Embrace Autism [2023 Review]

drew on March 18, 2023

Embrace Autism is a website that provides a range of services and resources for neurodivergent individuals, specifically those with ASD.

The website offers guidance and support on various topics related to autism, including diagnosis, treatment options, and support services. Embrace Autism also offers online courses, coaching programs, and resources for families who are seeking help and advice on how to support their child with autism.

In this review, we will discuss the services provided by Embrace Autism and what makes them qualified to provide guidance on autism.

Autistic Services provided by Embrace Autism

Embrace Autism offers a range of services and resources for individuals with autism, adhd, sensory processing disorders, and developmental delays and their families. The website provides information on various topics related to autism, including autism assessments, autism awareness, and the autism spectrum. Embrace Autism also offers guidance on how to navigate various systems, such as schools and the healthcare system, to ensure that individuals with autism receive the support they need.

One of the most significant services offered by Embrace Autism is their coaching program for those who work with autistic people of all ages including autistic children. This program provides individualized support to families who are seeking guidance on how to support their child with autism and their ever important mental health. The coaching program is led by Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht, a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with individuals with autism and their families. Dr. Engelbrecht has extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of autism and is highly qualified to provide guidance and support to families.

Another service offered by Embrace Autism is their online courses. The website offers a variety of courses on topics such as autism and sensory processing, social skills, and behavior management. These courses are designed to provide families with the knowledge and skills they need to support their child with autism effectively. The courses are led by experts in the field of autism and are based on the latest research and best practices.

In addition to their coaching program and online courses, Embrace Autism also offers a range of neurodiversity resources for families. The website includes a blog that provides helpful tips and advice for families who are navigating the challenges of autism and want to build better autism acceptance. This is especially helpful for those experiencing autistic burnout with both children and autistic adults.

The website also offers a range of downloadable resources, including visual schedules and social stories, that can be used to support individuals with autism.

Qualifications of the individuals behind Embrace Autism

Embrace Autism was founded by Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht and Eva Silvertant, both of whom have extensive experience working with individuals with autism and their families. Dr. Engelbrecht is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience working in the field of autism. She has a doctoral degree in psychology and has worked in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, and private practice. Dr. Engelbrecht has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of autism and is highly qualified to provide guidance and support to individuals with autism and their families.

Eva Silvertant is a blogger and autism advocate who has personal experience with autism. She is highly knowledgeable about autism and has a passion for helping families who are navigating the challenges of autism. Eva’s personal experience with autism gives her a unique perspective on the challenges faced by families, and she is highly qualified to provide guidance and support to individuals with autism and their families.

In addition to Dr. Engelbrecht and Eva Silvertant, Embrace Autism employs a team of experts in the field of autism. The website features courses and resources led by experts in various areas, including social skills, behavior management, and sensory processing. The team behind Embrace Autism is highly qualified and dedicated to helping individuals with autism and their families.

Effectiveness of Embrace Autism’s services

The services provided by Embrace Autism are highly effective in helping families who are navigating the challenges of autism. =

The coaching program and online courses are designed to provide families with the knowledge and skills they need to support their child with autism effectively. The courses are led by experts in the field of autism and we highly recommend following along with their content both online and with social media channels.

Embracing Autism & Understanding Neurodivergence

The RAADS-R Test Accuracy for Autism Assessments:

The RAADS-R test is a pivotal tool for autism assessments, often utilized for diagnosing neurodivergent adults, including those with ASD and ADHD. It’s especially instrumental for those exhibiting alexithymia, a typical trait among autistic individuals where one struggles to identify and describe emotions in oneself. While this test is proficient, it’s not infallible. Its accuracy often hinges on the individual’s self-awareness and the presence of additional mental health challenges or developmental delays.

Understanding Autism Spectrum:

The term “autism spectrum” delineates a range of neurodevelopmental conditions, including ASD and ADHD. These conditions manifest through diverse traits, such as social challenges, communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and unique strengths and differences, often seen in autistic children and autistic adults alike.

Autism Awareness & Acceptance:

In fostering a society that understands and appreciates neurodiversity, autism awareness is the cornerstone. The advocacy for autism acceptance is pivotal as it paves the way for an inclusive environment for all autistic people. Embrace Autism, spearheaded by Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht and Eva Silvertant, is at the forefront of this advocacy, providing resources and support for those on the autism spectrum and their families. Through their platform, Embrace-Autism.com, they offer a plethora of resources, including best sellers and a playlist designed to educate and foster understanding.

Recognizing Autistic Traits:

Understanding autistic traits is essential, as these traits vary widely among autistic individuals, from autistic children to autistic adults. Traits such as alexithymia are prevalent, as are issues related to mental health and wellness. Autistic women often experience unique challenges, including greater pressure to camouflage their autistic traits, leading to autistic burnout. Autism assessments are crucial in identifying these traits early, providing the necessary support and intervention.

Supportive Resources at Embrace-Autism.com:

At Embrace-Autism.com, you can find a myriad of resources, including online courses, blogs, and best sellers related to ASD, ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions. These resources are vital for individuals experiencing autistic burnout or for families with autistic children seeking guidance on developmental support. You can easily access these resources, add them to your cart, and proceed to checkout using a credit card.

Promoting Autism Acceptance:

Through their tireless work, Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht and Eva Silvertant have not just promoted autism awareness but have also actively advocated for autism acceptance. They understand that each puzzle piece of the autism spectrum is unique, necessitating tailored approaches for advocacy and support for autistic individuals of all ages.

Remember, embracing autism is not just about acceptance but also about celebrating neurodiversity, understanding the myriad of autistic traits that individuals possess, and providing support for mental health and overall wellness. Together, with awareness, understanding, and acceptance, we can create an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Other Reviews

We Rock the Spectrum Review

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym [2023 Review]

drew on March 13, 2023

Sensory Toys for Autism

As parents to a child with autism, we felt it necessary to include one of the largest businesses that caters to kids on the spectrum to our list of reviews. We’ll not only cover basics about the company, but our personal experience.

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym is an indoor playground that caters to children of all abilities, including those with special needs, sensory issues, and autism.

The gym is designed to provide a fun environment for children to play, develop social skills, and build confidence. We have found our daughter loves to transition from the coloring areas in the corners to the sensory swings that are commonly located in the middle of the room at many of the locations. She’s even recently really enjoyed testing her strength on the monkey bars. 🙂

The franchise has various locations throughout the United States, including Tarzana, California.

We Rock The Spectrum Services

  • Open Play
  • Birthday parties
  • Rentals
  • Open play membership (we haven’t tried the open play yet)

We Rock the Spectrum Open Play

From what we read and spoke to the owners about here locally, the open play seems to be divided into two age groups, typical 3-7 and typical 2-4, and allows kids to explore the gym’s various play equipment such as a trampoline, zip line, arts & crafts, and dress up area. The location near our house has first responder uniforms which our kids love when they see the fire truck go by!

The open play membership provides unlimited access to the gym during business hours, making it an ideal option for families with kids who enjoy frequent visits. We haven’t taken advantage of the open play membership yet, but have thoroughly enjoyed being able spontaneously take an adventure with our kiddos. Rainy days are the best for us.

Birthday parties are also available, with party packages that include exclusive use of the gym, staff assistance, and various party favors (ordered in advance). The Rock Basic party package is designed for a typical 1-3 year old, while the Rock Star package is ideal for children who enjoy more adventurous play.

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym is also known for its dedication to children with special needs. The gym’s founder, Dina Kimmel, created the gym in 2010 after struggling to find a safe and welcoming place for her son with autism to play. Today, the gym is a place where children of all abilities can have a lot of fun while also receiving the support and accommodations they need.

Calming Room

One unique feature of the gym is the Calming Room, which is designed for children who need a break from sensory overload. This has been something we have personally used and it’s been such a great perk to our visits. Pretty amazing how something so simple can be so effective! At our location it’s located next to the restrooms near the arts and crafts corner, which is already a less populated part of the gym.

The room is equipped with special lighting, bean bag chairs that our daughter loves to squeeze, and a variety of additional sensory toys that help regulate emotions and sensory input.

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym also partners with Atak Interactive to provide an interactive experience for children. Atak Interactive’s software uses motion sensors to create an interactive play experience for children, promoting physical activity and play in a safe and controlled environment.

About We Rock the Spectrum

The franchise seems to be extremely well-received by parents and caregivers, with many praising the gym’s commitment to children of all abilities.

In fact, we keep seeing this phrases on many of the other reviews we have read over the years.

Finally a place where you never have to say i’m sorry.

Tons of Online Reviews 🙂

We checked out reviews on Facebook and many seem highlight the fun environment, the lot of fun kids of all abilities have, and the sentiment that “finally, a place where you never have to say I’m sorry.” Jim M. notes that We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym is “a great place for kids to have fun and learn,” while Monique F. praises the gym for its “inclusive and welcoming environment.”

In addition to providing a fun place for children to play, We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym also gives back to the community through the My Brother Rocks the Spectrum Foundation. The foundation raises funds to provide gym memberships to families with children with special needs who cannot afford them.

We Rock the Spectrum Locations

As of 2023, they show there are 122 locations across 27 states in the United States and 8 countries.

You can see the full list of locations here.

Conclusion

If you have a location near you, we highly recommend it! Even during the mask mandates, they were incredibly accommodating for our entire family, not just our daughter on the autism spectrum.

There isn’t a lot we don’t love about WRTS, but if I had to pick I would say it’s more of an inconvenience than a dislike, and frankly it’s not even that. If you show up after a private party, sometimes you have to wait longer than normal because they are cleaning the equipment (I feel bad even writing that, but with a child with autism sitting in the parking lot, things tend to get heated when we can’t unload and go into one of her favorite places in the world!)

Our experience has been great from the first time to many since!

Overall, We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym is a valuable resource for families with special needs children who want to foster their child’s development and play in a supportive and inclusive environment. They have a wide variety of sensory tools and stim toys and we have had an incredible experience.

Families who want to get directions or learn more about the gym can visit their website or check Facebook for updates on grand openings and new locations.