Listening Between the Lines

Nat and Shane share a joyful moment after Nat discovers a cherished drawing from the past.

Neurodiverse children often struggle to communicate their needs in direct ways. Rather than explicitly asking for something, they may wait for it to happen, or drop subtle cues through their interests and conversations.

These moments of chatter, often filled with talk about their favourite topics, can be their quiet way of reaching out. It’s almost like an unspoken plea for connection or support.

Over the past few days, Nat has been talking a lot about Minecraft. They asked their sister if they could join her and her friends in the game. After that, Minecraft became a regular feature in Nat’s conversations, sharing details about the world they were building and the new things they hoped to create.

I realised this wasn't just idle talk. It was Nat’s way of expressing a desire to connect and be included.

So, I asked Nat if they would like to play Minecraft with me. Their face lit up instantly. With a big smile and a nod, they eagerly began explaining all the amazing things they wanted to build.

That night, we played together, laughed, chatted, and just had fun being silly. It was more than just a game. It was a moment of bonding and understanding.

Please, take the time to truly listen to your neurodiverse children. Their interests aren’t just hobbies. They're often windows into their inner world. When they open up like this, it’s not only an attempt to communicate. It’s a sign that they feel safe, grounded, and free from anxiety.

Connection starts by listening between the lines.

And sometimes, it starts with a game.

Just a dad doing his best,

Shane 🎮💬💚

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