Wrap Up the School Year with xMinds' last webinar of 2024-25! Register here. |
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Star Wars Teen Social GET OUT YOUR LIGHTSABERS - JUNE 7 |
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Photo Booth Fun at May the Fourth Party 2024 |
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Last year’s May the Fourth Be With You party for autistic middle and high-school students was so popular, we decided to do it again! Join xMinds and Slush & Krust Productions Saturday, June 7, 7:30-9:30 p.m. for Teen Jedi Night in the Gaithersburg High School Cafeteria, 101 Education Boulevard, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.
Party with other Han Solos, Yodas and (gasp) Darth Vaders for a Star Wars-themed evening of fun in a galaxy far, far away. The future of the universe depends on you! |
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Autistic Voices on Community & Connection HEAR EXPERIENCES OF EXPLORING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS - JUNE 10 |
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Do you have an autistic teen who is looking for ways to gain more independence, explore the neighborhood, and make new friends? Join us as we close out our monthly speaker series program year with our Annual Autistic Self-Advocates Panel, Welcome to the Neighborhood: Autistic Voices on Community & Connection and learn about the importance of community integration. The event will be held Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. ET and moderated by Steven Isaacson, LMSW. |
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Steven Isaacson, LMSW Licensed Autistic Social Worker |
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This year’s panel features diverse autistic young adults who will share their real-life experience navigating their communities. As Steven put it: “This year’s panel will focus on how autistic individuals navigate their communities — from building connections to learning who’s around us and how we fit into the spaces we live, work, and socialize in.” The panelists won’t hold back on the personal insights, successes, challenges and lessons they've learned.
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Dr. Brittany Townsend-Galloway |
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The
evening will conclude with the panelists answering your questions,
whether from your autistic teens who are just beginning to independently
explore this wide world, or their parents who worry about them getting
lost or missing the train. At the same time, learn how we can all make
our neighborhoods more welcoming for everyone. |
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It’s Time to Bike to the Beach FUNDRAISER CROSSES THE BAY JUNE 20 |
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You’ve trained, you’ve reached out to friends and family, or you’ve made a donation. Whatever your method of supporting xMinds team for Bike to the Beach, the race is almost here. The big ride will be held on Friday, June 20. But at press time, we’ve only raised $23,082 of our $55,000 goal, so we’d love your help in our endeavor. Support xMinds by donating here. Your contributions help fund all of xMinds’ important work to improve education for autistic children in Montgomery County. And if you need some inspiration, listen to xMinds Team Captain Patrick Quigley, who has been riding for autistic kids for ten years and has been the coach for five years: |
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Patrick and the other 14 members of the team have been training through bouts of norovirus and flu. If you’re so inclined, lace up your shoes and join the team in our last training ride on Sunday, June 15 @ 9 a.m. at Hains Point/East Potomac Park (taper ride) (total distance 21 miles). Don’t worry if you’re not biking this year, there’s still time to donate to our team! Your contributions ensure that xMinds can continue to host free speaker events, online resources, volunteer advocacy services, playground meetups and more. Find out more about this fundraiser on the xMinds website, where we spell out all the details about this fun and important event. |
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Get Reduced-Fee Advocacy Help
LOW-COST ADVOCACY RESOURCES |
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Perhaps your child has just been diagnosed, or maybe their teacher or administrator is suggesting an alternative placement that doesn’t sit right. If you need an advocate but have limited financial resources, xMinds can help. Parent volunteers who have seen it all while navigating the MCPS special education system can provide free guidance or support in finding a school placement or advocating within the IEP process (volunteers do not provide legal advice). If you want to speak to one of our volunteer advocates, please complete this form for a free Team Consult. |
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In addition to free services, we’re in the process of expanding the listings on our website to include providers that offer sliding-scale or reduced-fee advocacy. (Note: some of these are targeted to specific communities or students at certain schools.) Finally, it should be noted that during the 2024 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill that establishes a fund for families with limited financial resources to access lawyers, advocates and education consultants and appropriates $1 million to the fund every year starting in FY 2026. The program “emphasizes assistance for families for [IEP] meetings and informal dispute resolution,” according to an analysis by Disability Rights MD. Keep an eye out for updates on this new service right here as more details roll out. For more information on advocacy resources from Maryland State Department of Education, click here. |
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Join the Discussion! SUMMER DATES FOR ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUPS |
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We're coming to the end of the school year, but not the end of parenting questions and dilemmas. Never fear: xMinds discussion groups will be here for you all summer. Save the dates for the summer sessions of our virtual discussion groups for parents and caregivers of MoCo autistic students. |
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These targeted groups provide a great opportunity to connect with others who have shared interests and concerns. Discussion groups are always free and operate on a drop-in basis. If you haven’t had a chance to try out a group during the school year, this summer could be the perfect opportunity!
The summer schedule is below. Register once to receive your Zoom link – the links for the groups are the same each month, so hang on to it.
Small Steps Together. For MoCo parents/caregivers of autistic elementary or preschool students. Meets the fourth Monday of each month, 7-7:45 p.m. Summer meeting dates will be June 23, July 28 and August 25. Register here.
Let’s Talk Transitions. For MoCo parents/caregivers of an autistic child in middle or high school, approaching the transition to adulthood. Meets the fourth Wednesday of every month, 7-7:45 p.m. Summer meeting dates will be June 25, July 23 and August 27. Register here.
People of the Global Majority. For MoCo parents/caregivers of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) students. Meets the first Monday of every month, 7-7:45 p.m. Meets next on July 7 and August 4. Register here.
Hablemos Educación Especial. For Spanish-speaking MoCo parents/caregivers of an autistic child. Meets the first Wednesday of every month, 7-7:45 p.m. Summer meeting dates are July 2 and August 6. Register here. Also check out the xMinds en Español What’s App Group.
Lunchtime Reboot. Need to take a break in the middle of the day? Join xMinds for a “lunchtime reboot” at our next monthly session on June 30: You are not alone. In this 45-minute online session, certified mindfulness teacher and parent coach Magüi Moreno will share simple and realistic self-care practices. Register here |
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Special Sundays at xMinds Playground Meetup DANCE AND PLAY TO CELEBRATE THE START OF SUMMER |
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School will soon be done for the year and all that kids will have to look forward to is the next puddle, firefly or Saturday morning cartoon. Give them a little more to do by joining xMinds' Special Sunday outdoor playground meetup on Sunday, June 22, 2-3:30 p.m. at the enclosed playground behind Ivymount School, 11614 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville, MD. |
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Parents need time to unwind, too – you can meet other families with autistic elementary and preschool students at the Meetup and maybe climb up a play structure or go down a slide yourself. We will provide snacks, and xMinds staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions. Everyone is welcome; even older siblings who still love to play. Registration is not required but if you would like to receive event reminders and an email if we need to postpone due to inclement weather, sign up here. Mark your calendars for the summer playground meetups (note the change back to our usual time and day for the warmer weather): - Saturday, July 19, 10-11:30 a.m.
- Saturday, August 16, 10-11:30 a.m.
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June is National Great Outdoors Month
CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE LISTING OF SENSORY-FRIENDLY OUTINGS |
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Whether your summer includes long-planned camp for the young ones, or quiet days spent in the backyard, the great outdoors beckons while the weather holds. Maybe you can even try teaching your little one how to ride a bike. June is National Great Outdoors Month, a perfect time to highlight inclusive sensory-friendly activities and outings. |
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Our
community partner Independence Now extols the health benefits of
getting outside: “Being surrounded by nature can… put you in a better
mood and it can also be good for your mental well-being. Spending time
outdoors helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting
mood and self-esteem.” If exploring our local state parks piques your interest, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers a Universal Disability Pass (UDP), a free lifetime pass that does not require renewal. The pass also covers one additional person accompanying the cardholder. The federal government also offers a similar pass for national parks.
Other local facilities offer amenities for autistic children and their families. If you want to see local baseball, Nationals Park hosts a sensory room. Six Flags America amusement park, which is unfortunately closing this fall, offers Sensory Friendly Days, and the Maryland Zoo invites families to borrow sensory inclusive bags and offers a social story to help families prepare for their visits. Check out the xMinds directory to Local Sensory-Friendly Venues and Events for details on these and other sensory-friendly offerings in our area, as well as our guide to recreational activities. And if you haven’t done it yet, maybe you could teach your little one to ride a bike. Just get outside! |
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Monthly Series: Autistic Voices AN AUTISTIC ADULT FINDS BEAUTY ON THE SPECTRUM |
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This month in our monthly series, we’re going to focus on a book written by local autistic self-advocate Annie Kotowicz.
Annie wrote What I Mean When I Say I’m Autistic: Unpuzzling a Life on the Autism Spectrum in 2022 drawing from her experiences as a child and young adult before she found her people and was diagnosed at 28. With impressive self-awareness Annie shares her rich inner life in ways that make it entirely understandable. |
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Annie explains in precise and clear language exactly what she is thinking and experiencing when, as a child, she behaved in ways that neurotypicals found strange or annoying — behaviors like asking the teacher too many questions or climbing to perch in unexpected places like the highest shelf of a closet. Her diagnosis allowed her to finally make sense of her differences, and as an adult she has found ways to put many of her quirks to good use. Her precise use of language has led to her success as a writer, and her proclivity to climb random objects found expression in practicing parkour as an adult. |
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Though she is a crystal-clear writer, that precision never gets in the way of being engaging. She includes funny anecdotes and colorful analogies that bring her story to life. She also uses wonderful turns of phrase to crystalize her points. For example, she writes: “My favorite way to think of autism is this: I miss what others catch, and I catch what others miss.” That sums it up so well!
Although Annie describes her experience of autism through a generally positive frame, she also acknowledges challenges, particularly with respect to sensory intolerance. In describing her lifelong aversion to the sensation of water on her skin, she writes that she experienced raindrops as painful and laments “I wish that I could be in water without water being on me.”
In a recent Instagram post,
Annie wrote: “I believe that neurodiversity is beautiful. And by
beautiful, I mean always worthy of celebration — without hiding from the
many challenges it brings, or the complex ways it affects our lives.”
We strongly recommend this book to any parent of an autistic child. It’s an enjoyable read and will give you a window into what your child may be experiencing — and that’s what we’re all looking for, isn’t it? |
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In Case You Missed it: xMinds Event Highlights NEXT STEPS TOWARDS ADULTHOOD |
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Adulthood is just around the corner for many of our kids, and every path forward looks a little different. To help teens and their parents explore options and access the support they need, xMinds and the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM) hosted its first Transition to Adulthood Clinic where 85 families received FREE professional guidance, and many others interacted with community service providers. |
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Thank you to all who attended, and especially to our consultants and community partners. The in-person event was held on May 31. Our keynote speaker Eric Jorgensen, director of special projects at First Maryland Disability Trust, gave two informative presentations on how to fill out applications for state and federal disability benefits such as DORS, DDA and SSI. If you missed his presentation, see his slides here and stay tuned for the video which we will post on our YouTube Channel.
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TEENS + BOARD GAMES = INSTANT FUN
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Thanks to all of you who joined us at last month’s inaugural Chill & Play: A Board Game Hangout for Autistic Teens, in partnership with Slush & Krust Productions. Two dozen families enjoyed chess, checkers, and other riveting entertainment. The two hours provided enough time for 2 full D&D campaigns led by a professional dungeon master. As usual, there was no shortage of snacks and soda for the teens (and grownups!) who got the munchies. If you want more of these types of teen social events, please let us know! |
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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:
H2D Counseling www.h2dcounseling.com
Contact: Sumaiya Olatunde; sumaiya@h2dcounseling.com
Services: Educational advocacy; educational consulting; admissions services; Serving students ages Pre-K through graduate school.
H2D Counseling provides educational advocacy and school admissions services for all students (K-12, college and graduate level). We participate in IEP and 504 meetings, connect families and students with resources, provide academic oversight for struggling students, and help identify needed supports in the areas of education, mental health, therapies, and other needs as they arise. Our approach is very individualized and student-centered with a focus on balancing short-term needs with long-term goals.
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Upcoming xMinds Events
XMINDS EVENTS, RESOURCES, & SERVICES ARE ALWAYS FREE
Saturday, June 7
Teen Jedi Night Find an out-of-this-world experience at our Star Wars-themed party for autistic middle and high-school students! Register here Tuesday, June 10
Welcome to the Neighborhood: Autistic Voices on Community & Connection
Join our annual panel of autistic advocates and learn about community integration. Register here.
Sunday, June 15, 9 a.m.
Bike to the Beach Training Ride
Join the xMinds team for a 21-mile taper ride. Hains Point/East Potomac Park. Register here.
Friday, June 20
Bike to the Beach Ride Support our annual fundraiser from D.C. to Dewey Beach. Find out more
Sunday, June 22, 2-3:30 p.m.
Elementary and Preschool Playground Meetup
Meet other elementary and preschool families with autistic children. Join us for outdoor play at Ivymount School in Rockville, MD. Register here.
Monday, June 23, 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, June 25, 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. Monday, June 30, 12-12:45 p.m.
Lunchtime Reboot
Relax, unwind and learn some methods to beat the stress of parenting. Register here. |
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Wednesday, July 2, 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. Monday, July 7, 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.
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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