Communication & Affirming Neurodiversity with Natashia
EXPERT INTERVIEW
I discovered Natashia’s work on Instagram and fell in love with her passion for treating children with respect and helping parents develop the skills to communicate with their kids holistically.
Her parenting tips and vulnerable shares are so inspiring and have been excellent prompts for me as I parent my differently wired children (and myself). I can totally connect with what Natashia talks about in this interview as a mother whose business became what it is today because of how I needed to show up for my children and family as a whole, which eventually informed how I choose to show up for myself.
Natashia makes beautiful communication books that utilize visual aids to give young children a voice in their own lives. It’s a fantastic tool for children on the spectrum and children who use nonverbal forms of communication.
I’m so excited to share Natashia’s story and work with you here. Be sure to follow along with her work on instagram (links in the sidebar) and grab some books to use with children in your life or hand out to local spaces that could have this on hand as a simple accommodation. Enjoy!
Tell us about what you do through your business:
I create communication soundboard books for nonspeaking children, designed specific for autistic children.
What's happening in your business that you're excited about?
Diving into Neurodiversity affirming practices!
what do you find delightful about what you do?
Seeing my neurodiverse children thrive, when historically autistic and adhd children grow into adults who struggle. I’m curious to see how it changes their journeys, based on ND affirming practices.
What brings you joy personally?
Gardening, and being in nature with my family
What is your favorite way to celebrate accomplishments?
A fancy coffee
Who has inspired you most in the world of neurodiversity?
Brave neurodiverse women sharing their journeys on social media
What is your favorite mistake that you've made? How did it play a part in where you are now?
Going to school for mechanical engineering. It taught me the design process, which impacted my abilities to design the books and a sensory safe home . But if I could start over, I’d go to school to be a ND affirming psychologist.
What led to your creation of the I Want To Tell You books?
My disabled son. He struggled with the assistive communication systems available, and I knew other parents must be struggling to communicate with their kids, too
How has being a mother of neurodivergent kids supported you in your journey?
It’s helped me see that I’m not neurotypical after all, which I assumed my whole life because I was the academic, mild tempered child in a very neurodiverse family.
What is neurodiversity affirming?
Adapting the environment, providing sensory input proactively, using a preferred communication method, recognizing double empathy problem, respecting when someone needs space, reducing demands to avoid burnout, and allowing a person to develop at their pace.
What do you want most people to know about accommodations? What's a common thing people say to you about accommodations that you want to rewrite?
Accommodations help a person be their best selves, and protect mental health.
How do you make/find ease when you need it?
Go outside and work in my garden.
Where do most people get stuck when it comes to accommodating the people in their life?
The adults get stuck in their dysregulation. They want kids to be regulated, when they haven’t learned self-regulation themselves.
If someone were to say to you "they just need to toughen up or try harder" what would you tell them?
That’s ridiculous, and a solid path to mental health problems.
Is there a specific process you follow for trying new accommodations with kids or clients?
Involving them in the process.
Natashia from
“I Want to Tell You” Books
If you want to chat more with Natashia about this article you can connect with her on Instagram:
www.instagram.com/iwanttotellyoubooks
To purchase a few visual cue books to hand out in your community or use with loved ones:
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