#ExplorerPhase

THE VILLAGE BLOG

Episode 44 | His Mouth Stutters. His Brain Doesn’t.

Episode 44: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman His Mouth Stutters. His Brain Doesn’t. These archival conversations were recorded while I was writing Raising Superman. As Ricky II approached the end of high school and prepared for college and young adulthood, the interview process gave us space to have candid conversations about his experiences growing up on the autism spectrum and my experiences parenting a child on the autism spectrum. When Ricky II was a teenager, he

Episode 43 | Looking Back at What Helped Me Grow

Episode 43: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman Looking Back at What Helped Me Grow These archival conversations were recorded while I was writing Raising Superman. As Ricky II approached the end of high school and prepared for college and young adulthood, the interview process gave us space to have candid conversations about his experiences growing up on the autism spectrum and my experiences parenting a child on the autism spectrum. Throughout the Explorer Phase of Pa

Episode 42 | Recognizing and Respecting Your Child’s Sensitivities

Episode 42: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman Recognizing and Respecting Your Child’s Sensitivities These archival conversations were recorded while I was writing Raising Superman. As Ricky II approached the end of high school and prepared for college and young adulthood, the interview process gave us space to have candid conversations about his experiences growing up on the autism spectrum and my experiences parenting a child on the autism spectrum. During the Explor

Episode 40 | Learning Your Child’s Language

Episode 40: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman Learning Your Child’s Language These archival conversations were recorded while I was writing Raising Superman. As Ricky II approached the end of high school and prepared for college and young adulthood, the interview process gave us space to have candid conversations about his experiences growing up on the autism spectrum and my experiences parenting a child on the autism spectrum. In the Village Engagement Matrix™, the E

ABOUT THE VILLAGE BLOG

The Village Blog is a living record of engagement strategy in action.

Here, I share field stories, practical strategies, and original frameworks from my work with Head Start programs, school districts, community action agencies, and child- and family-service organizations across the country.

Each post explores how adults can strengthen relationships, become mission-aligned, and show up well for children and families. I work with adults and work for children—because every child deserves to be loved and cared for well.

Raising Superman

Raising Superman is co-authored by Dr. El and her son, Ricky II. Together, they weave their voices into one story that highlights the three characters of a Top-Notch Village: the child, the family, and the village members.

The book gives families and village members tips and strategies drawn directly from Dr. El’s Village Engagement Matrix™—a framework designed to help both work together so that children have every opportunity to maximize their personal potential.

At its core, Raising Superman shows what becomes possible when children grow up surrounded by belief in themselves, a positive identity, and a village committed to turning dreams into reality.