The Autism Advocate

Welcome to The Autism Advocate, ANNA’s monthly newsletter! We hope this will be a helpful source of information about upcoming events, tips for caregivers, community resources and more. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas for future editions!

ANNA Announcements

Important Announcements and Upcoming Events

Research Study Opportunity

UMass Chan Medical School is currently enrolling for a longitudinal research study for children who are 6-8 months old and are younger siblings of children with autism. Children participating in the study will receive language support sessions and developmental monitoring, while continuing to be eligible for services outside of the study. Participation can be done remotely or include home visits, and families will receive multiple gift cards throughout the study. Interested families can request more information by calling (774) 479-6025 or emailing [email protected].

Ask ANNA

Do you have something you’d like to ask the ANNA team? Please submit your question here and we will answer it in a future newsletter!

Let’s Talk About Neurodiversity

Here at ANNA, we are committed to delivering services and supports that are neurodiversity-affirming, and we recognize that this is a continuous process with lots of opportunities for learning! In past months, we’ve explored the concept of neurodiversity, what it means to be neurodiversity-affirming, and why it is important. Now, let’s think about how to tell whether or not a provider takes a neurodiversity-affirming approach.

Identifying Neurodiversity-Affirming Providers

A neurodiversity-affirming provider sees autism as a natural and value-neutral form of human diversity, not as something that needs to be fixed. But how can you tell if a provider truly holds this view?

Start by listening to their language. Do they talk about “reducing problem behaviors,” or do they focus on building connection, communication, and self-advocacy? Affirming providers respect your child’s differences and work with them, not against them.

Ask how the provider handles meltdowns or sensory challenges. A neurodiversity-affirming approach prioritizes safety and coregulation, not punishment or forced compliance.

Look for signs that your child’s autonomy is respected. Are they allowed to say no? Take breaks? Use AAC or alternative communication? Your child’s boundaries should always be honored.

Trust your instincts and remember, as always, that you are the expert on your child. If a provider makes you or your child feel judged, unheard, or pressured to conform, it’s okay to walk away. You deserve support that uplifts your child’s identity, not one that tries to erase it.

Support Your Child’s Development

All young children have big feelings and need support to manage them, and this can be a particular challenge for autistic children. Coregulation is a loving and responsive approach that is not about stopping big feelings, but about staying close and connected through those feelings. When we choose to coregulate, we acknowledge that children develop the skills to manage their emotions through connection, not correction.

You might already be coregulating without realizing it: when you scoop up your child during a meltdown, rub their back, speak softly, or just sit next to them with calm energy – that’s coregulation.

To coregulate, try to stay grounded yourself. Breathe slowly, get down to your child’s level, and offer comfort in ways that feel good to them. This could be a cuddle, a quiet song, or just being nearby without talking. You know best what works for your child, so do what you know will help them feel safe and secure.

Remember that you don’t have to “fix” anything. Your calm presence helps your child feel safe and allows their nervous system to settle. Over time, these moments teach them that feelings aren’t scary and that they don’t have to face them alone.

Staff Spotlight

Kerry McCrea is the Clinical Director of ANNA’s Wayland center. Kerry is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 15 years of experience in applied behavior analysis (ABA), and has provided individualized behavioral services to families and clients across the state of Massachusetts including in home, school, and clinic settings.

Kerry’s journey into the field of ABA was deeply personal. After her two sons were diagnosed with autism and received ABA services, she was inspired to dedicate her career to supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Although her children have since grown into young adults, she has continued to provide services to early learners and specializes in helping young children develop important skills. Kerry is committed to empowering children and their families, bringing both her expertise and compassion to help them achieve their goals.

When she is not working, Kerry enjoys boating and staying active through fitness!

Featured Resource

NAA’s Big Red Safety Box

The National Autism Association (NAA) offers a free Big Red Safety Box to families in the autism community. The box includes a BeREDy Booklet, two wireless door/window alarms with batteries, one RoadID bracelet or Shoe ID tag voucher, four adhesive stop sign visual prompts for doors and windows, one Safety Alert window cling for car or home windows, and one Child ID kit.

Learn more and request a box here - https://nationalautismassociation.org/big-red-safety-box/

Recommended Reading

Some Brains

Some Brains is a joyful, inclusive picture book that celebrates neurodiversity in a way young children can understand. It gently introduces the idea that all brains are different, and that’s a good thing! Through playful rhymes, it affirms that some brains think fast, some think slow, and some think in pictures or patterns. This book is a wonderful way to start conversations about autism and other brain differences, helping children feel seen, valued, and proud of who they are.

Caregiver Affirmation

“My child’s joy is just as important as their progress.”

As caregivers, we often feel pressure to focus on things like milestones, goals, and skills. And while progress is important, it’s not the only thing that matters. Our children deserve joy!

In addition to the fact that children simply deserve to be happy and have fun, joy truly feeds into learning. When children feel safe, connected, and happy, their brains are more open to exploring, communicating, and engaging with the world. For autistic children in particular, joy can be a powerful form of regulation and expression.

When your child is spinning joyfully in the grass, happily lining up their favorite toys, or laughing at the same silly video for the hundredth time – it matters. Their joy tells you that something is going right.

We should absolutely celebrate progress, but we can’t let it diminish the importance of happiness, comfort, and connection. You are doing something deeply meaningful every time you create space for your child to feel good, safe, and free to be themselves. Their joy matters, and so does yours!

We’d love to hear about your experiences with ANNA! Leaving a Google review is a great way to help other families learn about our services. If you have a moment, you can share your thoughts by clicking this button. Thank you for being part of our community!