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INTEGRATIVE + ONLINE PSYCHIATRY + HOLISTIC HEALTH

Category: Dyslexia

Collage of photos representing neurodiversity, recognition, interventions, artificial intelligence, and dilemma of labeling.

Embracing Neurodiversity: Navigating Differences and Challenges

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in ADD/ADHD, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dyslexia, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, neuroscience, Uncategorized.

Embracing Neurodiversity: Navigating Differences and Challenges

Jul 22, 2025

Personal reflections on neurodiversity

When I was growing up, I was three years younger than my brother Benton. As I recall, I was more successful, outgoing, social, and focused. In daily life, things seemed to go more smoothly for me, while Benton often faced harsher criticism from our father, especially in school when he struggled to keep up and pass to the next grade. He was always in some special education or tutoring program. Once, my father sent him to a military school where he might get more discipline and better support to meet his learning and organizational needs. It turned out that, aside from experiencing more bullying and having the cookies and gifts my mother sent stolen, the only benefit he gained from his year there was a gray military-style uniform and a more stoic demeanor, having survived the experience.

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Collage of pictures with the theme of looking deeper than the accepted medical treatment and diagnoses treatment as with ADHD, NVLD, ASD. Making the right choices for your health.

ADHD: a misdiagnosis, label, or a lost opportunity for the best treatment

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in ADD/ADHD, Addiction, Anxiety & Panic, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Bipolarity, Dyslexia, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, PTSD, Recovery, Trauma.

ADHD may be a developmental visual-spatial disorder (DVSD)

Apr 24, 2025

Parents conflict over the treatment of their son, diagnosed with ADHD

A close friend and colleague sent me an email asking if I could assist a psychotherapist with a troubled family that needed support from someone knowledgeable in both medication and non-medication approaches. When I spoke with the therapist, it reminded me of the significant polarization regarding the best approach, such as modern medical science versus holistic medicine, as well as the advocacy for more natural and lifestyle interventions. I realized that bridging this gap in a troubled family would be challenging.

In the news today, the same type of conflict steals the headlines, with people railing against science, research, and vaccines that have saved many from the scourges of epidemics, death, and disability. I was one of the fortunate survivors of polio as a child, before the polio vaccine. Yet I know multitudes were not so lucky and were afflicted with lifelong disabilities or died prematurely. The situation surrounding polio and vaccines has been a modern-day miracle for many.

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Collage of 12 pictures with theme of special interests and gaining mastery of technology with help

Unique Interests Developed into a Career

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in Dyslexia, Neurodiversity, Personal Growth, Unique Talent Attributes.

The challenges for people with special interests, uniqueness, and talents

People with special interests that evolve into exceptional talents and careers as our scientists, artists, creators, and leaders can have a challenging journey from their youth into adulthood. They can be marginalized or discriminated against by their peers, teachers, or parents, who expect everyone to conform, fit in socially, and function as typical contributors and group members. The expectation is that everyone will look the same, act the same, and embrace the group’s values and interests.

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Collage with 15 pictures on the theme of holistic health and wellness, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, Buddhist practices, enlightenment, and becoming aware.

 Journey to enlightened healthcare

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in Dyslexia, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Personal Growth, PTSD, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

A unique self-help health program began with wanting answers and evolved into a superb holistic health program.

Part 1 — A Conversation with Brother Promise

I had a conversation with a loving, joyous, youthful monk, living and developing a holistic health program to enrich the lives and health of others. He is a fellow writer on Substack, where I publish my Mind Wise newsletter, where I discovered his work and connected with him.

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A group of pictures depicting help from relationships, getting insight, feedback, and perspective.

Relationships for Growth and Perspective

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in ADD/ADHD, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Creativity, Depression, Dyslexia, Getting Things Done, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Neurodiversity, Recovery, Relationships, Spirituality & Health, Unique Talent Attributes.

Awareness and receptiveness are essential for wise decisions, perspective, and adaptability.

My valued mentor and the confusing advice

A favorite mentor and advisor, at the end of our final meeting, on my way out from his cozy living room office, with the big glass window looking out on the yard, shaking hands with a big smile, told me, ” Here is my last clinical pearl; never give anyone advice.”

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graphic picture of a human head with a heart shaped, multicolored jigsaw in center of brain as a brain reflecting neurodiversity

The Challenges and Advantages of Dyslexic Traits

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in ADD/ADHD, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Creativity, Dyslexia, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Neurodiversity, Unique Talent Attributes.

Neurodiversity, in a more modern application, describes the unique and multivariate differences in all people. Looking at all individuals, we can see vast differences in the brain and mental functioning with the processing, retrieval, and abstraction of incoming information. Variability appears in ideas and concept formation, adaptability to change, and accomplishing tasks.

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The idea of neurodiversity wisdom on a picture of a boy struggling with his studies that needs appreciation for his differences, skills and talents

Neurodiversity and Dyslexia: Appreciates Differences, Skills, and Talents

Written by Ron Parks, MD on . Posted in ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dyslexia, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Neurodiversity, Unique Talent Attributes.

Labels and diagnosis Helpful or Not, when Traits of Dyslexia, ADHD, or Autism Spectrum Appear

Dyslexia, autism spectrum, and ADHD have some characteristics that relate to myself and some of my family members. As a child, I had difficulty reading, mispronouncing words, and struggling in areas such as math and foreign languages. With prodigious effort and over-learning, I gained improvement and a certain level of mastery.

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