Chelsea's Vocation

10/16/2026

Halloween doesn't have to look a certain way to be meaningful. 🎃💛

Your child doesn't have to wear a costume. They don't have to say "trick-or-treat". They don't have to carve a pumpkin, visit every house, or participate in traditions that don't work for them.

From visual supports and rehearsal trick-or-treating to sensory-friendly costumes, alternative celebrations, and knowing when it's okay to simply skip something- our latest blog post is all about making Halloween work for your child, not making your child work for Halloween.

Read the post at: https://autismsocietywi.org/halloween-your-way-making-the-holiday-work-for-your-child/

10/15/2026

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and we're highlighting the rights of students with disabilities and the responsibility schools have to address bullying that interferes with their education.

DREDF is supporting Disability Rights California in releasing an updated Bullying and Harassment of Students with Disabilities toolkit to help families understand their rights and take action.

The guide explains how bullying can become disability discrimination, how it can affect a student's right to a free appropriate public education, and practical ways families can advocate through the IEP process. It also includes sample complaint letters.

Read the toolkit: https://www.dredf.org/toolkit-bullying-and-harassment-of-students-with-disabilities-october-2026

10/13/2026

🧐 What are you curious about for your autistic learner when it comes to life after high school? 

💻 Are there resources you have tapped into that have helped your adolescent prepare for the intimidating world of adulting? 

😀 When you think about your high school student, what are you most pleasantly surprised by? 



10/06/2026

Shout-out to those who keep these concepts and the people impacted by them in the spotlight year-round!

October is a month to recognize, learn about, and celebrate the disability community. These and other observances throughout the month recognize the experiences, contributions, and achievements of people with disabilities and the communities that support them.

This month and throughout the year, take time to learn, listen, recognize, and celebrate.

09/24/2026

Did you know that the fourth Wednesday in September is, by Wisconsin state statute, Bullying Awareness Day? If you have a child with in a public school, did they do anything in observance?

is a huge problem for autistic students. Check out this episode if you haven’t yet, or if it’s a good time for a refresher.

https://youtu.be/aZ2xiPjfJRs?si=YHpM8-uV26NdVx8U

- Bullying remains a significant issue for youth in America, with r...

09/23/2026

“It would be better if I died.” 😰

That’s what Chelsea’s 10-year-old autistic son said, and she will never forget what that moment looked like. If you love someone with autism, please talk about suicidality before you think you need to.

Scott Allen emphasizes …
😔 Autistic kids and adults are often more isolated, masking more, and experiencing more burnout than people realize.
😫 A lot of suicidal thoughts are really a desperate “I need help” signal, not a lack of wanting to live.
☮️ Families can help by making home a place where honesty is safe and autistic existence is normalized.

This isn’t just a mental health issue. It’s a systems issue. Autistic people shouldn’t have to exhaust themselves simply to exist. If you’re a parent, caregiver, or ally, how can you change the narrative of autism to protect autistic people’s wellbeing?

09/09/2026

“It’s not your fault — but it is your responsibility.” 🤯
That line from Jonathan Domsky may change how you think about autism, ADHD, and behavior.
If this hits, listen to this episode and send it to a parent who needs the reminder.

What matters most isn’t blaming the child or excusing the behavior.
It’s asking: What is this nervous system experiencing?
What support would actually help right now?
What self-regulation approaches might prevent dysregulation?

Autism is not a character flaw. It’s a different neurology.
And with the right support, what looks like “bad behavior” can become information, self-awareness, and growth.

That’s the shift. Not punishment. Not denial.
Understanding + responsibility.

🤔 What do you think? Have you heard this framed as explanation vs. excuse before?

09/03/2026

Our next workshop is for the educators, and it's one you won't want to miss!

With more students struggling in general education today means that more educators are struggling with the lack of systemic support they are receiving. Due to that loss of systemic support, the overwhelm then snowballs: managing day to day, lesson planning, teaching content, then soon enough your overall ability to emotionally regulate starts to become much more difficult and your prep hour feels like 15 minutes. The worst part, when educators struggle, so do students. Is there a way to lesson plan and respond to varying needs AND feel less overwhelmed? YES, and our October workshop is here to teach you how!

Making Gen Ed Work for More Kids with IEPs was designed with you in mind; a workshop brought to you by someone who has both been in the shoes of a struggling student with disabilities whose teachers did not know how to support them, and now as a disabled educator who has served more than 1000 students with IEPs because they identified gaps in their own learning as they earned their Masters in Teaching. In this workshop, you will learn from one of the very best special educators in the country, Mash Makhlyagina, how to:

1. Identify common barriers to effective inclusion within general education settings and how these challenges impact both students and educators.

2. Apply planning strategies that reduce overwhelm and increase flexibility when responding to diverse learning needs.

3. Develop a sustainable mindset for inclusion that balances student support with educator capacity and well-being.

And more!

A steady and equitable work-life balance is waiting for you! Join our October workshop by clicking the link below: https://autismsocietywi.org/event/virtual-workshop-making-gen-ed-work-for-more-kids-with-ieps/

08/21/2026

What a great opportunity for our !

🌟 Join Us at the Autism Resources Fair for Preschool Children! 🌟

Families of preschool-aged children are invited to join Children’s Wisconsin Center for Child Development for an afternoon filled with helpful information, resources, and opportunities to connect with your community. 💙

📅 Monday, September 14
⏰ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Children’s Wisconsin Center for Child Development
1250 N 113th St., Suite 200, Wauwatosa, WI

Meet with Children’s Wisconsin team members and community partners to learn more about resources available to support your child and family, including:

✨ Family guidance
✨ Financial resources
✨ Therapies
✨ Recreational opportunities
✨ Safety resources
✨ And more!

🔗 Please register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=KmVjmQqrG0-ZSrSeg9kPDqq8l9T3_SBHi7mTCxAkiE1UNkc0N1RZSEJOMVVJMU9DMDVIRkpDT1EwTy4u&route=shorturl

💙 Autism United of Wisconsin will be there! Stop by our table to meet our team, learn about our programs and support groups, and discover resources available to families in our community.

Come connect, ask questions, and discover resources that can support your family’s journey! 🌟

08/12/2026

As summer winds down, many families are beginning to think about the return to school. A new school year often brings exciting opportunities to learn, grow, and make new connections- but it can also bring uncertainty. New teachers, new routines, different expectations, and changes in daily schedules can feel overwhelming, especially for Autistic students who thrive on predictability.

The good news is that preparing for the school year doesn’t have to begin on the first day of school. A little planning and practice ahead of time can help build confidence, reduce anxiety, and create a smoother start for everyone.

To help support your family, we’ve gathered a few practical strategies along with free resources that can help make back-to-school season a little easier.

https://autismsocietywi.org/back-to-school-toolkit-helping-your-child-prepare-for-a-new-school-year/