We’re proud to share that our Executive Director, Beven Byrnes, was recently featured in Northeast Ohio Parent Magazine with an insightful opinion piece titled “One Mom’s Fight to Help Kids Feel Like They Belong.”
In the article, Beven speaks candidly about her lived experience raising neurodivergent children while navigating systems that were not designed with them in mind. Drawing from her perspective as both a parent and school leader, she highlights a reality many families know all too well: for too many kids, school is not a place of belonging — it’s a place of endurance.
Published during Neurodiversity Week, the piece challenges surface-level conversations about “awareness” and calls for something deeper. Beven emphasizes that neurodivergent children don’t just need understanding, they need environments intentionally built for them to thrive.
She shares the emotional highs and lows families face daily, from overwhelming mornings and homework struggles to meaningful breakthroughs that come when a child finally feels seen, understood, and confident.
Beven’s article highlights several powerful truths:
- Neurodivergent children are not broken — they are often incredibly creative, insightful, and capable problem solvers.
- Parents should trust their instincts and advocate fiercely for what their children need.
- The most transformative factor is community — being surrounded by people who not only accept differences but recognize them as strengths.
Her closing message is one that resonates deeply with our mission: “They’re not broken. The system is. And together, we’re going to change it.”
Thank you, Beven, for adding your voice to this important national conversation and for helping our Bridges students truly thrive.Read the full article here.