Hi! I’m K.M. Burnham, an author and speaker focusing on neurodiversity-affirming parenting, leadership, and self-discovery. 

My journey has been shaped by raising two neurodivergent daughters. As they started to move into more independence as adults, my understanding of their support needs led me to explore the possibility of my own neurodivergence. I now know that I have always been a part of this beautiful and vibrant community, even though it took until the second half of my life for me to know my truth.

That being said, my primary passion has always been what it means to be human. This fascination has driven my academic and professional pursuits. I hold two master’s degrees—one in business and one in psychology- giving me valuable insights into what humans need to thrive in any context. I aim to help individuals navigate the challenges of raising and caring for neurodiverse children and support all leaders in learning neurodiverse-affirming practices.

Before I began my career in writing and speaking, I spent over 25 years in live entertainment ticketing and customer service leadership, where I achieved a lifetime achievement award for my contributions to the industry. This is also where I started my journey of advocating for accessibility and inclusion, a value I carry into my current work.

In 2017, my life took a profound turn. My husband was diagnosed with stage four cancer. This devastating news started me on a journey of self-discovery. As I navigated the complexities of caregiving during his illness, I learned invaluable lessons about love and loss.

Sadly, my husband passed away in 2019. His death created a void that was hard to comprehend. It forced me to confront my grief and identity. I had to explore what it meant to live authentically after such a loss. I began to understand the complexities of grief, finding purpose, and discovering how to love again.

During this time, I turned to storytelling as a healing tool. I found that by sharing my experiences, I could connect with others who faced similar challenges, and we could lift each other up. It made all the difference in my world, so I have been on a mission to lift up as many people as possible.

Through my writing and speaking, I hope to raise awareness that neurodiversity is a difference, not a deficit. I advocate for policies and practices that promote equity and understanding and benefit everyone. I believe that by doing so, I can inspire and motivate others to do the same. 

When not working, I spend time with family and friends, playing games, crafting (mostly knitting), and painting (primarily watercolor).