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

Join Us for Our Open House and Donation Drive

We’re excited to welcome you to ANNA’s newest location at 10 Commerce Way in Woburn, MA on Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 10am-1pm.

This event will also support Woburn’s Council of Social Concern through a food, pajama, and children’s book drive. Pajamas and children’s books should be new. Specific food needs include gluten free items, cereal, jarred pasta sauce, jarred gravy, brownie and other baking mixes, large peanut butters, rice, Jello, sugar, tea, and coffee.

Come tour our new space, meet our team, and learn more about the services we offer, all while helping to brighten the holidays for local families. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Introducing Community Pantries 

Starting this week, our Wayland Center will have a Community Pantry outside the main entrance, available 24/7. Pantries will be added to our other centers in the coming weeks.

Families and community members are welcome to take what they need and/or donate what they can, with no sign up or eligibility required. We’re especially looking for nonperishable items like canned goods, pasta, rice, and shelf-stable staples. Every contribution is appreciated as we work to support one another.

Local Events

We are excited to start highlighting local sensory-friendly and otherwise inclusive events in the community! Here are some recommendations for December:

🎅 Autism Welcoming Sensory Santa Experience in Natick

Date: Saturday, December 13 

Time: Time slots available between 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

Location: Autism Welcoming Center at Natick Mall, Natick, MA 

Description: A magical and relaxed holiday experience with Santa, designed to minimize crowding and sensory overload. Time slots are reserved to reduce waiting, and families can choose how they interact with Santa (sitting, standing, or a high-five). Learn more and register here - Autism Welcoming Sensory Santa Experience.

🎨 Special Art for Kids in Natick 

Date: Monday, December 1 

Time: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM 

Location: Natick, MA 

Description: An inclusive art activity that provides a structured, supportive, and sensory-friendly environment for creative expression. A great opportunity for low-pressure socialization. Learn more and register here - Special Art for Kids.

🧸 Autism Welcoming Center Weekend Drop-in in Natick 

Date: Multiple Dates: Friday, December 5; Saturday, December 6; Friday, December 19 

Time: Varies by date

Location: Autism Welcoming Center at Natick Mall, Natick, MA 

Description: A low-stimulus, supportive area for families to relax, use a quiet space, and engage in holiday-themed activities like coloring and games at their own pace. Learn more here - Autism Welcoming Center.

🧪 Inclusive Afternoon at the Discovery Museum in Acton

Date: Tuesday, December 2 

Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM 

Location: Discovery Museum, 177 Main Street, Acton, MA 

Description: A free afternoon session specifically for visitors who benefit from a more sensory-friendly atmosphere and limited capacity. The museum is open to the public, but group visits are not scheduled. Pre-registration is required. Learn more and register here - Discovery Museum Especially for Me.

🎄 Sensory-Friendly Hour at Winterlights in Canton

Date: Thursday, December 4, Thursday, December 11, Sunday, December 14

Time: Typically early evening (Please confirm exact time when registering) 

Location: The Bradley Estate, Canton, MA 

Description: A gentle, less crowded experience to enjoy the outdoor holiday light displays, with a reduced number of guests for a quieter, more supported environment. Learn more and register here - Winterlights.

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!

ANNA Answers:
Q: What age group you serve? Do you accept MassHealth?

A: We offer developmental evaluations for children up to age 5, and center-based services for children up to age 6. We are in-network with all MassHealth plans with the exception of MassHealth Limited. If you have MassHealth Limited, please feel free to contact us so we can share resources that may help you access services.

Let’s Talk About Neurodiversity

Here at ANNA, we are committed to delivering services and supports that are neurodiversity-affirming, and our particular focus is on young children and their families. However, we recognize that individuals of all ages are autistic and/or otherwise neurodivergent. This month, we are thinking about neurodiversity across the lifespan.

Neurodiversity Across the Lifespan

While discussions about autism and neurodiversity often center on children, we know that neurodiversity shapes how an individual experiences the world, communicates, learns, connects, and grows throughout their lives. Autistic peoples’ interests, needs, and strengths evolve over time, but the core way their brain works stays consistent. Understanding this can help families see that development doesn’t have to follow one timeline or path, both in childhood and beyond.

Early childhood can involve lots of learning, big feelings, and new expectations. Then, as children move into school-age years, relationships, routines, and independence can start to look different and support needs may shift. In adolescence and adulthood, self-advocacy, identity, and community often become more central. What stays the same is that people do best when they feel understood, respected, and supported in ways that match who they truly are. Keeping this in mind can make it easier to focus on helping your child grow into a confident autistic adult.

Support Your Child’s Development

If you’ve been reading this newsletter for awhile, or are familiar with ANNA’s services, you have probably heard us emphasize that children learn best when they feel calm, connected, and supported. This can be a helpful thing to remember at home, especially when you’re thinking about how to incorporate learning opportunities into everyday routines.

When children are overwhelmed, their body and brain are working hard to manage big feelings, and that’s not the time when new skills will stick. In these moments, the priority should be to offer comfort, closeness, or space. Learning can happen later on when things have settled, and paying attention to when your child is most regulated can help you choose the moments to introduce new ideas or practice skills.

This might look like practicing a skill during play, such as working on turn-taking during a favorite activity. You could try reflecting on a challenging event together after providing time to reset, or modeling a simple coping strategy when everyone is calm. Some families find it helpful to preview a new, upcoming routine while doing something enjoyable like sharing a snack or going for a walk. These calmer moments are great opportunities to connect, build confidence, and support growth without added pressure. Over time, this approach strengthens trust and helps your child feel safe trying new things with you.

Staff Spotlight

Saad is a dedicated public health professional with experience in clinical research, community engagement, and direct patient care. With a background that includes work as an EMT, academic research on rare diseases, and roles supporting clinical trials and health equity initiatives, Saad brings a people-centered approach to every project he joins. His work is grounded in compassion, strong communication, and an ability to collaborate effectively with diverse populations and multidisciplinary teams.

Saad was drawn to ANNA because he cares deeply about improving access to supportive services for neurodivergent individuals and their families. He connects with ANNA’s mission to bridge gaps in care and make it easier for families to navigate complex systems. He’s excited by the chance to help strengthen community partnerships and expand outreach in a meaningful, hands-on way. 

Outside of work, he is a passionate cinephile, gamer, and die hard Celtics and Patriots fan. 

Featured Resource

Abby Care

We know how deeply committed our ANNA caregivers are to supporting their children, and now there's a way to receive financial support for that care. Through Abby Care’s Paid Family Caregiving program, eligible Massachusetts families can become paid caregivers for their children with autism or other disabilities. If your child is enrolled in MassHealth, you may qualify to receive free training, help with paperwork, and ongoing support - all while earning income for the care you already provide. Learn more and see if you qualify at Abby Care’s website.

Recommended Reading

Too Much!: An Overwhelming Day 

The holidays are full of excitement: bright lights, extra sounds, busy days, lots and LOTS of people, etc. For someone with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, or sensory sensitivities, the world can be overwhelming on ordinary days; during the holidays, those feelings can grow even more intense. This story offers a new perspective and reminds us that everyone experiences things in their own way. As you share this book with your family, may it open hearts, spark understanding, and help bring a little more calm and kindness to the busy season ahead.

Sometimes everything is too much! Too loud, too bright, and all too overwhelming. Writing from her own experience with sensory processing disorder, Jolene Gutiérrez’s compassionate picture book explores the struggles of a sensorily sensitive child and how they settle themselves. Joined by Angel Chang’s beautiful illustrations, young readers will learn that it’s OK if some days are too much.  

Caregiver Affirmation

“I am enough, even when I pause, even when I rest.”

Caregiving asks a lot of all of us, and it can feel like we should always be doing more. This causes rest to seem like something you need to earn, rather than something that you truly need and deserve. However, slowing down is part of being a steady and present caregiver who provides the best care for their child. Pausing gives your mind and body a chance to reset, and helps you support your child while also demonstrating to them how important it is to care for one’s self.

Try to remember, and genuinely believe, that rest doesn’t take away from your commitment to your child. Instead, it reflects the reality that caregiving is hard work. You are doing so many things every day that no one sees, and those efforts add up. You are allowed to take a breath. You are enough, both in the active moments and in the quiet ones.

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!