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Years ago, I attended a Real Estate event in which people would present their deals to a panel of investors who would choose whether or not to invest — similar to the TV show Shark Tank.

At lunch time, we were sitting in a small group and one of the guys at our table started sharing what he was going to present to the panel — not a real estate deal, but something else. He had created something truly brilliant! I was amazed by how creative and eloquent he was, and I admired the reason behind his discovery. It was remarkable.

Behind this guy there was a booth with a family and two kids. The kids were loud and were literally jumping on the booth, laughing or crying after mom told them to stop. The kids were extraordinarily loud and energetic.

All of a sudden, the investor trying to "sell us" his product turned around towards this family.

I still remember his angry red face and the veins on his neck swelling.

Then he yelled at them: "CALLATE!!!" (Shut up in Spanish).

He didn't speak Spanish — but he did know how to yell that?

It was an intense moment. He turned around, back to his conversation and explaining his product. My attention to him went out the window. In one moment, he went from brilliant to a mad, angry stranger whom I no longer respected.

The super sweet parents were asking for boxes and the check to take their lunch and their kids back to their hotel room. The dad was there for the same event as us. We had talked with him during breaks. He had shared that he brought his family with him.

I still remember that pit in my stomach.

For the rest of the event, I felt guilty because I did not speak up. I did not know what to do in such an awkward moment. I just sat there and watched these parents being judged, yelled at, and defeated. As a mom, I just felt for them. No judgement, no guessing…

My message and awareness today is:

If you've been there, you know what it's like. And if you don't know what it's like, just give them the space to deal with the immediate situation and don't make it harder on them. Don't make them pack up their dinner and leave early.

We may never know what it took a family to get out the door.

What could I have done differently to help that family at that restaurant that day? I'm not sure. But I hope that next time something similar happens I can be brave enough to speak up and advocate. I will try to keep my eyes, ears, and heart open so I know how to help in case there is someone acting like a bad shark.

This incident happened so many years ago, but it all came back to me when I saw a picture recently. We did meet Kevin from Shark Tank that week! (And he was actually pretty nice!)

Since our kids were young, we included them in our Real Estate business. They attended classes and network events with us.

One day, we had just gotten out of the subway at Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts. When we came to the main area, we were SHOCKED!

Did we land in a different planet? Did we take the subway to an alternate reality? Is this how people dress in Boston? Did we miss the memo? Was it Halloween already? We were do confused and amused at the same time! The costumes were AWESOME!!!

This was our introduction to Comic-Con! After the initial shock, we could not stop laughing so hard.

I was surprised to learn that there are many types of Comic-Cons — from family/kid-friendly to lifelong comic or sci-fi fans, and everything in between!

Keeping in mind that these events draw large audiences, I was so happy to hear that some of them now offer sensory rooms or calm zones. Some have sensory-friendly hours and quiet lounges or ADA rest areas.

Tips for Attending Comic-Cons and Pop Culture Events:

There is actually a growing movement of events built for neurodivergent attendees — like Calmer Con in Boston! The city where we encountered our first Comic-Con attendees.

Calmer Con is a sensory-friendly comics and pop culture convention designed to accommodate the needs of autistic attendees and those with sensory processing and anxiety concerns. Like a traditional "comic con," there are artists, vendors, and cosplayers, as well as activities like Jedi training, superhero academy, block building, and an art area. They also offer access to professional service organizations to provide information and help special needs families.

These kinds of events remind us that the world doesn't have to be built just one way.

When we think about travel and experiences, it's not just about the destination — it's about knowing your family belongs there.

How good of a communicator are you?

Can we agree that communication can be tricky for many people?

Some of us do better expressing ourselves in writing, while others express better in person. Some people are the life of the party and can chat with anyone, while others prefer to communicate deeper — one on one or in smaller group settings. Some can present to an audience of dozens or hundreds of people, and yet struggle in a one-on-one conversation.

A baby's way to communicate is to cry when it's time to eat or needs a diaper change. If you are an adult and cried to get what you need or want… how did it go?

I'll admit, this is one of the rabbit holes where my brain went one day. I started thinking: How do I communicate at home? In business? In all the different settings I get to participate in?

As I learned English, and then Japanese, hand motions and signals were sometimes the most effective — until I learned to speak, read, and write. As I thought about it, I got curious about all the different types of communication that I'm aware of.

Besides these below, do you know of any other ways to communicate?

👉 May be affected by: hearing loss, motor planning, or neurological differences

👉 Important distinctions:

Individuals may use one or a combination:

A. Sign-Based Communication

B. Lip Reading (Speechreading)

C. Auditory-Oral Communication

D. Cued Speech

👉 Key awareness point: Not all Deaf individuals use sign language, and not all benefit equally from hearing devices.

A. Tactile Communication

B. Auditory-Based Communication

C. Orientation & Mobility Signals

👉 Key awareness point: Visual supports don't work here — information must be spoken or tactile.

A. Low-Tech

B. High-Tech

👉 Used by:

👉 Some individuals communicate far more clearly this way than verbally.

👉 Especially helpful for:

👉 Often overlooked but highly meaningful.

👉 This is communication with meaning, not random repetition.

👉 Often communicates:

👉 The nervous system is communicating.

Today I would like to spotlight the International Association for Spelling as Communication.

It's a non-profit organization where families, trained practitioners, and advocates for non-speaking individuals seek to help open communication opportunities through training, education, advocacy, and research for non-speaking individuals.

I remember how frustrating it was to try to communicate when I didn't know the languages well enough. I knew what I wanted to say, but I just couldn't get the words out. Sometimes people did look at me as if I was intellectually challenged. I was not — I was communication challenged.

This is exactly what spelling does for those who once were considered non-verbal (could only communicate through body language, facial expressions, and gestures instead of words) and now they are non-speaking individuals. It opens the lines of communication with the rest of the world!

And it is INCREDIBLE to see what their minds have been storing for years!

My invitation today is to:

✅ Check out the International Association for Spelling as Communication website
✅ Share this with any families who could use an open door to communication

And if you're in Tucson, come and visit Tucson Spellers Table this weekend at the All in for Autism fair! Stop by and visit me at The Autism Passport table too!

Whether it's standing up for a family at a restaurant, planning a sensory-friendly trip, or advocating for communication access — every action matters.

If you're ready to plan a family adventure where your needs are honored and your dreams come first, I'm here to help.

Let's make your next trip one that fits your family — not the other way around.

Because this isn't just my business. It's personal — because I'm a mom who gets it.

We’d love your feedback! Let Us Know What You Think! Email [email protected]