When “Easy” Kids Are Actually Shutting Down In the world of parenting—and even in schools and therapy—there’s an old saying: “The squeaky wheel gets the oil.” It’s true. The child whose needs are big and loud is impossible to ignore. The one who melts down at drop-off, screams at bedtime, or explodes when things don’t go their way...these kids keep us busy, worried, and looking for solutions. But what about the child who doesn’t squeak? The one who goes with the flow, never

Stress is energy. And when you’re holding a lot of it—rushing through your morning, skipping your own breakfast, tense about that email you forgot to send—it doesn’t just stay inside you. It bounces. It lands on your toddler, who may not know what hit them. Suddenly they’re melting down over the color of a spoon, and you’re both at your limit before 9 a.m.

Consent Starts in Childhood Have you ever tried to pet a cat and gotten swatted away? Most cats are experts in body autonomy. They give you clear signals about when they're open to connection—and when they’d prefer to be left alone. What if we applied the same respect to our children, even when they’re still babies?

Behaviors as Clues It’s time to don your investigator’s hat! 🕵️‍♂️🕵️‍♀️ When your child melts down over the “wrong” cup, or you snap at your partner after a long day—what’s really going on? Here’s a clue: these moments aren’t just about cups or conversations. They’re your nervous system’s way of saying “I’m not okay right now.” And the detective we need to consult is nestled deep in the brain: the amygdala.

Instead of asking “How do I stop this?”, a more supportive question might be:“What is this telling me about how this person is experiencing their world?” Stimming isn’t “bad” or “wrong.” It’s a communication tool. It may be a way for an Autistic person to express joy, excitement, or focus. Other times, it’s a way to self-soothe, regulate, or gain a sense of control when the world feels overwhelming. Additionally, it may just feel good!

Our kids are always watching us. Feeling us. Mirroring us. If we come at them with tension, they tense up too. If we come at them with playfulness, they’re more likely to join in. This isn’t about being a 24/7 entertainer. It’s about shifting the energy. Finding the silly. Leading with fun. Leading with joy.

Sick, Hungry or Tired? Don’t Mess with Tex! As Sophia Petrillo says, "Picture this": You’re in a foreign country on vacation. You don’t...

Food pouches are all the rage--they're less messy and portable--but--there is a dark side of relying on them, especially for children with traits of Autism, neurodivergence, and/or Sensory Processing Differences.

Thoughts about the benefits of open cup vs sippy cup drinking and toddlers. Those with Autism or other neurodivergent or Sensory Differences may benefit most from this information.

Have you ever had a fun weekend only to wake up the next day and feel "off"? Guess what? Our kids can feel the same way, especially if they have some sensory differences!

Do you notice that parents who use their language to express themselves in certain ways have children that use those ways too? The monkey-see, monkey-do effect is in full force in all we do. Let's practice kindness for ourselves, for our children, for our world.

Raising a child is challenging. Adding to the challenging is knowing when to encourage and when to ease back. This article discusses the gentle dance of parenting an Autistic child and some tips you can use to navigate your experience together.

Verbal Routines are fun ways to encourage your child to communicate during your time together.

Does your child have very specific likes? Are their likes so narrow that you don't know how to engage them with other tasks? If so, this article is for you!

Is your child only showing basic play skills and you're curious how to expand their skills to pretend play? If so, read on!

What if we reimagined what it is to be a superhero and recognized we have them amongst us right now?

There's a growing push-back about the long-overdue trend celebrating Autistic individuals. In my opinion, this is stemming from fear, not acceptance.

Meet our own Amanda Rae, OTR and mom of two daughters!