Pine Tree OT

11/27/2025

Nine years ago today, I lost my brother to su***de. He was 16. He was autistic, deeply loved, and struggling with depression.

I’m sharing this because his story should never be invisible — and because so many autistic and ADHD youth face mental-health challenges that go unnoticed.

Research shows that:
• Over 70% of autistic adolescents have at least one co-occurring mental-health condition
• 20% experience anxiety
• 11% experience depression
• Autistic teens with ADHD have even higher risks of anxiety and depression

These numbers aren’t small. They’re not rare.
And they represent real people — like my brother — who deserved understanding, support, and safety.

Today, I honor his memory by raising awareness.
By encouraging families, professionals, and communities to look closer, to check in, and to listen without judgment.

If you are neurodivergent and you’re struggling: you’re not alone, you’re not “too much,” and you deserve care.

If this message reaches even one person who needs it, sharing his story is worth it.
❤️
***deprevention

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRhx8pHjmU9/?igsh=MTdnN2x2MDJ2bnZ4bQ==

11/20/2025

Come stop by! I am here until 5:00 ☺️

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRSm_QFD7eK/?igsh=MWIwdmJmaTB1aTl6cA==

11/19/2025

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the day!! If you have any sensory items, parenting books, fidgets, noise cancelling headphones (or you’re unsure if it relates but want to donate it) please message me!!

🌿 Regulation Resource Network is preparing for our very first swap, share, trade event!

We’re starting to collect gently used sensory tools, fidgets, weighted items, visual supports, adaptive seating, and other regulation resources to build our starting donation pile for the first Swap & Share Event 💚

If you have items your child has outgrown or that didn’t quite work for them — this is a beautiful way to pass them along to another family who might benefit.

🎁 Accepting:
• Fidgets, chewies, and calming tools
• Sensory bins, balance toys, or body socks
• Weighted or compression items
• Visual timers, charts, or picture supports
• Books about emotions, regulation, or neurodiversity

📍Drop-off options: (add your location or message me for pickup!)
🕊️ Everything donated will go right back into our local neurodivergent community.

Let’s make sure every family has access to the tools that help their children feel safe, calm, and connected.

💌 Comment below or message me if you’d like to donate — or if you’d like to help sort and organize!

11/12/2025

🌿 Regulation Resource Network is preparing for our very first swap, share, trade event!

We’re starting to collect gently used sensory tools, fidgets, weighted items, visual supports, adaptive seating, and other regulation resources to build our starting donation pile for the first Swap & Share Event 💚

If you have items your child has outgrown or that didn’t quite work for them — this is a beautiful way to pass them along to another family who might benefit.

🎁 Accepting:
• Fidgets, chewies, and calming tools
• Sensory bins, balance toys, or body socks
• Weighted or compression items
• Visual timers, charts, or picture supports
• Books about emotions, regulation, or neurodiversity

📍Drop-off options: (add your location or message me for pickup!)
🕊️ Everything donated will go right back into our local neurodivergent community.

Let’s make sure every family has access to the tools that help their children feel safe, calm, and connected.

💌 Comment below or message me if you’d like to donate — or if you’d like to help sort and organize!

10/29/2025

No child chooses the soil they’re born into.
But we can all choose whether to look away… or reach out.
🌾💛 Let’s teach our kids what compassion in action looks like — one meal, one kind act, one helping hand at a time.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQZfgT-DvIE/?igsh=MTViZmF6NGh5ZW9zZg==

10/20/2025

I am so excited to announce I am starting a new community service called Regulation Resource Network please visit this page to learn more! Feel free to give it a follow and share to spread the word!

I can’t wait to help foster community within the neurodivergent parents in the greater Bangor area, and to help children find the regulation tools they need without financial burden.

Share this page with a parent who may find this service helpful and let’s get started!

10/07/2025

When decisions shape Maine’s future, they should include every Mainer — from the mountains to the coast, and every ability in between. 🌲⚖️

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPguxiDDtRr/?igsh=NWZjdGF6Mnh0cGll

10/01/2025

Here’s an example:

I have been working with a child whose family values his school readiness skills and his ability to participate in learning. This is very important to his future and his independence. He however sees any sort of typical “school” related work and it’s one giant trigger wrapped up in a nice package.

🔴Based on the definition above- If I were to use EXTRINSIC motivation to get him to participate in OT sessions I may suggest a reward for completing each step of OT. I may suggest to the parent a reward system for each task he completes.

🛑 However… this works until it doesn’t. Because this neurodivergent child loses buy in after a while when the reward isn’t too great, or maybe not as consistent as we’d like it to be. He also goes through the motions, speed racer through it all enough to get it done to get his reward.

⚪️An INTRINSIC motivation based session looks much different. I will make it my first goal to know his strengths, to figure out what he loves to do and I will use it to guide my sessions so that he can build skills organically while doing something he already enjoys doing.

👍🏼 Why does this work better? I get to grow a trusting relationship with him and continue to learn about him. We aren’t fighting through battles of participation and constant correction or redirection. He learns I am consistent and trustworthy, and heck, maybe even fun!

🌲 He gets to learn and develop skills as a byproduct of joy- instead of being left feeling depleted and overwhelmed in order to get a short lived reward.

09/23/2025

🌈 Neurodivergence is not the issue. Ableism is.

09/23/2025

Please educate yourself.
I don’t want you to feel bad.
I want you to understand.

Ableism is something that has been socially engrained in us and we have to work really hard to undo the damage.

You can choose to start today.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DO8wI3GjlrA/?igsh=MTFxanlzcGs2em10Nw==opl