04/20/2026
April is Autism Awareness Month.
And it’s a good time to talk not only about “the spectrum” and “neurodiversity,” but also about the reality many families live in.
In California and across the U.S., there have been ongoing concerns about how services for people with disabilities are delivered — from lack of oversight to care that can feel more formal than meaningful.
Even outside official reports, many parents struggle to understand what support their child is actually receiving.
At the same time, another important conversation is emerging.
Today, the word “autism” is used to describe very different experiences — from people who live independently to children and adults with profound autism who require constant support.
At times, it can feel like two very different worlds.
More and more parents are speaking about this openly.
Eileen Lamb, a mother of a child with profound autism, writes honestly about life without pause: sleepless nights, constant uncertainty, and the question many parents carry — what will happen to my child when I’m no longer here?
If you look at news stories over the years, you begin to see a pattern.
From time to time, tragedies occur in different countries, and each one is treated as an isolated case — yet the context often repeats: burnout, isolation, lack of support.
This is not an easy conversation, but it is an important one.
At Grains of Good Foundation, we work with families every day and see how important it is not to face this alone.
We train our own specialists and help Russian-speaking families navigate the system — where to go, whom to turn to, and how to build a path forward.
And we are grateful to collaborate with experienced, thoughtful professionals who support this work.
On May 17, we will host a brunch at Chez Nous with Dr. Olesya Pokorna.
Dr. Olesya Pokorna is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with a deep specialization in ADHD, particularly in how it presents in women across different stages of life. She completed her residency at UCSF, where she served as chief resident for outpatient services, and is currently in advanced psychotherapy training at the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis.
She approaches ADHD as part of a larger picture — how it intersects with anxiety, depression, sleep, emotional regulation, hormonal changes, relationships, motherhood, and career.
This brunch is for you if:
— you’ve long suspected ADHD but don’t know where to start
— you have a diagnosis and want to understand it more deeply
— anxiety, exhaustion, or mental overwhelm are affecting your daily life
— you want to better understand how ADHD shapes relationships, parenting, and work
We’re intentionally leaving more room for your questions and stories — because that’s what made our last gathering so meaningful.
And importantly, proceeds from this event will help a family with autism receive a timely consultation and guidance in building their care path.
Dr. Olesya Pokorna is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with a deep specialization in ADHD — and in how it uniquely affects women across their lifespan. She…
