Official first day of our study for our Animea: My Emotional Support Animal Cards! We are thankful to our virtual volunteers and can’t wait to share the results!

I can’t mask everything, and I don’t want to. I am only willing to mask what I can. After that, it’s up to others to accept me.
Masking and unmasking are complicated, but one thing is clear to me: masking should never hurt us. #autism #neurodivergent #adhd

A small example: touching things helps with sensory pain in my hands, but it can distract others. So I carry a polished rock in my pocket. That’s still masking—but it meets my needs instead of denying them.

It's not staying in pain, it's choosing to find a way to meet the need that is also socially acceptable. If I need a fidget toy or to stim, I do it in a way that keeps me safe in public. Because the reality is, we are safer when we consider how our behaviors affect others. Being followed STINKS!

Masking is a tough topic, especially because we don’t all use the word the same way. For me, masking isn’t about hiding my emotions or pretending I’m “normal.” It’s about considering my needs, other people’s needs, and the situation I’m in. When I mask, I try to stay kind to myself.

A simple way to help with speech isn't even talking....it's building your mouth's muscles! A cool trick my daughter's therapists taught me: use a straw, bubbles, water, and a bowl. It's been great! She "prepares" her car wash and then washes cars, it's a blast! #autism #parenting

Flamingo Balance YouTube video by Sam Sandate White

When my kids are in a good mood, that’s when we practice "bouncing back." Flamingo Balance is our favorite—simple, fun, and perfect for reframing "losing" as a chance to "try again." We do it anywhere you can stand. Check out our breakdown video of Flamingo Balance #parenting #autism #neurodivergent

Self-Care Game – Helping Hands Creations Inc. Self-care is such a hard concept to understand, and I don't think anyone ever takes the time to explain what it means. Self-care isn't just saying "love yoursel

helpinghandscreations.com/self-care-ga...

Last week I shared a self-care game, a way for autistic people to practice self-care. But I wanted to make a more visual based version of the game for those of us who need more support. I'm proud to present a visual communication board version of the game! Feel free to customize it. #autism

Meal times used to be a drag. I knew we needed to practice using utensils, but my kids would get so frustrated that they would give up and throw the food or use their hands. My opinion is yogurt cereal is the best meal to practice with, hands down! What do y'all think? #parenting #autism

Baby Lion YouTube video by Sam Sandate White

When your kid is screaming and no end seems in sight... we can begin to roar and turn a distressing situation into a controlled outlet.

By allowing kids to set the pace of when to stop roaring? You reframe the situation into a fun game. Learn more about what I mean in my video. #autism #parenting

Self-care is doing acts of love to yourself. Taking care of yourself and making sure your needs are met IS self-care. I struggled with this concept cuz I struggle to feel what my body needs. So this valentine's, I made a self-care game! Happy Valentine's! #autism #neurodivergent #ADHD #valentines

So therapist taught me this exercise! My daughter helped me model it yesterday. It's simple, easy to repeat, and fun! It's so hard to get him to do a lot of exercises, but this one he loved since it was bubbles! I highly recommend this for anyone that needs help with core strength #parenting #autism

Before physical therapy, my son physically couldn't sit up, even in a swing! He barely could sit in a chair before "melting" and sliding out of his desk. He would rather walk around than sit because he just couldn't do it. He desperately needed core strength. #parenting #autism

Sloth Walk YouTube video by Sam Sandate White

When your kids are bumping into everything in the room? It's time to slooow them down. Sloth Walk teaches kids how to redirect their energy in a fun and safe way. By using Sloth Walk? Slowing down becomes FUN. We hope our video demonstrates why Sloth Walk is one of our favorite exercises! #parenting

Free Paced Breathing Poster – Helping Hands Creations Inc. Why do so many professionals insist on “deep breathing”? Because it has real, measurable benefits for your health, stress levels, and emotional regulation. Well

Research shows deep breathing helps, but I know I would NOT be happy if someone told me to take "deep breaths". Today's resource is a free breathing poster so you can remind yourself! You can’t control others or what’s happening around you. But you can control your breaths. #autism #mentalhealth

For #neurodivergent children, many tasks can be painful or annoying.

The solution? Pick a skill + special interest = growth!

My son's special interest is animals, and he needed to work on his hand strength, so our solution was Play-Doh dioramas!

Learning in their way, at their pace. #parenting

Whale Breaths is a daily lifesaver. My children went from distressing meltdowns to telling themselves, "I feel blue. I want Whale Breaths"

This is our goal for every child using our support deck.

Our video breaks down and demonstrates what Whale Breaths is all about! #parenting #autism #resource

Food Safety Tips #1: Cutting Gloves – Helping Hands Creations Inc. Cooking while on the spectrum can be a huge challenge—balancing sensory input, energy, and safety can feel overwhelming. To make it easier, we’re sharing monthl

Cooking while autistic can be hard, and the judgment is even harder. I almost gave up on cooking entirely after too many knife accidents, but then I realized: I don't have to do it like everyone else.

Cut-resistant gloves and pre-cut veggies saved my independence.

What kitchen hack helps you?
#nd

Working on speech doesn't have to be difficult, in fact it can be as easy as watching a movie with your kid! We made "Pronoun Signs" that your little one can lift to describe characters on the screen. Here's one of our little ones watching her favorite TV show while practicing pronouns. #ByUsForUs

When my kids are in a good mood, that’s when we practice "bouncing back." Flamingo Balance is our favorite—simple, fun, and perfect for reframing "losing" as a chance to "try again." We do it anywhere you can stand. Can’t wait to hear how long your kids can Flamingo Balance~

Free Custom Meltdown Plan – Helping Hands Creations Inc. From the workplace to home, meltdowns impacted every aspect of my life. People often mistake them for “tantrums” or behavior problems, but in reality, it’s abou

From the workplace to public spaces to home, meltdowns impacted every aspect of my life. Learning about Meltdown Planning saved me. The method was simple; just like how we have fire escape plans, I needed a plan to know what to do. I hope this custom template helps you develop your own.

#ByUsForUs

All-In-One Transition Boards – Helping Hands Creations Inc. For the convenience of therapists, educators, and families, we remade our transition board series so it is possible to reuse the actions/places/etc square's for

I used transition boards for my daughter for 3 yrs. While challenging, I am SO proud of how she changes tasks now. #AuDHD kids need predictable and visual communication. Our "First and Then" and "To Do List" are updated versions of my daughter's board. May they help you as much as they helped me!

Textured dark blue background. Large white text reads: What is Plain Language? Inside a light blue box text reads: Plain Language is a way of writing that uses cognitively accessible language. Cognitively accessible language means that anyone can understand your writing easily. For example, people with different intellectual and developmental disabilities. The ASAN logo is at the bottom.

Light blue textured background. Large dark blue text reads: Why is Plain Language important? Black text reads: People with disabilities should have equal access to information You can write about any topic in Plain Language. You can even write about topics that are very technical or complex. All writing should be cognitively accessible or have a cognitively accessible version. But most people write in ways that are not cognitively accessible. They might not understand why Plain Language matters. It is important for more people to write in Plain Language. Plain Language writing is really important for topics that affect disabled people! Remember: nothing about us, without us!

Light blue textured background. Large dark blue text reads: What does Plain Language look like? Black text reads: These are some of the parts of Plain Language writing: Have shorter sentences & paragraphs. Use simpler words. Define important, complex words. Use examples to help readers understand ideas. Avoid info that isn’t important. Use clear & straightforward language. Use active voice instead of passive voice. For example, “she called her doctor” instead of “the doctor was called.”

Textured dark blue background. Inside a light blue box text reads: ASAN makes toolkits and resources in Plain Language. We also write Plain Language Roundups. The Roundups tell people about what’s happening with the government and what people can do. We want to write more things in Plain Language, like posts on our social media! It is important for our posts to be accessible to more people. The ASAN logo is at the bottom.

Plain Language is really important to ASAN and our community. Learn about what Plain Language is and why it matters in this post!

We want to make more of our social media Plain Language. It is important for our posts to be accessible to more people!

When your kids are too loud and indoor voices have left the building....

We can turn it into a game! They are a roaring lion and their roars slowly shrink before they decide to rest.

By allowing kids to set the pace of when to stop roaring? You reframe the situation into a fun game.

#parenting

Emotional Regulation Posters & Cards – Helping Hands Creations Inc. Emotional regulation can be a difficult skill to master for those with ASD or ADHD. Teaching appropriate activities to do after identifying the emotion you are

Emotional regulation isn't about stopping emotions—it’s about recognizing them and not letting our emotions control our actions. Overload is painful, but practice helps us navigate it. I’m sharing a free poster & cards to help you find your baseline in stressful times. Please pass it on! #ByUsForUs

This Barbie is beautiful. 💖 ASAN & Mattel show anyone can be autistic. AAC & regulation tools show we experience the world differently and use tools to thrive. This representation is vital—after all, if you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one. #nd #AutismBarbie #ByUsForUs #ActuallyAutistic

When your kids are moving too fast...

It's time to sloooow them dooowwn in a fun and easy way.

Sloth Walk is all about teaching kids to redirect energy towards slowing down and relaxing their bodies.

The goal is to change the behavior. By using Sloth Walk? Slowing down becomes FUN.

#ByUsForUs

How to Build a Neurodivergent Friendly Toolbox – Helping Hands Creations Inc. You aren’t alone. Some of the most anxiety inducing questions that autistic and ADHD people ask themselves are: Is what I am feeling real? Am I over-exaggeratin

Does your toolbox work for your sensory needs? As an AuDHD parent, I know it feels impossible to even tell what your body needs! I made a guide that teaches you about all the different types of tools that exist to assist you in your everyday needs. #adhd #autism #neurospicy #ByUsForUs

Thank you :D I always try to solve problems with fun for my kids when possible. So our house is constantly filled with art and singing tbh haha