Grandparents' Guide to Neurodivergent Grandchildren: Show Up, Connect & Support
A warm, practical course helping grandparents truly understand neurodivergence — autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more — so they can become a calm, confident, and loving anchor for their grandchild and the whole family.
Perfect for: Grandparents (or step-grandparents, great-grandparents, or grandparent-figure caregivers) of children who have been diagnosed with or are suspected of having a neurodevelopmental condition such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or sensory processing disorder. No prior knowledge of neurodivergence is required — just a willingness to learn and a desire to support your family.
You love your grandchild unconditionally. This course helps you show it in ways that actually land.
When a grandchild is diagnosed with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, or another form of neurodivergence, it can feel like the rulebook you raised your own children with no longer applies. Meltdowns that seem to come from nowhere. Social situations that are harder than expected. Parents who are exhausted, stretched thin, and sometimes hard to reach. And a grandchild who is wonderful — but who you're not always sure how to connect with.
This course was built specifically for grandparents. Not for clinicians, not for teachers, not for parents — for you. You'll learn what neurodivergence actually means in plain, honest language, why your grandchild's brain works the way it does, and — most importantly — what you can do to make a real difference. From adjusting how you communicate, to making your home a safe and welcoming space, to supporting your own adult child (the parent) without overstepping, every lesson is grounded in empathy, respect, and practical action.
Grandparents are one of the most underestimated resources a neurodivergent child can have. You offer stability, patience, and a love with no performance pressure attached. This course turns that love into skill. By the end, you'll feel less anxious, more confident, and ready to be the grandparent your grandchild — and their parents — genuinely need.
What you'll be able to do
- Explain what neurodivergence means — including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory differences — in clear, non-clinical terms
- Recognise common triggers and early warning signs of sensory overload or emotional dysregulation in your grandchild
- Adapt the way you communicate and interact so your grandchild feels genuinely seen and safe
- Make practical, low-cost adjustments to your home and routines that reduce stress during visits
- Support your adult child (the parent) emotionally and practically without overstepping or undermining their parenting approach
- Respond calmly and helpfully during difficult moments like meltdowns or shutdowns — instead of feeling frozen or making things worse
- Use strength-based language that builds your grandchild's self-esteem rather than accidentally chipping away at it
- Confidently push back on outdated advice from peers or family members who question the diagnosis or the parents' approach
Curriculum
6 modules · 20 lessons
Your teacher
John Fairless
Hi, I'm so glad you're here — and I mean that sincerely, because grandparents like you are more important than you probably realise. I created this course because I kept seeing the same gap: parents of neurodivergent children had access to training, support groups, and resources, but the grandparents — who were often right there, wanting desperately to help — had almost nothing designed for them. And the cost of that gap was real: strained family relationships, grandparents feeling shut out, and parents feeling more isolated rather than supported. I bring together [your background/credentials here] with a deep belief that every family member has a role to play in helping a neurodivergent child thrive. You don't need to become a therapist or an expert. You just need the right knowledge, the right language, and the confidence to show up. That's exactly what I've built this course to give you.
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