Scoops for a cause! Stop by Max’s Best Ice Cream in Bethesda, MD on Friday, February 27. Mention us and 15% of your purchase will benefit xMinds!
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xMinds Speaker Series: When Demands Become Too Much
UNDERSTANDING AUTISTIC BURNOUT WITH DR. DAVID BLACK |
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Autistic burnout happens when an already highly sensitive nervous system is pushed past capacity. Many autistic individuals experience heightened sensitivity to social ambiguity, large volumes of information, sensory input, and environmental changes. Add executive functioning challenges, and everyday demands — directions that aren’t explicit, noisy classrooms, shifting expectations — can become overwhelming. These are pressures that may feel manageable to a non-autistic person but can flood the nervous system of someone with autism, leading to exhaustion, shutdown, skill regression, or school refusal.
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In our Thursday, February 26 webinar (7-8:30 p.m.), David O. Black, Director and Co-founder of Center for Assessment And Treatment (CAAT), will guide families through how to identify and “distill” the specific demands contributing to burnout. Is the barrier sensory-related? Is there something in the environment that can be adjusted? Are expectations developmentally appropriate in the first place? Does the student have the skills needed to meet the demand? Participants will also explore what is treatable — such as anxiety, dyslexia, or even underlying medical issues like GI distress — and how addressing those factors can be critical to recovery.
Treating autistic burnout is not about pushing harder. It’s about carefully identifying the demands, reducing unnecessary stressors, addressing treatable conditions, and restoring agency and choice. Join us for this eye-opening discussion and walk away with practical steps to support a clearer, more compassionate path forward.
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Speaker Bio
Dr. David O. Black is a pediatric neuropsychologist and internationally recognized expert in autism spectrum and related disorders. In addition to his work with individuals who have social and self-regulatory problems, Dr. Black provides comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and consultation services to children, adolescents, and adults with learning differences, attention disorders, and medical conditions such as epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and genetic disorders. Prior to founding CAAT, Dr. Black was a researcher in the Pediatrics and Developmental Neuroscience Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health, NIH. |
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Dr. David Black, Director and Co-Founder, CAAT |
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Warm Up at xMinds Open Gym
FUN FOR ELEMENTARY AND PRESCHOOL FAMILIES |
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The worst snow of the polar vortex is melting; time to get the little ones out of the house for some playtime. Join xMinds families for our indoor open gym, a safe, fun space for autistic kids to move, play, and connect: Saturday, February 21, 10–11:30 a.m. at the Glen Haven Elementary Gymnasium, 10900 Inwood Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902. |
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We will have balls, mats, parachutes, and other gym equipment, as well as organized children's activities. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to connect with other parents and share resources. There will be the usual snacks, and volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions.
Everyone is welcome, including siblings, and there’s no cost to attend! Registration is not required, so feel free to just show up. But if you would like to receive event reminders and an email if we need to postpone due to inclement weather, sign up here. |
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I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream
JOIN XMINDS FOR AN ICE CREAM SOCIAL FEBRUARY 27 |
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Spend your MCPS early release day with a yummy treat. On Friday, February 27, anytime after 1 p.m., order something scrumptious from Max’s Best Ice Cream at 7770 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814. Tell them you're there for xMinds and 15% of the proceeds will be donated to us. That’s a sweet win-win! |
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Max’s Best Ice Cream describes itself as an “upscale, dine-in ice cream shop featuring an inventive menu of artisanal ice cream creations. In addition to traditional scoops of ice cream, our signature offerings include extreme milkshakes, boozy shakes, unforgettable sundaes, reinvented floats and our custom frozen hot chocolate blend. Every creation is adorned with a cherry on top!” To sweeten the deal, so to speak, Max’s Best Ice Cream has partnered with Best Buddies International to employ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. So support a great community partner and when you order, don’t forget to clearly say you’re there for xMinds to ensure your purchase counts toward our 15% give-back! Registration is not required but click HERE for more details and to add this event to your calendar. |
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Make Plans for the xMinds Annual IEP Clinic March 14
SIGN UP FOR A FREE IEP CONSULT |
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One parent described their child’s annual IEP meeting as the adults getting called to the principal’s office, instead of a fruitful, collaborative discussion with their child’s teacher and other support staff. It doesn’t have to be this way.
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To that end, xMinds is hosting our annual IEP Clinic, dedicated to providing families with essential information on how to advocate for their autistic learner, on Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (doors open at 9:45 a.m.), in-person at a NEW location: Fusion Academy Rockville, a private special education school in downtown Rockville, 275 N. Washington Street, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850. |
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Joanna Krill, CEO, JMS Education Consulting
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Don't miss keynote speaker Joanna Krill, CEO of JMS Education Consulting. Joanna is a professional advocate and former special education teacher, instructional specialist, and supervisor. Joanna has extensive knowledge and expertise in problem-solving and identifying supports that students need to be successful.
She will present "Making Your Voice Heard in the IEP Process" twice at the clinic: once at 10:15-11:15 a.m. and the other 11:45-12:45, to accommodate all attendees. Both presentations will include time for Q&A. Joanna will share her best advice on how to prepare for your child’s IEP meeting, what data to collect, and why the parent report is so important. Parents will learn what to expect -- and what NOT to expect -- from their child’s educational team.
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In addition to hearing from our keynote speaker, parents can sign up for a 25-minute individual private IEP consultation. Participants who pre-register can consult with an educational consultant to discuss their most pressing IEP questions. To schedule an appointment, you MUST sign up for a specific time-slot through the IEP Clinic Signup Genius Form. Find the link to the form in the confirmation email you'll receive when you register for general admission to this event. Click below to register today. Appointment slots are limited so don't delay. Throughout the session, our professional members, including local service providers and practitioners, will have tables filled with resources. Please stop by and chat with these experts! It should be an informative Saturday; whether you sign up for a private consultation, listen to the keynote presentation or simply wander the resource tables, you won’t want to miss it! |
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Special Thanks to our Sponsors:
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Sponsorships are still available! If your business would like to support this year's IEP Clinic, fill out this Sponsorship Application Form. |
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Now Available: xMinds Summer Camp Guide
START PLANNING FOR SUMMER 2026! |
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The snow may still be melting outside, but it’s never too early to start planning for the warmer days ahead. To help you plan, we’ve put together the xMinds Summer 2026 Camp Guide. Our guide features an extensive list of camps and programs that autistic kids and teens have enjoyed in past years – including day and overnight programs. |
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Some camps are still finalizing their plans, so we’ll update the information as we learn more details and hear about more offerings. Check back throughout the rest of the winter and spring! |
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Join Our Monthly Parent Discussion Groups
SHARE STRATEGIES WITH THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE |
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Now is the perfect time to connect with other MoCo families who have similar interests and concerns. Our monthly online discussion groups offer the perfect opportunity to chat, share experiences, and exchange ideas.
We’re currently running five virtual groups: |
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Small Steps Together. Parents/caregivers of an autistic elementary or preschool child. Next meeting will be February 23. Register here.
Let’s Talk Transitions. Parents/caregivers of an autistic child in middle or high school, approaching the transition to adulthood. Next meeting will be February 25. Register here.
People of the Global Majority. Parents/caregivers of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students. Next meeting will be March 2. Guest: Whitney Ellenby Monthly topic: Activities & Therapies Register here.
Hablemos Educación Especial. Spanish-speaking parents/caregivers of an autistic child. Next meeting will be March 4. Regístrese aquí.
Lunchtime Reboot. Relax, unwind and learn some methods to beat the stress of parenting. Next meeting will be March 9. March's topic: When Plans Change: Coping with Uncertainty and Flexibility Register here.
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xMinds is Hiring!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH US |
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Are you passionate about outreach, collaboration, and making an impact for a cause you believe in? Are you looking for your next career move? We’d love to hear from you as xMinds is looking for a Community Engagement Coordinator to help build relationships, support volunteers, and strengthen our connection with families and the community.
This position offers flexible scheduling; however, availability during regular weekday business hours is required, including participation in scheduled meetings, with occasional evening and weekend events. |
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Key Responsibilities
1. Volunteer Engagement, Recruitment & Retention (Primary Focus)
2. Community Outreach & Relationship Building
3. Communications & Content Development
4. Stewardship & Fundraising Support
5. Event & Program Support
View the full description and application details here. And share the job posting if you know someone who fits the bill. |
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Welcoming our Newest Board Member MEET BETHANY MILLER |
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We are excited to welcome Bethany Miller to the xMinds board. She has spent more than 25 years working across clinical, private sector, and government settings to improve the health and well-being of children and families. In those roles, Bethany has developed and overseen national social and health policies and programs focused on children’s health, mental health, and the prevention of abuse and neglect. |
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Bethany earned her Master of Social Welfare in Children and Youth Services from UCLA, and her Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has two teenage daughters, one of whom is autistic and receives special education support from MCPS. Bethany is eager to help xMinds in its mission to support autistic children and their families. When she’s not helping our families professionally, Bethany likes seeing live music with her daughters and exposing them to as many experiences and travels as they can manage. To get to know Bethany, we asked her a few lightning-round questions, including "What would you win a gold medal in?" in honor of the ongoing Olympics. Bethany said she would love to win the gold medal in playing the guitar, but more likely would stand on the podium for sarcasm. "Who would you invite to dinner?" Jose Andrés “so he could cook a delicious meal and then tell me how he went from world-class chef to world-class philanthropic chef and emergency responder.” Welcome to xMinds, Bethany. You can read about all our staff and board members on our Leadership page. |
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Start Training for Bike to the Beach 2026 JOIN XMINDS FOR FUN RIDES THIS SPRING
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Team xMinds out for a ride |
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Time to get that bike out of the shed and stretch those muscles! This year’s Bike to the Beach will be held on Friday, June 19. The whole route runs from Union Station, D.C. to Dewey Beach, Del., but you can choose shorter legs of 25, 50, or 70 miles. |
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Bike to the Beach is xMinds’ biggest fundraiser, providing more than half of our annual budget – funds that go toward hosting speaker events, developing online resources, offering advocacy services, providing grants to teachers, and more.
And because of the earlier start date, we need to get training. Team xMinds will hold a series of optional training rides throughout the spring. Our first training session is Sunday, March 29, 9 a.m., at Ken-Gar Palisades Park. Drop in and give it a whirl; no commitment required. If you have any questions, please email our Team Captain Patrick Quigley. Many of our cyclists find that training together offers a fun way to meet other xMinds families.
If you want to “bike to the beach," sign up here to join Team xMinds and ride with us on June 19. As a rider, you can invite friends and family to support you with a donation — but you’re not required to raise a particular amount. If you want to raise funds without biking, sign up here as a virtual bike rider with Team xMinds, and encourage your family and friends to support you in your fundraising efforts. If you want to make a donation, please show your support for xMinds by donating here. Your contributions mean a lot to us and help fund all of xMinds’ important work to improve education for autistic children in Montgomery County.
Find out more about this fundraiser on the xMinds website, where we spell out all the details about this fun and important event. |
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xMinds Honors Black History Month LEARN ABOUT FREE SPECIAL-ED ADVOCACY FOR BLACK STUDENTS |
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xMinds had the privilege of hosting Marcy 'Rachamim' Jackson, the founding coordinator of SEE US, during our discussion group in March 2024. Marcy spoke about the disparities in special education advocacy based on income and race. Watch the presentation here or on the xMinds YouTube channel.
See all xMinds’ resources for BIPOC students and their families.
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Ready to Help? BOOKMARK NEW XMINDS VOLUNTEER HUB |
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With a small staff and a big mission, xMinds relies on volunteers to power nearly everything we do — from staffing our IEP Clinic and bringing snacks to the playground, to advising a parent on their child's IEP. Simply put: we could not offer the breadth of services we provide without volunteers.
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Bookmark our new Volunteer Hub and check back often to explore the many ways you can get involved with xMinds as our volunteer community continues to grow. Whether you have a few hours a month or a specific skill to share, there’s a place for you at xMinds. Together, we can strengthen our community and improve educational outcomes for autistic students in Montgomery County. |
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Supporting Nonspeaking Autistic Students
AUTHORS SHARED STRATEGIES AT JANUARY 14 WEBINAR |
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Monthly Series: Autistic Voices
CHANGING HEARTS AND MINDS |
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Charlotte Bachelor, Autistic/ADHD Writer and Speaker
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In this month’s Autistic Voices spotlight, in honor of Black History Month, we highlight Charlotte Bachelor, a Detroit-based autistic advocate who uses her own story to inspire change. Diagnosed with Autism and ADHD later in life, Charlotte is a dynamic writer, advocate, and proud voice for the experiences of Black Autistic women and girls.
One of the most powerful aspects of Charlotte’s leadership is her belief in storytelling as a catalyst for change. When Charlotte says, “a good story can change hearts and minds and inspire action,” she means it literally. She often shares her own late-diagnosis journey to illuminate the challenges Black autistic women face — growing up feeling “different,” and learning to mask traits that were misunderstood in order to meet expectations.
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She founded a Black autistic writer’s group, creating space for storytelling to highlight the struggles of underserved communities – families who lacked access to evaluations or were dismissed when raising concerns, a grandmother advocating for a grandchild, or a parent navigating stigma within their church. But it is her emphasis on joy that reminds audiences that autistic stories are not only about barriers, but about celebration, pride, and belonging. She has appeared as a recent guest on two popular podcasts: Today's Autistic Moment and Autism in Black: Late Diagnosis, Black Autistic Joy, and Thriving in Your 20s. Her voice is worth hearing.
Find Charlotte on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlottesayss/ |
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Professional Member Spotlight
As a benefit to both our families and professional members, xMinds publishes information about our professional members here in the xMindsWire as well as on our website. Inclusion does not constitute our endorsement. This month, xMinds would like to highlight the following new and renewing professional members:
Advocate Navigator LLC
Silver Spring, MD
202-304-8490; https://advocatenavigator.com/
Contact: Melissa Stein; melissastein@advocatenavigator.com
Services: Educational consulting
Melissa Kaufman Stein, MA.LT.SpEd., CAS is a special education parent advocate and navigator with over two decades of experience in special education and mental health. Melissa has educated children and adults across the lifespan, including teaching special education in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). In addition to being an IBCCES Certified Autism Specialist, she has received additional training in supporting students who struggle with PDA as well as training in incorporating the medical needs often comorbid with autism in IEP's. Melissa is a proud mother of three autistic children.
Bass Educational Services, LLC
4229 Cherry Valley Drive Olney, MD 20832
301-774-5211; http://www.basseducationalservices.com
Contact: Judy Bass; judy@basseducationalservices.com
Services: Educational consulting; Academic tutoring/coaching; College placement assistance
Bass Educational Services, LLC provides a range of educational services for neurodivergent students, including those with Autism, ADHD, and other learning differences. Our educational consultants provide comprehensive college and postsecondary planning, working with families throughout the entire process, offer guidance in gap year programming, and assist families in facilitating local K-12 school placements. Our Certified Executive Function coaches work with students from middle school through college, and our trained, experienced tutors provide online one-on-one SAT/ACT test prep and subject tutoring. Additionally, we provide assistance in obtaining ACT accommodations.
The Rooted Child - Slater Early Childhood Consulting, LLC 10605 Concord Street, Kensington, MD 20895
Contact: Stephanie Slater; 240-994-6870
Stephanie@therootedchild.com
https://www.therootedchild.com/
Services: Early Childhood Consulting for children 12 months through 8-years-old. Navigation, Advocacy and Coordination of Care, Parent Education
The Rooted Child supports parents of young children by helping them understand their child’s unique developmental needs and navigate the often-overwhelming world of therapies, schools, and services. We offer personalized guidance, connect families with the right specialists and resources, and provide ongoing oversight of each child’s care plan. By ensuring seamless communication between parents, therapists, and providers, we create a coordinated environment where children can truly thrive.
The Stixrud Group, LLC
8720 Georgia Ave., Suite 606, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 565-0534; http://stixrud.com
Contact: Dr. Salya Namazi; snamazi@stixrud.com
Services: Educational Testing; Neuropsychological Testing
The Stixrud Group is a group of neuropsychologists and clinical psychologists who specialize in the evaluation of children, adolescents and adults with learning, attention, social or emotional difficulties. We are committed to the alleviation of suffering for our clients and their families by removing any blocks to their experiencing happiness and fulfillment in life. We believe this is accomplished by helping our clients understand themselves. Our goal is to use our professional knowledge and skills to help people achieve educational and professional success, emotional healing and interpersonal harmony in their relationships. |
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Upcoming xMinds Events
XMINDS CORE EVENTS, RESOURCES & SERVICES ARE ALWAYS FREE
Saturday, February 21, 10-11:30 a.m.
Open Gym Meetup
Preschool and elementary families head indoors! Register here.
Monday, February 23, 7-7:45 p.m.
Small Steps Together — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of autistic elementary or preschool children. Register here
Wednesday, February 25, 7-7:45 p.m.
Let's Talk Transitions — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents of autistic students in middle or high school. Register here.
Thursday, February 26, 7-8:30 p.m.
Monthly Speaker Series: When Demands Become Too Much: Understanding Autistic Burnout
Webinar featuring CAAT co-founder and pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. David O. Black, who will discuss strategies on how to identify the specific demands contributing to burnout. Register here.
Friday, February 27, 1-11 p.m.
xMinds Ice Cream Fundraiser at Max's Best Ice Cream
7770 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
Support xMinds with a sweet treat on MCPS early release day. Mention us and 15% of your purchase will be donated to our programming! More details here.
Monday, March 2, 7-7:45 p.m.
People of the Global Majority — Parent Discussion Group
Online discussion group for MoCo parents/guardians of autistic children who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Register here.
Wednesday, March 4, 7-7:45 p.m. Hablemos Educación Especial — Grupo de Discusión de Padres
El comité de xMinds sobre el alcance del idioma español está organizando un grupo de discusión en línea mensual en español para los padres de un estudiante autista del condado de Montgomery. Regístrese aquí. |
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Monday, March 9, 12-12:45 p.m.
Lunchtime Reboot
Relax, unwind and learn strategies to beat the stress of parenting. March‘s topic: When Plans Change: Coping with Uncertainty and Flexibility Register here.
Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
xMinds Annual IEP Clinic
*NEW LOCATION* Fusion Academy Rockville, 275 N Washington St Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850
Get help on your most pressing IEP questions. Register here.
Sunday, March 29, 9 a.m. Team xMinds Training Ride Join our first Bike to the Beach training ride at Ken-Gar Palisades Park, total distance 20 miles; Starting point: 4140 Wexford Dr, Kensington, MD 20895. All levels welcome! More details here.
Community Calendar
Our community calendar is FULL of great offerings not only from xMinds, but from professional service providers located in Montgomery County. Check out the programs and events posted on our Events Calendar.
Note: Our Events Calendar shows events on their start date, but some community programs require you to apply before the start date, so please look ahead! |
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Please consider donating to xMinds. We offer all our resources to families and educators at no cost to ensure they are accessible to everyone who needs them. Your support is essential in helping us continue this work. Every contribution makes a difference!
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