The Autism Advocate

Happy New Year and 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

Local Events

We are excited to highlight an expanded list of local sensory-friendly and inclusive events in the MetroWest area and slightly beyond! Here are some excellent recommendations for the busy holiday season and the start of the New Year:  

🏛️ Sensory-Friendly Mornings at the Old State House 

Date: Monday, January 19, 2026 

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM 

Location: Old State House, Boston, MA 

Description: Special early open hours with limited attendance, adjusted lighting/sound, and hands-on activities. Ideal for a quiet, supportive exploration of history during the holiday weekend. Learn more and reserve tickets here - Sensory-Friendly Mornings 

🎬 Sensory-Friendly Viewing of "Elio" at The Center for Arts in Natick 

Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026 

Time: Check website for morning showtime 

Location: The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN), Natick, MA 

Description: A relaxed screening of the new Pixar release with brighter house lights and lower volume. It is perfectly okay to get up, move, and vocalize during the film. Learn more here - TCAN Sensory Cinema 

❄️ Soft Block & Indoor Snowball Play 

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026 

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM 

Location: McAuliffe Branch, Framingham Public Library 

Description: A fun sensory-based morning for younger children (ages 0-4) involving soft block fort building and sensory-safe "snowballs" in the community room. Learn more here - Framingham Library Events 

🍕 Pizza & A Movie: "A Minecraft Movie" 

Date: Friday, January 30, 2026 

Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM 

Location: Autism Welcoming Center, Natick Mall 

Description: A laid-back, sensory-friendly evening specifically for autistic teens and young adults (ages 13-21). Enjoy pizza from California Pizza Kitchen and a movie in a judgment-free space. Learn more here - Autism Alliance Events 

⛸️ Adaptive Ice Skating in Worcester 

Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 

Location: Charles J. Buffone Rink, Worcester, MA 

Description: Part of the DCR Universal Access program, this inclusive session provides sleds, skate walkers, and ice grippers for those who cannot skate traditionally. Registration required. Learn more here - Mass DCR Adaptive Skating 

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 a big part of that is responding to all the ways that children communicate their needs, wants, thoughts, and feelings.

Neurodiversity at ANNA: Communication Comes in Many Forms

Here at ANNA, we are committed to delivering services and supports that are neurodiversity-affirming, and a big part of that is responding to all the ways that children communicate their needs, wants, thoughts, and feelings.

Neurodiversity acknowledges the natural variation in human brains and nervous systems, as well as the different ways that people experience, process, and interact with the world. Communication is a place where these difference can show up, and it is important to remember that communication does not always equal speech.

Our society tends to equate communication with spoken words, but it can also include gestures, facial expressions, movement, pointing, typing, writing, sign language, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), such as picture symbols or speech-generating devices. None of these methods of communication are more or less valuable than the others.

Some individuals are nonspeaking, meaning they do not use spoken words. This does not mean they are not communicative. Many nonspeaking people understand language, express themselves effectively, build relationships, and share ideas using other forms of communication.

Within a neurodiversity-affirming framework, there is no “right” or “best” way to communicate. At ANNA, we believe that all communication is valid and we commit to supporting each child in accessing communication in the ways that work best for their body and brain.

Support Your Child’s Development

This month, consider trying to notice and respond to all forms of communication used by your child. Depending on your child, this may include movements, sounds, facial expressions, reaching, leading you by the hand, using pictures or devices, or changing their behavior in certain situations. Treating these as meaningful communication attempts, and consistently responding to them, helps your child learn that their voice (in whatever form it takes) matters to you.

Remember that “responding” doesn’t mean that you have to say yes to everything they ask for – it can look like “I hear that you want to go outside, thank you for telling me! That’s not a choice right now but we can play with cars or blocks.” You can also talk out loud about what you’re noticing, for example: “I see you pointing to the fridge, I think you want a snack.” or “You pushed that away, it looks like you’re all done with it.” These are ways to continue building on the connection and trust that you already have with your child, as well as to support their continued language development.

Community Advisory Board Spotlight

Clementina Jose, LMSW, is a dedicated educator and mental health professional whose work centers on promoting equity, emotional well-being, and access to care in educational and community spaces. As a Program Manager, she oversees initiatives that support college students with disabilities in achieving both academic and career success. Guided by a deep commitment to holistic and intentional support, Clementina strives to create systems that empower individuals to thrive and to ensure that neurodiverse voices are seen, heard, and valued.

When speaking to why she joined ANNA’s Community Advisory Board, Clementina shared “I believe that individuals with autism deserve not only proper care, but also understanding, opportunity, and spaces where their brilliance can be seen and celebrated. Too often, systems are designed to “fix” rather than to see and I’m committed to helping build environments that honor neurodiversity and affirm every individual’s potential.”

Consider checking out Clementina’s recent articles on Equitable Homework Policies and Inclusive Social-Emotional Learning!

Featured Resource

Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE)

If you are looking for a community that "gets it," AANE is one of the most comprehensive resources available to our MetroWest families. Based in Watertown with a large virtual reach, AANE focuses on empowering neurodivergent individuals and their families through education, connection, and specialized coaching. 

AANE offers Parent Support Groups (drop-in as well as multi-session groups that support relationship-building) that focus on specific communities such as parents of young children, teens, or those navigating “transition age” (18-22). They also offer coaching, IEP review services, social activities for kids and teens (Dungeons and Dragons club, art meetups, and more), and LifeMAP coaching that supports older teens and adults in applying to college, looking for a job, or learning independent living skills.

Some AANE services are free of charge, such as information calls, community forums, and open support groups. They also offer lower-cost social groups and webinars, and higher-cost intensive services such as multi-session groups and IEP reviews. AANE is committed to inclusion, and offers scholarships and significant fee reductions for families who need them. Email [email protected] to ask about assistance, and learn more at www.aane.org.

Recommended Reading

We’re Amazing 1,2,3! A Story About Friendship and Autism

Elmo introduces his longtime friend Julia to Abby, who's a little confused at first because Julia isn't saying hello. Elmo explains that Julia has autism, so she does things a little differently. Julia sometimes avoids direct eye contact, flaps her arms when she's excited, and is sensitive to some noises. But Abby soon learns that she also has a lot of things in common with Julia. All kids want love, friendship, and fun! They are all wonderful, each in his, her, or their own way. 

Caregiver Affirmation

“I am exactly who my child needs.”

Being a parent or caregiver is hard work and none of us are perfect. We all have unique strengths, needs and capabilities - just like our kids!

It’s important to remember that being ourselves, knowing our limits and taking care of our own needs are all important parts of being an effective and loving caregiver, but many of us feel guilty when we do those things. We might wonder if, while meeting our own needs, we have fallen short of meeting the needs of our child.

This is a common feeling that can be hard to shake, but let’s consider the importance of teaching our kids how to set boundaries and advocate for their needs. What better way to do that than to demonstrate it for them? Next time you start to feel guilty about taking a break or doing something just for you, try to remember that you are setting an example for your child of how to do the same. This is a wonderful gift you are giving to them.

So embrace your uniqueness, advocate for your needs and feel confident that by doing so you are meeting an incredibly important need for your child - you are teaching them to do the same for themselves!

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!