early and often, parents need every tool they can get. One of the best resources? Books—both for you and your child. Whether you're trying to understand your child's anxiety, help them navigate big feelings, or simply foster emotional resilience, the right book can make a world of difference. In this blog post, we’ll explore must-read books for parents

Mental health is just as important as physical health and this is especially true for students with learning disabilities. These children often face unique challenges in school that can affect their self-esteem, stress levels, and emotional well-being. As a parent, understanding these challenges and knowing how to support your child’s mental health can make a powerful difference in their life.

The truth is, your child’s mental health is just as vital as their physical health. It plays a key role in how they grow, learn, build relationships, and handle life’s inevitable ups and downs. As parents, understanding this connection is one of the most powerful ways we can support our kids—not just during Mental Health Awareness Month, which is this current month, but all year long.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to check in not just on our kids—but on ourselves, too. As parents, we play a key role in shaping our children’s emotional well-being. But when it comes to mental health, many of us are still unsure where to start.

There are some harmful and damaging myths out there related to autism and we want to help set the record straight. 

If you’ve ever noticed a child or adult repeatedly tapping their fingers or rocking, you may have witnessed stimming.

Masking refers to the act of concealing or suppressing one’s natural behaviors, traits, and emotions to fit into social norms.

In every family, siblings play an important role in shaping one another’s lives. This is even more important when siblings have autism.

We'll highlight insights from individuals with autism who have shared how having autism has directly helped them succeed in their fields.

While autism is often associated with challenges, it’s important to recognize the vast strengths that individuals with autism have.

April is Autism Acceptance Month. Throughout this month, our blogs will focus on shedding light on autism.

Raising a child with a developmental disability, brings a unique set of challenges, not just for parents, but also for siblings.

It's also important to remember that children with differences have incredible strengths, talents, and abilities.