From the Editor’s

Are there days when you feel like crawling back under the covers? There’s no doubt that life can feel overwhelming at times. Whether you’re a caregiver, professional, or self-advocate, we all have moments that seem almost impossible to overcome. While daily struggles can be frustrating and all consuming, we mustn’t forget to recognize the joyful moments, no matter how small. Beautiful moments are happening around us if we look closely enough. We must trust that tomorrow is a new day filled with possibilities!

When I think about savoring life’s moments—the joy—I immediately think of author, advocate, and mother of four Kate Swenson. I have spent time with Kate, the woman behind Finding Cooper’s Voice, at a few professional events and witnessed how wonderfully she connects with and guides families. Her positivity and enthusiasm are contagious. You don’t want to miss Kate’s thoughtful piece, Born Into Autism Advocacy: The Loving Ties of Brotherhood, as she shines a light on the sibling dynamic when there are different needs. In her piece, Kate shares the intense and beautiful bond between 12-year-old Cooper, who has severe nonverbal autism, and his 10-year-old brother, Sawyer. She describes their love for one another as fierce and loyal. Kate has a unique way of reminding us to look for and revel in the joy life can bring.

Another writer who brings light to the differently abled community is columnist Rose Adams, OTD, OTR/L. Be sure to read her piece, It’s About TIME: Discovering What Matters to Children Through Their Lens, as she reflects on the ways adults spend time with children and how to make the time more meaningful by discovering what they value most.

Finding ways to cope with life’s stressors is vital to mental well-being. Mental health (emotional, psychological, and social well-being) is crucial at every stage of life, according to the Centers for Disease and Control. Exceptional Needs Today columnist Nicole Moehring has written a fantastic piece called How Can We Help Children with Disabilities, Emotionally? where she provides advice on teaching children how to identify and regulate emotions early on, as well as approaches for alleviating meltdowns.

Caregivers won’t want to miss Take Care with Mental Health: Special Needs Caretakers Need Support. In this article, Carol Tatom, BA.HSE, CHW stresses the need for specialized mental health services for the vulnerable and underserved parents and guardians of differently abled individuals.

We all know prejudice and discrimination can be barriers to social inclusion. Not feeling loved, valued, and accepted by family when you or your child has different abilities can be very isolating. Meshell Baylor, MHS, says there is no shame in protecting a loved one from relatives who refuse to accept them or will not relinquish harmful beliefs surrounding exceptional needs. Be sure to read her piece, Healing From Preconceived Stereotypes and Intrafamily

Prejudice, as this inspired mother of four children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum, provides straightforward advice on the value of finding people who see us and treasure us for who we are.

This issue is jam-packed with 25 articles, including content on employability skill building when there are learning disabilities, the value of communal reading with children of all abilities, ways to develop positive learning environments to accommodate neurodiversity, and tips to improve executive function skills. We also look at why stimming is important when sensory input needs to be regulated, designing and managing your home environment to reduce stress and sensory overload, plus so much more.

We want to thank our contributors, advertisers, and subscribers who continue to support and play an integral part in our award-winning magazine. Let’s continue to work together to bring awareness, acceptance, and inclusion.

Tomorrow IS full of possibilities!

Best,

Amy KD Tobik

Editor-in-Chief, Exceptional Needs Today Publisher, Lone Heron Publishing