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Welcome to The Autism Advocate, ANNA’s monthly newsletter! We hope this will be a helpful source of information about upcoming events, tips for caregivers, community resources and more. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas for future editions!
ANNA Announcements
Andrew Arboe Presents: Special Interests and How They Shaped My Life – May 20, 2026 at 6pm
We are so excited to welcome Andrew Arboe – Autistic self-advocate, public speaker, and ANNA Community Advisory Board member – to share his experiences and perspectives on special interests! This event is now virtual only. Registration is required and can be completed at this link: Andrew Arboe Presentation at ANNA Woburn. Hope to see you there!
Local Events
We are happy to highlight local sensory-friendly and inclusive events across eastern Massachusetts:
🎬 Pizza and Pixar: Toy Story Night | Friday, May 22nd | 5:30–7pm
Autism Welcoming Center at the Natick Mall
Autism Alliance continues their Toy Story movie marathon in anticipation of the release of Toy Story 5, with one film each month leading up to the premiere. The May event will be a relaxed, sensory-friendly movie night featuring Toy Story 3 and pizza from California Pizza Kitchen. The environment is designed with comfort in mind, including dimmed lighting, lower sound levels, and space to move around or take breaks as needed.
Space is limited and registration is required: Register here!
💪 All Ages Adaptive Climbing | Sunday, May 24th | 1–3pm
Boston Bouldering Project, Somerville, MA
Everyone is encouraged to come climb, and accommodations and equipment will help climbers with any disability get on the climbing wall! This event provides a safe, fun and supportive environment for people with disabilities to discover and enjoy the sport of climbing. Volunteers will be on hand to help fit gear, guide new climbers, and belay the ropes. Cost for participants is $11 and registration is required: Register here!
🌿 Springtime Sensory Trail Event | Friday, May 29th | 9–10:30am
Mass Central Rail Trail–Sterling Spur, 25 Gates Rd, Sterling, MA
Join DCR for a guided, sensory-friendly walk designed to be accessible and welcoming for all ages and abilities. This slow-paced experience covers a short, mostly flat trail with benches available for breaks along the way. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome, and an ADA-accessible portable restroom is available at the trailhead. No dogs are allowed unless they are a service animal acting within their service capacity. Registration is not required. To check on hike status or for any questions, please call (617) 645-0358 or email [email protected].
🖍️ Springtime Sensory Stations | Saturday, May 30th | 10am–4pm
Autism Welcoming Center at the Natick Mall
Celebrate spring with a drop-in day of hands-on, sensory-friendly activities! Participants can explore spring-themed sensory bins, movement activities, games, tunnels, balance activities, a trampoline, and the SenCastle in a welcoming, supportive environment. Seasonal crafts and snacks will be available while supplies last. No registration is required, so families can stop by at a time that works for them. Learn more here!
🐮 Sensory-Friendly Open Barnyard | Saturday, May 30th | 11am–12pm
Weir Farm, Hingham, MA
This program offers a quieter, lower-capacity visit for families who would benefit from a more sensory-friendly experience. Visitors can explore one of the South Shore’s last working farms, meet piglets and other barnyard animals, interact with goats, and enjoy the woodland trails. A Social Story Guide is available online, and headphones and other sensory items can be borrowed during the event. This program runs rain or shine. Cost is $10/person and registration is required: Learn more and register here!
🧸 Inclusive Afternoon | Tuesday, June 2nd | 1:30–4:30pm
Discovery Museum, Acton, MA
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of play and exploration at the accessible, universally designed Discovery Museum and Discovery Woods. This free event is ideal for visitors who benefit from a more sensory-friendly, lower-capacity experience. The Museum remains open to the public, but no group visits are scheduled to help keep crowds manageable. Advance registration is required: Register here!
🎨 Sensory-Friendly Play Session | Saturday, June 6th | 2–4pm
North Shore Children’s Museum, Peabody, MA
This monthly play session is designed for children and families who benefit from a quieter, less crowded museum experience. During the two-hour session, the museum reduces admission capacity, lowers lights and sounds, and offers additional staff and volunteer support. Noise-canceling headphones and sensory boxes are available for visitors who would like to use them. Tickets are $12/person ($3/person with EBT/WIC), and advance purchase is recommended as space is limited. Learn more here!
Ask ANNA
Do you have something you’d like to ask the ANNA team? Please submit your question here and we will answer it in a future newsletter!
Let’s Talk About Neurodiversity
Here at ANNA, we are committed to delivering services and supports that are neurodiversity-affirming and responsive to the needs and perspectives of the autistic community. This month, we are exploring autistic play and the idea that different does not mean wrong!
Neurodiversity at ANNA: All Play is OK
When adults think about play, we usually picture children taking turns, using toys in expected ways, and interacting with other children. However, many autistic children play differently and there is nothing wrong with that. A child with autism might line up toys, repeat the same action over and over again, watch something closely with their eyes, move their body in unique ways, explore textures, or focus on just one part of an object. Because the child is not using toys in a “typical” way, we can sometimes fail to recognize this as play – but that’s what it is!
The child might be exploring how something works, creating a pattern, regulating their body, or sharing an interest in their own way. As caregivers, our first instinct might be to change their play to make it more like what we expected, but this can send a message to the child that their way of playing is wrong. Instead, we can respect the child’s way of playing and look for opportunities to connect, communicate, and build new skills within that. Validating what the child is already doing allows us to connect with them, learn more about how they experience the world, and make sure they feel confident playing their own way.
Support Your Child’s Development
Something we do a lot at ANNA is joining in a child’s play and building connection with them before working directly on a specific skill. This is a great thing to also practice at home! When your child is playing, first try sitting nearby so that you can watch what they’re doing and notice what seems interesting to them. Then spend a few minutes joining them in whatever they are doing before trying to teach, redirect, or add something new. During this time, you can do things like copy their actions or use simple words to describe what they’re doing. If your child is spinning a wheel, you might spin another wheel next to them. If they are lining up cars, you might quietly add one car to the end of the line and see how they respond.
Caregivers can feel pressure to make play more educational or interactive right away, but children are more likely to engage when they feel understood first. After you join them for awhile, you can look for small openings to insert some learning or practice. You could try things like making a playful sound, offering them a choice, or modeling a new way to play with something (with no pressure for them to imitate). Try to keep your expectations flexible and follow your child’s pace. This approach builds connection and confidence by telling your child “I see what you’re interested in, and I want to be part of it with you.”
Staff Spotlight
Meet Dr. Jenna Eilenberg, Clinical Psychologist!
Dr. Jenna Eilenberg is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with extensive clinical experience in developmental and neuropsychological assessment for young children. She also has a background in public health, which has shaped her research focus on promoting health equity and improving access to care for individuals with neurodevelopmental differences.
Dr. Eilenberg received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Boston University and completed her predoctoral internship at University of Colorado School of Medicine, where she received specialized training in interdisciplinary team evaluations for children with developmental differences. She deepened her expertise as a postdoctoral fellow at Children’s National Hospital’s Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, where she provided autism evaluations, individual therapy, and group therapy for neurodiverse children, adolescents, and young adults.
As a diagnostic clinician at ANNA, Dr. Eilenberg is committed to providing neurodiversity-affirming developmental evaluations that center each family’s values and experiences. She is proud to be part of an organization where affirming and inclusive care is central to everyday practice.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family – including a brilliant 13-year-old Australian shepherd who keeps discovering new tricks!
Featured Resource
Massachusetts Autism Support Centers
Here in Massachusetts, Autism Support Centers are regional, DDS-funded resources that help autistic individuals and families connect with information, referrals, programs, and support in their local area. Centers may offer things like workshops, support groups, family activities, service navigation, and connections to community resources. Find your local Autism Support Center here!
Recommended Reading
It Was Supposed to Be Sunny, written by Samantha Cotterill
Laila feels like her sparkly sunshine birthday celebration is on the brink of ruin when it starts to storm. Then, just as she starts feeling okay with moving her party indoors, an accident with her cake makes her want to call the whole thing off. But with the help of her mom and a little alone time with her service dog, she knows she can handle this.
Changes in routine can be hard for any kid, but especially for kids on the autism spectrum. Samantha Cotterill’s fourth book in the Little Senses series provides gentle guidance along with adorable illustrations to help every kid navigate schedule changes and overwhelming social situations.
Caregiver Affirmation
“I connect with my child by meeting them where they are.”
This month, remember that you don’t have to wait for the perfect moment or the perfect kind of play in order to meaningfully connect with your child. Just start with what they already enjoy! You might try sitting next to them, copying a sound or movement they make, noticing a pattern to their actions, smiling when they look at you, or just staying close while they explore. Small moments matter so much, even when they may not look the way you expected.
We’d love to hear about your experiences with ANNA! Leaving a Google review is a great way to help other families learn about our services. If you have a moment, you can share your thoughts by clicking this button. Thank you for being part of our community!
