Novi Minds -formerly Stefanie Rushatakankovit, LEP

07/22/2025

What it's almost August?! If you have or know a 7th-12th grader who has been struggling with friendships or may be socially awkward, this group will help teens understanding the unwritten rules of socializing and practicing the skills in a supportive environment. Formed based on age & grade. Send a DM for more info!

07/17/2025

Girls with autism are often missed—not because they aren’t showing signs, but because those signs can look different.

This article sheds light on how special interests show up in autistic women and girls, and why recognizing these patterns matters.

More awareness = less stigma. And for many, finally seeing themselves in the autism framework brings relief, clarity, and empowerment.

https://www.wpspublish.com/blog/autism-in-women-girls-special-interests

Restricted interests are more than a diagnostic indicator. They are a window into the joys and challenges autistic girls and women experience every day.

06/26/2025

I can't help but be biased towards my alma mater! https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/no-one-play-with-uclas-peers-preschoolers-program-changing

06/10/2025

Super excited to announce our next Social Skills group for ages 4-6! This is a parent only, online course, hot off the press from UCLA, with positive outcomes similar to the in-person child+parent group. This means more access for more families. I'll be teaching this with another social skills pro, Monica Adimari Fyfe. Open to any parents in CA. DM or go to the website for more info!

05/20/2025

04/02/2025

More awareness of helps people understand behaviors with empathy instead of judgment. But for some, it can also feel overwhelming or even negative, leading to internal conflict.

That’s why self-advocacy and positive identity are so important. This video by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a great resource I’ve used to help autistic kids/kids with autism understand, accept, and feel good about who they are. 💙

Watch here: https://youtu.be/XnuGPJ7UdpU?si=9bdj6UTZcABjk5CB

04/01/2025

Happy Month! 💙

I first started learning about as an undergrad at , and the progress in research since then has been incredible. While there’s no single known cause, autism is widely understood to be linked to differences in brain structure and function—not vaccines.

With prevalence now at 1 in 36, every child will have classmates with autism. The more we understand, the better our kids can learn empathy and create inclusive spaces where neurodivergent kids thrive.

Check out these latest stats! ⬇️

03/20/2025

Summer planning in effect! Reach out now before the spring break-end of school-start of summer whirlwind begins. Groups are screened to optimize a fun, positive dynamic to help your teen get the most out of this program.

02/08/2025

I have a few more spaces left for my next teen social skills group starting in late Feb! This is a great fit for 7th-12th graders who have trouble with the more subtle parts of friendships, and need a more direct, non-judgmental way to learn skills. More details below!

01/30/2025

Happy Lunar New Year! 🐍🐍Starting the year off strong with a 3 day training from the hot-off-the-presses PEERS for Preschoolers social skills group. Some of my favorite things combined- preschool, UCLA, & social skills groups!

It's amazing to see how so many people from all over the world- East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, & other countries are attending 🤩What commitment to supporting our kiddos and parents!

01/28/2025

Just read this article on Fortune about why Gen Zers are getting fired from their jobs because they're lacking basic work ethic and communication skills, and how some high schools/colleges are trying to teach that. This caught my eye below, because this is one of the skills I teach in my Teen/UCLA PEERS Social skills group! 😆

(Article linked in comments below)

The social skills group I run teaches nuanced skills like how to join a conversation, how to know when you're accepted, and how do you leave if you're not being accepted. Starts in late February- contact me now for more info!

12/24/2024

Screening now for my next Social Skills Group! PEERS is one of the only evidence based programs for teens developed at UCLA, and I'm a certified provider!