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 Dates and Upcoming Events

ANNA will be closed on the following dates:

Monday, January 20th, 2025 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, February 17th, 2025 in observance of Presidents’ Day

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!

Support Your Child’s Development

Does your child sometimes struggle with new activities or with going to new places? Social stories can be a useful tool to support children in knowing what to expect as they prepare for an unfamiliar experience.

A social story can take many forms, but typically includes simple text and relevant photos to help explain a new place and/or situation. For example, a social story related to a doctor’s appointment can be developed with photos of the exterior of the building, the waiting room, exam room and any other relevant spaces. A simple written story could accompany the photos, explaining what is pictured and what the child might experience in each specific location. In addition to informational text, social stories will often include reassurances and affirmations such as “I can feel safe at the doctor’s office because my grown up will be with me the whole time.”

Social stories can be made and accessed in a variety of ways, so you may want to think about whether your child would prefer to view it digitally or have a hard copy. It could even take the form of a video if that works better for your child. Some places, particularly those that cater to autistic individuals and families, provide social stories on request or even host one on their website. Many other places will be happy to provide photos, videos and useful information to help you create your own social story.

Using a social story effectively can look different for each family, so consider what you know about your child and what tends to work for them. In general, keeping the tone positive and reading the story in a relaxed setting can be a great start. You may also find it helpful to read it multiple times in the days or weeks leading up to the event. While it may not completely alleviate all the challenges of a new situation, using social stories can help your child feel more secure, confident and prepared.

Staff Spotlight

Meghan is a dedicated Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience in the HR space, and currently leads the Human Resources Department at ANNA. She is passionate about empowering those who work directly with children and families, focusing on creating a healthy and supportive work environment. Meghan’s approach emphasizes enhancing the well-being of staff so that they are able to best serve clients. She is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that promotes growth and excellence within ANNA.

As a mother of four boys, Meghan enjoys watching sports as well as traveling and hiking! She values the time spent with her family, cherishing the beauty of life's simple moments together.

Featured Resource

Especially for Me at the Discovery Museum

The Discovery Museum in Acton is a fun and inclusive place to visit any time, and the Museum also offers events specifically geared towards children with disabilities and their families through the Especially for Me program. These events are free of charge and include thoughtful accommodations, opportunities for families to network with one another and dinner (evening events only).

These events include “Autism-Friendly Evening,” “Evening for Deaf, Blind or DeafBlind,” “Inclusive Afternoon,” “Inclusive Evening” and “Inclusive Evening for 18+.” No documentation of medical diagnosis is ever required. While there is no cost, registration is required for all events.

Learn more about the program, find all upcoming dates and even download a social story and sensory map of the property at https://www.discoveryacton.org/visit/especially-me.

Recommended Reading

NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity

NeuroTribes is a groundbreaking book that explores the history of autism and the broader neurodiversity movement. Through a combination of research and storytelling, author Steve Silberman uncovers how societal perceptions of autism have evolved over time and challenges narratives that frame autism as a deficit.

The book also brings to light the systemic barriers that have marginalized autistic people, emphasizing the need for acceptance and support rather than cure-driven approaches. Silberman urges the reader to embrace neurodiversity, recognizing that variation in how people think and process the world is a strength and not a flaw. With its blend of science, history and personal stories, NeuroTribes is an essential read for anyone seeking to better understand autism and the importance of creating a world where all minds are valued.

Caregiver Affirmation

“It’s not shameful to struggle with self-care.”

Many people struggle to find the time and capacity for self-care, and this can be especially true for caregivers of autistic children. If you have difficulty with this, please know that it is not a personal failure or shortcoming. You have so many important roles to play for your child and family and are asked to do so much, often without sufficient support or resources. Struggling with self-care does not at all reflect a lack of effort.

As someone working incredibly hard to navigate complex needs and systems, it’s ok if self-care looks different for you than it does for others. It may be helpful to consider that self-care starts with self-compassion. So taking a moment to acknowledge all the things that you do, while giving yourself grace and trusting that you’re doing your best, can be a great start.

It is also critical to remember the importance of meeting your most basic needs. Parenting can cause us to forget that we need nutrition, hydration and sleep, but it is imperative that we meet these needs in order to be a capable caregiver for our children. It is never selfish to rest or to fuel your body. If you feel that you cannot meet these basic needs for yourself, please reach out to the ANNA team for support. You can contact Ashley at [email protected] any time.

Once you are able to show yourself compassion and meet your basic needs, consider looking for small and realistic ways to care for yourself. Maybe it’s taking five minutes to breathe deeply or to enjoy a cup of coffee without interruption. Perhaps you can build in tiny moments of joy throughout your day, such as listening to a favorite song or stepping outside for a breath of fresh air. By taking care of yourself as best you can, even in small ways, you’re better able to show up for your child. And remember, modeling self-compassion and self-care over time will teach your child that their needs and wellbeing matter too.

How can we improve? Please share any feedback about our services, this newsletter or anything else you’d like us to know!