Quirky kids are more : more intense, more active, more emotive, and more sensitive — as much a parent’s or educator’s greatest challenge as they are their greatest joy. In Quirky Catholic Kids , Ginny Kochis explores the complex journey of parenting and educating “outside-the-box,” neurodivergent children — that is, those whose brains receive, process, and express information in unconventional ways — sharing her authentic, often vulnerable, experience as a parent and educator alongside faith-filled strategies designed to help families thrive. Drawing from scientific research, psychology, and her own personal faith journey, Kochis shows you how to turn hurdles into stepping stones of hope. You’ll learn effective approaches for processing the challenges, fears, and frustrations common in neurodivergent family life, affording you and your children powerful techniques for gaining trust and perseverance in the valleys. You’ll also discover: Methods for channeling child behaviors, such as hyperfocusing, to make them fruitful - Step-by-step advice on how to respond to meltdowns and help children regulate their emotions - How to develop social skills through games, role-playing, and stories - Tips on fostering executive functioning skills and navigating difficulties with eating and sleeping - Five ways to evaluate whether inappropriate behavior is a matter of discipline or development - Ways to strike a balance with your child’s daily use of screen time - Guides for effective faith formation and parent-child interactions Through the words of Scripture and intercessory prayers of the saints, you will also learn how to combat negative self-talk, grow in temperance yourself, and share these tools with others. Kochis includes several quirky saint examples, such as Carlo Acutis, Dymphna, Joseph of Cupertino, Ignatius of Loyola, Christina the Astonishing, and Servant of God Leonie Martin. A special appendix highlights the talents and struggles of one hundred saints to help you prayerfully discern your child’s patron.  This invaluable resource also includes best practices for helping your family grow in faith, especially during times when your child is struggling. Quirky Catholic Kids will help you find peace of heart, an anchor in the storm, and the tools you need to support your unique, unrepeatable children. You will see how, by accepting and celebrating God’s loving plan for your neurodivergent family, you and your children won’t just survive — you’ll bloom. “Kochis provides a great practical Catholic guide to raising autistic kids. It seamlessly combines elements of Catholicism, autism, and general advice for mothers to provide a useful book for moms. It can be read from cover to cover, or a chapter can be read on its own if dealing with a particular issue with a child.” Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, L.C., S.Th.D. Author, God Loves the Autistic Mind ; President, Autistic Catholics “My favorite part about being Catholic has always been that we embrace suffering. Life has taught Ginny to lean into this. She manages to apply the litany of humility directly to taking quirky kids to Mass yet seamlessly weaves in instruction about a child’s brain and development. She reminds us to seek God’s grace in the hardest parts of parenting and even hands us the playbook to teach redemptive suffering to our kids. Bravo! Every Catholic parent should read this book, quirky kids or not, for education, edification, and to build empathy.” Katie Kimball Founder, RaisingHealthyFamilies.com; Author, The Picky Eater Playbook “Unique, irreplaceable, and unrepeatable — these words are true of every single child. That uniqueness is sometimes revealed in their quirkiness, presenting both distinctive gifts as well as specific needs. As a teacher, I was encouraged and challenged by Ginny’s words about neurodiversity through the lens of a Catholic worldview. Her wisdom will certainly help teachers, parents, and all caring adults to best support the unique dignity of each child.” Katherine Bogner Author, Through the Year with Jesus and All about Lent & Holy Week; LookToHimAndBeRadiant.com “Ginny Kochis has written the book so many parents have longed for, especially those raising beautifully ‘quirky’ children. Quirky Catholic Kids blends theology, psychology, and saintly wisdom into a spiritually rich, practical guide for raising exceptional kids with faith and confidence. A must-read for anyone nurturing the whole child.” Brooke Taylor Speaker; Radio Personality; Founder, St. Gabriel Media Ginny Kochis is a Catholic wife and mom to three neurodivergent children. A former high school English teacher and adjunct professor, Ginny holds an MA in Teaching Writing and Literature and has two decades of experience educating children of all ability levels. Through the Quirky Catholic Kids website and community, Ginny offers practical support and prayerful encouragement to Catholic families raising exceptio