Purposeful Connections

03/13/2026

Pizza + games = the perfect Friday night 🍕🎲

Join us for a welcoming pizza party game night for neurodivergent kids, teens, young adults, and their siblings.

Parent are required to stay!

Ready to join in on the fun? Details below. ⬇️

🗓️Friday, March 27th
⏰ 6:00 - 7:30PM
📍55 Chapel St, Newton, MA
🎟️Free!
RSVP to michelle@purposeful-connections.com by the morning of March 27.

03/11/2026

Calling all Newton, MA gamers!

We’re expanding our adventure to you!

This is the perfect opportunity to learn how to play D&D at the very beginning of your own campaign.

The best part? It’s facilitated by a Special Educator!

Make new friends and use your imagination in a supportive environment. Email michelle@purposeful-connections.com to learn how.

03/06/2026

There’s still time to play! 🐉

Are you the parent of an imaginative child? Are they on the spectrum? Do they have ADHD?

We’ve officially begun our D&D campaign, and we’re having so much fun!

This is the perfect opportunity to get your child involved in a group activity with a trained facilitator to join them.

Don’t miss out on the fun!

Make friends and build new worlds by emailing michelle@purposeful-connections.com today.

03/05/2026

Everyone deserves a safe way to find love. 💙

Join us for a virtual presentation with Find Love Safely.

Find Love Safely is a personalized matchmaking program for adults (18+) with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Michelle, owner of Purposeful Connections, will kick things off with a brief introduction and share a little about the work we do.

Then Katherine, founder of Find Love Safely, will spend the majority of the hour talking about how their program helps individuals build safe, meaningful relationships.

If you support someone with IDD or work in the community, this is a great opportunity to learn more.

📅 Thursday, March 19
⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM
💻 Free Webinar
📩 Email michelle@purposeful-connections.com to RSVP

02/27/2026

🏓 Join us for Adaptive Pickleball!

Every Thursday, starting March 5th, from 4–5 PM @ Eleven-o at Patriot Place.

Fun, fitness, and friendship, all in one game! 🌟

No experience needed. Adaptive equipment and support provided.

Come play, connect, and move with us!

02/26/2026

I’m answering your questions!

-What do I do if my child with ADHD won’t sleep?

-What’s the worst thing you can do for your autistic child?

-What’s the best thing you can do for your autistic child?

-Are fidget spinners overrated?

Do you have a question? Drop a comment or send me a DM and I’ll answer your question (anonymously) in my next video!

02/25/2026

Don't miss out!

I'm hosting a free virtual event this Monday! RSVP today to join the conversation.

Looking for neurodiversity-affirming support in Newton? 💛

Join Michelle Gaudet (founder of Purposeful Connections) and Ann Helmus (Founder of NESCA) for a free virtual presentation where we'll share how Purposeful Connections and NESCA supports neurodiverse children, teens, young adults, and adults on-site in Newton through social skills groups, executive function coaching, and adaptive yoga.

This conversation is for Newton-area parents and professionals who want practical tools to support social connection, independence, and emotional regulation.

📅 Monday, March 2nd | 7–8 PM
💻 Virtual & free
📧 RSVP by Friday, Feb 27 to michelle@purposeful-connections.com

We’d love to have you join us.

02/24/2026

Your teen won’t do their homework?

I have 2 words for you…

No. Phone.

Your teenager’s screen is their biggest distraction.

Encourage them to put it in another room while they do their homework.

You’ll see how much faster their work gets done.

And when the homework is complete, they can have it back.

It’s simple. It works. Try it.

Share this post with someone who needs it!

02/19/2026

Meet Billy! 👋

He shared that he used to feel a little “crazy” sometimes (lots of energy and big emotions).

Through Purposeful Connections, he’s learned tools that help him slow down, regulate, and feel more in control of himself.

Moments like this reminds us why this community matters so much. Every young person deserves support, understanding, and a place where they can grow with confidence.

If you’re a parent of a child or young adult on the autism spectrum, we’d love for you to follow along and learn more about how you can be part of Purposeful Connections. 🤍

02/17/2026

Easy mornings? Yes please! 🙋🏻‍♀️

Here are 3 tips for making mornings with your autistic child ~so much easier~

1.) Plenty of time

Autistic children need more time to process info, frequent breaks, and step by step directions.

Allowing for more time means you can accommodate their needs and minimize your stress!

2.) No screens

We all know that once a child starts using a screen, it’s really hard to get them to stop. This is especially true for autistic children.

When you cut out the screen, you cut out the pushback and the tantrums. Doesn’t that sound amazing?

3.) Visual Schedule

Are you tired of repeatedly asking for something to the point where you feel like a bit of a nag?

Visual schedules let your child SEE what they have to do, so you don’t have to keep asking.

Plus, autistic children do really well with visuals, so this tip is a favorite of mine.

TRY at least one of these three tips. You’ll be amazed at the difference in your mornings!

How did these tips work out for you? Comment below!

02/16/2026

Last Wednesday we hosted our FREE Purposeful Connections Adaptive Pickleball event and WOW, it was SO much fun 🏓💛

Seeing everyone laughing, moving, connecting, and trying something new together is exactly what this community is all about.

We’re hoping to turn this into a weekly event (fingers crossed 🤞), and we’d LOVE to see even more faces join us next time! I’m currently working out future details, but if this sounds like something you or someone you know would enjoy, let me know below or send me a message!

Let’s keep building connection, confidence, and community one game at a time 💫

02/10/2026

Calling all artists! 📣

We're excited to announce our Diamond Art Social Group every Wednesday in Medfield. 🎨

Prepare for all the sparkles - we're making art with diamonds! Your neurodivergent child can explore their creative side all while making brand new friends. ✨

Even better? This class is being hosted by a licensed Speech Language Pathologist!

Interested in this friend-making opportunity? Email michelle@purposeful-connections.com to learn more!