Meet in the Middle & The Hidden Genius

This week, I want to take you on two journeys: one through the red-brick streets of Philadelphia with sensory-friendly stops for families, and another into the world of non-speakers—brilliant minds who remind us that intelligence can shine far beyond words. Both are reminders of what happens when we choose to meet in the middle

✨ Meeting in the middle

Last week I shared about our family trip with our two adult kids. We started in Washington, D.C. and ended at Niagara Falls. Right in the middle of our journey, in Philadelphia at Congress Hall, something surprising happened—we heard someone calling my husband’s name. We turned around and saw friends from back home, who live just five minutes away from us!

The funny part? They were making the exact same trip, just backwards—starting at Niagara Falls and ending in D.C. What are the chances of running into friends at the exact same time, same place, across the country? But there we were, meeting in the middle.

That moment reminded me of how life can feel when connecting with people on the autism spectrum. Sometimes it may seem like neurodivergent thought patterns are “backwards,” but in reality, they’re often on the same journey—just taking a different route to reach the same destination. It’s something important to remember in our daily interactions with adults we live with, work with, or meet along the way.

This idea of “meeting in the middle” also came to mind as I thought about friendship across different faith traditions. This week, the Jewish community celebrates Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. I received a few business emails wishing me a happy Rosh Hashanah, and it reminded me to send a greeting to a Jewish friend. I’m Christian, and it fills me with joy to celebrate alongside others in small ways. While I didn’t have apples and honey, I baked a pear crumble bread to share with family and friends.

💡 Meeting in the Middle Tip:
When talking with someone on the spectrum, try to pause and notice their route of thinking. Instead of redirecting them, ask gentle questions to understand their perspective. You may find you’re headed to the same destination—just on different paths.

What traditions or simple acts of kindness help you “meet in the middle” with others—whether with a friend, coworker, or neighbor? I’d love to hear your stories!

(And if you’d like my easy and delicious pear crumble bread recipe, just hit reply and I’ll send it your way!)

🍂 Philadelphia in the Fall

With fall colors setting in and many schools on break, if you haven’t made plans yet, let me share one of my favorite cities—Philadelphia!

One of my passions is exploring historical architecture. I’m no expert, but I love noticing the details in old buildings and imagining the stories they hold. Philadelphia is full of red brick, charm, and history around every corner. Here are a few highlights from our visit—plus some sensory-friendly spots to make your trip smoother.

🇺🇸 Historical Highlights

• Independence Hall – The place where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Standing in the room where freedom began is inspiring!
  👉 Tickets & info

• Congress Hall – Right next door, this is where the U.S. Congress met in the late 1700s. We loved it!
  👉 Plan your visit

• Liberty Bell – The museum is small, and once you see the bell you may think, “That’s it?” It’s still worth it for a history report or a family photo, but you can also skip it if time is short.
  👉 Learn more

🥖 Food Stop: Reading Terminal Market

By now you’ll be hungry! Reading Terminal is full of local food stands, from seafood to fried food. It can be overwhelming for sensory-sensitive travelers (lots of smells and sounds), but the Philly cheesesteaks are hard to pass up. Locals will debate forever—Pat’s or Geno’s? Try both and decide for yourself!
👉 Explore the market

🌟 Sensory-Friendly Spots in Philadelphia

If you’re traveling with someone who has sensory sensitivities, here are some excellent choices:

• Please Touch Museum – Accessible activities and sensory-friendly play opportunities. Best to book ahead.
  👉 Accessibility info

• The Franklin Institute – Science exhibits plus guest services for accessibility. Some Sundays offer special sensory hours.
  👉 Accessibility info

• Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University – Dinosaur fans will love it! Accessibility services are available.
  👉 Accessibility info

• Philadelphia Zoo – Live animals plus quiet areas and resources for sensory-friendly visits. Their BOO! at the Zoo season is starting soon.
  👉 Accessibility info

💡 Helpful Tip: On most attraction websites, click “Visit” or “Plan Your Visit”—that’s where you’ll usually find Accessibility information to help make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

🍁 Your Turn!
Have you visited Philadelphia or another historic city in the fall? What was your favorite stop—or your favorite fall treat? 🍂 Reply and let me know—I’d love to feature some of your stories in a future newsletter.

Happy Fall travels!

🌟 Thrive Together: The Hidden Genius of Non-Speakers

Sometimes in life, we meet heroes the world doesn’t recognize. They aren’t trending on social media or featured in the news. But they change lives quietly, profoundly.

I’m talking about the practitioners, parents, and advocates who are unlocking the voices of non-speaking individuals—those with severe autism, apraxia, Down syndrome, and other conditions who have long been misunderstood.

For too long, the world—including even doctors and parents—has assumed that if someone cannot speak, they must not understand, or that their intelligence is “like a toddler’s.” That is absolutely not true. Many of these individuals are brilliant, insightful, and deeply aware. Their inability to speak is not a reflection of their mind—it’s a reflection of barriers in communication.

Thanks to dedicated practitioners and courageous families, doors are opening. Non-speakers who were once trapped in silence are now spelling, typing, or using other tools to share their thoughts, fears, wishes, hopes, dreams, and wisdom. The transformation is nothing short of miraculous.

I want to honor:
✨ The practitioners who devote their lives to teaching non-speakers to communicate.
✨ The parents who dare to believe their children are capable of more than professionals told them.
✨ And most of all, the non-speakers themselves—brilliant souls who, once given a voice, shine with wisdom and insight beyond measure.

This weekend, I’ll have the privilege of attending an event where three incredible non-speakers will address a large audience. I cannot wait to share their stories with you next week.

For now, I invite you to watch this powerful film that opened my own eyes. You can go to their website (paid) or from there go to the free YouTube movie. Trailer is really good.
🎥 Spellers: The Movie 

Give it a chance—it may completely change the way you see intelligence, communication, and the human spirit.

💡 Takeaway for Parents & Caregivers:
Never underestimate your child. Never assume they “don’t understand.” Assume competence. Believe in their brilliance. Give them the chance—and the tools—to show you the extraordinary mind inside.

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