xMindsWire September 2025
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Unpacking an Autism Diagnosis GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED OCTOBER 15 |
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xMinds is kicking off this year's monthly speaker series with Unpacking an Autism Diagnosis, featuring Jen Dryer and Gabriele Nicolet, co-founders of Raising Orchid Kids.
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Join us online Wednesday, October 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. as Jen and Gabriele lead a supportive discussion and answer your questions: - What an autism diagnosis means (and doesn't mean)
- Which services are provided in school and which may be worth pursuing outside of school
- How to think more broadly about other factors like vision, diet, and sleep that may affect your child's well-being
- ...and much more.
We know this stage can feel overwhelming — emotionally and logistically. You’re in a whole new world, but you are not alone. This webinar will help you sort through your options and, most importantly, appreciate the unique child in front of you.
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Gabriele Nicolet and Jen Dryer |
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About the Speakers
Jen Dryer, MA, is a parent coach, advocate, and educational consultant supporting families and teachers of neuro-different children. With over 20 years' experience as a public school teacher, staff developer, and parent advocate in NYC and DC, Jen also brings lived experience as the mother of an autistic/ADHD son and an older son with ADHD.
Gabriele Nicolet, MA, CCC-SLP, is a toddler whisperer, developmental speech therapist, parent coach, and host of the Complicated Kids Podcast.
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Don't miss this opportunity to get clear answers, practical guidance, and a warm welcome from the autism community. |
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Fun with a Purpose CELEBRATE FALL AND SUPPORT XMINDS AT THE SAME TIME |
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Enjoy lively activities designed for every member of the family. Move and groove with Zumba led by ZamDance founder Jackie Zamora or join fitness and cheer classes led by Spirit Club and Special Olympics. Prefer something quieter? Don't miss kids' yoga taught by certified speech and occupational therapists from Talk Yoga. Have a teen who enjoys role-playing games? Sign them up for a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Plus, visit our activity stations -- including a photo booth and cookie decorating (yum!).
Unlike other xMinds events, there will be a charge for entry: $25 per person (adults and students from pre-school through 12th grade). This includes unlimited activities + food and drink.
Your ticket is more than admission -- it's a donation. All proceeds from the Fall Fun-Raiser directly support xMinds' free programs, events, and resources for Montgomery County families of autistic students. By joining the fun, you're helping xMinds continue its mission of helping autistic students realize their full potential.
Don't miss out! Register today. _____________________________________ SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! Are you or your organization looking for a high-profile way to give back to the autism community? Become a Fall Fun-Raiser Sponsor (starting at $500)! Your support helps xMinds continue providing resources and support to families of autistic children — and we'll proudly recognize your contribution across various platforms.
As a sponsor, you’ll receive:
- Your name and logo featured on the xMinds website
- Your name and logo displayed on signage
- Acknowledgement in our next xMindsWire newsletter that goes out to over 7,000 subscribers;*
- A resource table at the event;
- And social media exposure, both before and after the fundraiser.
For more information or to get started, please fill out our sponsorship interest form or contact us at info@xminds.org.
*To be included in the xMindsWire, please respond by October 1. If you miss this date, don't worry! You will still be featured on our website and on social media. |
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Back to School Strategies FIND WAYS TO SETTLE IN |
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It’s been a couple of weeks since MCPS started up again for the fall, and we hope your kids are adjusting well -- getting to know their teachers and finding their way around school. Once the dust settles, this is the perfect time to review your child's IEP and get reacquainted with both new and existing accommodations. Teachers and staff members might also need a refresher. For older kids, encourage them to advocate for themselves and take the lead when they can. |
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Find all our resources on accommodations on our website. If there are new members on your child's school team, schedule a parent-teacher conference and give them a "cheat sheet" about your child's special education needs. The Maryland State Department of Education offers fillable "All About Me" forms for parents to share with teachers -- completing these forms at home gives your child space to express themselves more freely.
The Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM) also offers Back-to-School Resources tailored to your child’s age and grade. The start of the school year can be tough going, so as AUSOM says, “Celebrate small wins, expect some bumps, and give yourself grace.”
If you think you need extra help, xMinds volunteer advocates offer free special education team consults. We can provide guidance and moral support, and can connect parents with resources, but do not provide legal advice.
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Strategic Planning Process XMINDS WILL ENLARGE STAFF, EXPAND REACH |
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Earlier this year, xMinds embarked on a three-year strategic planning process. We debated a myriad of options of where to take the organization and we landed on this: We are dramatically
expanding to reach many, many more of the MoCo
families who can benefit from our resources and supportive community. |
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This includes providing more opportunities for volunteer participation; enlarging our small and dedicated staff; strengthening the board’s governance and oversight role; pursuing new funding sources, and expanding existing ones.
We hope you will join us in our efforts by attending our events, signing up to volunteer, providing us with feedback, and alerting us to resources you find helpful in your journey. Whether your child was diagnosed in preschool or you’re still trying to get them assessed in high school, we’ll continue to be with you every step of the way. Contact us at info@xminds.org.
Read our updated mission statement and brand new vision statement here: https://xminds.org/strategic-plan-2025. |
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Playground Meetup – Sat. Sept 20 PLAY, CONNECT & RECHARGE WITH XMINDS |
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The days are cooler, school is back in session — and kids (and parents!) can use a break. The day before the fall equinox is the perfect chance to get outside. Join xMinds for our Playground Meetup on Saturday, September 20, 10-11:30 a.m. at the enclosed playground behind Ivymount School, 11614 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville, MD. |
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Bring your preschool and elementary-aged autistic kids for some free play while you swap stories with other parents about school, IEPs, and the ups and downs of the new year. Snacks are on us, and xMinds staff and volunteers will be on hand. Everyone is welcome; even older siblings who need to unwind. Registration isn't required — but if you sign up, you'll get reminders and an email if we need to postpone due to inclement weather, sign up here.
Mark your calendars for our upcoming fall playground meetups:
- Saturday, October 18, 10-11:30 a.m.
- Saturday, November 15, 10-11:30 a.m.
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Monthly Discussion Groups GET BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS |
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To everything there is a season. This month, some of the xMinds discussion groups are changing their schedules due to holidays and other considerations. For example, the Let’s Talk Transitions discussion group will be held TONIGHT, September 17th from 7-7:45 PM. Join other parents/caregivers of an autistic child in middle or high school, approaching the transition to adulthood. Register here. |
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Here’s the fall schedule for the other xMinds discussion groups:
Small Steps Together. Monday, September 29, 7-7:45 PM. Our discussion group for MoCo parents/caregivers of autistic elementary and preschool students. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Hablemos Educación Especial will be held Monday, October 1, 7-7:45 PM. Discussion group for Spanish-speaking MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic child. Hosted the first Wednesday of each month. Register here.
Lunchtime Reboot: Join xMinds at our next monthly session on October 6 from 12-12:45 p.m. Note: These will now be held on the 1st or 2nd Monday of the month. In this 45-minute online session, certified mindfulness teacher and parent coach Magüi Moreno will share simple and realistic self-care practices. Next month’s theme is Finding a Peer Support Network. Register here People of the Global Majority. Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of an autistic BIPOC child with a new host, Nico Critcher. Next session is October 6, 7-7:45. Register here. |
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September is Like Apples and Honey
AND OTHER PERFECT COMBINATIONS |
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As many of you may know, on the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, which this year falls on September 23, Jewish families around the world eat apples dipped in honey for a sweet and healthy new year. (Don’t mock it until you try it.) |
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Perhaps fitting that September is both National Apples Month and National Honey Month. This is a perfect combination, just like September itself: warm enough to stay outside and breezy enough to put on a lightweight jacket.
What else are perfect combinations in your child? Smart and kind? Feisty yet sensitive? Think about that as we welcome fall, back-to-school, and for our Jewish families, the beginning of a new year. |
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Monthly Series: Autistic Voices
CAPTAIN AUTISM TAKES THE MIC |
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In this installment of Autistic Voices, meet Florida-based stand-up comedian AJ Wilkerson — also known as "Captain Autism." Diagnosed with autism at 30, Wilkerson has turned his neurodivergence into his calling card on stage. With a style he describes as “Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, and David Blaine all walk into a brain…” Wilkerson blends high energy, blunt honesty, and a touch of chaos to show audiences how his brain really works. |
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This is not family-friendly fare — Wilkerson's unfiltered, no-holds-barred humor about autism and ADHD is refreshing and, for many, hysterical. His self-deprecating humor about stimming, masking, and how he gets through the day has resonated widely: his full-length specials on YouTube have drawn millions of views. Reviewers have called his act “Awkward, anxious, and absolutely hilarious.”
Find him on Instagram at @ajwilkersoncomedy
Or watch him on YouTube:
How to Know If You Have Autism
CAPTAIN AUTISM | Full Comedy Special |
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Always a Good Laugh With xMinds
AUDIENCE FELL OFF THEIR CHAIRS |
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Comedian Keith Purnell headlined two special shows at the Give a Hoot Comedy Club in Gaithersburg September 5 and 6 all for the benefit of xMinds.
The xMinds community showed up to enjoy great food and bottomless margaritas from La Mexicana Restaurant. Thank you to Give a Hoot Comedy Club and the people who enjoyed the shows over the two nights. |
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Kids Splashed Off Some Steam
COOL-DOWN TIME WITH FRIENDS |
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We were thrilled to host our annual SplashPark get-together on Sunday, August 10. On a beautiful, sunny morning, members of our community joined us to cool off in the refreshing fountains and falls of the South Germantown SplashPark. Families picnicked under a shaded pavilion, where they had the chance to connect. Not familiar with the xMinds BIPOC Outreach Committee? The committee connects with families in the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community in Montgomery County who can benefit from the fellowship of other families with autistic children and from xMinds resources. Check out the xMinds BIPOC page, and register for the online monthly parent discussion group, which meets next on Monday, October 6, at 7 p.m. |
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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:
Casey's Special Education Services, LLC
2 I St SE, Washington, DC 20003
561-353-8336; https://www.caseythespeducator.com/
Contact: caseythespeducator@gmail.com
Services: Academic tutoring/coaching, Behavioral support, Pre-K, K-12, Transition Ages 18-21, Ages 21+
Casey’s Special Education Services is a comprehensive special education service in the DMV. We service neurodiverse students, ages 2-28, in the comfort of their home. We provide high quality one-on-one instruction for all learners and focus primarily on reading, writing, math, social/emotional learning, adaptive/independent living skills and executive functioning skills.
We are a team of 20+ licensed special education teachers who can support families and schools through in-person tutoring, professional collaboration, parent coaching, IEP planning, document review, school placement and more.
Starobin Counseling, LLC
18213 Hillcrest Ave., Olney, MD 20832
301-417-5979; www.starobincounseling.com
Contact: Caron Starobin, LCSW-C; caron@starobincounseling.com
Services: Psychological counseling, Social skills therapy, Support groups
Starobin Counseling offers individual, couples, family, and group therapy. In individual & family counseling for autistic people, individuals learn relationship skills and tools for thinking with greater flexibility, have a space for exploring their identify as an autistic person, and receive support and counseling for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Family members learn to interact with greater ease and compassion with their loved ones and learn how to provide support and scaffolding for their autistic family member. Neuro-diversity affirming couples therapy and couples coaching at Starobin Counseling uses a Relational Life Therapy approach to help couples learn to cherish each other and navigate together while holding up neuro-differences in ways of connecting and communicating. We also now offer Weekend Intensives and Relationship Bootcamps for couples and individuals! Starobin Counseling also facilitates support group programs including Parents Together and Siblings Together. The parent groups offer parents information, resources, emotional support, and connection to other parents with similar experiences and aims to strengthen the capacity of parents to navigate the maze of services for their children, adolescents, and young adults. Siblings Together offers a supportive and therapeutic space for children, adolescents, and young adults who have autistic family members. Visit our website to learn more! Weinfeld Education Group (WEG)
Rich Weinfeld, Executive Director
4865A Cordell Ave, Ste 240, Bethesda, MD 20814
301-681-6233; www.wegadvocacy.com
Contact: office@wegadvocacy.com
Services: Educational Advocacy, IEP Planning, School Selection, Trainings and Consultations,
Weinfeld Education Group strives to help all students reach their potential. They focus on students who face increased obstacles presented by their learning challenges or disabilities, and are in need of special education or other educational support services. WEG provides services in Maryland, Virginia, DC, and virtually, nationwide. |
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Upcoming xMinds Events
XMINDS EVENTS, RESOURCES, & SERVICES ARE ALWAYS FREE
Wednesday, September 17, 7-7:45 p.m. (TONIGHT)
Let's Talk Transitions — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents of autistic students in middle or high school. Register here. Saturday, September 20, 10-11:30 a.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, September 29, 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, October 1, 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, October 6, 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. |
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Monday, October 6, 12-12:45 p.m.
Lunchtime Reboot
Relax, unwind and learn strategies to beat the stress of parenting. Register here.
Wednesday, October 15, 7-8:30 p.m.
Unpacking an Autism Diagnosis
Jen Dryer and Gabriele Nicolet of Raising Orchid Kids will lead a discussion on understanding a new autism diagnosis. 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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