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

ANNA Trunk or Treat

Save the date for an inclusive Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 17^th (rain date October 24^th ) from 5-6:30pm! ANNA families will receive more details very soon. Community members who have interest in volunteering or otherwise participating can contact Ashley at [email protected]. Hope to see you there!

Local Events

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

Let’s Build a Village: An Evening of Connection and Reflection at the Autism Welcoming Center in Natick
Join the Autism Alliance on Friday, October 3^rd from 6–8pm at the Autism Welcoming Center inside the Natick Mall for an evening of community, reflection, and support with other caregivers in their Let’s Build a Village self-care group for moms. The event will feature a guided discussion with practical tools for navigating life as a parent of a child with autism, as well as time for light refreshments and a calming meditation as you connect with fellow moms in a warm, welcoming space. Free registration: Let's Build a Village.

Sensory Friendly Days at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln
Enjoy a peaceful visit to Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln on Monday, October 6^th from 10am–1pm, when the sanctuary is closed to the public and open exclusively for individuals with autism or other sensory sensitivities. With fewer visitors, quieter trails, and a calm atmosphere, it's a chance for families, children, and adults to connect with nature and each other at their own pace in a more comfortable, less stimulating setting. Free Registration is Required: Sensory Friendly Days.

Inclusive Afternoon at the Discovery Museum in Acton

Play and explore in the accessible and universally designed Discovery Museum and Discovery Woods on October 7^th from 1:30-4:30pm, during a special, free afternoon for visitors who benefit from a more sensory-friendly atmosphere and a limited capacity experience. The Museum is open to the public, but with no group visits scheduled to avoid crowding. Free advance registration is required: Inclusive Afternoon.

Sensory Storytime at the Waltham Public Library

On Saturday, October 11^th from 10-10:45am, the Waltham Public Library will offer sensory-friendly songs, stories, and playtime in this accessible storytime! This storytime is designed for any children who benefit from small groups with more support. Free Registration is required: Sensory Storytime. You can help your child prepare for this Storytime by reading this Sensory Storytime Social Story.

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 know this means moving beyond broad concepts into the real, everyday experiences of children and families. This month, we’re taking a closer look at specific things like stimming and special interests, and exploring how embracing these can strengthen connection and support wellbeing.

Neurodiversity and Stimming

Stimming is short for self-stimulatory behavior, and is a natural and often helpful way for people to regulate their emotions, express excitement, or connect with the world. It can look like hand-flapping, rocking, repeating words, or intently focusing on a favorite object. In traditional approaches to autism services, stimming has often been discouraged or redirected. However, we now understand that stimming is an important form of communication and self-regulation.

Instead of trying to stop stimming, consider whether the behavior is hurting anyone or getting in the way of something that’s truly important. If not, then there’s typically no need to intervene. Accepting stimming as part of a child’s natural way of being helps them feel safe and understood. If a stim is truly unsafe, then the goal should be to support the underlying need and offer a safer alternative. Embracing stimming is an important way to affirm your child’s identity and help them thrive.

Support Your Child’s Development

Many autistic children have deep interests, which are sometimes dismissed as “obsessions” or seen as something that should be limited in order to encourage more “typical” play or behavior. However, special interests are often a significant source of joy, comfort, confidence, and connection for our children.

Instead of restricting your child’s interests and passions, try letting yourself recognize their importance and nurture them. These interests can help support learning, build relationships, and offer calming structure in a world that can feel scary and unpredictable. If your child is happiest when playing with their favorite toy or talking about their favorite topic, that’s a beautiful thing!

Staff Spotlight

Becky was drawn to healthcare as a way to combine her strengths in math and business with a deep desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of her friends, family, and broader community. In recent years, Becky has focused on reimagining care delivery at mission-driven startups, especially for populations that have been underserved by the traditional healthcare system. Becky is honored to be part of the ANNA team, where she’s focused on improving the quality and experience of care for neurodivergent children and their families. Her work centers on empowering the ANNA team to perform at their best and helping expand access to more communities.

When she’s not diving into a spreadsheet or connecting with the team, you’ll likely find Becky trail running across New England with her husband Ryan and their energetic pup, Finn.

Featured Resource

TSA Cares

Traveling, particularly by plane, can be a real challenge for families in our community. Families requiring special accommodations, or concerned about the security screening process, can request the services of a TSA Passenger Support Specialist (PSS) who can provide assistance through security screening. A PSS is a TSA officer who has received specialized training, including how to effectively assist and communicate with individuals with disabilities or medical conditions, and travelers who need additional screening assistance. Learn more here!

Recommended Reading

Leo and the Octopus by Isabelle Marinov

Leo and the Octopus introduces Leo, a boy who finds the world confusing and overwhelming. Things change when he meets an octopus at the aquarium, and they realize that they are both navigating a world that doesn’t always understand them. Through their friendship, Leo begins to feel seen, accepted, and less alone. The story focuses on empathy and belonging in a child-friendly way, with warm and engaging illustrations. The book makes complex emotions accessible and relatable, and is a wonderful resource for families, educators, and caregivers to spark conversations about autism, neurodiversity, and the importance of understanding others.

Caregiver Affirmation

“I celebrate the ways my child finds comfort and joy in the world.”

Children connect with the world through things like movement, sounds, repetition, routines, and passions, and every child has their unique own way of doing so. When we choose to celebrate these things instead of trying to change or limit them, we make space for real connection and understanding. This affirmation is a reminder to notice what brings your child calm, excitement, or even a sense of control, and to honor that.

Remember that your child doesn’t need to be changed in order to be valued and loved. Their comfort and joy might look different than you expected, and it’s ok to have a range of feelings about that. Meeting them where they are shows them that who they are is more than enough, and that the way they move through the world is something to be celebrated. Join in with them and you might even find some extra joy of your own!

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!