Bluebird Avenue Art Therapy & Counseling PLLC

08/25/2023

I am proud to say I have recently become a member of the . This post is one reason why. ♾️🌈

07/06/2023

We are now live! See our website about autism, for autistic young people here: https://autismunderstood.co.uk/

Thank you so much to everyone who worked with us to make this a reality

07/05/2023

I am thrilled share that my friend and colleague, Jennifer Perry-Newman, has recently joined Be Bold Psychology & Consulting NC. She is currently scheduling consultations for virtual therapy. Her information is linked below. 💜♾️🌈

03/14/2023

02/11/2023

New website coming soon…🌈♾️🦄

04/14/2022

Yeah slime! 🐌

09/25/2021

Below is a tweet posted by one of the authors of recently published research in JAMA regarding parental impact on infant autism diagnosis. His statement addresses the media’s misinterpretation of the research and he speaks to the benefits of providing a rich social environment—not to alter their neurodivergence, but to support their neurodivergent development.

Are you curious to learn more about this and other ways to support your neurodivergent child or teen? Please email me at hello@bluebirdavenue.com.

“https://t.co/ZxG0rBlawI”

09/23/2021

New research published just this week.

Stimming comes from the phrase “self-stimulating behaviors” and is often one of the traits autistic children and adults are most commonly guided to suppress in social or public contexts. For more lengthy explanation and description I recommend this article and many others on Neuroclastic.com. It also addresses the few circumstances in which stims should be redirected, not suppressed.

I’m incredibly excited to see the expanding body of research being conducted in support of our neurodivergent community. 🌈♾

https://neuroclastic.com/stimming-what-it-is-and-why-autistic-people-do-it/

New research on the link between sensory sensitivity and ‘restricted repetitive behaviours’ – or stimming – for autistic and non-autistic adults challenges the view that such behaviours should be suppressed.

09/13/2021

This will an amazing opportunity to listen and learn. Click the links below for more information and to register.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Penn State is hosting an conference through their TRIO training academy which focuses on equity in educational settings.

You'll hear from lots of people you recognize in advocacy, including:

Lauren Melissa (autienelle on Instagram and Twitter)
Tee Unmasked from Unmasked and The Autisticats
Tiffany Joseph (Nigh.functioning.Autism and nigh.functioning.autism on Instagram)
Oswin Latimer from Oswin Latimer, Autistic Consultant and Foundations for Divergent Minds
Sarah Selvaggi-Hernandez from The Autistic OT
Jules Edwards from Autistic, Typing
Erin Findley, autistic psychologist
Schereeya Reed (schereeya on Instagram and Twitter)
Kate Jones of Kate Jones Illustration (dissentByDesign on Instagram)
Ben Breaux from Ben B. - "My Own Words: Reflections of a Non-Speaking Autistic
Gregory Tino from the blog, The Autistic Mind Finally Speaks
Brian Foti from the blog, Speak Without a Voice
Terra Vance, CEO of NeuroClastic
Cheyenne Thornton, incumbent NeuroClastic board chair and ChiariChey on Twitter
David Gray-Hammond of Emergent Divergence
Maisie Soetantyo from Autismcareerpathways

Topics include:
-An Introduction to Autism from Autistics
-Integrating Indigenous Knowledge with Modern Supports
-Forget Behavior: Understanding Autistic Cognition
-Reframe Your Language, Reframe Your Practice: Autonomous Over Independent
-Autism and a Framework for Evolving Empathy
-Autistics Parenting Autistics
-Autistic Representation in Media
-Destigmatizing Stimming: Understanding & Embracing Autistic Self-Regulation
-Autistic Communication and Masking
-Let Them Be (Autistic) Kids
-Autistic People and Addiction
-Are NonSpeaking and Not-Thinking Synonyms?
-Understanding Apraxia in Autistics and Challenging Stereotypes

Registration for this three-day event, from October 19-21, is optionally $19.99 or FREE, so that no one is excluded from being an audience member.

Here's the link to Penn State's event: https://facebook.com/events/528994874829086/?event_time_id=529142921480948&_rdr

Here is the link to register: https://www.eventleaf.com/e/actuallyautistic

06/27/2021

Changing our language about something we so deeply care about can challenge our hearts and our minds. It means changing our understanding, our thought process, our perspective, our beliefs, often things we have be taught over many years of education or experience.

It means letting go of what we may think is right and be willing to be told we are or have been wrong. It means accepting that we may have made mistakes and that we are open to change. It means letting down our defenses and opening ourselves up to criticism. And above all it means being willing to listen. Really listening. And then listening and listening some more.

For me, the post shared below by Not An Autism Mom reflects so much of my own experience. I am still learning and still listening. It doesn’t end. Finding support in the process of challenging long-held beliefs about autism can feel like pushing against a tide.

Now offering art therapy & counseling for parents needing that support at Bluebird Avenue.

www.bluebirdavenue.com