Gabby Sankar- Developmental Disabilities Specialist

06/01/2026

The face of a girl who just facilitated a workshop for the biggest group of teachers she ever has, forgot to take a picture with said group, but still had to document it😀

Today I had the pleasure of presenting my PBS for home and school workshop to the lovely group of teachers, staff, principal etc. at The University School and boy did I enjoy it! Grateful for a great bunch of individuals who asked thought provoking questions and engaged intentionally throughout. I appreciate you!

Opportunities like this always leave me beaming with how much I love sharing my knowledge and experience with our educators, service providers, parents and so on. What a start to the year! Manifesting more of these in the future🙏🏼

Thank you to the parents and teachers behind coordinating such an event. It’s because of you that our kiddos with additional needs will be supported🤍 If you want me to come to you/your child’s school, shoot me a message or email!

Feeling motivated 🥰

20/09/2025

Some of the amazing ladies I had the pleasure of meeting today!

This morning I got to conduct my Positive Behaviour Support Workshop with the lovely ladies of and I am still smiling!! Sharing my knowledge with such a kind and caring team filled my cup right up.

Thank you for inviting me and for being such a supportive school environment for our kiddos! Collaborations like these are so important 🫶🏽

17/09/2025

Always so grateful for my clients🫶🏽. Every family I work with reminds me why I love what I do. Walking alongside you in your journey — through the challenges and the celebrations — is such an honor. I can’t ever thank you enough for trusting me with your little ones and allowing me to be part of your story🥰

16/09/2025

How many times a day do you hear yourself saying: “It’s okay”?

We say it because we love our kids. Because we want to reassure them. Because sometimes it’s all that comes to mind

But here’s the tricky part:
👉 When ALL children hear “It’s okay” every single time, they may start using it as an automatic response — even when they’re not okay
👉 This can make it harder for them to express their real feelings and needs

So what can we do instead?
* Acknowledge their feelings (“That looks like it hurt”)
* Support them with comfort (“I’m here, let’s breathe”)
* Problem-solve when ready (“Let’s clean it up together”)

This doesn’t mean you can never say “It’s okay.” It just means balancing it with validation, so your child learns their feelings matter — and that they don’t have to mask them

Remember: You don’t have to get it perfect. Just showing up with presence makes the difference

11/09/2025

Have you ever been told your child is “acting out” or “behaving badly”?
Here’s the truth: behaviour is communication

Autistic children — like all children — use behaviour as a signal when:
✨ They’re overwhelmed (too much noise, light, movement)
✨ They don’t understand the expectation
✨ They can’t find the words to say what they need

When we respond by only trying to stop the behaviour, we miss the message underneath

But when we pause and ask:
👉 “What is my child telling me right now?”
…we shift from punishment to problem-solving

Remember: Your child isn’t giving you a hard time — they’re having a hard time. And behaviour is their way of asking for help.

If you’d like support in figuring out what your child’s behaviour might be communicating, I’m here!

📩 Send me a message anytime

10/09/2025

The first week of school can feel overwhelming for autistic students, their parents, and teachers alike. The good news? With the right supports in place, we can create an environment where children feel safe, understood, and ready to learn

Here are some practical supports you can introduce:

1. Visual Supports 🖼
* Visual schedules – provide structure for the day
* Choice boards – offer options in a clear way
* Activity steps – break tasks into manageable chunks
* First/Then boards – show what’s happening now and what’s next

2. Sensory Tools 🎧
* Headphones – reduce overwhelming noise
* Fidgets – help with focus and regulation
* Seating tools (weighted lap pad, kickband, wiggle cushion) – support comfort and movement needs
* Calm down corner – a safe space to self regulate

3. Communication Supports 💬
* Visuals – support understanding of words and expectations
* AAC tools – provide alternative means of communication for students
* Gestures & modeling – show, not just tell

4. Predictable Routines ⏰
Consistency helps children feel secure and reduces anxiety.

5. Team Approach 🤝
Teachers, parents, and therapists working together ensures everyone is on the same page for the child’s success.

⚠️ Every child is unique. These supports should be introduced with guidance from a specialist (Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Developmental Disabilities Specialist, etc).

💌 If you’d like help figuring out what supports would work best for your child or your classroom, send me a message—I’d love to support you

21/08/2025

Back-to-school is a big transition — for kids and for the adults who support them💛

If you’ve noticed more meltdowns, challenges with teachers, or behaviour that feels misunderstood, you’re not alone

At our Positive Behaviour Support Workshop, we’ll share practical strategies to help:
✅ Reduce overwhelm during new routines
✅ Build stronger communication between parents and teachers
✅ Understand behaviour through a supportive lens

📅 Date: Thurs Aug 28 at 6 PM
📍 Online – accessible anywhere
✨ Perfect for parents, teachers, and aides heading into the new term

Let’s make this school year feel less stressful and more supportive!!

🔗 [Link in bio to register]

20/08/2025

📝Back-to-school isn’t just about new pencils and uniforms.

It’s also about big feelings — for both children and parents.

If you’re feeling anxious about how your child will adjust, or wondering how teachers will understand and support them, you’re not alone. 💜

This season comes with excitement and challenges. And it’s okay to hold both.
That’s why next week, I’ll be hosting a workshop on Positive Behaviour Support for Autism at Home & School — to give you practical tools and encouragement as you step into this new term. 🌱

Let’s set you and your child up for success together.

📅 Thursday, August 28th
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Online

(Link in bio to register 💌)

25/07/2025

I’m so excited to share that our Positive Behaviour Support for Autism at Home & School workshop has a new date — chosen based on your feedback!

📅 Thursday, August 28th, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM

You guys reached out asking for a later date so you could plan ahead and make sure you don’t miss out — so I made it happen!

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by sensory challenges, communication struggles, or tricky behaviours at home, you’re not alone. This workshop will give you practical tools you can use immediately — at home and together with your child’s teachers.
💡 Realistic strategies
💡 Visuals & routines that actually help
💡 Real-life ways to support your child with less stress

If you were already registered for the original date, check your email for the new details to confirm your spot. Not signed up yet? Send me a DM or tap the link in my bio — let’s make positive behaviour support simple and doable, together. 💙✨

08/07/2025

✨ Our in-person picky eating workshop was everything we hoped it would be—and more

Parents walked away with:
✅ A better understanding of why their child struggles with food
✅ Strategies they can use right away—without pressure
✅ A sense of connection, support, and hope

We laughed, we learned, and most of all—we reminded parents that they’re not alone.

📩 We’re already planning the next one!
Want to be first to hear when registration opens?
Join the waitlist now. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9pqxCrPc3E8W9NQUG6-cti4UDoXR-yHrPoNaNy7VpYx3bDQ/viewform

Trust us—you’ll want a seat at the table next time 😉

01/07/2025

13/06/2025

🌧️ Stuck indoors with restless kids thanks to all this rain? You’re not alone! A lot of families have been telling me how hard it’s been to keep their little ones regulated without outdoor time

The good news? Movement can still happen inside—and you probably already have everything you need at home!

Here are 5 easy, regulation-friendly activities you can try on a rainy day:
1️⃣ Blanket slide
2️⃣ Blanket swing
3️⃣ Laundry basket car
4️⃣ Animal or wheelbarrow walks
5️⃣ Indoor obstacle course

These activities help with sensory regulation, connection, and burning off some of that extra energy—all while keeping things simple and playful.

💙 Save this post for your next rainy day meltdown moment