One thing I’ve noticed is that travel looks different now than it did before I understood myself and my family through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. I still love exploring new places. I still want to wander beautiful streets, discover museums, try local food, and fit in as much as possible. But I also know that every choice has a cost, and my nervous system keeps the score. There were moments when we chose to do less so we could enjoy more. We built in extra time. We paid attention to what our bodies were telling us. We mixed busy sightseeing with experiences that felt calming and sensory-rich. We accepted that after a day of walking and navigating a busy city, everyone might need extra comfort, patience, or simply rest. I also found myself making different choices than I might have years ago. Not because I couldn’t do everything, but because I wanted to finish the trip feeling well rather than pushing until I crashed. Sometimes that meant saying no to one more stop, one more treat, or one more activity. Something else I’ve learned is that coming home is part of the trip too. For me, the days afterward aren’t just about unpacking luggage—they’re about unpacking experiences. Processing conversations. Sorting through ideas. Letting my nervous system settle. Giving myself permission to recover instead of expecting to jump straight back into normal life. None of this made the trip feel smaller. If anything, it made it richer. I’m grateful for the family who welcomed us, for the experiences we shared, and for how much more compassionate we’ve become with ourselves. Our vacations don’t have to look like anyone else’s. They just have to work for the people taking them. I’d love to hear from others in this community. Has learning more about yourself changed the way you travel, recover, or plan family experiences?

I’ve been spending some time putting the thinking behind Visually Speaking into writing. The first article explores a question we occasionally get asked: Why don’t our learning resources include recommended age ranges? It’s a question that has shaped many of our design decisions and over-arching philosophy. In the article, I talk about why chronological age and developmental milestones are valuable, while also exploring why we begin with a different question when choosing or designing a learning resource: What is this learner (client, child, self) working toward right now? I’d love to know what you think. After you’ve had a chance to read it, feel free to come back here and share your reflections. - What resonated with you? - What challenged your thinking? - What questions did it leave you with? https://visuallyspeakinginc.com/why-dont-visually-speaking-resources-include-age-ranges/

Hello, community! 👋 I’d love your input as we continue building Thriving Together. This community is still new, which means we have a wonderful opportunity to shape it together. Rather than guessing what would be most helpful, I’d love to hear from you. What would make this community most valuable for you over the summer? Vote below, and if you have other ideas, I’d love to hear them in the comments. Every bit of feedback helps shape what we create together. Summer gives us a chance to experiment and build this community together.

Greetings! I wanted to let you know I’ve switched the drop in time today for the coffee chat from 10 am ET to 12 pm ET. This is the last drop in for June. I’m wondering what shape July could take and welcome your input. Would themes be helpful? What times or formats are best for you? Looking forward to your feedback. In fact, I might send a poll this time, because summer is a natural transition for many folks. Best 💜 P.S. GIFs are really popular on Skool, so I’m embracing it… and trying not to get lost scrolling to find the ‘perfect’ one!

This weekend, I had the opportunity to sit down with Salli Carter for an upcoming episode of The Educator Experience podcast, which will air this fall. Salli was kind enough to share a few clips in advance, and I thought it would be fun to give this community a first look. 😊 If you enjoy hearing educator stories and perspectives, I think you’ll appreciate the conversations Salli is creating. One of the themes that kept coming up in our conversation was community, and it left me reflecting on how much that has shaped me over the years. Early in my classroom teaching experience, creating a sense of belonging for students mattered deeply to me. Looking back, I realize that community wasn’t separate from learning—it was part of the learning. Building trust, making room for every voice, and helping students feel seen mattered just as much as the lessons themselves. As Salli and I talked, I found myself connecting those early experiences with what I’m trying to cultivate here. Different setting, same hope. Whether in a classroom or an online space, I believe people thrive when they know they belong and when every voice matters. In many ways, that’s at the heart of Visually Speaking too: making voices visible and creating opportunities for people to connect, learn, and support one another. Not surprisingly, community found its way into many parts of our discussion. 💜 I’m excited to share the full episode when it airs this fall, but until then, I hope you enjoy this little behind-the-scenes glimpse. ✨ Consider this your exclusive preview. Here is the YouTube link to The Educator Experience channel: https://youtube.com/@theeducatorexperience?si=jFIcC-nHhbKVXvq3 …And the Podcast link on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-educator-experience-podcast-with-salli-carter/id1817723101