Parent & Carer Supports

Parent + Caregiver Education, Advocacy Partnership, and Peer Mentorship Sessions

with Sarah Bostaph, AuDHD Educator, Advocate, and Mentor

Sarah (they/them) collaborates with The Properties of Light to offer educational and support services, as well as owns/operates The Autisticoach @ www.autisticoach.com.

Parent + Caregiver Support

  • Virtual support sessions for caregivers of neurodivergent kids of all ages.

  • Simple, accessible education about neurodiversity, introduction to local supports, and exploration of family systems.

  • Collaborative problem solving around communication differences, accommodating sensory processing patterns, and building sustainable routines.

Advocacy Partnership

  • Thorough and collaborative review of current supports, including therapeutic, educational, medical, and community, and exploration of additional resources for supports.

  • IEP review and advocacy support; support in understanding the process of advocating for neurodiversity affirming goals, accommodations and supports in educational settings.

Peer Mentoring

  • Exploration of and education about your own brain and how it processes information; learning your limits and needs

  • Identify sources of stress or frustration and how to accommodate yourself

  • Practice confident self-advocacy safely and without pushing past your limits

  • Adulting 101: better tips for getting your life together than "have you tried a planner?"

Sarah in their own words:

As a multiply neurodivergent and disabled partner, parent, and advocate, I've seen firsthand how many barriers there are to living in a way that truly supports your needs. I have had to navigate various mental health, medical, and educational systems both as a provider and as a consumer, and my goal is to share that expertise with my community to make sure everyone can access the resources they deserve. 

We as humans are not meant to be dealing with the demands of daily life on our own. We evolved in community - in fact, anthropologist Margaret Mead claimed that an ancient leg bone with evidence of a healed break was some of the earliest proof of civilization. If that long-ago person was cared for long enough for their injury to heal, then there was some measure of mutual support in their life. "Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts", she stated, and I agree completely. 

So often we feel isolated or overwhelmed because we do not know how to ask for support or even what resources are out there. We struggle to understand our own experiences and communicate our needs to others. Connecting with someone who has lived experience as well as professional expertise can be so affirming and empowering, and I want to make sure that everyone has the tools they need to succeed. 

Lately I have found the most joy in my family, exploring local hidden gems, bubble tea, and terrible Marvel fanfiction. 

Collaborative Coaching Sessions

with Kristie Melson, LCSW, NIC-A

Kristie (she/her) is collaborating with The Properties of Light to offer time-limited parent & carer support services. Kristie facilitates workshops, support groups, and is offering individual collaborative consultation sessions through August 2023.

More often than not, carers find ourselves experiencing isolation, overwhelm, sensory burnout, information overload, fear, and shame….all while still having to push on for work, family, and community…and forgetting that we have a right to wellness, release, and rest. 

For these reasons, we invite you to consider a new virtual offering for parents, grandparents, and carers of neurodivergent, trans, non-binary or gender expansive young people!  

Through this offering, registrants will participate in four, 1-1, virtual collaborative coaching sessions with EMDR Certified therapist, Kristie Melson, LCSW, NIC-A. 

These four sessions will focus on creating an individualized, tangible set of skills that supports nervous system soothing, grounding, and stabilization during times of overwhelm, underwhelm, isolation, and burnout.

Participants who are interested in additional sessions as a refresher or to further expand their skill set can request a two session followup at any point following the completion of their four session foundation series.

 *when requesting a two session followup, Kristie cannot guarantee immediate availability but she will work with participants to plan for this as soon as her schedule allows.