Welcome to my blog
Parenting Outside the Lines
This blog is all about love, learning, and life on the spectrum. Parenting an autistic child comes with unique challenges and incredible rewards. Here, I share our journey—the joys, struggles, and lessons along the way. Whether you’re a fellow parent or just seeking insight, I invite you to read, learn, and connect.
Looking for something specific? Search for advice, personal stories, and autism advocacy articles—all in one place. Just type a keyword and explore!
Featured Blog Posts
Explore the latest posts on parenting, autism, and everything in between.
What If It’s Not Defiance? Living with and Loving a PDA Child
What If It’s Not Defiance? Living with and Loving a PDA Child Parenting Outside the Lines means throwing away the rulebook—and sometimes rewriting it from scratch. For families raising children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), this couldn’t be more true. PDA is a profile of autism marked by an intense need
Beyond the Labels: Why Autism Isn’t a Straight Line (and Never Was)
Why Autism isn’t a Straight Line (and never was) Let’s get one thing clear right off the bat: autism isn’t a ladder, a hierarchy, or a competition. It’s a spectrum — wild, wonderful, and not at all linear. Yet somehow, we still hear labels like “high functioning,” “low functioning,” or
Our Recommended Fidget Toys and Weighted Blankets
Our Recommended Fidget Toys and Weighted Blankets (Because sometimes, a little squeeze or a cozy hug makes all the difference.) If your household is anything like ours, you’ve likely discovered that fidget toys and weighted blankets are more than just trendy gadgets—they’re essential tools in our sensory toolkit. Whether it’s
Our Must-Have Sensory-Friendly Clothing
Our Must-Have Sensory-Friendly Clothing (Because seams shouldn’t start screams, and socks shouldn’t ruin mornings.) Let’s be real: getting dressed shouldn’t feel like battle prep. But for sensory-sensitive kids (and adults), even the softest T-shirt can feel like a cactus if the seam’s in the wrong place. And don’t get me started on
The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones (a.k.a. sanity savers) If I had a pound for every time a hand has flown to cover ears in this house, I’d have a country cottage and a fox sanctuary by now. Whether it’s the vacuum, a loud sibling, or the shrill injustice of someone
Our Favourite Visual Schedules and Communication Boards
Our Favourite Visual Schedules and Communication Boards A round-up from one chaos-loving, neurodiversity-celebrating household to yours. If your mornings ever resemble a scene from a mildly panicked musical—everyone singing a different tune while someone refuses socks and another is brushing their teeth with a marker—welcome, friend. You’re in the right
Hannah Johnson
Creator and writer of the Parenting Outside the Lines blog
Hi, I'm Hannah, the voice behind this blog.
As a parent navigating the journey of raising an autistic child, I share the real, raw, and rewarding moments of our lives. This space is where I reflect on the highs, lows, and everything in between. I hope my stories, experiences, and insights offer comfort, connection, and a bit of humour to those on a similar path.
Thanks for being here—consider this your official invitation to join the madness, the magic, and the mess!
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