10/03/2026
Honestly? An AI-generated video that speaks to so many parents, all to advertise a panda drum.
The only part that was the truth in what helps open opportunities for trying new things was the response the mother of the little boy said.
REGULATION! It works, especially for my own Autistic child. Iām not saying itās the same for everyone, but I tell you what I have personally witnessed. Our beautiful children from levels 1ā3 try new foods, textures, and experiences. I literally have parents say to me, āHow is it that my child will try this here in this space with you? Is it the environment?ā
Yes, the environment. Your child being in a space where things are set up so they too can participate in a way thatās built for them. In a shared space where they donāt have to mask. Where their subject of interest is being heard.
Where we say, āHuh, really? I never knew that about the Budgettās frog that makes that bizarre squeak. Tell me more!ā
We introduce cultural sensory food kits. We let someone use our hands as a tool to do the things they physically cannot touch because of high sensory processing. You give room to allow the experience in a way that multiple abilities can participate in a shared space in their own way.
This is what we provide here W3 Bee-Long to the families that we serve. How fortunate I am that my own beautiful childrenāmy oldest with Touretteās & Autism, and my other two Autistic childrenāhave taught me so much.
If you are a parent to someone with disabilities, donāt stop going to social places because of what others tell you or the looks that you get. I know itās hard. Being told you have to leave Ross while youāre trying to support your child and make sure they donāt harm themselves. Here you are trying to help your nonverbal child self-regulate. āBreathe. Iām here. Iāll make sure to hold your head so you donāt hurt yourself,ā while helping them regulate.
Here someone comes, āYour child is disturbing. You need to leave.ā And all you want to do is crawl up in a ball and cry because here you are, trying to help your child in the moment while still trying to teach them. A few minutes later, here comes security telling you to leave.
Not being able to leave because you came as the passenger, not the one with the getaway car.
So back to what I was saying, donāt stop at the hard. Keep going.
Now I wrote you a journal, lol.
Oh, did I mention I too am .
