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jeryn cambrah

storyteller at the intersection of heart, mind, hands 🫀🧠 🖐️| open to select freelance projects

featured articles

explore a selection of my favorite and most-read pieces

Debunking 15 myths about autism

You’re either autistic or you’re not. Many times, people will use this phrase as a way to relate to autistic people and identify with their tics or “quirks”. It’s a well-meaning attempt to say “hey, you’re not that different from everyone else, we all have peculiar behaviors.” However, autism is not just a set of behaviors or “quirks”, it’s a neurological difference that affects how a person experiences the world around them. To say “we’re all a little autistic” kind of trivializes the struggles

Does my autistic child love me? 4 attachment styles you need to know

It’s something we’ve all wondered: does my autistic child love me? Do they understand how much I love them? Sometimes, as special needs parents, it may feel as if we’re replaceable in our child’s life — just a caregiver. But is that true? If you’ve ever wondered about your relationship with your kiddo, you’re not alone. Let’s get “in our feelings” a little bit as we explore this emotional topic.

Does my autistic child love me?

Autistic children are able to feel the full range of human emotions

The most comprehensive potty training guide for autistic children

If you dream of never having to change another diaper or pull-up, you’re not alone in your quest for potty independence. Toilet training is, understandably, one of the most frequently researched topics for kids with developmental delays and disabilities.1 We’ve put together the most comprehensive guide for potty training kids on the spectrum. Now, let’s get down to business (pun intended)!

Why do autistic children have difficulty potty training?

Potty training can be challenging for any child,

How to help your autistic child sleep better

Many autism parents can relate to the exhaustion and frustration of trying to get a full night’s sleep for themselves and their child on the spectrum. If you’re wondering why your child can’t sleep, you’re not alone. Nearly 80% of autistic preschoolers have trouble sleeping through the night, and many autistic individuals of all ages have insomnia.1 Many autistic individuals have difficulty falling – and staying – asleep. In fact, autistic people take an average of 11 minutes longer to fall asle

The best summer vacation spots for autistic kids

It’s estimated that only 13% of autism families take vacations.1 This surprised us at first, but it makes sense —most vacation spots aren’t made with autism and neurodivergent families in mind. There are so many questions and unknowns. Will my kids be safe? Will they have fun? Where will we stay, eat, and play? Will people understand our needs and challenges? As many autism parents know, it’s not easy to escape judgment and find a place that welcomes neurodiversity.

That’s why we’ve put togethe

You're Never Too Young to Learn Consent

My 4-year-old with autism understands consent. There are grown people that still don't.

Age and neurological differences can leave you wondering, "how do I even *begin* to broach these topics with my kid?"

Never fear, I've got you covered.

We've used this strategy with my nephew since he was born and at 4, he's now able to express verbally and with sign language/body language what he wants and doesn't want to happen with his body.

Not only that, but he LOVES his body, and is getting better a

The best gifts for kids with autism for Christmas 2022 + discount codes!

Choosing the right gift for your child can be difficult — you want something that will be exciting, but will also hold their attention and not end up shoved in the back of a closet in a few days. As the parent or loved one of an autistic child, you also want to ensure you’re getting them something developmentally appropriate and beneficial. Whether your child is constantly in motion or obsessed with tech, we’ve got the ultimate gift round up for autistic kids in 2022. Scroll for the best gifts f

How to host an accessible, autism-friendly holiday party

Hosting a holiday or get-together can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Preparations and planning can feel like a lot, especially when you’re trying to take loved ones’ special needs into consideration. If you’re searching for ways to help your neurodivergent guests feel more comfortable this year, we’ve got you covered. Here are 16 expert tips for helping everyone on your guest list feel included and welcome.

1. Make the gathering a judgment-free zone.

How do I tell people my child has autism? A complete guide to hard conversations

Getting your child’s autism diagnosis can bring on a flood of emotions. You may feel grief, relief, confusion, shock, or any other number of emotions. This is completely normal for any parent navigating a new autism diagnosis. First, you’ll probably want to find out more about autism (our complete guide to understanding autism is a good place to start). Then, you’ll be tasked with figuring out when – and how – to tell people about your child’s autism.

When should I tell people my child has auti

Why isn’t my child talking? A parent’s guide to nonverbal autism

Raising a child who can’t communicate with you in a way you’re familiar with can be scary, frustrating, and challenging. If your child is nonspeaking (aka “nonverbal”, “preverbal”, or “non vocal”), you are probably wondering what’s going on and what to do. This guide has been written by the parent of a “nonverbal” autistic child with the influence of nonspeaking autistic people and qualified speech-language pathologists. Here’s what you need to know, from one parent to another.

“Nonverbal” is a

social media graphics + copy

Examples of social content I've written & designed

product & web copy

Informational (but never boring) copy for About Pages, Product, FAQs, and more

web & graphic design

Select graphic design & website design projects (copy & design)

email newsletters

A sampling of high-performing email campaigns I've created (copy, layout, & graphic design)

Curious Cardinals

Little Efforts Accumulate into BIG Change! ❄️

This year, we're focused on little actions that accumulate into big change. Impossibly tiny snowflakes roll together to create a massive snowman. Tiny persistent actions help an athlete beat their personal best, an artist improve their craft, or an entrepreneur launch their big business idea. All great things start very small -- with persistent, incremental efforts that ladder back to a greater "why". But in a system that teaches to Tuesday's test, against a backdrop of a digital age that demand

Curious Cardinals

Why Kids Aren't Learning Anything in School 🏫

At Curious Cardinals, we talk a lot about kids being afraid of failure. Their fear is founded -- in the traditional school environment, they grow accustomed to constant comparison, whether against Friday's test or a peer's stellar science project. With a focus on standardized testing, out-of-touch teachers, and an atmosphere of competition, any deviation from "perfection" feels like a benchmark for inadequacy. This creates an atmosphere where children hesitate to take risks, stifling their natur

Curious Cardinals

2023 Curious Cardinals Wrapped ⭐

Move over Spotify -- we're recapping the people and moments that made 2023 our best year yet! 2023 has been a flurry of excitement, learning, and growth for Curious Cardinals. From parents like you who trust us, to the curious students who learn with us, and the brilliant mentors who nurture them, there's never a shortage of reasons to be thankful and inspired. Let's rewind and take a look at CC's 2023! 🏆 The nominations are in! 🏆 We asked CC mentors and mentees to vote for each other in a varie

Curious Cardinals

The Future of K-12 Education🔮

This week we’re peering into the future of K-12 education, sharing how you can empower your student beyond the classroom.

Does school ever feel like a 9-5 job your student just punches in and out of?

Our study reveals how families reach an autism diagnosis

How families arrive at an autism diagnosis The CDC reports that 1 in 33 children are being diagnosed with autism — more than ever before. This is likely due to greater access to diagnostic services and better screening. Because early access to support is critical, we wanted to examine the journey families take from parents’ first concerns to getting their child’s formal autism diagnosis. How does a family go from “I have concerns about my child’s development” to “my child has autism”?
• None Whe

The results are in + it's Autism Acceptance Week!

A few weeks ago, we invited you to test your autism knowledge. The results were interesting… The results of our autism knowledge quiz showed that though we’re all learning, there are some autism myths that just keep sticking around. It’s important that as parents, providers, and loved ones, we continually learn so that we can support autistic people and curb misinformation. We’ve put together a mega list of our favorite resources for parents of kids with developmental differences, including auti

Dysregulation? Sensory needs? Occupational therapy can help!

What is dysregulation?

Dysregulation happens when a person is overwhelmed, overstimulated, or when their energy is “too big” or “too small” for the task. You probably recognize dysregulation when it happens in your child, like when they experience hyperactivity, overreactions, burnout, shutdowns, meltdowns, or tantrums. Want to learn more? Watch this neurodivergent parenting coach explain dysregulation. How does OT help with dysregulation? Occupational therapy is an activity-based therapy that

"Does my autistic child love me?"

Sometimes, as special needs parents, it may feel as if we’re replaceable in our child’s life — just a caregiver. But is that true? If you’ve ever wondered about your relationship with your kiddo, you’re not alone. Let’s get in our feelings a little bit as we explore this emotional topic.

Ask the right question… It’s important to know that your child may not show love in the same way you do, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. Love is a complex concept for anyone, including neurodivergent kids

What’s cognitive behavior therapy? How CBT helps neurodivergent kids

If you’ve ever heard your child put themselves down…

Let’s face it: life can be tough. Our kiddos aren’t exempt from developing negative self-talk, anxiety, depression, or a lack of confidence. As many as 72% of children on the spectrum are also diagnosed with mental health conditions (depression and anxiety being the most common). We all want to raise healthy kids that are confident tackling life head on. But sometimes they need a little extra help… What’s CBT (cognitive behavior therapy)?

Co

Think you know autism? Debunking myths + how to educate loved ones

You see a headline saying “XYZ causes autism!” Someone at the grocery store gives you a hard time about your child’s meltdown. A well-meaning parent at the playground tells you your child “Doesn’t look autistic.” Or “Hey, we’re all a little autistic!” Your uncle says, “Eh, they’ll grow out of it.” With all the Judgy McJudgersons and misinformation floating around, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. Let’s debunk 15 common myths about autism, test your knowledge, and teach you how to ta