ABOUT ME

Being a parent comes with its own set of joys and challenges, but when you have a child with unique needs, the journey can take unexpected turns. As a parent myself, I recognize the complexities and uncertainties that may arise when your child presents with symptoms associated with neurodiversity.

​

My name is Madina Bogdanova, a Master’s degree holder in Performing Arts (Music) and Health Sciences (Integrative Medicine) from the George Washington University. I am a mother of two wonderful kids, one of whom is dealing with a neurodevelopmental condition.

​

Like many other children, my son is navigating a health condition that is still not well understood. The heterogeneity in the phenotypic and genetic presentation across neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) has made identifying the precise etiology a particularly difficult challenge. While the majority will get a label of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), identifying your unique phenotype may warrant the most optimal outcome for your child in the long run, as it may help in recommending and implementing the best and most appropriate interventions. In our case, it is a mitochondrial dysfunction that affects the energy-producing structures within cells. Depending on which cells within the body have disrupted mitochondria, different symptoms may occur, causing a vast array of health concerns, including fatigue, metabolic disorder, seizures, cardiomyopathy, developmental delay, impairment of hearing, vision, growth, cognitive, liver, gastrointestinal, or kidney function, and more.

​

Parents going down a similar path- raising a child with a neurodevelopmental condition- may feel lost and worried for their child's future. Indeed, the ‘’perfect’’ future initially envisioned may now seem distant and unattainable. In this time of intertwined hopes, fears, and uncertainties, we all need to have someone experienced and knowledgeable by our side. The process of acceptance involves difficult stages that one must go through in order to eventually return to a normal life. Often, a person goes through this journey alone, without any guidance. It is, however, a great luck if there is a skilled specialist available to offer support. For some of us, a search for a healthcare professional who could provide guidance and offer straight answers to countless questions may turn into a saga itself…But, please, don’t give up!

​

My own journey has taught me the importance of having a clear strategy to successfully navigate through the identification, diagnosis, early intervention, and further management of a child’s condition. Many tend to rely on the medical system and the idea that it can fix everything. In reality, the medical system needs to deeply reform its care of people with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, because the current framework is failing to meet the very fundamental needs of affected individuals and their families. In addition, navigating the educational system is usually challenging and likely the most frustrating part of raising a child with autism. Therefore, hitting the wall of professional and social misunderstanding and ignorance, encouraged me to become proactive by taking matters into my own hands.

​

No doubt, having a child diagnosed with ASD or any other neurodevelopmental condition is not easy and many usual things will have to be done differently. At the same time, my experience with this condition from the inside made it apparent that autism is not a label, but a roadmap. It is a puzzle that may seem impossible to solve because no one knows the final picture and how to get there, while many pieces are missing. But the longer you work on it trying to find the elusive edge pieces to create the border, the more fascinating, DIFFERENT, and, at the same time, complex it turns out to be. Remarkably, every single ‘’puzzle’’ is unique (remember individual phenotypic uniqueness). The revelation comes when one day your child succeeds in showing his true nature.

​

I created this platform to educate and support parents raising children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Here, you’ll find guidance on navigating the diagnosis, identifying evidence-based interventions, utilizing available resources, and building a network for your child’s care team. On this platform, I provide factual information rather than personal opinions. When I do share my perspective, it is grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. My goal is to offer reliable and trustworthy guidance to support your needs and equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to advocate effectively for your child's well-being and your own health.

 

This platform serves as a safe space where you can learn, connect, and find comfort among others who understand the unique joys and challenges of parenting a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder. I’m here to offer strategies and resources to help you and your child move forward.

​

As a side note: navigating medical and scientific terminology on this websites may pose challenges for some parents, yet it remains an inevitable aspect of accessing an important information. Therefore, I encourage you to acquaint yourselves with this terminology, as it serves as a crucial tool in comprehending relevant papers and further discussions.

 

I regularly review scientific literature and keep a close eye on researched, but yet experimental interventions that show promising benefits. My qualifications include BA, MA (Hons), MSHS (Integrative Medicine), Cert. AT, Unyte-iLs Focus System/SSP Provider, RBT 40-hour training.

​