When my son was first diagnosed with autism, I did what many of us do, I started reading everything I could. One of the first voices that truly resonated with me was Temple Grandin She wasn’t just another expert, she was someone who had lived the experience and emerged with powerful insights.

Recently, I listened to Temple speak about what’s missing for neurodivergent children today. She highlighted something we don’t talk about enough; the decline of shop class and vo-tech programs. The opportunities for learning through doing, especially in trades, have all but disappeared. Many autistic individuals thrived in these areas. They could build, repair, create. They didn’t need to “fit in” to succeed; they just needed space to explore their talents. Now, the last generation of autistic tradespeople is aging out, and we’ve done little to replace that path for our children.

Temple’s mom played a vital role in her development. Her mother noticed her unique way of engaging with the world early on and created an environment that nurtured her strengths rather than trying to make her “fit in.” Instead of focusing solely on correcting what seemed atypical, she emphasized communication, supported Temple’s interests in animals and machinery, and found educational settings where her visual thinking could thrive. This approach helped Temple grow into the innovative thinker we know today. That wisdom stayed with me. When my son became fascinated with airplanes, I went all in. Books, videos, models…you name it. I didn’t filter resources by age-appropriateness because he didn’t need to be “on level.” He needed to be inspired.

It’s so easy to get caught up in therapies and interventions, in the checklists and milestones. But sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is to step back, listen, and follow our child’s lead.

Takeaway? Ask yourself: What lights my child up and how can I offer more of that?