Rooted Beginnings, LLC

01/08/2026

These systems weren’t built to be easy — but families still deserve access, dignity, and support.

That’s why I invited Sarah Tingue to join us for a Self-Direction Q&A. She brings deep knowledge of OPWDD and a genuine commitment to walking alongside families through the process.

This is an invitation to learn, ask questions, and feel less alone.

Please share this widely. Community is how we make this easier.

01/07/2026

💚💚🌱

01/06/2026

📢 Attention families, caregivers, and advocates!
I’m proud to serve on the NYS Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board, because I believe every child and family deserves access to services, supports, and understanding that meet their unique needs. These meetings are where policy meets real life, and they help shape decisions that directly impact the autistic community across New York.

I want to invite you to the upcoming public meeting! This is a great opportunity to stay informed, hear updates, and share your perspective.

There is an opportunity for public comments as well, so if you have thoughts, questions, or experiences to share, this is your chance to be heard.

Let’s show up, support our community, and make sure our voices are part of the conversation!

TUNE IN: Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board Meeting is on Wednesday, January 7. Meeting details: bit.ly/ASD010726

01/06/2026

🌱 Why We Choose Multi-Age Groups
At Rooted Beginnings, our groups are intentionally multi-age. This isn’t an accident or a convenience—it’s a deeply considered choice rooted in history, brain science, and our commitment to mental health and community care.

For most of human history, children did not grow up separated by birth year. They learned in families, villages, neighborhoods, and mixed-age communities, where older children naturally supported younger ones, younger children learned by observing, and everyone had a meaningful role. Learning happened through relationship, contribution, and shared life—not through age-segregated instruction.

The modern model of placing 20+ children of the exact same age in one room is a relatively recent invention, designed for efficiency—not for nervous systems, development, or wellbeing.

🧠 What We Know Now About Brain Development & Mental Health
Neuroscience and mental health research continue to show us that:
Children develop regulation through co-regulation, not control
Learning is relational before it is academic
Social pressure, comparison, and constant peer mirroring can overwhelm sensitive nervous systems
When large groups of same-age children are placed together, especially in high-demand environments, we often see:
Increased anxiety and dysregulation
Heightened comparison and competition
Fewer opportunities for authentic leadership or mentoring
Children learning coping strategies from other dysregulated peers.

We have to ask:
If every child in the room is still developing the same skills at the same time, who is modeling regulation, flexibility, or perspective?
🌿 The Power of Multi-Age Community
In multi-age spaces:
Younger children learn by watching—not being pressured to perform
Older children develop empathy, confidence, and leadership naturally
Children move between roles of learner and helper in ways that build self-worth
There is less comparison and more collaboration
Everyone belongs, regardless of where they are developmentally
This mirrors real life. Outside of school, the world is not age-segregated—and children thrive when learning reflects that reality.

💛 Why This Matters for Inclusion
For neurodivergent children, children with anxiety, PDA, trauma histories, or school refusal, same-age groupings can be especially challenging. Expectations become rigid. Differences become visible. Nervous systems are pushed instead of supported.

Multi-age groups allow for:
Flexibility instead of pressure
Belonging without performance
Growth without constant comparison
Children are not asked to “keep up.” They are invited to participate in ways that feel safe and meaningful to them.

🌈 Learning Through Relationship, Not Replication
At Rooted Beginnings, we don’t believe children need to be surrounded by 20 mirrors of themselves to learn.
They need community.
They need relationships across ages and abilities.
They need spaces where learning happens through connection, curiosity, and shared humanity.
Multi-age groups aren’t a step backward—they are a return to what has always supported human development best.

And in a world where children’s mental health is increasingly at risk, we believe how we gather children matters just as much as what we teach.

01/05/2026

Exciting News!

Most of our classes are reimbursable through Self-Direction, making it easier for families and individuals to access high-quality, individualized support. Our inclusive classes and services are designed to align with Self-Direction criteria, giving participants choice, flexibility, and meaningful engagement in a way that meets their unique needs.

Explore our classes and discover how you can make the most of your Self-Direction funding—whether it’s skill-building, social-emotional growth, or hands-on experiential learning. Reach out today for more information, to schedule a tour, or to get started!

01/05/2026

🌿 Classes Start Next Week at Rooted Beginnings! 🌿
Learning through play, connection, and curiosity—that’s what we’re all about! Our classes welcome people of all ages to explore, create, and grow together in a space where relationships and joy come first.
✨ Why join our community:
Most classes meet criteria for Self-Direction through OPWDD.
Scholarships may be available.
Inclusive, playful, and low-pressure spaces where everyone can engage at their own pace.
Come for the fun, stay for the community—and leave with smiles, friendships, and new discoveries.
📅 Spaces are limited—visit our website rootedbeginnings.org, reach out for a tour, or join our Facebook community to learn more.
Let’s make next week all about joy, play, and connection! 🌱

01/02/2026

Rooted Beginnings: Winter Schedule & Invitation to Join Our Community

As winter settles in, we are reminded of the quiet power of slowing down, resting, and honoring the natural rhythms of both children and adults. At Rooted Beginnings, we believe that growth doesn’t happen through pressure or rigid expectations—it happens in the gentle space where curiosity, play, and connection are welcomed without demand.
This winter, our schedule offers families the opportunity to engage in consistent, low-demand programming that supports emotional well-being, developmental growth, and authentic learning. Consistency is key: children thrive when they know they are seen, supported, and given a space where they can explore at their own pace. When we combine this stability with a caring community, we cultivate not only skill development but also trust, confidence, and joy in learning.

All of our offerings are intentionally designed to align with Self-Direction's requirements. All classes are inclusive, honoring each child’s autonomy, interests, and natural motivation. In a low-demand environment, children are free to follow their curiosity, engage at their own pace, and build resilience and creativity naturally. Rest, unstructured time, and the freedom to explore are essential foundations for development, and we honor these principles in every session.
Our membership program provides families with meaningful benefits, including savings on classes, exclusive access to special Friday events, and priority registration for new programs and offerings—ensuring you and your child are always first in the know.
Joining our community means joining a place where relationships are central, where every child is met exactly where they are, and where learning unfolds organically, joyfully, and authentically.

✨ Reach out today to learn more about classes or membership!

Please share widely with your community—your support helps keep this work sustainable and allows us to continue creating spaces where individuals can flourish.

12/13/2025

✨ A Year of New Beginnings & Becoming: 2025 in Review ✨

I opened Rooted Beginnings in 2023 with a vision—and a lot of heart. It has not been easy. Building something that is relationship-based, neurodiversity-affirming, and rooted in dignity within systems that often prioritize compliance and outcomes over humanity never is. But Rooted Beginnings exists because families deserve something different.

Rooted Beginnings was created to support children and families exactly where they are, honoring nervous systems, developmental differences, and the belief that learning and growth happen through safe, attuned relationships—not pressure or punishment.

2025 marked one full year of new beginnings in a shared space with Connecting Kids OT, and it has been one of the most meaningful years of my professional and personal life. Sharing space and vision with Kathy has reinforced how powerful collaboration can be when it is grounded in trust, shared values, and genuine care for children and families.

Here’s a look back at what this year held:
🌱 January – I rang in the new year alongside Kathy from Connecting Kids, beginning what has grown into a truly special and supportive partnership.

💍 February – My husband and I celebrated 20 years of marriage, a milestone that grounded me in gratitude and reflection.

🏛️ March – I began the formal, months-long appointment process to become a member of the New York State Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board, stepping intentionally into systems-level advocacy.

🧠 April – During Autism Acceptance Month, we formed a subcommittee of the board to move beyond “Light It Up Blue” in NYS and toward authentic, neurodiversity-affirming action. We began developing a resolution to “Light It Up Red, Gold, & White,” centering autistic voices and lived experience.

👶 May – I welcomed my first grandchild and experienced the joy of watching my daughter blossom as a mother, while learning how to navigate the evolving role of parenting a parent.

🏕️ June – Kathy and I collaborated on our first Extended School Year Programming Camp, supporting children who needed consistency during the transition between the school year and summer programming. This was part of a summer filled with ongoing, inclusive programming.

☀️ Summer (June–August) – We held countless Stay & Plays, welcomed many new families, and offered programming throughout the entire summer.

During this time, I also celebrated meaningful wins in my private consulting work, including working with districts to revise IEP goals to be neurodiversity-affirming and collaborating with school districts to secure 1:1 aides, allowing children to remain in their neighborhood and community schools alongside their siblings with appropriate supports in the least restrictive environment.

🏡 July – I hosted multiple open houses, continuing to build a space where families felt seen, safe, and supported.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 August – I ran my first teen group, affirming how deeply teens thrive when they are trusted, respected, and offered autonomy.

📚 September – I launched my first homeschooling groups, meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays, offering families a low-demand, inclusive, child-led learning environment grounded in relationships.

🎓 October – I facilitated an intensive, week-long training for a local nonprofit on neurodiversity, trauma-informed care, and the importance of a developmental, relational lens for sustainable success.

📘 November – We welcomed a local author Amber Partisano (Our Fox Rocks) for a book reading and signing at Rooted Beginnings, launched a partnership with Sensational Fun, and began raising awareness about the Beige Box Safe Foods Pantry Initiative, which focuses on access to safe, predictable foods for individuals, particularly those with limited diets.

That same month, the New York State Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board voted on the resolution to campaign for all New York State state buildings and landmarks—including Niagara Falls and the Empire State Building—to light up Red, Gold, & White each April for Autism Acceptance Month.

📄 A major shift in practice (2025) – This was the year I began writing comprehensive, neurodiversity-affirming narratives for families. Traditional evaluations often focus narrowly on deficits, test scores, and eligibility. These narratives capture the full picture of a child—including strengths, sensory needs, communication styles, regulation patterns, interests, and the conditions under which they learn best—supporting real, sustainable success in the classroom.

📰 Advocacy & Media – I was featured on Channel 2 news and in the Clarence Bee for the Beige Box Safe Foods Pantry Initiative, amplifying community-based advocacy.

✨ December – I received formal recognition from Erie County for this work, affirming the importance of relationship-based, neurodiversity-affirming advocacy at the community level.

💛 Throughout the year – I had the privilege of supporting many families by consulting with district teams, navigating complex systems, and helping caregivers advocate with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

🧠 A personal milestone – In 2025, I received my formal diagnoses of ADHD and Autism. Being a late-diagnosed AuDHD adult deepened my commitment to “Nothing About Us Without Us.” My work is informed by both professional expertise and lived experience.

✨ Looking ahead to 2026 ✨

I’m excited to expand inclusive, accessible programming rooted in DIRFloortime® principles, nervous-system safety, and relationships.

Most of Rooted Beginnings future programming will align with Self-Direction requirements.

I’m also looking forward to exploring next steps with Kathy that feel natural, organic, sustainable, and aligned with our shared values.

About Me
I’m Kate Coffman, founder of Rooted Beginnings. I am a New York State Certified Special Education Teacher, a DIRFloortime® Practitioner, and a member of the New York State Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board. I provide neurodiversity-affirming support through individual sessions, groups, family consultation, advocacy, professional training, and systems-level collaboration.

Rooted Beginnings is grounded in the belief that development happens in relationship, that behavior is communication, and that every person deserves to be understood beyond a test score or diagnosis.

Thank you to every family, colleague, and community member who was part of this year. I can’t wait to continue growing alongside you. 💛