A Place At The Table

09/27/2026

Well now for something completely different! In case you were unaware, my daughter Lily Szabo Pannella (my grandson's mom!) is the founder of The Happy Gull. She's selling some of the coolest stationary, journals, stickers and so much more with a focus on local artists (though she also has some pretty unique items from Japan as well.) Did I mention she's got a mobile mini-truck for when she takes the show on the road? Anyway, her events got canceled this weekend so she's turning lemons into lemonade for anyone who visits the site today at http://www.thehappygull.com with a 20% off discount on all purchases. Check it out!

Unfortunately our packed weekend of pop ups turned into wind, rain and hunkering down. To try and make up for it we’re doing a sale TODAY ONLY 20% off everything on the site no code needed.

08/26/2026

IT'S HERE!
When my grandson was diagnosed at age 4, I had 20 years in special education and I still did not know what to do as a grandmother. Knowing the field and knowing your own family are two very different things.
In addition to my book, I also wrote the thing I wish someone had handed me: Your Toolkit for Showing Up. 30+ pages. No jargon, no lectures. What to say, what not to say, how to be useful at the holiday table, how to support your adult child without stepping on them.
Because here is what I keep coming back to: they're not giving you a hard time. They're having one.
During the first two weeks of this launch, receive 20% off with the discount code SHOWUP20 and get your Instant download today!
https://square.link/u/kvJHiPPV
If you know a grandparent who is quietly worried and not saying it out loud, send this to them.

08/20/2026

I got the sweetest surprise this morning! Salem Speakers Bureau featured me as one of their speakers! 💜

"She helps turn autism awareness into practical action that builds safer interactions, stronger inclusion, and greater trust." That's the goal every time I step in front of a room, whether it's a police department, a corporate team, or a room full of grandparents navigating this journey with me.

Grateful for the recognition and for every organization that's trusted me to help them do better. If you know someone looking for a speaker on autism, neuroinclusion, or first responder training, send them my way!

07/14/2026

Some personal news to share with this group -

Bold Journey Magazine published an interview with me this week about my journey: from starting this very group after Hurricane Sandy, to leading a school for students with autism, to becoming a grandmother of a little boy on the spectrum, to the work I do now training police officers and first responders to better understand and support people with autism.

The thread that runs through all of it is the same one that built this community: everyone deserves a place at the table.

I'd love for you to read it — and if it resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear that their seat is waiting.

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jennifer Kaufman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below. Hi Jennifer, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from? My resilience

07/09/2026

How lovely when you're being interviewed on one show (Autism Live) and a podcaster from last week's interview (Sara from the Childs Show) calls in with nice things to say! Again, thank you Autism Live for providing the opportunity to talk about Grandparenting on the Spectrum, First Response Austim and supporting neurodivergent people in the workplace.

07/08/2026

Join me for the next hour on AutismLive where I get to discuss my autism advocay work, Grandparenting on the Spectrum and First Response Autism!
https://www.facebook.com/AutismLive

Autism Live is an interactive webshow providing support, resources, information, facts, entertainment

06/11/2026

Friends, this new chapter of A Place at the Table begins with a conversation close to my heart.
I recently joined podcast, On Mic with Jordan Rich to discuss my book, Grandparenting on the Spectrum: A Journey from Both Sides of the Desk.

We talked about the people who are often closest to autism yet feel the least equipped, grandparents who love deeply but aren't sure how to help, and first responders who need practical tools, not theory.
I've spent my career in autism education, and I'm also the grandmother of a child with autism. I know both sides of this. And what I've learned is that nobody needs to be an expert to make a difference in a child's life. They need understanding, patience, and a willingness to learn.
That's what this community will be about, bringing people with autism and their families to the table, and learning from one another along the way.
I'd love to hear from you. Are you a grandparent, parent, or family member of someone with autism? What do you wish more people understood? Your answer might be exactly what someone else here needs to read.
🎧 Listen to the episode here:

On Mic with Jordan Rich On Mic with Jordan Rich is now available on all major podcast directories, including Apple Podcasts! Learn More “THE ART AND BUSINESS OF VOICE-OVER AND MORE” In “On Mic with Jordan Rich,” Jordan discusses the art and business of voice-over as well as all of the perfor...

06/10/2026

This page began after Hurricane Sandy with one simple belief: nobody should eat alone. Together, you matched hundreds of displaced families with Thanksgiving tables and holiday gifts. I still get chills thinking about it. Working with all of you to do so much for so many is something I will never forget.

That belief never left me. It just found a new home.

As the principal of a school for students with autism - and the grandmother of a grandson on the spectrum - I've watched too many autistic kids, adults, and families get left out of the rooms, conversations, and communities everyone else takes for granted.

So A Place at the Table is beginning chapter two: a community for autism and neurodiversity. Stories, support, practical wisdom for families and grandparents, and a vision of communities where everyone truly has a seat.

Same table. Same mission. A lot more chairs.

If you're still here from the Sandy days - thank you. Stick around. And tell me in the comments: who are you saving a seat for? ❤️