1. Play is a Lost Art
As adults we lose the joy of playing. Playing for the solely for enjoyment with no other ambition but to enjoy the time and the space we are creating. In my sessions, I often find myself modeling what play can look like for parents getting on the floor, following a child’s lead, and letting go of the outcome. Personally, I’ve been learning to invite play back into my own life. It shows up in trying new recipes, painting, gardening, or writing. I would encourage every parent I work with to do the same. To make room for joy, curiosity, and playfulness, I know it would deepen their relationships with their children. Kids are always watching. And in a world that can feel heavy, showing them that fun matters is powerful.
2. Leaning into my 5 Senses
Many of my autistic clients experience the world through heightened sensory systems. A sound that barely registers to me might be overwhelming for them. A texture might feel unbearable. A flickering light might distract them completely.
Watching how my clients move through the world has helped me tune into my own senses in a more intentional way. How does my environment make me feel? What sounds, smells, or textures impact my nervous system? The more I listen to my body, the more compassion and insight I can bring into supporting my clients with their own sensory needs.
3. How to Listen and Respect what my Body is Telling me
One of the biggest lessons my autistic clients have taught me is how important it is to recognize and respect the messages our bodies send us. So often, I push through hunger, fatigue, stress, or discomfort and then find myself irritable, emotional, or completely drained.
For many autistic individuals, their bodies and brains are constantly giving them feedback sometimes in overwhelming ways. If I want to support them in learning regulation, I first have to model it in myself.
When we help kids learn to notice their body cues (like hunger, overwhelm, excitement, or frustration), we’re giving them lifelong tools for self-awareness and self-advocacy. And it starts with us taking care of ourselves, slowing down, and showing what it means to listen and respond to our needs.
4. The World Moves too Quickly
I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen a client light up when they’re immersed in a special interest. Whether it’s trains, animals, space, or maps, when an autistic child is allowed to explore what they love, it’s like watching magic unfold. There’s joy, regulation, focus, and connection.
Too often, we rush them through it or redirect their attention, not realizing that their special interest is not just a hobby it’s a lifeline. It’s where they feel most like themselves.
Their presence in these moments reminds me to slow down. To step away from the to-do list. To make space for passion and joy. When was the last time you did something just because you loved it? No outcome, no productivity, just you doing what brings you peace?
5. Always Seek to Understand, Before Jumping to Conclusions
Perhaps the most important lesson: always seek to understand before making assumptions.
Every behavior is communication. Every interest, every reaction, every moment of quiet or excitement has meaning. And when I see something unexpected or unfamiliar, my job isn’t to correct it’s to get curious.
I collaborate with parents. I observe. I ask questions. I wonder. Together, we work to uncover the “why” behind a behavior or need. Because so often, when we take the time to look deeper, what we find isn’t a problem to fix. It’s a child asking to be seen, heard, and supported in a way that works for them.
Parents, you are the expert on your child. Not me, not any professional. I am here to walk alongside you, to affirm what you know, and to help you decode communication verbal or not so you can build deeper, more connected relationships.
