neurouniquennk

01/01/2026

Kicking off the New Year with purpose! Come hang out with like-minded parents of children on the spectrum. This is a safe space for open discussion and support. You're among friends!

12/27/2025

Get ready for some exciting changes! We're updating our meeting place and time, and we're opening our doors to kids. Thanks for being part of our journey, and we're excited to see what 2026 brings!

12/17/2025

12/16/2025

12/05/2025

Sign up!!!

📣𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Join our quarterly virtual sessions created for families and caregivers of autistic students. Discover strategies and resources, share stories, and build community as we support every student’s journey from school to adulthood. Our goal is to empower families with knowledge, community, and confidence to support student success in inclusive learning and beyond. Each meeting will include:
▪️Tools and resources from VCU-RRTC-ACE, statewide partners, and leaders in the field
▪️Lived experiences and insights from students/self-advocates and their families
▪️️Research-based strategies to support autistic students and their families

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻? The first community session will be Monday, December 8, 2025 -- 6 to 7 PM
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲? Once you register, you will receive a Zoom link to join our virtual community sessions
𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱? Parents, caregivers, and family members who support autistic students in the public school setting

🔗𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗟𝗬𝗘𝗥:https://vcuautismcenter.org/documents/Strong_Together_Fostering_Connections_in_our_ASD_Community_Flyer_112025.pdf
🔗𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞: https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/webcasts/series/stronger.cfm

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The 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗔𝗖𝗘) is part of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center () and the VCU School of Education ().

12/01/2025

is tomorrow, and we’re all stirring with excitement!

In anticipation of the big day, we are delighted to share that our generous friend, Larry Page, has renewed his support and is challenging Villa friends to do 2x the Good by making a gift before the new year!

We can’t thank him enough for creating the challenge, and we can’t thank YOU enough for rising to the occasion. We’ll see you tomorrow!

**If you make a post tomorrow tagging St. Joseph’s Villa and sharing what you love about our mission, we will send you a piece of free Villa merchandise as a token of our gratitude.

12/01/2025

Hey friends! Join us at the Front Porch Coffeehouse on Sunday to chat about all things autism! We'll be discussing new plans for 2026 and brainstorming ideas to help our group grow and support our kids in our community.

11/28/2025

The holidays can be incredibly stressful for autistic kids, often resulting in meltdowns, sleep disturbances, aggression, and overstimulation. As parents, it's essential we learn how to effectively support them. Let's come together to exchange tips and redirection strategies, ensuring our kids have a positive holiday experience.

11/20/2025

If you are interested in the Caregiver Skills Training (CST) Program, but don't have a location near you, there is a free virtual course!

Sign up for eCST and Learn More at: www.autismspeaks.org/cst

11/20/2025

This truly hit home. Thanks Adriane for sharing❤️

Boy, it was a rough day.
And I am mad at myself for letting it unravel in the way it did.
I should have known- I did know- but I struggle to believe myself.
In my committment to help Amos, I encouraged him to push through what I didn’t understand.
On Monday, he stayed home after refusing breakfast and saying his tummy hurt.
I had a colonoscopy scheduled and knew better than to send him and then have to figure out how to pick him up if ended up sick.
On Monday afternoon, he announced there would be no school on Tuesday either and I corrected him.
We argued about it for most of the evening.
“School is dangerous.”
“School is not safe.”
“I cannot go to school.”
But, I persisted the next morning.
“Mommy, I’m crying,” he said to me after I wrestled him into socks and shoes.
Instead of respecting his feelings, I decided he had to go.
I can no longer physically carry him so I used the threat of cancelling our trip to Florida to get him out of the car.
I texted his teacher for help and left him lying on the sidewalk.
She called me before I had gotten home.
He had kicked over a concrete bench and she was worried he could hurt himself.
I turned around and headed back to school.
I found him lying on a rigid couch in the entry hall.
Several adults stood by while he lay on his back, his face shielded by his trusty blankie.
I felt a need to be the enforcer.
I felt I should look stern, be stern, be a disciplinarian.
I refused to take him to his beloved McDonald’s.
After a few hours at home, we got his cheeseburgers.
We cuddled his service dog and talked about school on Wednesday.
He was up and dressed today and hopped in the car.
“No school tomorrow,” he said.
“I hear you,” I said and added, “Let’s see how the day goes and we can decide later.”
I made a lot of mistakes yesterday and today, I’m learning.
Amos has lots of words but at twelve years old, he can’t tell me what’s bothering him.
I wish I knew what he can’t articulate.
I adore his teachers and so, we met today and talked med changes and possible triggers.
Maybe there are none, but I will do my best.
Someone asked me yesterday how I teach him to self-advocate.
“I am learning to listen,” I said.
I promise, Amos.

11/19/2025

Sully’s had 2 colonoscopy’s in his 11 years, not typical at all for most kids. His premature birth along with autism have made things, shall we say complicated. The gastroenterologist conclusion, “it’s just how he is”. Not sure how I feel about it.

Join my support group, that’s meets the first Sunday of the month at The Front Porch Coffeehouse at 10am

11/17/2025

Born at 26 weeks, Sully weighed 1.8 lbs. What a remarkable journey it’s been❤️