Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about connection. Not the kind you force at awkward networking events or in the grocery store line, but the kind that happens when you’re with someone whose brain works like yours. The kind of connection that makes you feel seen, understood, and a little less alone in the world.

 

The deeper I get into this work of being a Neurodivergent helper, supporting and advocating for other Neurodivergent people, the more I realize just how essential that kind of connection really is. Research shows that the physical effects of loneliness can rival those of cancer. It’s not just emotional. It’s physical. It matters.

 

Following an adult Autism diagnosis, life can feel profoundly tender. There’s a lot to process, and many people feel unsure of where they fit or who truly understands them. We often wonder if we should be trying harder in friendship, or backing away for something better.  And over and over, I’ve been encouraged and honestly wowed by the power of well-timed human connection. It sticks. It supports. It changes people.

 

In my therapy practice, so many sessions center around the unique challenges of being Autistic in friendship and relationships. And I would be lying if I said I had it all figured out in my own life. Friendships are hard. Many of us wish we had people around us who just get it without having to explain everything.  People who give back in the ways that we do.  People that “get us” without us feeling like we have to work so hard.

 

That’s why the retreats I’ve hosted for the past two years have left such a mark on me. Being in a space with other Autistic people, doing “regular things” in a sensory-friendly and emotionally safe way, is powerful. Participants said they felt safe and seen. They said they’d sign up again without hesitation. And I felt it too. I left changed by the experience.

 

Retreats are phenomenal.  They are nothing like our day to day experiences. I hope to continue offering them one or two times a year. But they’re also expensive, they take a ton of planning and resources.  

 

 

I’m so glad you asked…..

 

Last month, I offered a casual meetup.  A nature walk and an optional BBQ lunch, and it was a hit. We did what Autistic people do. We started off quiet and awkward, and then I'm pretty sure we started talking about books, podcasts, seashells, obsessions, and then before you know it, we're giggling in our pulled pork as if we've known each other for years.  

 

Everyone left smiling, satisfied, and eager for more. So here we go…

 

Do you crave more authentic connection with brains like yours? Looking for something low-pressure, low cost or free, and social to put on your calendar? Want to try something new or do something that’s just for you? I’ve got you.

 

Connection is one of the most underrated supports for Neurodivergent people. It can ease burnout, improve self-regulation, and boost self-esteem. Being around people who think and communicate like you can be surprisingly healing. Don’t believe me? Come try it.

 

 

Some of these events will be chill. Some will be adventurous. Some may be online (I'm sorry to my followers that do not live in Maryland!).  But all of them will be chances to meet other Neurodivergent folks, grow your circle, and feel a little more seen.  And maybe, just maybe, you will find that you have a little something to offer in the future.  Do you rock climb?  Crochet?  Do you want to host an adventurous eating dinner with a bunch of new friends?  Great.  I need ideas.  Hit me!  (with ideas.  Please don't actually hit me.) :)

 

 

August: Maggie Bell Walker will be hosting a discussion at the Severna Park Library on August 23rd from 12-1pm about Occupational Therapy and what we can learn about Autism and the body.  Her practice, The Life Skills Spot is focused on Neuro-Affirming care for adults.  After we learn all about body-based self-care for Autistic adults, you are welcome to continue to hang with us for puzzles, snacks, and mingling until 2:45pm.  (Maggie introduces herself below!)

 

September: We’re getting crafty in Baltimore with a tiny beautiful things jewelry-making class with Linda Blackbourn Jewelry! You’ll learn how to make unique, wearable resin necklaces.  (Your seashell collection has been waiting for this!) Registration will be required, and there is a fee for this class.  Details on signups coming soon.  The class will be two hours and will have a limited number of signups. 

 

October: Planned Elopement/Grounding in Nature: Maryland therapist and nature-lover, Beth Ashton will lead us in an outdoor, adventure.  Chaotic good in the woods? There will be nature, there will be the “good kind” of running away.  There may even be a bonfire.  Details soon!

November: A Powerpoint Party at Park Books in Severna Park: That's right.  We're doing the things we all love…working independently on a project AND presenting a topic as an expert, in a 5-10 min presentation.  
You want to tell us about plot holes in children’s TV that keep you awake at night?  Super.  You want to rank terrible noises by how much you never want to hear them again?  I'm in.  You want to share your theory on how Shrek is a metaphor for the late diagnosed Neurodivergent experience?  I'm absolutely here for it.  You have ten minutes,  a projector, and a mic.  Let's go. (Will there be a non-judgy judging panel tasked with giving out prizes?  There might be.)  

 

By popular demand, we’re doing another retreat in 2025! If you’re craving the full unmasking, immersive experience with other Neurodivergent adults, reach out and let me know. This one is going to be good.  November 6-9, Eastern Shore, Md.  Our last retreaters are eager to re-retreat, and MANY of you have reached out with an interest in unmasking with us.  A November retreat can happen if we get definitive yesses now, and deposits to book the house within the next month or so. If you're a yes, or a maybe, email me for more information, so we can get an idea of how many people are interested.   

 

And if you're not sure if a retreat or an adventure is for you….see directly below for my…creative, interactive invitation :) :) :) (It might hit you right in the feels)

Sometimes, you can't say it all in words. 

(And you also aren't allowed to post it on youtube or vimeo.) 

So…for now, I present to you, my retreat/ND adventures “creative invitation.”  

 

Click right here.

 

The video at the top of the page is for you.  

 

In Autism Advocacy news, I have been OUT THERE!!!!  Just a taste of what's coming up…

 

October 3, I will be teaching “Foundations of Neuro-Affirming Practice” for FREE virtually through Psychotherapy Networker.  (link below) If you know a therapist or other provider that is interested in updating their toolbox to include some up to date truth bombs and strategies for therapists who work with Autistic clients, this is it.  CEU's are available for a fee, but the training itself costs nothing.  AND, you have two weeks after the training to watch it virtually, so get the word out to the therapists that need to get in on this!!!!

October 17th, I'll be teaching at the Ferentz Institute on “The Hidden Trauma of High Masking Adults in Therapy.”  For those of you that aren't therapists, Lisa Ferentz is an absolute hero of the trauma world.  I have taken every class she offers since the beginning of my career.  To blend our backgrounds into this training is an absolute honor.  This will be a very unique training that looks into the 6 specific traumas that are unique to Autistic adults (that no one taught us about as therapists).  If you'd like to know more about these traumas in your own session, let's go for it!

 

And finally...some...enormous news.  I've kept a little surprise from you.  

A few months ago, I pitched an idea to the incredible crew at Psychotherapy Networker. I wasn’t sure what they’d say, or if this could happen.  But they said yes, and it did.  So here it is.

 

I had the absolute honor of sitting down with clinical psychologist, author, and media commentator, Dr. Ramani Durasula, the leading expert on narcissistic abuse! Dr. Ramani has been everywhere that Narcissism is being talked about with over 2 million YouTube followers and a massive voice in the mental health world.  After hearing her speak in person at the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, and reading everything she has written, I couldn’t stop thinking about the overlap between her work and mine, and how often Autism and narcissism get misunderstood in similar ways.  This work is both professional and personal for me, and I wanted to go deeper with my own understanding.

 

I was dying to talk with her about something I see all the time: how Autism and narcissism can look similar to the untrained eye, and how that misunderstanding can cause real harm, especially for late-diagnosed Autistic adults.  She was open. And generous. And now that conversation is live.

 

We talked honestly about the confusion between narcissism and Autism, how both have exploded into the mainstream with very little nuance, and why that confusion matters. We explored what’s getting missed, how we got here, and what therapists (and the people they serve) can do about it.

 

This is the kind of conversation I wish more clinicians were having, and I’m so grateful to share it with you.

The link below will take you there.  You must enter your email address to view our conversation, but it is free. 

I’ll keep shouting this from the rooftops: clinicians need to keep learning how to help Autistic clients!  If this conversation resonates with you and you want to help push this work forward, I’d be so grateful if you shared anything that helps you or others: the newsletters, the trainings, the Instagram posts, wherever you connect with others.  Every share helps more therapists access this kind of perspective. And every therapist who learns more means more Autistic people getting the care they actually deserve!  (And hopefully fewer than 6 additional Autism-specific traumas for the next generation.)

 

From Maggie…..

 

As Occupational Therapists, our core focus is on helping you manage the multifaceted relationships between you and your body, you and your environment, and you and the activities you need and want to get done. We achieve this by developing strategies that enhance the "fit" – making activities and environments work better for you, as well as helping you adjust your body and nervous system to work more in sync with your environment and activities.

 

A key part of our expertise lies in understanding your sensory system and how it influences your brain and body's ability to regulate itself and process information. For many neurodivergent people, processing internal body sensations (like emotions or physical needs) can be challenging. We help you develop skills to identify, understand, and interpret these internal cues, which can lead to greater self-awareness and control.

 

Our practice is holistic, guided by the Occupational Therapy Framework. This comprehensive, evidence-based model ensures we look at every area of your life – from sleep and work to eating, social activities, finances, and leisure. We aim for integrated progress across all areas, ensuring improvements in one area support growth across all aspects of your life.

We would love to support you at The Life Skills Spot!  I can't wait to tell you more about adult OT on August 23rd at 12!