Community-Curated Resources Are Here!
This means anyone can now submit helpful articles, guides, toolkits, or resources through our new submission form. Whether you're a student, educator, caregiver, or advocate, your voice matters here. Our mission has always been about building a more inclusive world together, and this new feature is one way we're making that happen.
G is for Gestures & Nonverbal Cues – Reading body language, facial expressions, and physical movement as core parts of communication
Movement, posture, facial expressions, vocal tone, and body orientation are all communication tools. Sometimes, they’re a child’s first language. Sometimes, they’re their clearest. And often, they’re the safest.
But in systems built around spoken responses—school testing, classroom prompts, even parenting scripts—these nonverbal messages can go completely unrecognized. Or worse, corrected. And when that happens, the message is clear: Only certain kinds of communication count.
We have to do better than that.
F is for Flexibility (Not Force): Why Transitions Shouldn’t Hurt
Transitions are some of the hardest moments in a child’s day—and they often unfold in very public, high-pressure environments: classrooms, grocery stores, playgrounds, bedtime routines, or while trying to get out the door in the morning.
An adult says, “Okay, time to go!” and suddenly the child is on the floor, screaming. Or they freeze. Or bolt. Or collapse in tears.
What’s happening in that moment isn’t defiance—it’s dysregulation. It’s not about refusing to follow directions. It’s about a nervous system that doesn’t feel safe making that shift, especially without enough time, context, or support.
E is for Echolalia – Repeated Phrases Are Communication
If you’ve ever heard a child repeat a question over and over—or quote the same line from a favorite show all day—you’ve experienced echolalia.
And if your first instinct was to say, “I already answered that,” or “You don’t need to say that again,”—you’re not alone. Most of us were never taught what echolalia actually is.
Here’s the truth: Echolalia is communication. It’s not nonsense. It’s not defiance. It’s not a behavior to fix.
Echolalia is how many neurodivergent children make sense of the world, build language, self-regulate, and connect with others—especially when they don’t yet have the words they need.
Gift-Giving for Neurodivergent Kids: Finding the Perfect Sensory-Friendly Presents
The holiday season should be about joy and inclusivity, and selecting gifts that truly resonate with the individual needs of neurodivergent children is one way to make that happen. Here are some tips and ideas to guide you through the process of choosing the perfect presents.
Sensory-Friendly Holiday Traditions: Creating New Memories for Your Neurodivergent Family
The holiday season is a time for family, joy, and creating lasting memories. However, the hustle and bustle, bright lights, and unpredictable events can be overwhelming for neurodivergent individuals. We believe in crafting traditions that consider the sensory, emotional, and social needs of every family member. Whether it’s quiet movie nights, DIY crafts, or creating a predictable holiday routine, this guide will help you design new, sensory-friendly holiday traditions that everyone can enjoy.
Holiday Travel with Neurodivergent Kids: Planning, Packing, and Managing the Journey
Holiday travel can be stressful for any family, but for those with neurodivergent children, it can present a unique set of challenges. Changes in routine, crowded spaces, and new environments can trigger anxiety and sensory overload. We understand these hurdles firsthand, and our mission is to support families in navigating them.
Managing Holiday Gatherings: Tips for Neurodivergent Kids and Families
The holiday season can be a magical time, filled with family gatherings, festive decorations, and shared meals. However, it can also bring about anxiety and overwhelm, particularly for neurodivergent children who may struggle with changes in routine, unfamiliar environments, and sensory overload.
Tips for Handling Halloween Sensory Overload
Halloween is a holiday filled with excitement, but it can also be a sensory minefield for many neurodivergent children. At Valley Inclusive Play Space (vips), we know that loud noises, bright lights, and unexpected interactions can quickly become overwhelming. As families who have been in your shoes, we’re here to offer strategies to make Halloween more manageable, ensuring that it remains a fun and inclusive experience for all.
DIY Sensory-Friendly Halloween Decorations for Your Home
Halloween decorations can be a fun way to get into the festive spirit, but for neurodivergent children, they can sometimes be overwhelming. At Valley Inclusive PlaySpace (vips), we strive to create spaces that are welcoming and soothing for all, and we believe the same principles can apply to your home. By making some small adjustments, you can craft a Halloween environment that's both fun and sensory-friendly for everyone.
Teen's Fundraising Mission for Sensory Room Sheds Light on the Importance of Inclusive Spaces for Neurodivergent Children
Creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for neurodivergent children is not just an aspiration—it’s a necessity. A recent story from the BBC highlights an inspiring fundraising mission by 13-year-old Pippa Henslow to establish a sensory room in a primary school.