Let's meet at the gym! Indoor playtime for elementary and preschool-aged kids and their families Saturday, January 17 in Silver Spring. |
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MCPS NEWS: Major Cuts to Autism Services
REDUCTIONS IN AUTISM-SPECIFIC EXPERTISE RAISE CONCERNS |
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As Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor enters his second year and Dr. Margaret Cage is early in her first year leading the Division of Specialized Support Services, MCPS is executing significant changes to special education that directly affect autistic students and their families. |
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We have learned of reductions and reorganization within MCPS special education, including the elimination of supervisors of services important to autistic students: Autism Services, Speech and Language Services, Transition Services, and Alternate Learning Outcomes.
Most concerning, the Autism Unit has been reduced by roughly half. Two positions were eliminated, and five psychologists with autism-specific assessment expertise were reassigned to general caseloads, dispersing specialized knowledge that has long supported schools and IEP teams. At its peak, the Autism Unit included 21 full-time specialists serving 73 schools. The unit’s longtime supervisor, Kristin Ericson, is also departing after 43 years at MCPS, representing a major loss of expertise and institutional knowledge.
For more information, go to:
Superintendent's Recommended Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget Superintendent's Recommended Special Education Staffing Plan Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget Important Upcoming Dates:
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Board of Education Public Hearings: Thursday, January 15, and Tuesday, January 27, 2026
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Board of Education Board Work Sessions: January 20, and January 29, 2026
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Tentative Board of Education Adoption: Thursday, February 19, 2026
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Final Adoption: Expected Thursday, June 4, 2026 |
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UNCERTAINTY AHEAD It remains unclear how autism services will be delivered under the new structure or how schools or educators will access specialized support. These changes come at a time when MCPS projects continued growth in the number of students with autism and plans to expand its Classic Autism program into three new schools with 10-13 additional classes — raising urgent questions about capacity, training, and oversight. |
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CALL TO ACTION: STAY ENGAGED
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WHY THIS MATTERS
Autistic students often require specialized support tailored to their unique learning styles. Even well-intentioned educators who lack training in autism may struggle to provide effective support, as they may misinterpret what they are observing. Reducing autism-specific staffing while expanding autism programs risks leaving schools without the expertise necessary to meet students’ needs. |
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Breaking Barriers for Nonspeaking Autistic Students
DON'T MISS JANUARY 14 WEBINAR |
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If your autistic child is non- or minimally speaking, you’ve probably hit some walls in getting your child a fair and effective education. The major barrier is the incomplete, if not nonexistent data on this population. Estimates of the proportion of autistic children who are minimally speaking vary from 25 to 40%. However, there is a lack of consensus in defining minimally or nonspeaking and to make it worse, there are few detailed studies of communication outcomes for these children following intervention. |
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Our next webinar, Supporting Autistic Learners Who Are Nonspeaking or Minimally Speaking: What Every Parent Should Know, Wednesday, January 14, 7-8:30 p.m., will bring clarity and guidance from three leading experts: Lisa Mihalich Quinn, founder and executive director of Reach Every Voice, Julie Sando, Director of Autistically Inclined, and Dr. Edlyn Peña, Director of the Autism & Communication Center at California Lutheran University. They will be talking about their book, Breaking Barriers for Nonspeaking Autistic Students: A Toolkit to Enhance Communication in Learning Environments.
The speakers will show parents how to understand and support autistic learners who use little or unreliable speech, including these key concepts:
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Presuming Competence: Why believing in a learner’s abilities changes what becomes possible.
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Motor Differences & Apraxia: A simple, parent-friendly explanation of the brain–body disconnect that affects speech and movement.
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Shifting From “Behavior” to Co-Regulation: How to interpret actions through a sensory–motor lens and support regulation, safety, and connection.
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Communication as a Human Right: Why every learner needs consistent access to robust communication—not just choices or requests.
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Where Literacy Fits In: How reading and writing support real communication and open academic opportunities.
Unlock your child’s potential with this opportunity to hear directly from leaders in the field and get your questions answered. Your whole family will benefit from the strategies and lessons learned from this webinar. Register today to receive your Zoom link. |
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Julie Sando
Founder of Autistically Inclined and co-founder of Communication for Education, Julie has spent more than two decades helping nonspeaking individuals communicate using text-based and multimodal tools, grounded in relationship-centered, competence-presuming practices. |
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Warm Up at xMinds FIRST Open Gym of 2026
FUN FOR ELEMENTARY AND PRESCHOOL FAMILIES |
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Cold weather has officially arrived—and if your kids are bouncing off the walls while staring out the window, you’re not alone. Join xMinds families for our first indoor open gym of the season, a safe, fun space for autistic kids to move, play, and connect: Saturday, January 17, 10–11:30 a.m. at the Glen Haven Elementary Gymnasium, 10900 Inwood Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902. |
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We will have balls, mats, parachutes, and other gym equipment, as well as organized children's activities. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to connect with other parents and share resources. There will be the usual snacks, and volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions.
Everyone is welcome, including siblings, and there’s no cost to attend! Registration is not required, so feel free to just show up. But if you would like to receive event reminders and an email if we need to postpone due to inclement weather, sign up here. |
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Understanding the Intersection of Autistic Burnout and PDA
FEB. 26 WEBINAR FEATURING DR. DAVID BLACK |
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Perhaps you and your child know the feeling: all the stress of living in a neurotypical world, managing all of the sensory inputs and life decisions, has come to a boiling point and you just need an “out.” This experience has a name: autistic burnout.
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Autistic burnout has been defined as “resulting from chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports. It is characterized by pervasive, long-term (typically 3+ months) exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus.” For autistic people, this can be especially intense, and recovery often takes much more time.
In our Thursday, February 26 webinar (7-8:30 p.m.), Center for Assessment And Treatment (CAAT) co-founder and pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. David O. Black will take us through the overlap between autistic burnout and a sub-diagnosis of autism called Persistent Drive for Autonomy (PDA). This perspective reframes “defiant” behavior as signs of a nervous system under stress and in need of regulation and autonomy — not punishment or pressure. Join us to better understand autistic burnout and learn practical, compassionate strategies that support regulation, recovery, and well-being for autistic individuals and their families. |
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Speaker Bio
Dr. David O. Black is a pediatric neuropsychologist and internationally recognized expert in autism spectrum and related disorders. In addition to his work with individuals who have social and self-regulatory problems, Dr. Black provides comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and consultation services to children, adolescents, and adults with learning differences, attention disorders, and medical conditions such as epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and genetic disorders. Prior to founding CAAT, Dr. Black was a researcher in the Pediatrics and Developmental Neuroscience Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health, NIH. |
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Save the Date: xMinds IEP Clinic March 14
EXPERT GUIDANCE AND PRACTICAL ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST PRESSING IEP QUESTIONS
GUEST SPEAKERS JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
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It comes around every year: the IEP meeting with your child’s school team. You may not know which questions to ask, and suddenly you’re faced with complex decisions about services, supports, and accommodations. It can feel overwhelming — and the stakes are high.
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To help families navigate this process, xMinds is hosting our annual IEP Clinic, dedicated to providing families with essential information on how to advocate for their autistic learner, on Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., in-person at a NEW location: Fusion Academy Rockville, a private special education school in downtown Rockville, 275 N. Washington Street, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850. Don’t miss this chance to get answers to your most pressing IEP questions. General registration includes: - A keynote speaker presentation focused on navigating the IEP process
- Resource tables hosted by local service providers and practitioners
- Snacks and drinks
All registered attendees will also receive an announcement when scheduling opens for a limited number of free, one-to-one, 25-minute mini-consultations with a professional special education consultant or attorney.
Last year, our clinic drew more than 150 attendees, and we’re excited to welcome families again for this meaningful, information-packed morning. Whether you attend the keynote, explore resources, or sign up for a mini-consult, this is a must-attend event for families preparing for their child's IEP meeting.
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE!
If you are a local service provider or an xMinds professional member interested in sponsoring this event, sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact dtims@xminds.org for more information. |
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Join Our Monthly Parent Discussion Groups
RESOLVE TO STAY CONNECTED IN 2026 |
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Start the new year by connecting with other MoCo families who have similar interests and concerns. Our monthly online discussion groups offer the perfect opportunity to chat, share experiences, and exchange ideas.
We offer five virtual groups:
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Lunchtime Reboot. Relax, unwind and learn some methods to beat the stress of parenting. Next meeting will be January 19. January's topic: Calming the Storm: Emotional Regulation for Parents; February’s topic: Supporting Siblings of Autistic Kids. Register here. Small Steps Together. Parents/caregivers of an autistic elementary or preschool child. Next meeting will be January 26. Register here. Let’s Talk Transitions. Parents/caregivers of an autistic child in middle or high school, approaching the transition to adulthood. Next meeting will be January 28. Register here. People of the Global Majority. Parents/caregivers of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students. Next meeting will be February 2. Register here. Hablemos Educación Especial. Spanish-speaking parents/caregivers of an autistic child. Next meeting will be February 4. Regístrese aquí.
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xMinds is Hiring!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH US |
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xMinds is looking for a Community Engagement Coordinator to help build relationships, support volunteers, and strengthen our connection with families and the community. This position offers flexible scheduling; however, availability during regular weekday business hours is required, including participation in scheduled meetings, with occasional evening and weekend events. |
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Key Responsibilities
1. Volunteer Engagement, Recruitment & Retention (Primary Focus)
2. Community Outreach & Relationship Building
3. Communications & Content Development
4. Stewardship & Fundraising Support
5. Event & Program Support
Bilingual skills (especially in Spanish, Amharic, or Mandarin) are highly valued as xMinds prides itself on reaching families in multiple languages.
If you’re passionate about outreach, collaboration, and making an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Or maybe you know someone who might be a great fit? Please share the job posting! View the full description and application details here. |
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January is National Hobby Month CELEBRATE YOUR CHILD'S PASSIONS |
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The new year is a perfect excuse to hit reset — and to celebrate the things your child can’t stop thinking about. Hobbies aren’t just fun; they’re windows into curiosity, confidence, and joy. They can also be a grounding force during times of change, offering comfort, focus, and a sense of identity. |
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Caregivers and educators play an important role in making space for these interests to grow. As AutismWorks notes, that can mean offering materials for creative projects, encouraging writing or building, visiting museums, or simply allowing time to go deep into a favorite topic. Celebrating hobby-related wins — no matter how small — helps build self-esteem and keeps motivation going.
This National Hobby Month, take a moment to reflect on how your child’s interests came to be. Did you introduce lots of activities and see what stuck, or did your child latch onto something instantly? Is their passion one you share, or one that completely surprises you? Whether it’s trains, Disney movies, Oscar nominations, or the periodic table, these interests often hold meaning far beyond the surface.
Hobbies can open doors to connection — with peers, with learning, and sometimes even with future careers. Most of all, showing curiosity about what your child loves sends a powerful message that their interests are valued and worth celebrating. |
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Ready to Help? BOOKMARK NEW XMINDS' VOLUNTEER HUB |
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With a small staff and a big mission, xMinds relies on volunteers to power nearly everything we do — from staffing our IEP Clinic and bringing snacks to the playground, to advising a parent on their child's IEP. Simply put: we could not offer the breadth of services we provide without volunteers.
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Bookmark our new Volunteer Hub and check back often to explore the many ways you can get involved with xMinds as our volunteer community continues to grow. Whether you have a few hours a month or a specific skill to share, there’s a place for you at xMinds. Together, we can strengthen our community and improve educational outcomes for autistic students in Montgomery County. |
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Monthly Series: Autistic Voices
LATE-DIAGNOSED AUTISTIC WOMAN CHAMPIONS NEURODIVERSITY |
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In this month’s installment of Autistic Voices, we spotlight Bridgette Hamstead — a late-diagnosed autistic woman whose advocacy stands out because it is deeply practical, unapologetically autistic-led, and rooted in lived experience. Bridgette doesn’t just talk about neurodiversity; she builds structures that autistic people and families can actually use. |
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Bridgette is the founding director of Fish in a Tree, a neurodiversity organization that grew out of what began as a simple brunch among neurodivergent friends. As the organization explains, Fish in a Tree “began as a small brunch gathering… united by a shared vision of mutual support and acceptance,” and has since evolved into a virtual neurodiversity community center and consulting firm. That evolution reflects Bridgette’s core belief: community, when centered on autistic voices, can scale without losing its humanity.
Although Fish in a Tree is based in New Orleans, Bridgette’s work reaches families far beyond Louisiana. Through virtual programming, writing, national advocacy, and consulting, she helps families reframe autism away from deficit-based models and toward dignity, autonomy, and systemic change. Her insights resonate strongly with parents navigating schools, services, and transitions who are searching for autistic-affirming perspectives grounded in real life, not theory.
In addition to leading Fish in a Tree, Bridgette serves as Chairperson of the Board of the Neurodiversity Coalition of America and was named Global Voice of Neurodiversity Pride 2025. Her forthcoming book, The Trouble with Being Good: How Late-Diagnosed AuDHD Women Break the Rules to Save Themselves, blends memoir, research, and collective insight to examine survival, self-reclamation, and the cost of conforming to systems that were never designed for autistic people.
At the heart of all her work is a refusal to accept “good enough” inclusion. “Fish in a Tree exists because I believe neurodivergent people deserve more than survival — we deserve futures rooted in dignity, equity, and liberation,” Bridgette writes. Whether she’s consulting with institutions, delivering a keynote, or writing for her community, her focus remains the same: helping families and systems move forward without replicating harm.
Bridgette was named a 2023 Activist of the Year by New Orleans Magazine, where she explained the meaning behind the organization’s name: “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing there is something wrong with it.” That metaphor captures why her voice matters so much to autistic families — especially those navigating education systems that still prioritize compliance over understanding.
For families in Montgomery County, Bridgette’s work offers both validation and direction: a reminder that autistic people are not broken — and that it is possible to build new systems rather than forcing ourselves into old ones.
For more of her work, find her on Substack: https://bridgettehamstead.substack.com/ |
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Professional Member Spotlight
As a benefit to both our families and professional members, xMinds publishes information about our professional members here in the xMindsWire as well as on our website. Inclusion does not constitute our endorsement. This month, xMinds would like to highlight the following new and renewing professional members:
Anchor Educational Consulting
anchoriep.com
Colleen Williams
contact@anchoriep.com
240-437-4077
5000 Thayer Center, Ste C, Oakland MD, 21555
Services: Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Educational consulting, Verbal Behavior Anchor Educational Consulting LLC provides compassionate IEP parent support/advocacy; IEP team collaboration; Independent Educational Evaluations; Functional Behavior Assessments, Parent Training; Secondary Transitioning Planning, Staff and Team Behavior Training; Transportation Training; IEP Data Monitoring for FAPE; School Observations; ABA Consultation; IEP Consultation; IEP Progress Monitoring, Outcomes Advocacy, Problem Solving IEP goals that are not progressing, FAPE support; Compensatory ABA Services and Parent Training; and Educational and Behavioral Consultation and Training. |
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Upcoming xMinds Events
XMINDS CORE EVENTS, RESOURCES & SERVICES ARE ALWAYS FREE
Wednesday, January 14, 7-8:30 p.m.
Breaking Barriers for Nonspeaking Autistic Students
Join our webinar with coauthors Lisa Mihalich Quinn, founder and executive director of Reach Every Voice, Dr. Edlyn Peña, Director, Autism & Communication Center at California Lutheran University, and Julie Sando, Director, Autistically Inclined. Register here.
Saturday, January 17, 10-11:30 a.m.
Open Gym Meetup
Preschool and elementary families will head indoors in January! Register here.
Monday, January 19, 12-12:45 p.m.
Lunchtime Reboot
Relax, unwind and learn strategies to beat the stress of parenting. January ‘s topic: Calming the Storm: Emotional Regulation for Parents Register here.
Monday, January 26, 7-7:45 p.m.
Small Steps Together — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of autistic elementary or preschool children. Register here
Wednesday, January 28, 7-7:45 p.m.
Let's Talk Transitions — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents of autistic students in middle or high school. Register here. |
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Monday, February 2, 7-7:45 p.m.
People of the Global Majority — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of autistic children who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Register here. Wednesday, February 4, 7-7:45 p.m.
Hablemos Educación Especial — Grupo de Discusión de Padres
El comité de xMinds sobre el alcance del idioma español está organizando un grupo de discusión en línea mensual en español para los padres de un estudiante autista del condado de Montgomery. Regístrese aquí.
Community Calendar
Our community calendar is FULL of great offerings not only from xMinds, but from professional service providers located in Montgomery County. Check out the programs and events posted on our Events Calendar.
Note: Our Events Calendar shows events on their start date, but some community programs require you to apply before the start date, so please look ahead! |
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Please consider donating to xMinds. We offer all our resources to families and educators at no cost to ensure they are accessible to everyone who needs them. Your support is essential in helping us continue this work. Every contribution makes a difference!
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