Understanding Barriers to Communication
Communication barriers impact communication is different ways. This articles explores different types of barriers and how AAC can be a path towards understanding and being understood.
How to Build a Neurodivergent Friendly Toolbox
You aren’t alone. Some of the most anxiety inducing questions that autistic and ADHD people ask themselves are: Is what I am feeling real? Am I over-exaggerating? Will it always hurt?
Piece by Peace, Hand in Hand: Talking Autism Together, Interview Part 2
I sat down with Dustin Cronan of Creating Connections: Piece by Piece for a follow-up interview about life on the autism spectrum. We discussed growing up and working on the spectrum, opinions on policy, and the urgent need for awareness. At the heart of it all: autistic and ADHD behaviors are human behaviors. With compassion, […]
Piece by Peace, Hand in Hand: Talking Autism Together, Interview Part 1
Sam recently sat down with Dustin Cronan of Creating Connections: Piece by Piece for a heartfelt interview on autism. Together, they highlighted the importance of empathy, practical accommodations, and education—showing that when autistic voices are heard, communities grow more inclusive, supportive, and kind. Dustin Cronan is the founder of Creating Connections: Piece by Peace—a nonprofit […]
Sensory Overload: It’s Real and Needs Support
You aren’t alone. Some of the most anxiety inducing questions that autistic and ADHD people ask themselves are: Is what I am feeling real? Am I over-exaggerating? Will it always hurt?
Benefits of Communicating with your Hands for ADHD and Autistic People
While hand-based communication can include American Sign Language (which I use and wholeheartedly encourage!), that’s not what we’re focusing on today.
This post is about something simpler, powerful: using your hands and body language in repetitive ways while speaking to support autistic and ADHD individuals. It’s an easy, effective accommodation that can make a big difference in how we connect, process, and understand each other.
Navigating Holiday Stress: A Neurodivergent-Friendly Guide for the Holidays
The holidays can be joyful—but for many autistic or ADHD individuals, they also bring a surge of stress. From sensory overload to shifting routines, this season can feel more like survival than celebration.
Let’s discover how to prepare, advocate, and recover with compassion and build a holiday that suits you and your family’s needs.
7 Tips for Autistic Meltdowns and ADHD Rage Episodes
The aftermath of a meltdown or rage episode can be devastating—for the person and for those around them. I speak from lived experience as an autistic, ADHD adult and parent, and from years teaching learners of all ages. It can get better. This isn’t an endless cycle. While triggers and needs are unique, the same core steps lead to real, meaningful improvement. This article is my “secret sauce” I use with families and students; I hope it helps you too.
Creating a Support Folder for Your Autistic or ADHD Child
Parenting—or step-parenting—an autistic or ADHD child can be an adventure. But the difficulty grows when there’s no clear path toward success. I’ve worked with many autistic and ADHD students over the years and know how hard it can be for them to communicate with their loved ones. My goal is for families to leave this post feeling heard, supported, and equipped.
Speech Bubbles
These ASL sentence stems can be placed on folders and used to practice some common phrases kids will be using in the classroom.
Top 5 Tips for Raising an Autistic Child
As a parent of autistic children, I know the constant anxiety that comes with it. The countless books, podcasts, classes, articles, family, and friends, everyone has an opinion and yet…
Their advice doesn’t work because it’s such a unique experience having an autistic child.
From my experience in special education classrooms to working with autistic adults and being an autistic adult to my own autistic kids, I feel that I can confidently give advice to make parenting an autistic child smoother for your whole family.
Seasons Numbers and Letters
These seasonal letters can be used to support learning about the seasons while studying letters or numbers. Have them separate and sort by season or dig to find all 4 seasons of each letter or number.
Food Journal Worksheet
Designed to track one’s reaction to certain foods. We recommend reusing until the food item is prepared each way. Example: Start with eggs or potatoes to demonstrate how differently each item can be prepared. Store the sheets in a home or classroom binder. Aug. 20, 2025 Update: Apparently I can make templates!! 🎉❤️ Here is […]
Thick Lined Drawings
Useful for OT: Drawings with thicker lines.
Pronoun Bookmarks
Pronouns for many autistic kids is a struggle to learn. It’s easier to call things by their name or to not bother with pronouns at all. But pronouns are indeed an important skill to learn! So we created pronoun bookmarks! You use these while reading, and use the empty window to show your child the […]
Meltdown Plan PPT and Video
While meltdowns themselves cannot be controlled, we can choose our actions leading up to the meltdown and communicate our needs before the meltdown. Feel free to share this with parents, teachers, students, or therapists This resource is helpful to ADHD and autistic people. Here is a video of me teaching the powerpoint with a voice […]