Jenna Stirling on LinkedIn: My Sensory Bag- Self-Regulation Tools for Everyday Adventures (2024)

WOW!!! Ahead of it’s presentation at the Annual World Conference, I was invited to experience a play session in “The Cube” with Joseph Kleman As toy professionals we often talk about the power of play, the research behind the findings and the transformative power it has over our development. As a play and autism advocate, my passion has largely been led by my observations of positive developmental outcomes in children, but I have rarely considered the benefits I receive from the same play.Of course, I know it’s beneficial for all ages and I know that I smile and laugh when playing, but I never really considered why? Why, when I allow myself the time, does play make me feel lighter? Why is it so relaxing? In a short, 20-minute The OmniCube session, PLAY had figuratively “punched me in the gut”, brought me to tears and given me the freedom to act on my own terms, with my own rules, in a way that was right for ME.I left feeling lighter than I have in months with a huge “Eureka!” 💡 illuminated inside my brain. If you are interested in reading more about the specific play patterns that will be highlighted in Washington at the AWC’s “Breaking Boundaries of Science, Technology, Medicine, Art and Healthcare Policy” Conference, there is a link to my full blog post in the comments.Please check out the video below to learn more about the groundbreaking “Cube”!

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👏 👏 👏- the more I use chatGPT, chat AI, Midjourney, etc. the more I learn what MY OWN voice and intent sounds like in prompt form. The more I practice, the easier it becomes to get the vision from my imagination onto the page efficiently. I love AI for it’s ability to add momentum to innovation and speed things along. Love this Azhelle W.

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Happy Christmas Eve-Eve! I wanted to take a moment to thank James Zahn for helping illuminate the incredible impact our toy industry has in the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.These smiles pretty much say it all, but these toys will bring so much more! These toys will become the foundation of happy, meaningful, structured days that will:⭐️ Maintain and grow skills⭐️ Contribute to positive mental health outcomes⭐️ And most importantly, foster a sense of community and belonging in a society that is otherwise not built for its autistic and I/dd members.We are so thankful to Corey Funkey Smart Toys and Games 💛 Sarah Natchez Yoto 💛Brian Turtle Goliath Games 💛Ron Weizman South Beach Bubbles 💛Alexander Provda The Pencil Grip, Inc. 💛Natalie Ringeis Plus-Plus USAHappy Holidays to you all! ❤️❤️❤️https://lnkd.in/eVHcVd7y

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I remember buying, training and merch planning on 15k+ skus for my LE stores. It’s an art for sure and you Richard are one of the masters. Whether you’re giving someone a chance or giving them their big break (Choon Ng who is still my go-to birthday gift and forever craft staple in my home) Specialty toy owners have the passion to look beyond any “formula” and bring exactly what their community needs to spice up their lives with the new and, well, SPECIAL. I hope you all have a wonderful December spreading the magic of PLAY😃

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Living With Autism, Inc. is so thankful for ’s ongoing support to enrich the lives of NC’s I/DD community and foster inclusivity 😊 Thank you Jonathan Stephens and Sandra Ibañez 🙌

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🌟 Exciting news! 🌟I am thrilled to announce that Living With Autism, INC is launching its Kindness on Purpose Project, starting today, 11/27/2023, and running through the end of the year. 🎉Our main objective with this project is to raise awareness about the communication challenges faced by intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals. We firmly believe that kindness is a universal language and a powerful tool for fostering inclusivity among individuals of all abilities. 💙A special shoutout and heartfelt thank you goes to our amazing sponsor, Laura Kelly Walters forher generous support. Thanks to her contribution, we are able to create 500 engaging and playful kindness bags. These bags will be lovingly distributed throughout our city, with the aim of surprising, delighting, and spreading kindness to everyone who encounters them. 🎁💖We encourage you all to join us in this initiative. Let's make kindness a priority, not just during the holiday season, but every day. Together, we can create a more compassionate and inclusive world for individuals with disabilities. 🌍🤝Stay tuned for updates on the Kindness on Purpose Project and be sure to share your own acts of kindness using the hashtag #KindnessOnPurpose. Together, let's make a difference! 🌟💙#LivingWithAutismNC #KindnessOnPurpose #InclusionMatters #SpreadKindness #LWA

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🌟 Exciting News! Joining Living With Autism as Director of Development 🌟This opportunity truly found me at the perfect moment in my life. Having spent many years in the corporate toy world, I decided to take a leap of faith and channel my passion towards creating a more inclusive community for my own daughter with autism. It is a personal mission that has been close to my heart for years, and I feel extremely blessed to have found a support system in Living With Autism that shares the same vision. As Dr. Steve Maraboli once said, “The Universe doesn’t give you what you ask for with your thoughts; it gives you what you demand with your actions.”If you share our passion for making a difference and believe in the power of inclusivity, I invite you to watch the short documentary below created by the talented sister of Cassidy Smith and connect with me. Let's come together and explore how we can collaborate, leverage our networks, and contribute to the transformative work of Living With Autism.Thank you for your support, and I look forward to connecting with each and every one of you!

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I had the pleasure of working with this amazing human, Celeste during my time at Marbles Kids Museum. I highly encourage EVERYONE to check out her new book of poetry, “The Floor of a Bathroom”

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Check out this young person making a difference in the lives of neurodiverse children 🙌💙🌟