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
Introducing ANNA’s Table!
We’re excited to introduce our new feeding and swallowing therapy program for children up to age 6. Led by a Speech-Language Pathologist, ANNA’s Table provides individualized, evidence-based support for feeding and swallowing challenges, with a focus on helping children and families experience more comfort and joy at the table. Learn more here: ANNA’s Table!
Local Events
We are happy to highlight local sensory-friendly and inclusive events across eastern Massachusetts:
🍂 Sensory-Friendly Fall Festival | Saturday, October 17th | 1–3pm
Kane Elementary School, Marlborough, MA
Families are invited to join Marlborough SEPAC for a free afternoon of fall activities in a sensory-friendly environment. Children can enjoy pumpkin decorating, games, face painting, temporary tattoos, and a calm craft corner, with a quiet space available for breaks. Food and a resource fair will also be offered. Caregiver attendance is required, and pumpkins are available for the first 100 registrants. Please register in advance: Register here!
🍬 All Treats, No Tricks | Sunday, October 18th | 11am–2pm
Westwood-Mansfield Pediatrics, Mansfield, MA
Children with sensory sensitivities and their siblings are invited to enjoy a Halloween celebration designed for those who find loud noises, flashing lights, crowds, or scary decorations overwhelming. Children can participate in simple games and activities before visiting trick-or-treat stations, with all treats consisting of non-food items. Families do not need to be patients of the practice to attend. Registration is required: Register here!
🎃 Sensory-Friendly Trick or Treating | Thursday, October 22nd | 5:30–6:30pm
Grand View Farm, Burlington, MA
Individuals with disabilities of all ages are invited to enjoy a free, sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience hosted by Burlington Parks and Recreation. This event offers an opportunity to practice trick-or-treating in a supportive environment, with allergy-friendly treats available. Costumes are welcome but not required, and nonresidents are welcome to register. Advance registration is required: Register here!
👻 Accessible Trick-or-Treat | Saturday, October 31st | 5–7pm
Meadowbrook Circle and Meadowbrook Road, Sudbury, MA
Children and families of all ages and abilities are invited to enjoy an accessible neighborhood Halloween celebration. Treat stations will be located near the ends of driveways, with food and non-food options available. Participating homes are asked to avoid strobe lights and sudden, high-pitched sounds, and children do not need to say “trick or treat” or “thank you” to receive treats. Costumes are welcome but not required. Families are encouraged to bring a flashlight, as the neighborhood does not have streetlights. No registration is required: Learn more here!
🌅 Morningstar Access | Saturday, November 7th | 8–10am
Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA
Children with disabilities or medical needs and their families are invited to enjoy Boston Children’s Museum during a quieter, less crowded morning visit. This is a mask-optional event, meaning masks are recommended but not required for visitors, and museum staff will wear masks when interacting with guests. Admission is half-price for general admission and free for museum members, with other discounts potentially available (such as EBT/WIC discount). Pre-registration is required: Register here!
✈️Wings for Autism | Saturday, November 7th | 9am–12pm
Boston Logan International Airport, Boston, MA
The Charles River Center will host Wings for Autism, a free program designed to support families of children with autism. By getting comfortable with the airport and flight experience without actually leaving the airport, families can gain the familiarity and confidence they need to take future trips. Children and their caregivers can practice travel procedures including checking in, security screening, boarding the plane, preparing for takeoff, and exiting the plane. Advance registration is required: Register here!
📚Sensory Storytime | Saturday, November 7th | 10–10:45am
Waltham Public Library, Waltham, MA
The Waltham Public Library offers sensory-friendly songs, stories, and playtime during this accessible storytime! This storytime is designed for children who benefit from small groups with more support, including children with sensory sensitivities and neurodivergent children. This program is free, and registration is required: Register here!
🌈 Sensory Storytime | Saturday, November 14th | 2–2:45pm
Brookline Village Library, Brookline, MA
Children ages 3–7 and their caregivers are invited to explore stories, music, and movement in a sensory-friendly setting. This program is designed especially for children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, or those who benefit from additional support during storytime. Accommodations include dimmed lighting, low music, sensory toys and fidgets, visual guides, and flexible seating. Space is limited and registration is required: Register here!
🧸 Inclusive Afternoon | Tuesday, November 17th | 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!
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 how making room for different ways of communicating, learning, playing, and participating can support all children.
There’s More Than One Way to Do Things
An important part of neurodiversity-affirming care is recognizing that people do not all need to communicate, learn, play, or participate in the same way. Some children listen without looking directly at someone, move around while learning, communicate through gestures or a device, play differently than other children, or need more time before responding to a question or direction. When we expect something to be done in only one particular way, children can end up working very hard to meet an expectation that may not actually be important.
Instead, we can pause and consider what the child is trying to do and whether their way of doing it is working for them. Sometimes a child truly needs support to learn a new skill, and other times they may just be doing something differently than we expected. Making room for those differences can give children more opportunities to participate comfortably and successfully in their daily activities and routines. Although neurodiversity-affirming practices are especially important for neurodivergent children, this kind of flexibility can benefit everyone!
Support Your Child’s Development
Inspire, Don’t Require
When your child is learning a new skill, such as using a particular word or completing a task independently, you may notice that they are able to do it sometimes and not other times. It might depend on where they are, who’s around them, how they’re feeling or any number of other factors. This is very common and it is ok! Recognizing this inconsistency as an expected part of development is important, and can help reduce frustration for both you and your child.
A useful phrase to keep in mind is “inspire, don’t require.” This means that you can inspire your child by demonstrating the skill for them, providing prompts and other support, and giving them time to respond. If they demonstrate the skill, that’s wonderful and you should both feel great about your progress! However, try removing the pressure from both yourself and your child by not expecting or requiring them to do this every time – remember that they likely can’t, because they are still learning.
Providing your child with low-stress opportunities to observe and think about the new skill is an important part of helping them master it, and shows that you are proud of them no matter what!
Staff Spotlight
Meet Ari Serio, MS, BCBA, LABA - Clinical Director at ANNA Foxborough!
Ari has more than 15 years of experience in the human services field and is passionate about helping children and families access meaningful, individualized support and care. Ari received her Bachelors in Psychology, with a specialization in Developmental Disabilities and Human Services from UMass Amherst, and her Masters degree in Behavior Analysis from Simmons College. She has worked with individuals from ages 2-60 over the last decade and a half across a variety of settings, including homes, daycares, schools, and clinics.
What drew Ari to ANNA were the shared values for compassionate care, strong family partnerships, and practical systems that help organizations deliver high-quality services while maintaining a supportive culture for all. Outside of work, Ari enjoys reading, cooking, and finding new spots (ideally in Vermont) to hike with her dog and husband!
Featured Resource
New Words Speech & Language
New Words Speech & Language is a pediatric speech therapy practice led by one of ANNA’s amazing Community Advisory Board members! New Words offers speech, language, feeding, and AAC services in children’s homes and community settings, including daycares and ABA centers. Their approach is neurodiversity-affirming, client-led, and play-based, with a focus on skills that are meaningful and useful in everyday life.
The New Words team also prioritizes collaboration with families and other members of a child’s care team. They currently have immediate availability and accept private insurance as well as cash pay. Learn more at newwordspllc.com or contact the team at speechtherapy@newwordspllc.com!
Recommended Reading
Knowing Why: Adult-Diagnosed Autistic People on Life and Autism
“This anthology includes essays from a diverse group of adult-diagnosed autistic people. Our essays reflect the value of knowing why - why we are different from so many other people, why it can be so hard to do things others can take for granted, and why there is often such a mismatch between others' treatment of us and our own needs, skills, and experiences. Essay topics include recovering from burnout, exploring our passions and interests, and coping with sensory overload, especially in social situations.”
Caregiver Affirmation
“There is more than one way to be a good caregiver.”
Although it can sometimes feel like everyone has an opinion about what you should be doing for your child, there is no single right way to be a good caregiver. What works well for another family may not work for yours, and something that helped your child last month may not be what they need now.
You are allowed to make choices based on your unique child and family, and that includes what is realistic for you. Sometimes this means listening to advice, taking what feels useful from it, and leaving the rest. There is more than one way to be a good caregiver and you are doing great!
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!