What if the behaviors we label as “difficult” are actually communication?

Stacy chats with with Beven Byrnes, Executive Director of Bridges Middle School, to unpack what’s really happening for neurodivergent students in today’s classrooms. From post-pandemic social struggles to the pressure on teachers and the rise in diagnoses like ADHD, autism, and learning differences, this conversation looks at the bigger picture—and what’s being missed.

They talk about masking, trauma, and why traditional school environments often fail neurodivergent kids, not because they can’t learn, but because the system isn’t built for how they learn best. You’ll also hear practical ways parents can advocate for their children, partner with schools, and shift from punishment to curiosity when behaviors show up.

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