Synergy Autism Center: Family Based Support

19/07/2025

Climbed a mountain I used to climb almost every Sunday in my 20’s. It was hard but so worth it. A few years ago I scattered the ashes of four pets I had owned including my sweet Aja, a rescue from Eugene who I was lucky enough to have for 16 years and Pinney, an amazing and goofy cat I had for 15 years. Rio got to pay respects with me today. He uses Aja’s old leash. I smiled all the way up and all the way down. Furry family members are the best. My heart is full today!

13/07/2025

What a whirlwind of a beautiful adventure for our long weekend! From Cove Palisades which we loved but it was blistering hot, to the cool coastal camping at Honeyman, finishing up with lunch at our favorite Schooner!

29/06/2025

Gorgeous day with surprises like the Natural Bridges viewpoint.

25/06/2025

Love this:

What if much of what society has been taught about autism and happiness is wrong? New research shows that autistic people experience intense joy connected to autistic traits.

17/06/2025

Love my job every single day.

15/06/2025

Grateful for these two wonderful fathers! Happy Father’s Day to all those who are fathers to pets, children, neighbors, friends, and more.

12/06/2025

Good and long day of great topics today!

07/06/2025

A day in my work with autistic individuals does not go by without my being in awe with how someone has or is looking at the world in a way that I had not expected. I value different perspectives so very much to help me appreciate the world and complexities in it.

30/05/2025

Visited Corvallis today to get a tour of one of my favorite client’s new group home. Group homes get a bad wrap but there are really good ones. This is one of them. Congratulations, B, in your brave launch from your parents’ home. We had fun playing one of our favorite board games in your new backyard!

20/05/2025

I needed a few minutes in the forest today so I thought I’d share. Maybe some of you cannot step away but can breathe in the photos and allow yourself to be carried to the forest in your imagination. Wishing each of you peace today.

20/05/2025

Hello Autism Community, I need your help. I’ve been asked for the best books for autistic grief. What has been helpful for you and your loved ones in times of grief? With appreciation for each of you.

14/05/2025

Mind blowing and professionally affirming takeaways from today's web-conference Against Behaviorism put on by the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraints....

Focusing only on rewards and consequences of behaviors ignores the child's/individual's internal experience and reinforces:
- masking
- shutdown
- ignoring one's own body messages AKA Disassociating
- vulnerability to future abuse due to compliance mindset

We all need connection, to feel seen, to be heard, to be safe, to be secure - especially in our early years. Otherwise it is known as Developmental Trauma. Yep.

WE MUST LEAD WITH CURIOSITY.
WE MUST LEAD WITH EMPATHY.

Want to read more from one of the amazing presenters' from today?

Ande is a disabled activist and artist who is passionate about social justice. They are a survivor of mistreatment in adolescent psychiatric care facilities. They learned in their late thirties that they aren’t alone in these experiences. This has brightened their life and fueled their desire to r...