Your Guiding Light
For A Brighter Future
Dedicated to Providing Information on Special Needs Parenting, Special Education Advocacy, Elder Care, and More
Veronica Lau is a licensed attorney and special education advocate on a mission to destigmatize stereotypes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and provide support and resources to neurodivergent families navigating similar challenges. Her website, divergentsandwich.com, and her social media sites (Facebook and Instagram) serve as a platform to share her experiences and insights as an adult diagnosed with ADHD with two neurodivergent children on the spectrum, one of whom also has ADHD. Her goal is for her platform to serve as a beacon of hope and understanding to educate and help others.
About Veronica
Veronica’s 7+ year break from her legal career to have and raise her two children, Nathaniel and Zoë, was extended due to the pandemic. In late 2023/early 2024, both children were diagnosed on the autism spectrum, with a high-functioning level 1 type. Her son, age 8, has hyperactive, inattentive, and impulsive type ADHD and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, a sleep disorder. Her daughter, age 5, has undiagnosed sleep issues, which are common with ASD.
Prior to her current role as a full-time caregiver, Veronica spent five years as a lawyer at J.P. Morgan in New York City, specializing in Regulatory Exams and anti-money laundering compliance. Her decision to leave this career behind was driven by the need to support her husband, who is a physician at Kaiser, and care for their 8-month-old son, who was on multiple daycare waitlists after their move to Oakland.
Making a Difference
Despite occasional moments of sadness about leaving her career at JPMorgan, Veronica feels validated by the double ASD diagnosis for her children. The experience inspired her to launch her own website, https://divergentsandwich.com/ , and social media sites to help destigmatize ADHD and Autism and spread awareness about what neurodivergence is like from the child and parents’ perspective.
Additionally, she decided to pivot her legal career and specialize in Special Education Law. Veronica is eager to apply her knowledge and firsthand experiences in navigating the complex healthcare system and advocating for her children's needs. She continues to receive Special Education Attorney Training from the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and feels confident that she has found her true calling in this field, and her son was her first client.
The Divergent Sandwich Philosophy
“Divergent Sandwich” refers to being “sandwiched between my husband and children and “sandwiched” between my immediate family and family of origin and elderly/aging relatives.
The Inevitable Lifecycle: We are all born and raised as children with caregivers who grow into adults that become caregivers to children of our own, as well as caretakers to the now elderly adults who were once our caregivers.
Thank you for joining me on this journey!
Veronica
Resources
Veronica's website offers a range of referrals and resources for families dealing with autism, ADHD, sleep disorders, parenting ideas, and related issues. Recommendations will usually be listed in the blog section.
Recent Posts
Stay up to date with Veronica's latest blog posts, where she shares personal stories, tips, and resources for families affected by autism and related conditions. Veronica's journey is not just about her own family; it's about creating a supportive community and breaking down barriers. Join her in this empowering journey.
Building Resilience Amidst Chaos and Stress
ADHD Awareness Month
Iron Deficiency Linked to Sleep & Focus Issues
The Maze of Life
I Would Never Have Guessed Your Children Are On the Spectrum
Building Resilience Amidst Chaos and Stress
ADHD Awareness Month
Iron Deficiency Linked to Sleep & Focus Issues
The Maze of Life