May 14, 2019
by Beth
1 Comment
In our second Oxygen Mask episode, “They’re Listening,” we have an honest conversation about the power of words in shaping how our children see themselves. Setting aside guilt, we step into the power we hold as parents to make a … Continue reading
May 6, 2019
by Beth
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In thinking ahead about this Thursday’s event: The Magic of Play, I’ve been reflecting on how play has shaped my relationship with my son on the spectrum. When he was a toddler, cause-and-effect toys were a delight—the delicious anticipation of … Continue reading
March 22, 2019
by Beth
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In my last post, I shared research findings on two stress interventions for special needs parents that proved effective. One was a mindfulness program and the other a program based in positive psychology. I summarized the findings about the stress … Continue reading
February 5, 2019
by Beth
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Tonight is the start of our Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course for parents of children with special needs. We use a MBSR curriculum designed and researched by Vanderbilt University and based on the foundational work of Jon Kabat-Zinn. In this post, … Continue reading
December 30, 2018
by Beth
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I can feel myself being drawn in again to the New Year’s resolution hustle. Here’s how it goes down: A post-holiday mix of relief and fatigue settles in. Cold days with few routines fumblingly unfold. Seeking more structure, a sense … Continue reading
September 24, 2018
by Beth
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Big news!! We’ve changed our name from “Center for Engaging Autism” to “Communities Engaging Autism.” You’ll see this change unfold on our website and social media in the coming weeks. Why Communities Engaging Autism? Here’s the short version: We’ve heard repeatedly … Continue reading
September 3, 2018
by Beth
2 Comments
While cooking this weekend, my mind wandered to back-to-school logistics. I had a nagging feeling of anxiety. It wasn’t about teachers, academics, or IEPs. No, not yet at least. My anxiety was about mornings and had been building for awhile. … Continue reading
August 17, 2018
by Beth
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The Big Umbrella was cowritten by a mother-daughter team, Amy June bates and Juniper Bates. The two were inspired by sharing an umbrella in a rainstorm. The Big Umbrella is a sweet, wrap-its-arms-around-you book with limited text, lovely clear illustrations and … Continue reading
July 22, 2018
by Beth
1 Comment
Have you ever heard of care mapping? It is “a family-driven, person-centered process which highlights a family’s strengths and communicates both the big picture and the small details of all of the resources needed to support a child and their family” … Continue reading
June 3, 2018
by Beth
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Hello CEA community! If you’re like me, you may have read Shannon Andreson’s “Farewell but not Goodbye” post and wondered, “now what?”. In sharing her decision to step down as executive director, Shannon reflected on the ebbs and flows of … Continue reading
