#TopNotchVillages 4/5

THE VILLAGE BLOG

The Day the Acorn Lady Received an Acorn in Birmingham, AL

This morning, I had the privilege of sharing space with the good people of Childcare Resources at their Sky’s the Limit Conference in beautiful Birmingham, Alabama. Childcare Resources is on a mission to ensure every child in Alabama gets the best possible start in life. They do the important work of supporting children and families because they understand what decades of research have shown us: quality early learning and care programs are a smart investment that can change t

My Child Always Needs Certain Items | Episode 10

Episode 10: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman My child always needs certain items. In Episode 10, we discuss attachment to inanimate objects, a characteristic of autism, and how certain items provided comfort, connection, and consistency throughout my son’s development. Within the Village Engagement Matrix™, children in the Seedling Stage (Pre-K–2nd grade) are developing confidence, emotional awareness, and a stronger sense of who they are, while parents and caregiver

Recognizing Signs of Strong Attachment | Episode 9

Episode 9: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman Recognizing signs of strong attachment. Within the Village Engagement Matrix™, children in the Seedling Stage (Pre-K–2nd grade) are developing confidence, perseverance, and a stronger sense of who they are, while parents and caregivers are in Architect Phase I, helping children develop emotional awareness, confidence, and connection. In Episode 9, we discuss one of my favorite examples of strong attachment and how children

Nothing About Him Without Him | Episode 8

Episode 8: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman Nothing about him without him. Within the Village Engagement Matrix™, children in the Seedling Stage (Pre-K–2nd grade) are developing confidence, perseverance, and a stronger sense of who they are, while parents and caregivers are in Architect Phase I, helping children build confidence, problem-solving skills, and a positive sense of self. In Episode 8, we discuss a moment that helped me recognize that my son had his own pe

Making Sense of Meltdowns | Episode 5

Episode 5: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman Making sense of meltdowns. Within the Village Engagement Matrix™, children between the ages of 2–4 years old are in the Sprout Stage while parents and caregivers are in the Explorer Phase. During the Explorer Phase, the role of the parent or caregiver is to discover who their child is as an individual by observing their interests, preferences, strengths, sensitivities, communication style, and unique way of engaging with th

The Gift of Conversation | Episode 4

Episode 4: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman The Gift of Conversation. Within the Village Engagement Matrix™, children between the ages of 2–4 years old are in the Sprout Stage while parents and caregivers are in the Explorer Phase. During the Explorer Phase, the role of the parent or caregiver is to discover who their child is as an individual by observing their interests, preferences, strengths, sensitivities, communication style, and unique way of engaging with the

Understanding Autism Stimming and Self-Advocacy | Episode 03

Episode 3: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman Understanding stimming and self-advocacy. In Episode 3, we discuss stimming, a characteristic of autism, and how understanding and honoring individual differences can create opportunities for self-advocacy and self-expression. Five years ago, when this video was recorded, my son was transitioning from the Sapling stage of development into the Young Tree stage within the Village Engagement Matrix™. During this phase, I was i

How We Came to Understand Autism

Episode 2: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman How we came to understand autism. Within the Village Engagement Matrix™, children between the ages of 2–4 years old are in the Sprout Stage while parents and caregivers are in the Explorer Phase. During the Explorer Phase, the role of the parent or caregiver is to discover who their child is as an individual by observing their interests, preferences, strengths, sensitivities, communication style, and unique way of engaging

The Village Engagement Matrix

I was once an acorn who grew into a Mighty Mighty Oak Tree™. Then, I had the great honor of having my own acorn and the privilege of watching him grow from infancy into a young adult who contributes positively to his community. My acorn is on the autism spectrum and was nonverbal until nearly five years old. He is now an oak tree who finished his first semester in college with a 4.0, marched in the marching band, and established meaningful relationships on his university’s ca

From Acorn to Mighty Mighty Oak Tree™

Every child begins as a precious acorn, full of promise, purpose, possibility, and personal greatness. Every acorn has the potential to grow into a Mighty Mighty Oak Tree™ that contributes to society and improves our quality of life in the future. Every acorn needs a Top-Notch Village™ that nurtures, protects, and supports healthy growth and development so it has the opportunity to grow into a Mighty Mighty Oak Tree™. Every Top-Notch Village™ needs Well-Prepared Soil™ that pr

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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.