In this heartfelt episode, Liz sits down with longtime autism advocate, parent, and nurse Melissa Brooks to talk about Our Autism Journey, the second annual autism community event happening on Saturday, April 12th at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Eastern Washington.

This event isn’t just a walk or resource fair—it’s a community experience designed by and for autistic individuals, their families, and allies. Liz and Melissa share how the event grew from a dream into an inclusive, vibrant, and safe celebration for people of all ages and support levels. From low-sensory spaces to Nerf wars, toddler play zones to expert panels—this is a place for everyone.

You’ll hear Melissa’s personal journey parenting three autistic kids, including her high-support daughter Abby, and how that experience has shaped her dedication to inclusion and connection. Liz and Melissa also talk about planning the event with intention, joy, and just a little chaos—and how community can truly be the antidote to isolation.

Whether your kiddo can only handle 15 minutes or wants to stay all day, you belong here.

Event Info – Our Autism Journey 2025
🗓 Saturday, April 12
🕙 10 AM – 3 PM

📍 Benton County Fairgrounds
💸 FREE ENTRY (no registration required!)
☀️ All ages and all support needs welcome

Get Involved + Learn More

• Event Page: www.ourautismjourney.org

• Facebook Page: facebook.com/ourautismjourneyTC

Highlights from the Episode

• Why “Our Autism Journey” is more than a walk—it's a living, breathing experience

• Creating a space for high support needs, low sensory needs, and everything in between

• Dance parties, quiet zones, petting zoos, food trucks, Nerf wars, and beyond

• The role of joy, tacos, and radical inclusion in showing what community can be

• What happens when families, providers, and autistic people come together with heart

Key Takeaways

• Inclusion doesn’t require perfection—just thoughtfulness and effort

• Community is the solution to isolation

• There’s no wrong way to attend: show up as you are, for as long as works for you

• Every person—every need, every age, every vibe—has a place at this event

Volunteer Info
We always need volunteers, especially for setup and teardown. If you want to be part of something beautiful, fun, and community-driven, reach out through the event website or Facebook!

Ep 5 -Part 2

In this honest and relatable conversation, Liz and Maggie continue their discussion about parenting neurodivergent kids with ADHD and anxiety. From navigating the ups and downs of medication to advocating in school systems that aren’t built for kids who show up differently, this episode dives into what it really looks like to parent with curiosity, imperfection, and a whole lot of love.

You’ll hear about:

• The emotional side of starting (and stopping) ADHD medications

• How anxiety and masking often show up differently in girls

• What it means to medicate for the child, not for the system

• Why understanding your own neurodivergence matters as a parent

  
  

If you're raising or working with neurodivergent kids — or just curious what that looks like behind closed doors — this one’s for you. Real talk, no shame, and a reminder that you're not alone.

One Parent’s Journey with their child's ADHD

In this episode of Diverge & Disrupt, Liz Vossenkemper sits down with her best friend of 13 years, Maggie McCain, a board-certified family nurse practitioner from St. Louis, Missouri. Maggie shares her family’s journey navigating her son Ellis’s ADHD diagnosis — from early behavioral concerns to the long road of seeking answers, understanding interventions, and advocating for the right kind of support.

Together, Liz and Maggie reflect on the emotional rollercoaster many parents ride when trying to get help for their children: the stigma, the delays, the judgment, and the heartbreaking moments when your child begins to internalize messages that something is "wrong" with them.

They discuss the nuance in deciding on medication, the gaps in primary care, the reality of co-parenting through it all, and Maggie vulnerably shares the emotional toll of watching your child struggle in systems not built for neurodivergent kids.

Maggie shares honest insights about what worked, what didn’t, and the moment she finally felt at peace with the diagnosis — not because she gave in to it, but because she finally had gathered enough information and evidence to move forward with confidence.

Topics Covered:

• Early signs of ADHD in Ellis

• Behavior struggles in the traditional classroom settings

• The impact of teacher bias

• Barriers to diagnosis and support in healthcare and schools

• Co-parenting and divorced household perspectives

• ADHD medication: how to decide?

• The emotional toll of constant behavioral feedback

• Building a toolbox beyond just meds

• Helping kids rebuild their internal narrative

Commonly Referenced Terms (defined simply):

• ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): A neurodevelopmental condition that affects focus, impulse control, and activity levels.

• Executive Functioning: Mental skills that help with planning, organizing, remembering, and regulating behavior.

• 504 Plan: A school plan that provides accommodations for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to education.

• IEP (Individualized Education Program): A more in-depth legal plan for students with qualifying disabilities, providing specialized instruction and services.

• Impulsivity: Acting without thinking through consequences, often seen in kids with ADHD.

• Vanderbilt Forms: Standardized ADHD screening tools used by clinicians and educators to assess symptoms across different settings.

• Stimulant Medication: A class of medications commonly used to treat ADHD (e.g., methylphenidate or amphetamines) by increasing dopamine/norepinephrine in the brain.

Recommended Websites & Resources for Parents:

• CHADD.org (Children and Adults with ADHD) – Advocacy, education, and local support groups

• Understood.org – Resources for learning and thinking differences

• ADDitude Magazine – Parent-tested tips, medication guides, and lived experience stories

• AANE.org – Especially helpful if navigating both ADHD and autism traits