Empowered Therapy Collective

12/18/2025

✨ All play is meaningful. ✨

Play doesn’t need to be changed, redirected, or “fixed” to be valuable. Every child engages with play in their own unique way and that way is valid.

Sometimes play looks like parallel play.
Sometimes it looks like independent exploration.
Sometimes it looks like inviting us in.

Our role is to meet kids where they are, not to rewrite their play schemes. Repetitive, preferred, or highly specific play can be deeply regulating, comforting, and connecting.

In this moment, this child shared his passions—Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and shapes—and we followed his lead. By joining his play (when invited), we were able to support multimodal communication, including AAC use and familiar scripts from his favorite episodes. Communication doesn’t have to look one way to be meaningful.

We honor play as communication.
We honor interests as connection.
We honor the child as they are. 💛

12/17/2025

We know the holidays can be an extremely stressful time for many disabled kids and their families.
Changes in routine, travel, new visitors, unfamiliar foods, and a flood of sensory input can be overwhelming and dysregulating.

Instead of framing the season around how families can “survive” the holidays, we want to offer a different perspective:
Let’s look for their joy. Let’s celebrate it.

Lean into what brings your child comfort and happiness. Honor that.

For many kids, traditional holiday expectations may not feel joyful, and that is more than okay. Joy might look like spinning in a rolling chair, repeating a favorite line from a show, lining up beloved objects, engaging deeply with a special interest, or choosing quiet over chaos.

There is no need to perform a neurotypical, Hallmark version of the holidays.

When we center each child exactly as they are, we make space for real joy, authentic connection, and true belonging.

And when we share that joy, we help challenge harmful narratives and build a season rooted in care, acceptance, and community for disabled kids and adults alike.

10/28/2025

10/18/2025

Hey everyone! 😊 Here’s a quick video walkthrough of where Fall Fest & Friendship will be and a little preview of all the fun we’ve got planned!

Can’t wait to celebrate with you all! 🍂💛

10/15/2025

05/31/2025

We are so happy we were able to be part of this amazing event! 🌈💛

05/09/2025

SAVE THE DATE!! Join us for a laid-back, sensory-friendly morning of fun in nature! This event is designed with neurodivergent kids, teens, and families in mind—but all are welcome. Come explore, connect, and enjoy!

🗓 When: Saturday, May 31 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

📍 Where: Kathleen Johnson Memorial Park, Lowell, AR | 307 Bellview St, Lowell, AR 72745

💬 Cost: Free! No RSVP required—just show up.

Activities Include:
• Sensory Play
• Nature Crafts
• Nature Scavenger Hunt
• Chill Zones and Picnic Spaces
• Gross Motor Play
• Inclusive Games

📣 Follow on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop about future events!

03/14/2025

Imagine trying to make therapeutic progresss when you don’t feel safe. It’s almost impossible.

Making a child feel safe in therapy is the key to any future success. When they feel secure, they open up, trust builds, and therapy begins. Rushing the process won’t work—safety comes first, always. Take the time to create a space where they feel seen, heard, and protected, because connection grows where safety exists.

This resource is downloadable from our site if you’d like a printout 🤍