For many families raising neurodivergent young people, the decision to step away from conventional school doesn’t begin as a philosophy, it begins as a response.
Something isn’t working. A child is overwhelmed, disengaged, or in distress. Or more quietly, the light is going out.
In this conversation, we hear from Krystal Dillard of Natural Creativity and Jessica Hoffman, an unschooling parent, about what happens when families begin to choose a different path. Not as an ideal, but as a necessity.
Together, they explore what self-directed learning can offer neurodivergent young people, where it truly supports them, where it can be hard, and what families often misunderstand at the beginning.
If you are early in this exploration, or already on this path and questioning yourself, this conversation offers both clarity and reassurance: there is no single way forward, but there are patterns that can help guide you.
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Executive Director at Mosaic
A communications and storytelling leader, Bonnie works at the intersection of philanthropy, collaboration and action. She supports families, educators and partners as they explore non-traditional learning with clarity and confidence. With a background in strategy, media and movement-building, she brings a values-first approach rooted in kindness, truth, humor and integrity.
Unschooling Parent
Jessica Hoffman lives in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia with her family Stephen and Ezzie, and 3 cats. She enjoys cooking, eating, reading, watching scary movies, cross stitching, being in the woods, and playing Minecraft with Ezzie.
Executive Director of Natural Creativity
Krystal serves as the Co-Director of the Natural Creativity Center, a vibrant creative community center in Germantown. At Natural Creativity, she leads initiatives that inspire young people to explore their creativity, develop their talents, and engage in holistic learning within a supportive and inclusive environment. Her leadership is driven by a commitment to descriptive inquiry, community engagement, and transformative education. Through her work at the center, Krystal continues to build youth responsive programs and partnerships that have a profound impact on the youth and the broader Germantown community.
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