The Center for Connection and Neurodiversity

11/09/2023

Our new session starts soon!

10/25/2023

We’re getting snap happy 📸 ! We can’t wait to team up with for our family photography mini sessions on Saturday, November 4 at Kiwanis Grand Park in Monrovia.

David is an experienced photographer and father to a five-year-old autistic child, and he has worked with our team to put together an amazing service to meet the needs of neurodiverse families.

More info is available at the link in our profile! To book a spot or ask questions, reach out to kira@thecfcn.com

10/04/2023

It’s getting spooky ! 🎃 We hope that you’ll join us for our second annual Inclusive Trunk or Treat event being held on Friday, October 20 from 5:30-7:30 pm at in Pasadena. Attendees can expect treats, games, activities, music, stories, and more!

This event is designed with the needs of neurodivergent children and their families in mind - expect a sensory-friendly event where everyone can be themself. 😉 We can’t wait to see you there!

09/13/2023

Today was our first day of our new Pre-school group! Led by Kira (OT) and Desiree (speech therapist), the kids had a blast playing, connecting, and engaging with one another. Feel free to reach out if you think your little one would have a blast too!

08/29/2023

Join our team to meet local psychologist and celebrate the release of her new children’s book, A Kids Book About Nervous System Regulation!

Families can participate in sensory play activities, book reading and signing, and Q&A with our team to address all your back-to-school questions. All kids in attendance will receive sensory tools to start their own regulation tool kits!

Reserve your ticket at the link in our profile, we can’t wait to see you there!

08/27/2023

Dearest Mona, your work on earth is not over. We are not done learning from you. We are joining together, with a community you built, to will your healing and recovery into existence. We will continue to grasp hope with two hands and not let go. You will return and continue to lead the charge for change.

05/09/2023

Kira is offering a free parenting workshop this Saturday, May 13 at the Arroyo Seco branch of the LA Public Library in Highland Park. Parents will learn how children develop self regulation skills and practical tips for supporting toddlers and preschoolers.

In-person attendees will go home with some sensory play goodies, and those who can’t make it can email ayosco@lapl.org to gain access via Zoom. Hope to see you there!

04/15/2023

This is aftermath of play-based occupational and speech therapy . It’s not always pretty, but our child-led, connection-based approach promotes engagement, regulation, motor skill development, and more, using children’s most important occupation: PLAY! Do our therapists pick up a lot of toys? Yes. But we think it’s worth it. 😉

04/12/2023

This is a must read, must share, must bookmark, must save article.

Has your child just been diagnosed, or is likely autistic? Are you a therapist/teacher/researcher who is working with autistic kids? Start here! I answer the 5 most common questions I’ve seen…

04/02/2023

Kira is wrapping up an exciting professional development workshop with a great group of educators at Dove Day School in San Dimas!

Our staff is available to speak on topics including neurodiversity, inclusion, regulation, sensory processing, parenting, and more! We would love to put together an educational workshop, panel, or seminar for your organization - reach out today!

03/18/2023

Day #5:

Our friends over at Autism Level Up have built a website of useful resources, curated by and for neurodivergent brains.

We, the neurotypicals, are not the experts.

Let’s make it commonplace to listen to the community of neurodiverse brains. Let’s make a commitment to listen to their stories and lived experiences, no matter how old they are, how they communicate, or if it jives with our expectations. Let's humbly come along side these humans to design goals, treatment plans, classrooms, and communities that are universally accessible.

Please check out Autismlevelup.com (link in our story) and other resources designed and curated by neurodivergent people.