What Even is Time Anymore? Exploring Neurodivergent Time in the New Year
Hello Gifted Guides!
We’re so glad you’re here!
How are you doing?
How is your transition into 2026 going?
January is often an overwhelming time. There is so much talk and promise related to new starts. And at the same time, for many of us, it is winter, it is still getting dark early, and there is a strong urge to crawl under the blankets and not come out until spring.
But you can’t just squirrel away for the winter. You can’t just hunker down in coziness with your favorite show and enjoy soup and naps all the time. Right?
There are things you need to do. Responsibilities don’t stop for coziness!
But the fact of the matter is that neurodivergent individuals don’t always experience time in the same ways those around them—whether neurodivergent or neurotypical—do.
We spend a lot of time, and many issues of Guiding Gifted, discussing how to find the routines and rhythms that work for you and your gifted or twice-exceptional (2e) learner. We talk about slowing down to avoid burnout. We talk about listening to the rhythms and needs of your body and nervous system. And more than perhaps anything else, we advise that you take what you need and leave the rest—knowing that everyone has different needs and is at a different point in their journey.
We have all of these conversations to reinforce the reality that time doesn’t work the same for everyone. When you are navigating things like anxiety, executive functioning challenges, or processing speed challenges, time can seem as if it is moving differently. Those differences in perception of time can pose their own challenges.
So, instead of telling you all the ways you can organize your schedule or find opportunities for rest and reset amidst the busy start of the calendar year, we’re going to share some resources this month to help you better understand your unique relationship with time.
Some of these are short articles. Some are long. Some are videos. As always, take what you need, and leave the rest.
Each of the resources above talks about neurodivergence and time differently. They also each talk about neurodivergence differently. Some focus on neurodivergence broadly. Some discuss time in relation to specific diagnoses, such as ADHD, autism, or non-verbal learning disability.
While the specifics of some of these resources may not apply to you or your learner directly, we hope you will find aspects of these resources to resonate with. We hope that they help you find understandings of time that validate and support both you and your learner.
Much of Gifted Guide work, and neurodivergent advocacy as a whole, is the practice of grappling with the fact that we live in a world that is most often oriented toward neurotypical experiences. Sometimes, simply the act of exploring other forms of experience and perception can help you refresh and revitalize your advocacy work.
Conclusion
As we move through 2026, know that you’re never alone in your advocacy journey. Whether this is your first issue with us or if you’ve been here since the beginning, we are grateful to be part of your advocacy community, and we’re here to support you how we can.
If you’re in one of our programs already, you know there are lots of resources for you to access via our private, member’s only website.
If you’re not currently participating in one of our programs, there is still a wealth of information and support available to you. Check out our Resource Library or our free resource guides or any of our other curated resources (like our Spotify and YouTube playlists or our Bookshop.org reading lists).
Finally, a fundamental part of advocacy is making sure basic needs—like food and shelter—are being met for both us and our learners. If you or someone you know might need extra support, findhelp.org may be a useful resource. It can also help you find organizations to support, if you’re in a position to help others.
We hope you have a curious time exploring time this month, and we’ll see you in February!
What’s New at the Davidson Institute?
Apply to Young Scholars!
If you’re interested in joining the Young Scholars program, you can learn more and start your application today! Get started by visiting our How to Apply page!
If you want to learn more about our program, explore our website, or register for our upcoming virtual Application Q&A. Our next Q&A is taking place on March 16, at 4 pm (Pacific). Does that time not work for you? Don’t worry. If you register for the event, you’ll receive a recording of the Q&A.
Remember! Davidson summer programs and events are only open to Young Scholars. If you want your learner to join us for Summer 2026, be sure to apply to Young Scholars!
Join us for Davidson Summer Programs 2026!
February 6, 2026 is the last day to apply to Young Scholars in order to be eligible to participate in 2026 Davidson Summer Programs (DSP)!
To learn more about DSP offerings, visit our website or check out the recording of the recent DSP info session.
Testing Opportunities – Spring Test Dates Available NOW!
Through our partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development, throughout the year, we are able to offer low cost, remote testing for students in grades 3-10.
This testing can be used to apply to the Davidson Institute’s Young Scholars program, along with the Davidson Academy, Reno and Davidson Academy Online.
To learn more and register for Spring 2026 test dates (or to join the Fall testing waitlist), check out our Eligibility Assessment page today!
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We’ll see you next month. Stay well, Gifted Guides!