The First Time My Child Spoke to Me in His Own Words | Episode 14
Episode 14: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman The first time my child spoke to me in his own words. 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 u
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
