Dr. Olivia Kessel explores the essential yet often overlooked topic of caregiver self-care with behavior analyst Eleanor Magri, revealing how nurturing ourselves is not selfish but necessary for effectively supporting our neurodivergent children.

• Neurodiversity family specialist Eleanor Magri introduces the concept of holistic support that includes caring for the caregiver
• Parents often feel guilty prioritizing their needs, viewing self-care as selfish rather than necessary
• Simple sensory self-care strategies like spending time in a darkened room or using calming sounds can regulate the nervous system
• Building sustainable self-care habits by "stacking" them with existing routines (like adding a breathing exercise before brushing teeth)
• A case study demonstrating how parental self-regulation led to improved communication and fewer crises with a neurodivergent adult daughter
• The importance of creating awareness about burnout symptoms and recognizing when intervention is needed
• Understanding that between two hard paths, consistent self-care offers better long-term outcomes
• A free "Caregiver Balance Sheet" resource to help visualize time invested in children versus oneself

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