Play to Learn Consulting

02/21/2026

It’s always that 1 disgruntled person that wants to sink you. And darn the negativity bias is strong. BUT what I’ve learned as a neurodivergent therapist for autistic and ADHD kids is that they have me to fight for them! Growing up, I didn’t have anyone to let me know how my brain was uniquely wired. Plus, as a girl, it was better to keep my head down, excel beyond my breaking point, and forgo my own needs for the sake of others.
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Today, I know better. I know the roots of self-abandonment. I know how quickly protectors show up for autistic and ADHD kids. I know how to tap into my 17+ years of knowledge and 40+ years of lived experience to advocate for those who cannot yet advocate for themselves.
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So, if you thought your keyboard warrior skills were going to cause me harm, sorry (not sorry) to disappoint. And, in the spirit of Good Will Hunting, “How do like them apples?”

02/06/2026

It’s been a long therapy day, but when your nieces call to have a 5 minute dance party, you know it’s not about the dance party. It’s about connection. It’s about the relationship. It’s about meeting a need.
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I hear it all the time in my therapeutic relationships. It doesn’t come out as, “I need to talk to you” or “I’d like to maintain the trust between us.” It comes out as:
❤️ you know no one tells me anything…except you
🧡 why can’t we get rid of pain
💛 can we play the animal game
💚 Peena write numbers
💙 make a rainbow road?
💜 I was thinking of the dinosaur idea
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However connection comes your way, listen. Your (autistic or ADHD or PDA) child isn’t a problem to be fixed. They are a nervous system in need.

02/03/2026

You may not have been looking for that research 🧐 but I found it for you anyway. I did a deep dive into “screen time use and HPA axis upregulation.” What in the world does that mean?
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It means that the messages your adrenal glands (which sit on top of your kidneys) are sending up toward your pituitary gland (base of your brain) and higher up to your hypothalamus (deep within your brain connecting the nervous system to the endocrine system) are essentially a cry for help!
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Regulation isn’t learned from a screen. It comes from co-regulation, deep connection and a secure child-caregiver relationship.

02/03/2026

Language nuances are part of therapy dynamics, especially when you focus on the relationship. For autistic and ADHD kids past relationships have been fueled by disconnect, broken trust, or a lack of support during the times they need a regulated adult the most (yes, the times of chaos and disarray).
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These one liners are a way for you to see the challenge from a kid’s perspective. Of course, a “no” is needed during situations where a quick reaction is a must. The other times…you can hold a supportive boundary while remaining connected. It’s like a formula 🔬
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The kind of formula that I will be breaking down during my live webinar on Thursday, February 19th. It’s a full day filled with the complexities of executive function skills, areas where autistic and ADHD kids struggle, how to encourage and know when to pull back, an SO much more!
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Click the PESI 🔗 in bio to register. And no, you don’t want to miss it 😉

01/22/2026

This was a doozy! When advocacy is labeled as aggression, start to reconsider. As a parent, is this what you really want for your autistic or ADHD child? As a professional, are behavior plans really going to drive connection? Sure, you’ll make a child compliant. But at what cost?
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There is another way! I’m doing a live webinar with PESI on February 19th. I submitted my slide deck and am so ready to give the world a different perspective on behavior through the lens of executive function skills and relationships. Come spend the day with me on Thursday, February 19th. You won’t regret it! 🔗 in bio to register 😉

01/17/2026

Thank you Moms Who Think for the feature! I consider myself lucky that I get to write about what I do and insert tidbits from the therapy world by making them accessible to others. Also, I’m the only one quoted!!!

When your child says, "I'm bored," is it actually a good thing? An expert weighs in on why boredom is beneficial.

01/06/2026

I hear these terms all the time: aggressive, behavioral, noncompliant, oppositional, violent. And what’s used for kids who struggle with executive function skills? All the nonsense that doesn’t work: sticker charts, freshly outlined behavior plans, rewards, punishments, and of course, calls to parents to tell them, “Your child pushed someone and that’s inappropriate!” Right…blame the child rather than change the system.
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What’s missing isn’t more sensory “corners” or fidgets. It’s actual training and a deeper understanding of what it takes for an ADHD or autistic or AuDHD child to be in school. Seriously. Just to step into the building. It’s the kind of education that should be required.
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I know I can’t make it a requirement (yet). What I can do is offer it myself! I’m teaching a live webinar through on February 19th. Link in bio to register. Looking for a discount code? I got that too! Comment CODE and I’ll DM you.
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Let’s bring this discussion into all schools!

01/04/2026

Tell me that you’re tired of just hearing that your autistic or ADHD child is in fight-flight mode, and the only answer is to let them scroll on a device because it is seemingly calming. When I speak to parents who are stuck walking on eggshells, they are the ones who are afraid to do anything that could possibly, potentially, kind of pose as a challenge. Isn’t that exhausting?
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Yes, a stress response is real. And you’re also missing the fact that resilience can be dampened! When your nervous system, more specifically your HPA axis, is constantly upregulated, cortisol is running rampant. Now, with anything that goes up, science tells us it must come down, which means that your HPA axis can also become downregulated. This is dangerous because then, when cortisol is needed for a natural stress response, the reaction is stunted.
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The antidote to heightened stress? It’s not the iPad that’s for sure. It’s the one thing that your brain, my brain, your kid’s brain, and ALL brains are wired for. Connection. Real life, sit by my side, lend me your regulated system type of connection. No gimmicks, just reality.
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Make those connections coordinated with rhythmic movement, and you can start making changes that will improve your life. Like, follow, and share with others who you know can benefit!

01/03/2026

A bow of gratitude to my clients, readers of my newsletters, and those who follow this account because I put effort and thought into every word, every post, and every comment I make. It’s intentional, authentic, and unapologetically me.
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Heading into 2026 with 3 words “Мастерство не пропьёшь” that capture the following: This expression emphasizes the RESILIENCE and invincibility of true mastery, which is unaffected by temporary weaknesses or external circumstances. Neurodivergence is resilience. I can only promise to continue the advocacy, the push for true understanding, and the support that I give daily so that every child can benefit from a neurodiversity affirming perspective - so remember to follow along, share and comment.
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Stay tuned for more news in 2026 (I have 3 courses coming!!!). PS isn’t my dad adorable?!

12/30/2025

This morning I shared my final newsletter for 2025 where I talked about:
- my 8 yo immigrant self from 1993 absorbing the message of “you’re not wanted here”
- learning how to study patterns of behaviors in people so I could survive the day and disconnect from myself
- and the neurodivergent kids I see today who walk into classrooms only to be met with “you’re too much,” your emotions are inconvenient, and your presence is unwelcome.
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The first response I got was from an associate professor of clinical psychology who told me that she’s been an “avid reader” of my emails. And the fact that I’m her inspiration! 🤩 If you’re part of my newsletter family, check your inbox 📥 (I promise it’s a good one) and let me know your biggest takeaway ⬇️
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For those who missed it, there’s a 🔗 in my bio to hit subscribe. So much more to come in 2026!

12/19/2025

For autistic and ADHD kids, connection and relationships are everything! As a clinician, I can get into the mind of a child by embracing who they are and what they need. That’s the power of co-regulation. It’s how we build all executive function skills. Yes, ALL of them!
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This holiday season, find the connection and focus on the relationship. The rest will follow.
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p.s. I’m teaching a course for PESI all about play and executive functioning live in February 2026. 🔗 in bio for details! Want a discount code? Follow me for updates.