Creative Healing CNY

04/01/2026

Sometimes all we f*cking want is someone reassuring us that what we're feeling & needing doesn't make us repulsive to them.

Trauma can convince us that feeling & needing ANYTHING drives EVERYONE away from us-but the truth is, ALL humans feel & need.

It's okay. YOU'RE okay.

03/29/2026

QOTD: "Don't take criticism from someone you wouldn't take advice from."

03/26/2026

What Kinds of Jobs Can Autistic People Thrive At?

Part 2 of my series on Autism and Employment
____________________________

Well, Autistic people come in

all ages, 👶👨🧔🧓

genders, ♂️🚺🏳️‍⚧️⭕️

and degrees of mobility. 👩‍🦯🧘🏾‍♂️👩‍🦼
_______________________________

We have a variety of

communication styles
👩‍💻 📞 🤔 🗣 🦻 🔠

and sensory profiles.
🎧 🐕 👟 🥵 👔💅

And while some of us are good at masking to fit in (at least for short periods of time)...

others can't conceal their
differences, at all. 🚫 🎭
_____________________________

That sounds complicated...

But really it just means that we're a diverse community!!

So, there isn't ONE perfect job for all of us. 😊
___________________________

That said, there are certain kinds of jobs that make GOOD use
of Autistic strengths. 🦾💪

Strengths like--

pattern recognition,
love of animals/nature,

deep empathy,
hyperfocus,

being attuned to details,
preference for independent work,

clear and direct communication,
comfort with repetitive tasks,

consistency in maintaining routine,
and
a dedication to social justice.
______________________________

So, let's dive into some potential "good fits," together.

I've grouped them in a way which makes sense to me...
similar skill sets,
responsibilities,
or settings.
_______________________________

1) You Like Being Outside Near Nature? 🌻🌳

Landscaper,
Garden Greenhouse worker,
Park or forestry ranger,

Farm /stable hand
Archeologist
Campground worker

Nature center conservation staff
Power washing driveways
Beach/ski lodge concessions staff

Snow/leaf removal
Geological consultant
________________

2) You Like Solving Physical Conundrums, By Yourself? 🛠

Maintenence staff,
Janitorial,
Handy Man,
Plumber,

Locksmith
Professional packer for moves
Watch/Jewlery repair

Engineer
Architect
____________________

3) You Enjoy Working With Young Folks And Don't Mind Getting Messy? 🕹🍼 🏊‍♀️🖍

Daycare worker,
Nanny,
Tutor,

Online class instructor,
Children's librarian,
Teen Public Health Outreach

Lifeguard/swim teacher
Parapro
Ice skating instructor
Roller rink employee

Arcade employee
Day camp counselor
Field trip specialist

Preschool teacher
Music teacher
Employee at trampoline park
Children's party host
___________________

4) You Like Making A Difference?
♿️ 🃏

Personal care assistant,
Occupational therapist
Recreation staff at nursing home,

Speech therapist,
Early intervention specialist
ESL or ASL Translation

Sheltered workshop supervisor
Food delivery Meals on Wheels

Small business retail
Small Charity fundraising work
W.I.C. staff

Adult Daycare staff
___________________

5) You Like Working With Food or Learning Culinary Skills? 🍫🍏

Cake decorator,
Line cook,
Table busser,
Pastry chef,

Cafeteria worker,
Grocery store stocker
Edible arrangement maker
Farmer's Market staff

Sports/movies concessions staff
Cafe staff
Nursing home nutrition specialist
Medical dietician

Personal chef
Fast food worker
Choclatier

Carnival food booth employee
Deli worker
_____________________

6) You Like Precision or Counting Things? 🧮🪑 #️⃣

Data entry,
Court stenographer,
Bank teller,

Warehouse inventory specialist
File clerk
Copy store employee

Theatre usher
Casino cage worker
_____________________

7) You Like Reading, Problem Solving, and Sorting...But You Don't Mind People One-On-One? 📚🛩

Research assistant,
Library page,
Research librarian,
Paralegal

Personal assistant
College records dept.
Travel agent

Childcare licensing consultant
____________________

8) You Like Aesthetics and Making Things Glamorous? 💇‍♀️💄

Beautician,
Hair stylist,
Event decorator or set up/down
Party planner

Interior designer
Tattoo artist
Piercer

Waxer
Flower arrangements
Special event makeup artist
______________________

9) You Like Animals? 🐇 🦥🐩🐓

Pet sitter,
Groomer,
Dog trainer,
Veterinary assistant

Animal rescue employee
Petting farm staff
Farm supply retail worker

Zoo support staff
Farrier or nail trim specialist
Aquarium installation
Aquarium cleaning
_______________________

10) You Are Good With Computers?
👩‍💻🖥👨‍💻

Software engineer,
Computer repair,
Programmer,
IT support staff
Online security specialist
__________________________

11) You Prefer To Work Mostly on Your Own, and You Get Dopamine From Seeing A Project From Start to Finish? 🚗 🖌

House cleaner,
Carpet installer,
House painter

Auto Body Shop Technician
Gutter cleaner
____________________________

12) You Like Being An Expert or Someone With Behind the Scenes Access? 🗿 🖼 🦸

Museum docent,
Tour guide,
Box office staff,
Pawn shop staff

Thrift store retail
Estate sale company
Comic con worker,

Art or Exhibit Installation
Appraisers
Antique store employee
Personal stylist or shopper
__________________________

13) You Like Being A Character or Following A Script? 👸🧙‍♂️🤹‍♂️

Costumed actor in a
living history museum,

Haunted house actor

Professional "Party Princess"

Historical personality
at a Festival/dinner theatre
________________________

14) You Like Writing, Can Stick To A Format, And You Can Take Critique? 📝✍️

Grant writer,
Technical writer,
Web page designer

Editor for newsletters/journals
Write magazine articles/reviews
Copywriter
________________________

15) You Prefer Things That Make Sense on Paper... But You Are Okay Talking About Limited Topics?
📋 💵

Notary Public,
Accounting clerk
Social security claims specialist,
Court docket specialist

College admissions department
Dealership parts/ordering
Car rental shop worker
Marketing field work
_________________________

16) You Are Fine With Repetitive Work And Can Work Independently? ♻️ 💍

Lab technician,
Recycling plant sorter,
Factory assembly line worker

Oil change technician
Knife sharpening
Ring sizing (up/down)

Welder
File Clerk Local Government office
Bus driver
__________________________

17) You Are Creative and Like Being Hands-On? 🛡👩‍🎨 📷 🪡

Photographer,
Illustrator,
Tailor
Set designer,

Graphic designer,
Commercial Artist,
Theatre lighting crew

Props master
Quilter
F/X design
Parade float designer

Paint and Sip class teacher
Maker lab staff
Voice teacher

Dialect coach
Lego store/Bricks&Minifigs staff
Puppeteer
___________________________

18) You Like Getting Insight Into How People Live, and Making Their Spaces Look Nicer? 🪚 📦 🧼

Holiday decor installation
House Sitter
Moving "man"
Carpet Cleaner,

Carpenter,
Upholsterer,
Furniture restoration specialist,
Car detailer,

Hardware store employee
Furniture assembly,
Home organizer,
Window washing,

Crime scene cleanup,
Junk remover
Chimney cleaner
Lawn mowing/care

Doggy doo removal
HVAC duct cleaning
Roofing/siding installation
________________________

19) You Are Precise and More Comfortable With Machines Than People? 👨‍🔧 ⚡️

Electronics repair,
Electrician,

Cell ph. glass repair technician
Tool and die maker
Small appliance repair

Furnace and A/C Repair
Battle Bot engineer
__________________________

20) You Don't Want To Be On Your Feet All Day But You Do Want To Work Adjacent to Healthcare? ⚕️

Emergency dispatcher,
Medical billing asst.
Chiropractor receptionist

Hospital registration staff
Accessibility consultant
In home Medical social work

Birth certificate registrar
Doula
__________________________

Got anything to add?

A job? A category? An insight?

*Picture of how I feel that I look, when I'm working a job that's a poor fit.

03/16/2026

Spring Recess means 8 days of activities and hands-on FUN! We will be open every day except Easter Sunday from 10:00am-4:30pm.

Get all the details here: https://www.uticachildrensmuseum.org/the-museum/special-programming/

03/16/2026

🐰🎉 HOP on OVER to the Connected Easter Bingo Bash – in Partnership with Omega Sorority, Rome NY ! 🎉🐰
ALL Connected districts are invited to join the fun! 🥚✨ Did you know that you can color the flyer to WIN a PRIZE?!?! 💛💙💜💚Tag your friends and share to spread the fun!🎊🎁

🐣💛

03/16/2026

✨As Dr. Hillary McBride suggests, healing isn't just about the passing of time. It requires corrective experiences—moments of safety and joy—that prove to a dysregulated nervous system that it’s finally okay to let its guard down. ☺✨

02/26/2026

✨New motherhood is a wild ride—don't walk it alone.🤍✨

The postpartum journey is beautiful, but it can also feel isolating. If you’re looking for a space to breathe, connect, and reflect, consider joining a Postpartum Online Creative Support Group such as this one in May led by my colleague!

02/17/2026

I know "sit with your feelings" can sound annoying but it is actually helpful. It doesn't mean you have to like the feelings, it just means you don't have to run away from them.

02/13/2026

02/13/2026

Utica school kids ski, skate free thanks to fund created by local anonymous donor to cover Val Bialas Ski Center costs starting opening day, Feb. 12 See link below ⬇️ bit.ly/4cm3fh2

02/10/2026

🌀Are you living your life, or are you just scrolling through it? 📱

Lately, "survival mode" has become the default setting for so many of us. Between the noise of the world and the rising barriers to traditional healthcare, finding a way to stay grounded shouldn’t feel like an impossible luxury.

That’s why I created The Awe-Inspired Life guided journal.

This isn’t just a notebook; it’s a 30-day bridge from disconnection to presence. I’ve curated the exact prompts I use personally and professionally to help my clients peel back the layers of "auto-pilot" and rediscover what actually brings them meaning.

What it isn’t: A replacement for clinical therapy or a "quick fix."
What it is: A supplemental tool to help you live authentically, it is a dedicated space to:

❥Reconnect with the values that the world tries to drown out.
❥Identify the underlying purpose in your ordinary days.
❥Live Whole in a world that often feels fractured.

You deserve to feel rooted again. In 30 days, let’s see how much more "you" you can feel.

Find your copy here:

📖The Full Experience (Physical Copy): https://a.co/d/0axBN6tx

💻The Instant Reset (Digital/PDF): https://www.etsy.com/listing/4432140032/the-awe-inspired-life-30-day-guided

🌐Explore the Mission (Website): https://sites.google.com/creativehealingcny.org/liveinpursuitofawe/home